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<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nDon\u2019t assume you did anything wrong \u2013 it could be you applied from an overcrowded sector<\/a><\/strong> and\/or demographic. Check your assumptions and solicit feedback but be careful not to fall prey to hindsight bias. Just because you’ve been rejected doesn’t mean Harvard Business School<\/a> isn\u2019t interested.<\/p>\n Many MBA candidates go through more than one admissions cycle before earning admission to their dream school (and roughly 1 in 10 HBS students had to apply more than once before gaining admission). Going through the process once is almost a rite of passage and it can give you a much better idea of\u00a0what HBS really wants<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and how to deliver a stronger application the second (or third) time around.<\/p>\n As a former member of the MBA Interview Board at HBS and Associate Director of Doctoral Programs, I\u2019ve seen many a promising candidate allow rejection to turn them into a vastly stronger candidate.\u00a0Additionally, I\u2019ve supported rejected applicants\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0in positioning a successful reapplication as a Fortuna Admissions coach. Here\u2019s what you need to know about reapplying to HBS, and the key elements to consider for maximizing your chances.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t assume HBS will read your past application. They absolutely can and in some cases they will, but in general, the approach is to view each application on its own merits, and it should be able to stand alone. This does NOT mean you should recycle the exact same content unless its unavoidable (certain elements, especially related to employment, should not change \u2013 or that would be another issue). So, while it is true that previous application(s) are always made available to the designated reader, it\u2019s up to that individual to decide how much time to invest in reviewing past work.<\/p>\n Make sure to convey what you\u2019ve accomplished since prior applications and focus on how you\u2019ve grown and evolved. You are allowed to change your goals and ambitions (you are human, and we change our minds, especially at this stage in our lives). Just know that past records won\u2019t be scrutinized as much as you might expect them to be. Readers are strapped for time, and pre-interview, far less time than you might imagine is allocated to reviewing applications than most applicants assume.<\/p>\n Part of checking your assumptions is getting different perspectives on what could be better. Many \u201creleased\u201d applicants will jump to conclusions about GMAT or GRE scores being the issue and focus efforts on retaking that vs. considering the broader picture. It might have nothing to do with your score, if it\u2019s in the range of what other admits have. Outside perspectives can help you understand if what you wrote or communicated was found lacking, as opposed to the more quant-driven factors in admission.<\/p>\n So get a second (and potentially third) opinion. Maybe you made it all the way through your interview stage but delivered a performance that failed to connect or was inconsistent with what you stated in your application. In the past, HBS would offer feedback, so you should always ask, though this may no longer be part of their process. Thus, feedback from a discerning friend, or an admissions coach with former experience as an MBA gatekeeper<\/a>, can give you confidence in understanding what went wrong and what the opportunity is for the future. Get grounded in an understanding of where you can improve and look at every area of the application for growth areas to determine how to best enhance your story and chances.<\/p>\n If you suspect your career goals were the weak link in your previous application, take the time to get introspective as well as do the research to gain clarity and focus. Maybe your goals were too vague or were unrealistic (an engineer hoping to pivot to private equity, for example). HBS wants to see a blend of realism as well as ambition when considering goals. This means positioning your\u00a0short- and long-term career goals<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to be coherent, credible, and powerful.<\/p>\n Use LinkedIn to research different individuals who may have followed your proposed trajectory and see if you can identify models of success with the goals that you\u2019re developing. This can give you a stronger sense of whether your goals make sense or if your pathway is viable. Sure, you can be a pioneer, but understand how you\u2019ll be perceived and be prepared to make a compelling case. If you are to be pioneering, you need to demonstrate that this isn\u2019t the first time you have mapped out success in uncharted territory.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Should your recommenders be the same, or different people? Should their letters be a light revision and update, or something more substantive? The answer is, it depends. Some applicants have a sense of what their recommenders wrote, others have zero access to the content produced on their behalf. And if the latter is the case for you, ask yourself, is this absolutely the ideal person to write about my case? If you\u2019ve changed jobs, that\u2019s a signal to consider someone different who\u2019s a direct supervisor (though sometimes a move is too recent, so a switch isn\u2019t always appropriate). If you\u2019re returning to a previous recommender, supply them with new developments to share that reinforce your fit and potential. Ensure they have sufficient detail to write this refreshed letter with specificity, depth, and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Many of my reapplicants found success the second time around by being more strategic with letters of support and finding advocates for them with clear evidence of stand-out success along with real, authentic enthusiasm for the applicant\u2019s overall potential. Remember, Harvard doesn\u2019t want people who have just done well, they want the superstars.