Calling all HBS Applicants - (2015 Intake) Class of 2017

The single biggest fear I had going into my interview was the fact that I had not visited HBS. In fact, my parents lived ~40min away, so I had no excuse for not visiting. The topic never came up in the interview. I instead focused on why an MBA fits perfectly with my past history and future goals; this was sufficient for me.

For the record, it was not Dee Leopold who interviewed me. I am also a 2+2 candidate, but I doubt this makes much of a difference.

Quick Question:

When the application asks for work experience and part-time experience, do they also want us to list internships? They do not ask to list internships (only full-time and part-time). For example: I've worked at one job since graduation, but I've had internships and TA positions during undergrad. Could anyone advise on what they're looking for?
Thanks so much!

Awesome! Just out of curiosity, what did you use to research HBS?

Me trying to tackle the HBS app:

Read more in my latest blog post...

Most of my information came from HBS' site (and youtube channel), forums/blogs like these, and speaking with alumni that graduated from both my undergrad and HBS.

I took a quick look through your blog. Interesting how many similarities there are between you and me.
- Interned and started FT at a F50 manufacturing company
- Spent one rotation in corporate finance at that mfg company
- 710 GMAT
- 3.79 gpa (3.76 at the time of my application)


I don't know if this applies to you, but as a fellow large corp mfg worker, I think the "X factor" that got me into HBS was my ability to express how passionate I was for my specific industry.

I am passionate about my industry Ms. HBS interviewer and here's proof:
- I moved 2000 miles away from CA to follow my passion.
- My degree specialty is specific to this industry.
- I have spent so much time and money on my own hobbies that pertain to the industry.
- I have read X, Y, and Z books by prominent business leaders in the industry .. about the industry.
- I have strong opinions on what companies in the future will need to do in order to be successful.

My point is that business schools are dying for people who are over achievers with industry expertise. They get plenty of applications with high GMAT's from consulting / high finance. Leverage your industry experience as much as possible. I didn't have amazing stats, but I wasn't competing against bankers or consultants. I was competing against other people in a similar industry.

I went off on a tangent there, but it's not often I see people with manufacturing experience on forums like these.

Good luck!

You are absolutely right! Thanks for your help manufacturing friend!!! We are a special breed for sure, and I appreciate your advice!!!

I have read a lot of posts that say scholarship awards at HBS are need-based. Does anyone have more information about how this is calculated? I assume income and assets are the main criteria, but do they also take into account parents' income/assets as in undergrad? (Is there an expectation of a family contribution?)

I have written, edited, thrown out, re-written, and re-edited about 5 essays now. Going to take a few days off, start over, and just go with my gut.

In for R1 - GMAT/TOEFL taken, essay 95% completed and recommenders briefed. A heartfelt good luck to all applicants! Whatever the outcome, it will be a great experience.

12th Annual Diversity MBA Admissions Conference (DMAC)
Riordan Programs Alumni Association
Saturday August 9, 2014
9am to 5pm
UCLA Covel Commons, Los Angeles, CA

The ONLY event of its kind in the Western United States is back for its 12th year!
Be assured this is THE NOT-TO-MISS event for anyone interested in pursuing an MBA. Connect with admissions officers from top 25 ranking business schools in an intimate setting and get one step closer to your dream school.

Regular Registration: $100 (ends August 2nd)
Late Registration: $125

Ticket price includes:
• 4 round table sessions with admissions directors from top 25 MBA programs
• Admissions Workshop
• Alumni Q & A Panel
• Access to information booths
• Raffle Entry
• Lunch
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE, SIGN UP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
Register: https://dmac2014.eventbrite.com or visit https://www.riordanalumni.com/programs/dmac/

Keynote Speaker
Peter J. Aranda III
Executive Director and CEO
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

List of Attending Business Schools
Carnegie Mellon: Tepper School of Business
Columbia Business School
Cornell University: The Johnson School of Management
Dartmouth College: Tuck School of Business
Georgetown University: McDonough School of Business
Harvard Business School
Indiana University: Kelley School of Business
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Sloan School of Management
New York University: Stern School of Business
Northwestern University: Kellogg School of Management
Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Duke MBA
University of California, Berkeley: Haas School of Business
University of California, Los Angeles: Anderson School of Management
University of Chicago: Booth School of Business
University of Michigan: Ross School of Business
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Kenan-Flagler Business School
University of Pennsylvania: The Wharton School
University of Southern California: Marshall School of Business
University of Texas at Austin: McCombs School of Business
University of Virginia: Darden School of Business
Washington University in St. Louis: Olin Business School
Yale School of Management
Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Duke MBA
University of California, Berkeley: Haas School of Business
University of California, Los Angeles: Anderson School of Management
University of Chicago: Booth School of Business
University of Michigan: Ross School of Business
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Kenan-Flagler Business School
University of Pennsylvania: The Wharton School
University of Southern California: Marshall School of Business
University of Texas at Austin: McCombs School of Business
University of Virginia: Darden School of Business
Washington University in St. Louis: Olin Business School
Yale School of Management

I included internship experience, since I had several internships during undergrad that I felt were meaningful to my story. I just made sure to specify that it was an internship.

Hi MBA Hopefuls,

I joined GMATClub in hopes of meeting those who may be in need of MBA application consulting services.

I've helped applicants with GMAT scores as low as 520 access top MBA programs such as HBS, Wharton, Stanford GBS, Emory Goizueta, LBS, Duke's Fuqua Business School, Booth, Kellogg and more.

My approach is highly personalized. I work very closely with the applicant to understand his/her strengths, goals, weaknesses, passions, and potential as they relate to each MBA program. I also ensure that all recommendation letters are 100% consistent with the rest of your application.

Within the first (free) 30-minute consultation, I can very quickly figure out if low GMAT scores are something we'll be able to work around or if applicants should retake the GMAT and/or consider other MBA programs. This boils down to an applicant's professional background and other accomplishments.

Outside of MBA application consulting, I'm the cofounder of two startups, and am well connected in the tech startup scene for any of you who might be interested in jobs or internships.

Thanks for listening! I look forward to hearing from you.

Christina
LinkedIn: linkd.in/1drpe40

Almost done with the app.... it is LOOOOOOOONG

Over a month in advance. Wow.

Alrighty then, finally back on the MBA train after deciding not to apply the past two years.

Looking forward to starting this essay.

Given the nature of the HBS app, would it be ok if your resume exceeds a page?

My resume currently sits just over a page - literally 10% over. I'm hesitant to trim it down further or sacrifice white space to make it all fit within the 1 page.

Appreciate any thoughts

In a word, no.

Unless you've got 20+ years of work experience, there's no reason you can't fit all your relevant accomplishments onto one page.

The resumes you submit to McKinsey/Goldman/Google/3M will be required to fit on a single page, so the resume you include in your business school application shouldn't be any different.