After posting and deleting (by accident) the thread, here we go again Time to start HBS story... HBS, as promised, released essay topics for class of 2012. Very similar to last season except for Q4 (which I think is cool b/c one can show creativity/personality) and Q3. 1) ESSAYS (source: https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/writ ... ation.html ) 2) DEADLINES (source: https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/appl ... dates.html ) 3) PAST THREADS 2009: calling-all-hbs-fall-2009-applicants-63410.html 2008: calling-all-the-harvard-gurus-fall-49915.html 4) IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS (source: https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/blog.html and https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/inte ... tions.html and https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/writ ... ation.html ) 5) GMAT CLUB CANDIDATES R1: STATS: Total applicants: 51 Invited to interview : 16 Matriculating: Admits: 11 Dings: 31 Waitlisted: 4 Unknown: 5 Admit: HCGirl10 - invited to interview Icarus - invited to interview Izen* nerdgirl - invited to interview PatrickBateman - invited to interview PBateman- invited to interview redrobot* sc - invited to interview forzviol motionny Biology - invited to interview Waitlist: sharstarz12 - invited to interview skkingdom - invited to interview 2010HereICome - invited to interview warriorM33 Ding: 2009mba2012 adude* all - invited to interview audacityofhope DucRR eteusch1 - invited to interview fzt39806 - invited to interview Gelopwez JordinT* javaexe laurenbcn mba4me2010 MBAgirl2010 mbahopes2009 - invited to interview milias pook oompm* shadowsjc - invited to interview sm332 river zyskind cublu2 LetsGoMets NCMBA2012 Deepauk sapphireka CarpathianRidge - invited to interview USMCCommO zaphod shacster - invited to interview Aldrak CANDIDATES: 2012dreams ACNguy bigfernhead cacky1983 cassie2012 CharlieChaplin chrisahn112 Comrade CrushTheGMAT csino david2008 duderanch ezekiel2517 gmatbschool gravity1914 guitarguru hohoo JamesT - invited to interview jcol jolt kokkiri latammc lionvish mschumy Noodles nutmba radeal spiritworld steeler99 stillhoping surychen taken20 thedeadlyone tq17749 R2: STATS: Total applicants: 52 Matriculating: Admits: 21 Dings: Waitlisted: Unknown: ADMITS: Anonymous13 biotechgirl bunny27 bwizzle Demonic11 fsj434 HERM3S heywhassup jag120 kohlia LB20 Magellan matanga mba2012lfh meridian17 oneschoolwonder pilot RonMexico TorontoGirl ttocsik waitinganswers CANDIDATES: 2012dreams AceofSpades aditi123 Aenigma agnok aj1545 andrewcs Ashish369 BangaloreKid baxter bwizzle cesc4 christinee co2012 colequinn con Demonic11 egy ezekiel2517 fall2010mba gkumar GoalMBA2010 GordonBombay gravity1914 HBS2011 hbsr2 HERM3S hokiegenius infanteed jankynoname jimmyfunk Jivana kohlia lakai777 LB20 lbiggs mba12tech mp2437 mustafaj nikheel nlt22 nutmba pochcc qaum RonMexico Skysurf slingfox tdave theDreamChaser triple5soul Turnpike westsew R3: STATS: Total applicants: Matriculating: Admits: Dings: Waitlisted: Unknown: CANDIDATES: 6) USEFUL STUFF a) Sandy's HBS advice: blog with plenty of info on HBS: https://www.hbsguru.com/blog/ essays' analysis: https://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/f ... &tid=10180 b) Forcefeed's application tips from last season: calling-all-hbs-fall-2009-applicants-63410.html#p464989 c) CS @ HBS essay advice: https://www.computersexy.com/blog/2007/ ... lishments/ d) Chat with Deirdre Leopold, Director of MBA Admissions & Financial Aid at Harvard Business School: https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/c ... 175992.htm e) Take it with a grain of salt! About social life at HBS: https://www.asktheharvardmba.com/page/3/ f) About case method: HBS website on case method: https://www.hbs.edu/learning/case.html Entry from Harvard Bound blog: https://myharvardmba2010.blogspot.com/2 ... dents.html Entry from Mark and Jie's Journey to B-School blog: https://markandjie.blogspot.com/2004_03_01_archive.html Entry from AGirlsMBA at Harvard Business School blog: https://agirlsmba.blogspot.com/2007/12/ ... ation.html g) Weaknesses of HBS educational model: https://media.www.harbus.org/media/stor ... storiestab h) Advice on leadership essay from AGirlsMBA at Harvard Business School blog: https://agirlsmba.blogspot.com/2007/08/ ... ssays.html i) BusinessWeek's "Make Your Leadership Case for B-School Admission": https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/c ... 219087.htm j) HBS on recommendation letters: Entry from June 17, 2008 on https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/blog-all.html 7) OTHER INFO a) Link to 2+2 program: https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/2+2/ . Note that it has different deadlines and app process. b) Class profile (2011): https://www.hbs.edu/mba/profiles/classprofile.html c) Additional class profile stats: https://www.hbs.edu/about/statistics/mba.html d) Podcasts: https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/podcasts.html 8) DO I FIT? LIFE AT HBS - i.e. HBS blogs so that you can better understand the culture a) CS @ HBS - https://www.computersexy.com/blog/ b) Harvard Bound - https://myharvardmba2010.blogspot.com/ c) Inside HBS - https://www.insidehbs.com/ d) Sync - https://sync.bradleylautenbach.com/ e) Mark and Jie's Journey to B-School - https://markandjie.blogspot.com/ f) Will Hsu's HBS Bubble - https://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=wphsu99 g) AGirlsMBA at Harvard Business School: https://agirlsmba.blogspot.com/ h) Military to Business: https://militarytobusiness.blogspot.com/

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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates

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SalarymanJ

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13 Feb 2010, 10:00

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Yea you never know how the application process will go. I didnt get an invite to HBS, but I got an invite from chicago and wharton yesterday. Two schools I had pretty much given up on. So overall it wasnt as bad. I spent 5 times as much time on my harvard essays compared to chicago or wharton, but you know sometimes stuff just happens. Best of luck to everyone with the rest of your application process.

IndianGuardian

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13 Feb 2010, 10:15

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@Jivana: Did they send out ding emails as well yesterday or only invite emails?

Jivana

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13 Feb 2010, 10:22

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IndianGuardian

@Jivana: Did they send out ding emails as well yesterday or only invite emails?

No, I just consider not receiving an invite as an unofficial ding.

LUGO

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13 Feb 2010, 10:23

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get rid of them

phboom

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13 Feb 2010, 10:36

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Interview question:
What would you do if you don't get into the MBA this year?

Well, guys I think it's time we put our answers to the test.

powerka

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13 Feb 2010, 10:57

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No invite for me either. I deserve it. My HBS app was the worst. I left it for the last minute.

So .... for R2:

4000 applicants
800 already invited
50 invites left
=> chances of getting an invite now: 1.5%
=> chances of getting in: 0.75%
=> adjusting up by waitlist factor: 1%

Those numbers are just rough estimates, lets now argue too much about them.

Cheers

Praetorian

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13 Feb 2010, 12:25

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guys,

Sorry for those who did not get the result they wanted.

Before this becomes worse, please take the discussion over to private message if you dont mind. hopefully we want to leave a good archive for the next year's applicants.

Keep it friendly and supportive. Let us handle anything that offends you.

lbiggs

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13 Feb 2010, 13:10

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lagomez

Quote:

So anyone who cries please do so. We are here to listen to your sob stories about HBS or any other top tier school and their random admission process. You have spent hundreds of hours trying to explain in a very limited application, what sets you apart. You have spent hundreds of dollars on GMAT, b-school application fees, etc. Is it all fair? No, life is never fair. In the mean time please keep trying for other Round 3 schools and know that even if America values HBS as the pre-eminent b-school - if you end up at another school - you will be the big fish in the small pond and can shine. The CEO of PepsiCo went to Yale after all, and Warren Buffett went to Wharton.