\u00a0 Are your recommenders able to advocate for you and call out how you distinguish yourself?\u00a0 If not, the application, no matter how strong, will likely face a dead end. (For a deeper dive, view my related article on MBA Letters of Recommendation Strategy for HBS<\/a><\/strong>.)<\/p>\n I\u2019ve written previously on\u00a0What HBS Really Wants<\/strong><\/a>, and it bears repeating in this context: Once you\u2019ve reached a certain level of exceptionalism in terms of being brilliant, dedicated, and driven, it\u2019s about your story. And great stories inspire an emotional connection with the reader. For the HBS essay, know that it\u2019s your willingness to get truly personal and honest that can often make the difference. Think deeply about what you can share that the committee would not already know about you from the other materials and how you can expand their view of your candidacy by opening up and sharing more on why it is you are motivated, driven, and successful. No one wants to read an essay that is a laundry list of successes. It is far more interesting to show an ability to adapt and overcome challenges than to just breeze down easy street. To echo my Fortuna colleague, Sharon Joyce, in\u00a0Writing a Powerful MBA Essay<\/strong><\/a>, \u201cThis is a medium to be courageous.\u201d<\/p>\n A terrific example is this third time reapplicant to HBS, whose astonishing essay gave my Fortuna colleague, Judith Silverman Hodara, goosebumps. Says Judith: \u201cUnlike in previous years, this individual revealed an achingly personal account of the family dynamics that shaped her, which conveyed a level of depth to the positive impact she was advancing in her community and company.\u201d This applicant\u2019s willingness to share an intimate story that typified her underlying motivations for pursuing the MBA revealed a level of depth and clarity of purpose that hadn\u2019t come across in past applications.<\/p>\n Finally, don\u2019t consider your status as an HBS reapplicant a disadvantage.<\/strong> Instead, think of it as further evidence of your determination, tenacity, and commitment to HBS, yourself, and the process of becoming a wiser and more self-aware human being. Most people give up after the first no. Almost everyone after the second. You can SHOW HBS you are committed and able to deal with rejection by coming back stronger, more focused, and more driven than ever. Approaching your reapplication from this perspective will allow your sincerity, courage, and confidence to make it shine.<\/p>\n Updated 1\/26\/2022<\/em><\/p>\n View these essential articles on HBS by Karla and other members of the Fortuna Admissions team:<\/p>\n 1. HBS Essay: What Harvard Really Wants<\/a><\/p>\n 2. How to Ace the HBS Interview<\/a><\/p>\n 3. Tips for Writing the HBS Post-Interview Reflection<\/a><\/p>\n 4. HBS + GSB: Comparing Our Deep Dive Analysis on Who Really Gets In<\/a><\/p>\n 5. Recommender Strategy for HBS & GSB<\/a><\/p>\n 6. HBS video strategy sessions on our YouTube channel<\/a> (8 videos)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can also request a copy of our Insider Tips Report on HBS<\/a> or the full deep dive reports<\/a>\u00a0on HBS and Stanford GSB.<\/p>\n The post 5 Top Tips: Reapply to Harvard Business School<\/a> first appeared on Fortuna<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The first question I am usually asked is, \u201cWhat did I do wrong?\u201d after an MBA applicant is rejected. Don\u2019t assume you did anything wrong \u2013 it could be you…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":160,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"1","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,1831,775,243],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mba","category-fortuna-admissions","category-admission-consultants","category-blog","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\n5 Essential Tips for Reapplying to Harvard Business School
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n1. Craft your reapplication to stand on its own.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Seek outside feedback.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. It\u2019s okay to redefine your goals.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Revisit and reassess your recommenders.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Take your essay to the next level by going deeper and more personal.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nWant more advice on applying to Harvard Business School?<\/h3>\n
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Fortuna Admissions<\/em> Expert Coach <\/em>Karla Cohen<\/em><\/a> was Associate Director of Doctoral Programs at HBS and served on the MBA interview board for the Harvard MBA program. Fortuna Admissions is\u00a0composed of former admissions directors and business school insiders from 16 of the top 18 business schools. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission\u00a0success at HBS and other top MBA programs, sign up for\u00a0a free consultation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n