A Shrewd Undergraduate's guide to HBS admissions

Question

Thought I would pass this on because I really enjoyed it. I think a lot of the material may apply to other schools besides HBS, as well.

Love,
Agold #2

https://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=523161

Leverandon · Answer

Most of that makes sense, but I have to dissent from this:

"Do not innocently engage in learning for 'learning sake' --although certainly say you do. Do not take introductory Arabic or Chinese because they sound contemporary and important, especially when most kids in those classes will be native speakers looking for guts."

I took plenty of classes just because they sounded interesting. Most of them were. I took Latin simply because I wanted to learn Latin and Shakespeare because I wanted to study the Bard. Your undergraduate career is your time to grow as a person and become academically fulfilled. I know plenty of people who played it safe and only took surefire As and only in classes for their major, but I think that's missing the point of the undergraduate education.

bostonsparky · Answer

The approach can go both ways I think. I know some people from undergrad who were all about diversifying their schedule, getting minors or even dual majors in subjects they had no professional interest in, they were just curious. And I think they were a lot better off for doing so. But likewise I know other people who got so dragged down by worrying about these secondary classes that they weren't able to put their best foot forward in their major's core classes (like a mechanical engineer who half-asks his engineering design capstone because he's so worried about passing his Chinese test).

I feel it comes down to what environment you learn the best in. If you're disciplined enough to learn a language or say a soft science on your own time, then I'd recommend that, it's a lot cheaper/more flexible than a classroom setting. But if you need the pressure of grades/tests to push you, then maybe you should go for the diverse schedule, as long as you don't sacrifice other things.

89nk · Answer

Good read.

BigBad · Answer

I agree with you, Leverandon. That sentence really rubbed me the wrong way. My advice would be to major in something you are truly passionate about, and choose electives that interest you (you're likely to do better in classes you like anyway). If your extracurricular leadership shows an even further commitment to your academic passions, I think that's great too.

I spent probably half my HBS interview talking about art and feminism. I walked away feeling HBS was looking for truly passionate and intellectual people.

Jerz · Answer

I agree as well. In undergrad, my main major was accounting since that was what I wanted to do after graduating. But as a result of having to take some philosophy courses as part of the core curriculum (I went to a Jesuit school), I found that I really enjoyed philosophy and ended up with a second major in it. At the time I thought it was a worthless major and just did it for "learning's sake". Now, besides having a much more well-rounded education than if I spent all my time in the business school, I can't count how many times it's come up in interviews and given me a great opportunity to show that I'm not just another beancounter.

cdnaudit · Answer

And here I Was... thinking that an Econ minor would be an interesting compliment to my accounting specialist degree. I think it depends on the student, specially at my school ..(which is known for deflating marks) people here almost always decide to go where the best (Mark)/(time spent studying) ratio is. You really gotta love econometrics/physics/Economic thought/advanced phil courses to take them for the sake of it - your GPA will suffer -.
If you want to work in a field that requires technical knowledge, your marks will always come under scrutiny when it's time to apply for those covetted jobs. Why kill your GPA for the "experience" when someone who took the easy way out will be ahead of you 5 yrs down the road?

nink · Answer

1)  Just because one takes classes outside his/her concentration for the love of learning, it doesn't mean his/her GPA has to suffer. This forum is full of overachievers, and soon-to-be overachievers at bschool. (Just look at the Booth Admitted Student thread where they discuss extra courses one can take etc)

2)  There's no law that someone taking an easy way out will always be ahead of him/her 5 years down the road. Well arounded person/education will see the benefits sooner or later. This is one of the main reasons why many top undergrad schools don't have undergrad business schools. They want their students to expose themselves to various curriculum to prepare themselves for the business world without concentrating on a specific business concentration.

A Shrewd Undergraduate's guide to HBS admissions

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards