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bwizzle
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 04 Aug 2009, 15:17
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mba12tech
A few notable comments from Dee during last night's "Business School Admissions Panel" event in DC:

- Out of approximately 9100 applications, HBS will interview 1800 "finalists". Your interviewer will have read EVERYTHING from your app, and your interview will be a 30-minute conversation where their goal is to determine whether or not they would like you to be their section-mate (if they were a student).

- "Let go of the burning desire to stand out ... many of our applicants have done ordinary things really well ..."
- (on essays) "Your blink response is the right answer ... you just need to EXECUTE".
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I was there at the panel discussion too. Few other things I got out of it:
- The mode of the experience distribution is 3 years
- Not to worry about the average profile. The class profile is something that falls out after the adcom reviews your full application -- they do not actively try to manage the profile to get people with a certain {GMAT / age / industry}. They're looking for you to prove leadership no matter what.

Oh, and also, I'm in for R1 :-D

Gluck everybody.
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foodstamp
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 04 Aug 2009, 21:31
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Just wanted to say good luck to everybody applying this year!

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any specific questions. :)
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summer09
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 05 Aug 2009, 15:14
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I'm considering applying in round 2. Not sure yet. I'm afraid my low GPA will kick me out right off the bat, but Harvard has been my dream school since I was a kid, and I'm a big fan of the case method.
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 09 Aug 2009, 14:16
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Count me in as well .. .you only live once ... might as well roll the die.
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 12 Aug 2009, 17:58
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1st page updated
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nutmba
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 12 Aug 2009, 23:49
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I wanted to pick the brains of folks who applied last year to HBS , what are your thoughts about listing a personal achievement in the achievements essay. The personal achievement I have is something that has shaped my views about importance of different things in life. It demonstrates leadership and ability to cope with stress.
However, while talking to a few folks and a blog here and there, what i have got is that since its qualitative, and in a personal setting , it might not work for harvard. It depends on WHO reads the application and what views they hold.

What are people's thoughts about this ?
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 13 Aug 2009, 01:18
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nutmba
What are people's thoughts about this ?
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I considered writing a personal anecdote as well ( learning what doesn't kill me will make me stronger etc...) but I had the same misgivings as you. I discarded it in favor of another anecdote from my professional life. Maybe you can find a way to show how the personal realization impacted you professionally? (BTW not an expert in any sense, just throwing ideas out).

I had a question regarding the recommendations. Apparently HBS requires 3 (was surprised to find this out). Is there any way to find out what the specific questions are? (I know HBS focuses on leadership but specific questions help in conversations with folks writing recommendations). I'm waiting to find out before I submit their emails so that I can talk to them first. Hopefully I haven't pushed this out too far.
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nutmba
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 13 Aug 2009, 01:27
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Deepauk

I had a question regarding the recommendations. Apparently HBS requires 3 (was surprised to find this out). Is there any way to find out what the specific questions are? (I know HBS focuses on leadership but specific questions help in conversations with folks writing recommendations). I'm waiting to find out before I submit their emails so that I can talk to them first. Hopefully I haven't pushed this out too far.
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Here you go:

https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/writt ... ation.html

Recommender Questions for the Class of 2012
Recommendations must be completed online. The form includes the following three essay response questions, along with other types of questions.

Please comment on the context of your interaction with the applicant. How long have you known the applicant and in what connection? If applicable, briefly describe the applicant's role in your organization. (250-word limit)

Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response. (250-word limit)

Please make additional statements about the applicant's performance, potential, or personal qualities you believe would be helpful to the MBA Admissions Board. (250-word limit)
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 13 Aug 2009, 15:24
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Deepauk
I had a question regarding the recommendations. Apparently HBS requires 3 (was surprised to find this out). Is there any way to find out what the specific questions are? (I know HBS focuses on leadership but specific questions help in conversations with folks writing recommendations). I'm waiting to find out before I submit their emails so that I can talk to them first. Hopefully I haven't pushed this out too far.
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Don't wanna be rude but I don't like your ignorance and lack of effort. You could have easily (10-20sec) find this info if only you had opened HBS Admissions website. And even easier (2-5 sec) if you had read this thread (i.e. see 1st post on 1st page).
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warriorM33
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 13 Aug 2009, 15:39
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Military intel officer here. Please put me down for round 1.

garbus222

Don't wanna be rude but I don't like your ignorance and lack of effort. You could have easily (10-20sec) find this info if only you had opened HBS Admissions website. And even easier (2-5 sec) if you had read this thread (i.e. see 1st post on 1st page).
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I couldn't agree more.
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msday
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 13 Aug 2009, 19:18
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nutmba
I wanted to pick the brains of folks who applied last year to HBS , what are your thoughts about listing a personal achievement in the achievements essay. The personal achievement I have is something that has shaped my views about importance of different things in life. It demonstrates leadership and ability to cope with stress.
However, while talking to a few folks and a blog here and there, what i have got is that since its qualitative, and in a personal setting , it might not work for harvard. It depends on WHO reads the application and what views they hold.

What are people's thoughts about this ?
Show more

I wrote about a personal accomplishment in my essay (and 2 professional ones), and it may just work for you as well! If it's a heart-wrenching story that is sure to draw at least a crocodile tear or two (maybe even real tears?) from the eyes of the heartless HBS Adcom, then you should write about it. Mine wasn't a tear-jerker, but I'll trade an admit for adcom tears any day.

Summary: Having two professional accomplishments and one personal accomplishment might break the monotony a little bit. You should go for it.

Disclaimer: The admissions committee at HBS are really nice folks, actually.
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summer09
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 14 Aug 2009, 02:45
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If I do end up applying, I will also write about 2 professional and 1 personal achievement. I decided to just be very hopen and honest with the application and not try to make it just look nice. One of my biggest achievements in my view is a personal achievement, so that's what will be in the application.

I don't think (I'm not an admissions expert though) writing about a personal achievement will hurt an application, as long as the professional achievements listed are meaningful and you can explain well why the personal one is meaningful to you, and perhaps more meaningful than other professional achievements.
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 14 Aug 2009, 07:58
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garbus222
Don't wanna be rude but I don't like your ignorance and lack of effort. You could have easily (10-20sec) find this info if only you had opened HBS Admissions website. And even easier (2-5 sec) if you had read this thread (i.e. see 1st post on 1st page).
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I deserve that. It was an oversight on my part. I saw them below the essay questions on the website before nutmba replied. Apologies if I wasted anyone's time and thanks for pointing this out. It was one of those nervous applicant mistakes I hope I don't make again. (Maybe I'll use this in essay 2).

Please add me to the R1 applicants list.
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 14 Aug 2009, 08:50
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Deepauk
garbus222
Don't wanna be rude but I don't like your ignorance and lack of effort. You could have easily (10-20sec) find this info if only you had opened HBS Admissions website. And even easier (2-5 sec) if you had read this thread (i.e. see 1st post on 1st page).
I deserve that. It was an oversight on my part. I saw them below the essay questions on the website before nutmba replied. Apologies if I wasted anyone's time and thanks for pointing this out. It was one of those nervous applicant mistakes I hope I don't make again. (Maybe I'll use this in essay 2).
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LOL!!!

Dude, it happens. The problem is that not all the schools publish their questions. I think Wharton doesn't publish them...I wish they did...
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garbus222
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 14 Aug 2009, 12:15
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nutmba
I wanted to pick the brains of folks who applied last year to HBS , what are your thoughts about listing a personal achievement in the achievements essay. The personal achievement I have is something that has shaped my views about importance of different things in life. It demonstrates leadership and ability to cope with stress.
However, while talking to a few folks and a blog here and there, what i have got is that since its qualitative, and in a personal setting , it might not work for harvard. It depends on WHO reads the application and what views they hold.

