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Vvjha
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cup_vt
Hi everyone, Could anybody tell me if I could exceed the word limit of HBS essay (900 words). I have tried to shorten and remove unnecessary words (from over 1100) and I’m now at around 950. Any words that get cut off at this stage will remove a bit of information that all leads up to my story. My essay still fits nicely into 2 pages though (font size 11 with decent margins). Thanks,
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I had emailed adcom regarding this. We can exceed the word limit but try to keep it close to 900 words. 950 words should be fine I think.
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Vvjha

I had emailed adcom regarding this. We can exceed the word limit but try to keep it close to 900 words. 950 words should be fine I think.
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Thank Vvjha

I have seen many videos that analyzed the successful essays and many of them are all over 900 words. (there is one admit with even 1100+). That's why I asked.

If I have to cut, I feel my essay would not be at 100% its full strength.
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Earlier there was no word limit for HBS essays. That is why you might have seen applicants with more than 900 word essays. Now that HBS has a word limit, please try to keep as close to 900 words as possible.
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I will advise you to keep it under 900 words. While it won’t penalize, the whole point of having a word limit is to analyze whether a student can articulate thoughts within that word limit. B-schools are a bit rigid in the word limit aspect.
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Hello Satyaraj,

I hope you are doing good. Admission to the Harvard Business School MBA program is highly competitive. You have a strong 770 score, indicating strong quantitative and verbal skills. Your undergraduate GPA of 2.72/4.00 might be considered below average for HBS. HBS typically looks for strong academic performance, and your GPA could be a potential weak point. However, your postgraduate program GPA of 8.1/10 is better and shows improvement. This could help mitigate the impact of your undergraduate GPA.

Your 9+ years of work experience, particularly in Project Management for Commercial Interior Fit-outs, is a significant strength. HBS values diverse and impactful professional backgrounds. Your application, essays, and recommendations should highlight your accomplishments and the impact you've made in your field. Address your undergraduate GPA in your application. Explain any circumstances that may have affected your academic performance and emphasize how you've grown since then.

Craft compelling essays that demonstrate your clear goals, self-awareness, and how an HBS MBA fits into your trajectory. Obtain strong recommendations that emphasize your professional achievements, leadership potential, and suitability for an MBA program. Highlight what specifically attracts you to HBS and how the program aligns with your career aspirations and personal development.

Remember, admission decisions are influenced by a combination of factors, and a holistic review is conducted by the admissions committee. While your profile has strong aspects, it's essential to present a complete and compelling narrative that showcases your growth, potential, and alignment with HBS's values and goals.

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

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Satyaraj
I made a decent 770/800.
QR : 51
VR : 44
IR : 08
AWA :

My credentials are as below :

a. Bachelors in Technology ( Civil Engineering ) – 2.72 / 4.00 ( 2008 – 2012 )
b. Postgrad program ( Construction Management ) – 8.1 / 10 ( 2012 – 2014 )
c. Work Experience – 9+ years
d. Background is specifically into Project Management for Commercial Interior Fit outs

How much of chance do I have?
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Thank you yashikaaggarwal Vvjha

I agree that HBS strongly values the brevity, I will have my essay below 900 words.

One more question if you guys could advise, I have been discussing a lot with my recommender and he is eager to recommend me. However, he told me that he went over the word limit for one of the questions (the limit is 300 words and he had like 450 words). He told me that 300 words is not enough for him to speak about me.

Should I advise him to stick to the 300 limit?
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Is it possible for him to put some of what he has to say in the last question where they say “is there anything else you would like us to know about this candidate?” Because that part doesn’t have a word limit they just ask you to be concise.
However if he is already using that space then I think maybe 400 is within reason for recommender. They don’t hold the recommenders to quite the same standards as the applicants.
I usually find that the whole anecdote and what it says about the applicant is really tough to tell in 300 words, and they do say “recommended” word limit not do or die. If they were really worked up about the word limit, they would make it a text box with a hard cut off.
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MBAPrepCoach
Is it possible for him to put some of what he has to say in the last question where they say “is there anything else you would like us to know about this candidate?” Because that part doesn’t have a word limit they just ask you to be concise.
However if he is already using that space then I think maybe 400 is within reason for recommender. They don’t hold the recommenders to quite the same standards as the applicants.
I usually find that the whole anecdote and what it says about the applicant is really tough to tell in 300 words, and they do say “recommended” word limit not do or die. If they were really worked up about the word limit, they would make it a text box with a hard cut off.
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Thank you MBAPrepCoach

We have too focused on the 2 main questions that we forgot that optional question. Thanks a lot.
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Hello Everyone, please how do i get a current student here. I need assistance with my essay review.
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Hi everyone,

I just want to know if my undergrad GPA somehow affects the school rankings if it is converted blindly into 4.0 scale. Say a 7.5/10.0 in my country would place me in the top 15% while converted into 3.0/4.0 would hardly be in the top 30%.

I know they look at my pool rather than converting but if 2 same profiles with different GPA scales, would they go with the 4.0 one?

