bonjourlemonde wrote:
Hi all,
Seeing so many posts from people who have been rejected I thought I will share with you my views on the selection process so that you are not too worried or sad because you did not make it into the interview stage. I believe the selection is not as thorough and fair as you may think. In the end, adcoms are humans too and they cannot know who the applicants really are, therefore it happens they choose really random people.
I work at one of the biggest and renowned companies in Europe and exactly 4 of my colleagues applied into HBS in the past year. I have to tell you I was very surprised to learn who in the end was enrolled.
Obviously, all had similar experience and 700+ GMAT, but their social skills are very very different.
HBS selected 2 of my colleagues who had really difficult and complicated characters (they were seen as rather unfriendly and uncollaborative. On top, I found one of the persons extremely lazy, whatever I would ask this guy for, he'd either forget or do last minute. Not to mention the quality wouldnt be extraordinary either). Also, both of the guys told me they hated their job, were not interested in our products anyways, and felt miserable. I wouldn't say they inspired me in any way, beside they made me think of an MBA. Also, I did not feel they had any big accomplishments. (I knew them privately too, and no they were not saving kids in Africa, rather spending their time watching TV series or playing videogames).
Whereas the other 2 dinged guys are just sweethearts. The indian girl that got rejected (I guess because of her nationality, unfortunately) is extremely smart and talking to her is pure pleasure. She is always nice and professional and she is a person I'd always choose to work with. The rejected guy is the most accomplished of all four, has the biggest responsibilites, is really passionate about our industry, works on interested projects outside of his work, and on top is extremely respectful and a really good friend I can rely on. Luckily he got accepted into another top B school.
So yes, the world does not end at HBS and from my experience with my work colleagues I know that the selection is not too fair. Although I want to apply into HBS next year, I know that if I dont get into it, I wouldnt be too sad. The HBS students are humans too and not necessarily better than people in other schools. So dont take it personally when you dont get into the school, the selection process is just not good enough.
Cheers!
Great post and thank you for taking the time to write it. You absolutely right about adcoms being human. I work for one of the biggest tech companies and I hire engineers all the time. I cant even remember how many times have I seen resumes that made the applicant looks like "engineering god" but turned out to be totally opposite when interviewed (and we do multiple interviews because one interview for 30 min isn't enough to gauge anyone's technical and personal skills). I also work with some of the best graduates out of the top B-schools. But there are also few from the same schools who makes me question school's selection process.
I think MBA apps are the same. I could write an awesome application with or without help from professionals to get an interview. Then I could do the same for interview prep to get admitted. But at the end, I might not be any better than people who got rejected. Also, I think it also has to do with the diversity that all the B-school are looking for now. They want a great mix of potential, talent, achievements, academics, ethnicity, citizenships, etc. So that sweet Indian girl getting rejected shouldn't be a surprise. Looking at some of the reject profiles on Clearadmit was just surprising and in a sense comforting comparing my profile to theirs.
I dont mean to say that the system is completely flawed because HBS puts out really talented and successful people. Most of them deserve the place at HBS but there are also few who get in and make people around them question the admission process. So if you are rejected, don't worry. Its not that you arent good enough for HBS but you are different from what HBS is looking for in this given batch. I think HBS did a good job at crafting their rejection message (pasted below)
Every year we receive roughly ten applications for every available spot in the class. While we are pleased that so many talented people want to be students here, the numbers make for many very difficult decisions. In all likelihood, you are a viable candidate with many strong attributes and accomplishments. Our challenge becomes not one of "evaluation," but of "selection." In order to deliver a class who brings as many different backgrounds and perspectives as possible, we must turn away many qualified candidates.