Calling all HBS 2011 Applicants!! (Including 2+2)

Has anyone applying to HBS experienced a problem with the recommenders not receiving an automatic notification/email with the instructions right away? Thanks.

The only reason that I know because the receiving e-mail server ( for example : yahoo,gmail and etc ) still hold it due to internal error / maintenance works / heavy workload. At the end of the day the server will still send it to the recipient's e-mail address with some delays ( which can be couple of days ) but they won't see the delay on the time stamp of e-mail as it's still with the original date and time.

Round 2 Application Deadline - FAQs
Date: January 11, 2010
As we head toward January 19, I'll try to field some FAQs. None of these are new to us, but we're mindful that applicants are dealing with all this for the first time, so we'll risk being repetitive in an effort to be helpful.

Question: How rigid is the word-limit restriction? What happens if I go over?

This is the language we used last time about this; it's still true, and I can't think of a better way of saying it:

"Your essays do not get cut off if you go over the word limit. That being said, after reading many, many essays, we have a good feel for whether an essay is going over the limit. I think it's fair to say that we expect a candidate to be able to edit effectively, but don't stress over a few extra words.

We're getting a lot of similar questions from recommenders wondering if their remarks are being cut short. They aren't. We have suggested word limits for recommenders that amount to roughly a page of text; we do this to give those not familiar with writing recommendations a sense of an appropriate length of response. If your recommenders have more to say, that's fine. Their file upload doesn't get cut off after a single page or after a certain number of words."

@ smileyface -- i heard that they were planning to do something like this. However, it does make sense since HBS will not allow you to submit your application if you are over the age of 28. I hope you already knew that...

I am sick of HBS. Yeah, it is the dream schools of everybody, but the "legacy" issue and the discrimination against older applicants are notorious !

I am sick of HBS. Yeah, it is the dream schools of everybody, but the "legacy" issue and the discrimination against older applicants are notorious !

I agree with what minime is saying. With respect to HBS trying to push for younger applicants, it's more about the women who lose out on business opportunities because, well, we have to settle down and take care of the kids by the time we hit 30. So nature rules out the application process for women at that age. HBS just tries to balance ages. I really don't think it's an issue with that.

If you're really concerned, you could try to register with two ages.

Please do not believe everything you hear on the forums or what the admission consultants say. Most people who apply to HBS (and other top schools) get rejected which gives rise to these these theories.

Age does become an issue (in the thirties) for full time MBA only because by that time, people start getting into more leadership positions in their job and are more suitable to the exec. program.

I know a bunch of people in HBS who were 27-28 when they got in. HBS and other schools are committed to admitting the most accomplished people who are a few years out of school ( 2-5). It's in their interest to do so. It is true however, that HBS is such an attraction that a number of extremely talented 23-25 years old ( who figured things out in their life early) apply and they get in. But they get in because of their accomplishments and not because of their age.