Harvard 2013 (HBS) - Calling All Applicants

Hello Everyone,
It's good to see the buzz on this thread.

I am having difficulty with the question to non-native english speakers "In what context are you currently reading, writing, and speaking English?" I understand the intent of the question and have things that I can put in but I am having difficulty in framing the answer. Are they just looking for a simple one liner or are they actually asking the specifics on material and situations?

I would really appreciate your help on this.

Thanks
Raj

I think you are overthinking here. Just answer what you usually do in English - i.e. write emails, read news, books etc.

That is a pretty nerve racking thought! Are you applying Javoni?

Thanks a lot. Appreciate your help on this.

Hi Sandy,

After reading through several stats for HBS on poetsandquants and your "Assessing the Odds" for being accepted by HBS, I'm now wondering if I'd even have any slim chance of being considered / interviewed at all, and would greatly appreciate your feedback:

the negatives:
- undergrad from a state school (NJ)
- GPA 3.4 (was studying MIS/Comp Sci)
- 10+ years of experience
- GMAT 690 (will retake)

the other application considerables:
- works at famous tech/search company for the past 5.5 years, specializing in sourcing / outsourcing of operations
- first in the family to graduate from college
- parents had a family business in vietnam but immigrated to the US (now working for others in not-so-glamourous jobs)
- average extra curricular activities (spent 10 weeks teaching underprivileged 6th graders in an apprenticeship program last year, team captain for fundraising at a previous company, volunteering here and there)

Just by sheer percentages, it's probably .01% chance of being accepted, and thought with your expert familiarity of the HBS mold, it would be great if you could advise:

a) not to bother applying or
b) any suggestions on something i could highlight in my application to help with getting to the interview stage (and thus moving to a 50/50 odd of being accepted!)

Thanks for reading, and hope to hear back from you.

This question is directed at Sandy or anyone else that has a strong view. - On the short answer questions regarding employment. How important are these eg your biggest challenge etc? Also should we try to make the bullet points for responsibility similar to what is on the resume? Trying to figure out if there is any value add in this section.

Thans.

The best way to use this section is that for every available character space you are writing quick "silver bullet" points, which highlight the RESULTS of your greatest achievement.

So under greatest challenge you would write things like:

Overcame resistance of 30 board members to convince management to invest in investment xxxx. Investment was the most profitable of the decade.


and BAM!!!!! If every one of your bullets looks like this, then that is HBS materiel!!!

Thanks this is really helpful. One more quick question on the awards section. I really haven't won anything recently. Does being ranked top-tier during an analyst program count for something like this?

Posted from my mobile device

^same problem as bulls01. :S

anyway, how are you guys doing? I'm going insane. so nervous.

Ya, this is getting close! Any thoughts or guesses on # of R1 apps this year? Fewer due to earlier deadline or higher due to fewer essays?

Yea I was thinking about this... I reckon similar to last year.

Although, apps have been down at other schools. So my expectation is that it might increase more applications from the applicant pool, but not necessarily increase that pool itself, if you see what I am saying. So pool size is probably lower, countered by a higher % of the pool throwing their name in the hat for HBS = about the same.

Either way, I don't really see how more or less significantly changes my odds of getting in... still a slim chance I feel!

Hi guys, was hoping to get some expert opinions on the first essay question:

Tell us about something you did well. (400 words)

How recent should this experience be? I have a very good story from 6-7 years ago before I started university but would this be viewed negatively by adcom? Any insights would be much appreciated - thanks in advance.

I am not sure if including a story from that long ago is a good idea. Of course if the thing you did well is monumental (eg: founded a startup while in school, which you sold off in college, and it inspires you towards entrepreneurship today) then thats a different issue. Most schools want recent examples (3 years is a good guideline as MIT says), especially if the experience is a professional and not a personal one.

However this is only my opinion. Wait for others to chime in before you take a final call. Cheers!

If it is 6-7 years ago, it better be awesome.

Posted from my mobile device

i think five years is acceptable. 6-7 :S

Any other news/buzz anyone has been hearing from people at HBS? I am just curious at the lack of buzz just 5 days prior to D Day!

In for R1! Hopefully submitting on Saturday. Good luck!!