{"id":48764,"date":"2020-05-28T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=48764"},"modified":"2020-05-27T05:05:46","modified_gmt":"2020-05-27T12:05:46","slug":"harvard-business-school-mba-essay-tips-deadlines-2020-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/harvard-business-school-mba-essay-tips-deadlines-2020-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Harvard Business School MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 \u2013 2021]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Harvard<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

HBS kicks off the 2020-21 MBA application cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the disrupted, extended, and COVID-affected 2019-20 application cycle slowly comes to a close, Harvard announced last week its application due dates and essay question for 2020-21. In doing so, it became the first top MBA program<\/a> to provide that information, thus kicking off the 2020-21 application cycle. Go Harvard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HBS presented little new or changed material from previous cycles. For the third year in a row, it will only have two rounds. In the last couple of years, HBS dropped its third round and set an April deadline exclusively for 2+2, its deferred admission program. Chad Losee, HBS Admissions Director, did not indicate in his announcement <\/a>when the final 2+2 deadline would be or if there would be an April deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HBS presented little new or changed material from previous cycles. For the third year in a row, it will only have two rounds. In the last couple of years, HBS dropped its third round and set an April deadline exclusively for 2+2, its deferred admission program. Chad Losee, HBS Admissions Director, did not indicate in his announcement <\/a>when the final 2+2 deadline would be or if there would be an April deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, that second-place selectivity status is misleading. The Harvard brand is matched perhaps only by Stanford, and the second-place standing is probably accounted for by class size more than anything else. Harvard\u2019s class is more than double Stanford\u2019s, and Harvard simply accepts more people leading to a higher acceptance rate. (Data is from the U.S. News 2021 Rankings<\/em><\/a> for the class that entered in 2019.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about Harvard\u2019s MBA application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On to the Harvard MBA application and essay question itself: HBS clearly likes the responses it has received to the last several years\u2019 excellent essay question because this year\u2019s question is identical. The essay is again required, and there is NO word limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Round 1 and Round 2 deadlines are only slightly different from last year. The Round 1 deadline is Sept. 8, 2020, four days later than last year. The Round 2 deadline is January 5, 2021, one day earlier than last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harvard Business School MBA essay tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is one question<\/a> for the Class of 2023:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no word limit for this question. We think you know what guidance we\u2019re going to give here. Don\u2019t overthink, overcraft, or overwrite. Just answer the question clearly, using language that those of us who don\u2019t know your world can understand. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you begin to write I have two suggestions for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Review Harvard\u2019s criteria for admission<\/a>. 

    <\/li>
  2. Watch the embedded video on the case method at HBS. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n