What are people's thoughts about this ?
Show more

I followed Sandy's (and many other consultants') advice: 1 professional, 1 academic, 1 other (extracurricular mostly). I don't see major issue with personal accomplishment as long as it's distinct, important to ones development and shows leadership. I guess the leadership part is tricky when it comes to personal accomplishments... It's much easier to show leadership through professional/academic/extracurricular actions... and that's also probably the reason why people follow this pattern.

latammc
The problem is that not all the schools publish their questions. I think Wharton doesn't publish them...I wish they did...
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Is it really an issue???... Can't you set up dummy account, register yourself as a recommender and receive Wharton's (or any other school's) questions?

Deepauk
I deserve that. It was an oversight on my part. I saw them below the essay questions on the website before nutmba replied. Apologies if I wasted anyone's time and thanks for pointing this out. It was one of those nervous applicant mistakes I hope I don't make again. (Maybe I'll use this in essay2).
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Good reflection ;-) and no worries...

BTW, Roll call updated.
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latammc
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 14 Aug 2009, 12:33
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Garbus,

I correct myself, they did publish them it was in the Application Instructions section of the application. Since I had read those beforehand I omitted that part and missed the Qs...

Haven't started my HBS app so far so nothing interesting to ask or to comment...hopefully in 2/3 weeks I will be full hands on...
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 14 Aug 2009, 15:58
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Thanks folks. your perspectives helped clarify this. Also, I strongly believe my personal achievement is important to me as a person and has to be shared. So its a go for now. :)
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 14 Aug 2009, 21:36
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https://www.hbs.edu/mba/profiles/Portrai ... 9portrait/

https://www.hbs.edu/mba/profiles/Portrai ... 2portrait/

Just wanted to share the links above bcoz I found them useful. The notes below each portrait paint a picture of the kind of people Harvard admits. Some of them could also double as a stylistic template.
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hbs009
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 16 Aug 2009, 05:57
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Has anyone seen any sample recommendations given there is a strict word limit? I am trying to do a template for my recommenders . 250 words isn't a lot to write about "performance, potential, or personal qualities you believe would be helpful to the MBA Admissions Board"
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Calling all HBS Fall 2010 Candidates 27 Aug 2009, 14:02
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Quite a detailed post about recommendations (https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/blog. ... 2009-08-24)

Quote:
Recommendations
Date: August 24, 2009

I stand by our general advice on recommendations: the most important thing is to choose people who know you well enough to answer the questions we are asking. Many recommendations are well-written and enthusiastic in their praise but essentially full of adjectives and short on actual examples of how your wonderful qualities play out in real life. What we are hoping for are brief recounts of specific situations and how you performed.

We ask for three — and we are fine with several different combinations. It's fine to have all three recommendations come from your current firm/organization. It's fine to have one from a former employer. It's also fine to have one come from someone who has supervised or observed you in a non-work situation — community service or campus leadership, for example. Note that we are not looking for a peer recommendation — we find it most helpful if there is some developmental distance between you and the recommender. The exception to this might be when you have worked on an entrepreneurial venture or project and the only person able to help us understand your involvement is a partner or colleague.

Please realize that we are considering these recommendations in the context of your entire application — we are not creating a detailed map of the titles and resumes of your recommenders and setting up an elaborate hierarchy.

Please don't ask current HBS students to write to us on your behalf outside of the formal recommendation process. Candidates are not advantaged in the application process by either professional or personal associations with our students.

If you are worried about how we will interpret your choice or recommenders, simply write a (brief) explanation in the "additional information" section of the application.

Especially in these unusual times, please don't jeopardize your employment in order to secure a recommendation from a current employer. While we might wish that all bosses were enthusiastic and encouraging about business school for their emerging leaders, this is not a universal sentiment. Make your best judgment call about whom to ask, make sure they understand what we're asking, explain your choices to us if you think you should... and that's it!
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