1500 word essay

Question

Hi

My current HBS essay is around 1400-1500 words. Content-wise I think it's pretty strong. HBS claims to have no word limit, but would you guys say that's still too long? Thanks

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

That is definitely on the long end. It is possible to have a strong essay that is that long, but most of them are shorter. I would target closer to 1,000. It is hard to say without seeing your essay but you would be at the high end for sure.

Best,
Scott

DrShelle · Answer

From Dr. Shel (Shelly Watts), https://www.mbaadmit.com , email: info@mbaadmit.com I am certain applicants for the 2017-2018 HBS admissions cycle have similar concerns since the essay question remained the same as last year, so here is our advice about the ideal length for Harvard's open-ended, no-word-limit essay... this excerpt is from a longer blog that we at MBA Admit.com wrote entitled “HBS Single Essay 2017-18: How to Approach?!! (Don't Panic!) ”, which you can see in its entirety here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/hbs-single-essay-2017-18-how-to-approach-don-t-panic-240770.html Length Don’t submit a book-of-an-essay that is 3,000 words or longer. We are sure you have led an amazing life and have enough accomplishments to fill a 3,000 essay, but the admissions committee will not want to read something that long and may be left thinking your ego is a little too healthy in size. In most cases, you also should not submit a hyper-short essay that is 100 words or less. To do this can be read as arrogant, even if your credentials are outstanding in every way (professional, academic, and extracurricular). Are there exceptions to this? Of course. If you are an under-represented candidate who graduated Summa Cum Laude from college, have had promotions at a prestigious company like Morgan Stanley, have always received the top performance ratings, scored a 770 GMAT score, were student government president for three years during college and are certain you will receive glowing recommendations, perhaps you can afford to submit the 100-word essay. The rest of your application will speak amazingly to your credentials! But, most candidates don’t fit this profile, so you should use the essay as premium space to “make your case” to the admission committee. As you decide on the ideal length, bear in mind that in the past couple of years, a typical-length MBA admissions essay set allowed for approximately 1,000-1,600 words, so that can give you a sense of what might be considered appropriate and not excessive in terms of a word limit. You may be able to state your case in 600-1,100 words. Hope that helps! Feel free to reach out to us if you need anything. info@mbaadmit.com Dr. Shel

GyanOne · Answer

You may be able to cut this down to around 1200, if not 1000-1100 by focusing a bit on where there may be too much explanation. They are of course not going to count every word, but the essence is that does the essay seem a bit stretched out in parts and therefore not as engaging as in others? Its tough to comment without really seeing it, but we would guess once you go over it critically, and get advice from some people who read it, you may be able to pare it down a bit.

DrShelle · Answer

I am glad this line is revived as it will help current HBS applicants... Yes, I would tend to agree that in most cases 1500 words would be on the long end and there are likely things you can condense. By condense, I literally mean say things more concisely; if you know how to "condense" language well, you won't have to cut out ideas, you just use words more efficiently to express the ideas. Many of our candidates at MBA Admit.com submit HBS essays between 1000-1200 words and gain admission to Harvard with essays of that length. An essay around 750-850 words can likely also do the job.

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

You're definitely on the longer side and HBS in recent years has subtly dropped hints that they are looking for more concise approaches to their essay. Now just because you're essay is a certain length does not mean it is necessarily good or bad. It's all about the content so take a look and review and identify opportunities to be more concise and impactful. Think of this essay as if you were talking to a friend, you want to be that personable and inviting but making sure to hit on all the points that are relevant in your response.

Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum

Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum

Businessconquerer · Answer

Grammarly has a programmed conscision
may be you can type ur essay in and see what happens
May be you'll get to the 1000 words, 
but please respect the time of the ADcom
They are humans too, they get bored

bb · Answer

1500 word essay

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