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hey if somebody works for family business then what to put in income in employment details, I dont personally receive any definite amount month nor do i have any need to file my income tax return. please reply hbs deadline is very close and just got this confusion.
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cup_vt
Hi everyone, I just want to know if my undergrad GPA somehow affects the school rankings if it is converted blindly into 4.0 scale. Say a 7.5/10.0 in my country would place me in the top 15% while converted into 3.0/4.0 would hardly be in the top 30%. I know they look at my pool rather than converting but if 2 same profiles with different GPA scales, would they go with the 4.0 one? Posted from my mobile device
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Country? If you’re from India, 60-100% converts to a 4.0 (UNLESS scale is stated on the website). There are multiple conversion tools, some have been discussed on GMAT Club before- how-to-convert-indian-gpa-percentage-to-us-4-pt-gpa-scale-124249.html#p1010501
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gulluhullu
hey if somebody works for family business then what to put in income in employment details, I dont personally receive any definite amount month nor do i have any need to file my income tax return. please reply hbs deadline is very close and just got this confusion.
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Is there a way to annualize the compensation you have received thus far? Even though it may be irregular, you can still extrapolate how much it would come out to on an annual basis.

From what current students and alumni have told me, the goal isn’t so much to demonstrate the highest number possible. It’s more to show a logical progression and overall career arc. Obviously, those that work for a startup or family business won’t have a high regular compensation amount as much of the compensation may be tied to equity, options, or other irregular compensation.

I hope that helps!

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gulluhullu
hey if somebody works for family business then what to put in income in employment details, I dont personally receive any definite amount month nor do i have any need to file my income tax return. please reply hbs deadline is very close and just got this confusion.
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A current CBS admit and an entrepreneur. If your company is registered, you or a party of directors (family members representing your equity holding in the company) must be extracting an annual remuneration. List this and disclose your annual turnover in the description box or optional essay for more clarity on the standing of your business. All the best.

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Hi, is any of your recommenders having trouble on the submission? When they click the submit button on the application page, the alert pops up saying “Unavailable. This resource is temporarily unavailable.”
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Chrum
Hi, is any of your recommenders having trouble on the submission? When they click the submit button on the application page, the alert pops up saying “Unavailable. This resource is temporarily unavailable.”
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My recommenders did not have any problem with their submission. I suggest you contact tech support from HBS. I remember they put the email address in the very 1st page of your application (don't know if I remember correctly as I have already submitted)
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Thank you! I’ll try to reach them
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help151
Hello everyone, Incoming MBA candidate at Harvard Business School for the class of 2025. A little about my profile. - GRE: 326 (Q:169, V:157, Essay: 4.5) - Hometown: Pakistan - Current location: Switzerland - Education Background: Bachelors in Management Science from Pakistan - Pre-MBA experience: ~7 years [3 years in Consumer Packaged Goods (Pakistan), 2.5 years in MBB (Pakistan), 1.5 years and counting in an International Financing Organization (Switzerland)] + running a personal business on the side - Post-MBA goals: Financial Services (IB/PE/VC) Happy to help, please ask away!
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How old were you when you applied? Is the age of applicant a big factor for HBS applicants?
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Hey cup_vt

I hope you are doing well. When it comes to evaluating international applicants with varying grading scales, top-ranked schools generally use a holistic approach to admissions, considering various aspects of your application. The conversion of your undergraduate GPA to a 4.0 scale is just one part of the evaluation and doesn't hold disproportionate weight.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Holistic Evaluation: Admissions committees at top-ranked schools evaluate applicants holistically, taking into account a combination of factors, including your academic background, work experience, test scores (GMAT/GRE), letters of recommendation, essays, and interviews. They aim to understand you as a whole person and not solely based on your GPA.

2. Context Matters: Admissions committees are typically familiar with grading systems from various countries and institutions. They understand that grading scales differ significantly worldwide. Therefore, they consider your GPA in the context of your educational system and institution.

3. Comparative Evaluation: Admissions committees compare applicants within their own applicant pool. They are more concerned with how your GPA compares to other applicants from your country or institution rather than converting it into a standardized 4.0 scale. Your GPA's relative standing among your peers can be more important.

4. Test Scores and Other Qualifications: Your standardized test scores, such as the GMAT or GRE, can carry significant weight in the admissions process. Strong test scores can compensate for a lower GPA, particularly if you excel in other areas like work experience, leadership, and extracurricular activities.

5. Admission Policies: Some schools explicitly state their policies regarding GPA conversions on their websites. They may provide guidance on how they evaluate applicants with non-standard grading scales.

Overall, while GPA is an important component of your application, it is unlikely to be the sole determinant of your admission to a top-ranked school. Admissions committees take a nuanced approach, considering your entire application within the context of your educational background. Your GPA should be viewed in conjunction with other qualifications and achievements, and a lower GPA on a non-standard scale can still be competitive if the rest of your application is strong.

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
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cup_vt
Hi everyone,

I just want to know if my undergrad GPA somehow affects the school rankings if it is converted blindly into 4.0 scale. Say a 7.5/10.0 in my country would place me in the top 15% while converted into 3.0/4.0 would hardly be in the top 30%.

I know they look at my pool rather than converting but if 2 same profiles with different GPA scales, would they go with the 4.0 one?

Posted from my mobile device
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