Life is very fair, unless you interpret life as full of negatives every time something doesn't go your way. How can anyone say life isn't fair because this person got rejected from school. Spare us the drama and take this to the businessweek boards. Life is full of tragedies so really an HBS interview invite is probably on the bottom of the list for people who are truly in touch with reality. We have all gone through bad moments in our life and to say life is unfair is just immature. I guarantee that even those who have faced severe hardships probably can still tell you that in the long run life is fair.

Bravo to HBS for rejecting drama. Also, there are plenty of CEOs without an MBA so big fish in a small pond is nothing more than demeaning to those "small fish" like us who have no desire to attend HBS.

The only thing that has come out from your posts is that HBS knows how to pick candidates.

@ quam: i understand why you feel the way you feel. i have several friends at hbs, have visited several times and know of a few people who got in R1 and were invited R2. yes, i do wonder and scratch my head sometimes about some of the people who hbs picked, but have you ever thought that it's intentional? perhaps they socially engineer the class to reflect the real world and get the best educational experience for everyone.

another thing to consider is the need for an MBA. if you are mature and have a clear career vision with the drive, passion and understanding of how to get there, an MBA is not a good investment for you. Maybe the adcom did such people a favor by giving them 2 valuable years back so that they can invest it in what really matters to them.

let me close by saying that reading your post i get the feeling that you will pick yourself up and go on to do great things in life. afterall the company we keep is a reflection of who we are as people. so go out there and make a difference. this will all seem like a joke in a few years

@others: lets not smear each other. afterall, we're all on our way to being successful business leaders and if you dont know this already, you will in the next two years -- empathy is a necessary skill for success in the real world.

latammc

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13 Feb 2010, 16:03

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lagomez

[
Bravo to HBS for rejecting drama. Also, there are plenty of CEOs without an MBA so big fish in a small pond is nothing more than demeaning to those "small fish" like us who have no desire to attend HBS.

Lagogomez,

I fully second that. Saying that HBS rejects are going to be big fish in small ponds is the most arrogant thing that I have ever read. People at the other schools are as accomplished as HBS students.

username123

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13 Feb 2010, 16:38

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From hbsguru.com:

Sandy,

Do you have any idea of how the 2+2 program will affect the class of 2013 for HBS…Specifically how it might affect a applicant with 2 years of experience at the time of matriculation?

well, assuming that HBS does not dramatically increase class size for class of 2013, and it stays in the 920-940 range, that means instead of ~920-940 slots (maybe few less for prev. admitted, and seniors who deferred in prior years) this year the number of open slots will be 106 LESS than that. That is going to impact anybody’s odds, but I do not believe it will disproportionately impact those w. 2 year experience, since that is very attractive demographic. Of course, other figure is what total number of apps received is. If in the 8k range, as recently, that means a big chunk of of spots (more than 10 pct ) are off the table. And don’t retort by saying that those 106 2+2 babies would have applied anyway, and are not applying now (b.c. they have already been admitted). Many wld be in law school, grad school, or just no longer competitive b.c. they did not do first bucket work at e.g. IB or MC shop. So bottom line, next year applicants (entry in 2011, grad in 2013) have a narrow needle to thread.

Do you guys agree that it won't specifically affect those with 2 years experience, rather it will affect everyone?

Also, does this "2 years experience" really imply "1 year of experience at time of application"?

qaum

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13 Feb 2010, 20:52

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i am not upset about not getting an invite, for goodness sake, can you people at least READ my post before criticizing me?

my post has everything to do with helping a certain group of people understand that they should not be critical of those people who are emotional about this. i am not one of those emotional people - but i know some exceptional people who have every right to be emotional because they PUT a LOT of time and are absolutely amazing people. maybe not matched for what HBS wanted - but that doesn't mean I don't feel bad for them because they REALLY wanted to go.

now as far as adcom selection goes - i'm not ultra critical of their decision though flabbergasted in some cases - because ultimately it is their decision and their school - what i do find is difficulty in talking to exceptional friends who did not get an invite - because i am at a loss to explain what they lack or how they can improve.

i tell those friends it is ok to feel sad, but if you don't get into a top tier school like HBS, GSB, Wharton, Chicago, etc - yes they can go to a second tier school and be a big fish in a small pond. this isn't to say the other students aren't quite well accomplished at a tier 2 school - but just looking at the averages - someone ending up at say north carolina or baylor with a 770 gmat and i-banking/PE on wall street is clearly going to be among a peer group that they will relatively shine in because of their prior accomplishments. so no i don't see any arrogance in saying that. so stop mixing up my words everyone, please.

shadow

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13 Feb 2010, 20:56

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let that be the final post about this matter. take it to PM like praetorian said.

waitinganswers

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14 Feb 2010, 02:09

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I got an interview invite on the 12th. international.

