Six Things You Need To Know About The New Harvard MBA ApplicationRecently, I served up a healthy dose of
tough love to Harvard MBA applicants who were reportedly in a state of “panic and confusion” over the revisions announced to the Harvard MBA application.
Here, I offer concrete ways you can shift your application strategy for the Harvard application.
First, read carefully the HBS Admissions web page entitled:
Who are we looking for? Although the elements of the application process have shifted, the core objectives of Harvard MBA Admissions remain the same. Thus, I would argue, there is no need for panic, dear applicants. You're simply being asked to communicate the same information in a different format.
To recap, the Admissions Committee of Harvard Business School seeks these essential characteristics in their MBA students:
Diversity
Habit of Leadership
Analytical Aptitude and Appetite
Engaged Community Citizen
Recommendations From the MBA Admissions CoachGiven what we know about Harvard's new MBA application and the characteristics sought by HBS in their candidates, here are my
"Six Things You Need To Know About the New Harvard Application." 1. Know your story. Before you create a strategy to tell your story, you need to know your story. This sounds trite, I know. Your story is more than just the facts and figures. Your story includes your strengths, your core traits that make you a good leader now and will make you a great leader in the future. Your story also includes your goals. Why are you pursuing an MBA and how will you make those goals a reality?
2. Know that all MBA applications are business communications.Effective and succinct communication is what business values. Keep all of the components of you application on target with your story, yet still compact and cohesive.
3. Know that you should submit an essay.No question. The application essay is the glue that binds together the other elements of the file. It’s the narrative of your story. Furthermore, HBS already established they seek candidates who demonstrate diversity, habit of leadership, analytical aptitude, and engaged community citizenship. You can’t tell that story with only your application, resume, test scores, transcripts and recommendations.
4. Know that your resume and recommenders assume a more significant supporting role in telling your story. More than a list of dates and positions, your MBA resume must be crafted to reflect your story in the context of what HBS seeks in candidates. Reconnect
now with your recommenders to remind them of your story and strengths. Tell them directly about your strategy for your HBS application, and ask for their help in supporting your strategy.
5. Know your timeline.The HBS Round One deadline of September 16, 2013, will come around quickly. Don’t underestimate the time you’ll need to develop, edit, and re-edit your application components. You must start now. Develop a generous and detailed timeline for each element you need for the application. The clock is ticking.
6. Know that help is available.You don’t have to embark on a solitary journey to prepare your HBS MBA application. The Harvard HBS Admissions Team has a schedule of online seminars. There is advice to be found here on the forums. An experienced and effective MBA admissions consultant can help you make the most of your timeline by guiding your strategy and helping you with every step of your HBS application.
This post excerpted from
MBA Expert Insights.
Wendy Flynn is the
MBA Admissions Coach, providing comprehensive MBA admissions consulting services. As the former Director of MBA Admissions for 15 years at Texas A&M, Wendy holds deep expertise in admissions issues for Full-Time, Executive and Professional (Part-Time) MBA Programs. Through her blog,
MBA Expert Insights, she brings the view of the Director of MBA admissions to MBA applicants and others.