So how do you prepare, any bank of questions you know of?

LUGO

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14 Feb 2010, 02:55

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Life is full of stepping stones

The world is FLAT

edwardyong

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14 Feb 2010, 09:26

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waitinganswers

I got an interview invite on the 12th. international.

So how do you prepare, any bank of questions you know of?

Are you from Asia? Still haven't heard anyone got invite from Asia

IndianGuardian

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14 Feb 2010, 09:42

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kohlia

Hi Guys,

Got the interview invite - I'm from Mumbai, India. Stats are Male/26 yrs/GMAT 760/Undergrad in Economics and Engineering from Top 5 Ivy League, GPA 3.82/Work Ex: I-Banking in NYC and presently in Media-Entertainment studio in Bollywood

Congratulations to all those who got invites. And for those who didn't, I can fully understand your disappointment - wish you the best with all the other apps.

Thanks to everyone for making this such a great resource.

Cheers.

@edwardyong: People from Asia have received their invites. Kohlia above is an example.

RepeatedRefresher

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14 Feb 2010, 15:13

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Congrats to all who got one and good luck to those still waiting.

I didn't get one. Which isn't that bad I suppose, had a great Valentine's Day weekend in Paris.

This does mean I should start to study for Law school.

Cést la vie.

hbsguru

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14 Feb 2010, 19:06

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edwardyong

waitinganswers

I got an interview invite on the 12th. international.

So how do you prepare, any bank of questions you know of?

good one, there are some typical, and important HBS questions below, by way of an advert for me.

new to this forum, so forgive any newbie mistakes
HBS MOCK INTERVIEWS
I DO A LOT OF THEM
I CAN HELP YOU (I CAN ALSO HELP WITH STANFORD AND WHARTON)

I did about 80 mock interviews for HBS in Round One this year. Over the past 10 years, I have probably done over 600 HBS mock interviews. My knowledge of how to prepare you for an HBS mock interview is based on those experiences.

I know typical HBS questions, including questions often asked of investment bankers, private equity, venture capital and hedge fund associates, and questions asked to those employed in non-profits, the military, manufacturing, and technology.
I know how to help you formulate your core story in ways which can be applied to many questions.
I can predict trouble areas in your application and help you come up with talking points to deal with them.
I can sense what your particular needs are in terms of presentation, for example, if you don't get to the point soon enough (a possibly fatal habit) or if you appear too aggressive or too arrogant or confident in the wrong way for often thin-skinned (and just plain thin) HBS interviewers (some of whom are predisposed not to like bankers).
I can help you create a back story for your goals which creates a solid platform for Why MBA, Why HBS?
I can help you prepare a strong answer to the question "Why should we take you?" This questions is often asked in several forms:
"What can YOU contribute to case method discussion based on background and experience?"
"How will your classmates remember you?"
"How have you grown as a leader?"
I can calm you down, although that will not be the first thing that happens.
I can help you formulate answers to 'ice-breaker' questions such as:
"I already know you from your application, just tell me what you think the three defining moments in your life are?"
"Pretend I have not read your application and I just met you. Tell me who you are, what you've done, and where you want to be 15 years?"
I can help prepare you to face such recently popular questions as:
"What is one thing that is not immediately apparent about you to others?"
"How would your friends describe you?"
"How has the financial crisis impacted you, your friends, your industry and your goals?"
THE PROCESS:THE MOCK INTERVIEW IS DONE BY PHONE.
If you want a mock HBS interview, send me an email telling me when your interview is, what time zone you are in, what days and times are good for you, and attaching a resume. I will reply back w. dates and times, etc. Then you send me a pdf of your application. Mock interviews take about 60-70 minutes. The price is $300.00 dollars USD. You pay me when we speak and do the interview.