Useful Blog Posts Harvard Success Stories Eskimoroll - Class of 2013 https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-evolution-of-your-b-school-pursuit-56765-100.html#p932962 Bombol - Class of 2015 https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-evolution-of-your-b-school-pursuit-56765-120.html#p1209760 Hunterashmore - Class of 2015 https://gmatclub.com/forum/interviews-with-distinguished-gmatclub-2013-admits-147638.html#p1203593 For more MBA debriefs Visit this forum 0AouGsZIRXiMPdEZMWXJnbl9zckJBWWpsc2xLMWhyVEE Harvard Class of 2013 Employment Statistics https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22061 https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22062 https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22063 https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22064 HBS_Class_of_2013_Employment_Report_Page_1_of_4.png HBS_Class_of_2013_Employment_Report_Page_2_of_4.png HBS_Class_of_2013_Employment_Report_Page_3_of_4.png HBS_Class_of_2013_Employment_Report_Page_4_of_4.png Harvard Class of 2014 Internship Statistics https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22065 https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22066 https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22067 https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=22068 HBS_Class_of_2014_Internship_Report_Page_1_of_4.png HBS_Class_of_2014_Internship_Report_Page_2_of_4.png HBS_Class_of_2014_Internship_Report_Page_3_of_4.png HBS_Class_of_2014_Internship_Report_Page_4_of_4.png Download Complete Report Here Harvard Class of 2013 Recruitment Report.pdf Harvard Social Media Updates Tweets HarvardHBS,441904070010236928,500 FB Updates HarvardBusinessSchool Dealing with a Ding - Webinar Recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=echqdCOW7cM Dealing with a Ding.pdf

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Harvard (HBS) Calling all applicants - Class of 2016

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domotron

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04 Jun 2013, 07:19

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The application is live!

lindalibinbin

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Location: Canada

Schools: HBS '16 (S) Stanford '16 (S) Haas '16

GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V41 Verified score

GPA: 3.7

WE:Analyst (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)

Schools: HBS '16 (S) Stanford '16 (S) Haas '16

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04 Jun 2013, 18:59

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Count me in for R1!

DefyingGravity

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Concentration: General Management

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07 Jun 2013, 09:09

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throwing my hat in for round 1 as well.

dukealum7

Joined: 19 Jan 2013

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Location: United States

Schools: HBS '16 (D) Wharton '16 (D) Sloan '16 (WL) Duke '16 (A)

GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48 Verified score

GPA: 3.16

WE:Military Officer (Military & Defense)

Schools: HBS '16 (D) Wharton '16 (D) Sloan '16 (WL) Duke '16 (A)

GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48 Verified score

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01 Jul 2013, 11:39

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Anyone else running into writer's block on the essay? On my third version now, trashed the last two already.

dave785

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Location: United States

Concentration: Finance, Economics

Schools: Wharton '16 (D) Duke '16 (S) Booth '16 (D) Anderson '16

GMAT 1: 710 Q44 V44 Verified score

GMAT 2: 740 Q48 V44 Verified score

GPA: 3.1

WE:Sales (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)

Schools: Wharton '16 (D) Duke '16 (S) Booth '16 (D) Anderson '16

GMAT 2: 740 Q48 V44 Verified score

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03 Jul 2013, 16:00

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I don't even know where to begin...

My gut is telling me to just go with a free-flow essay to highlight my personality... I really want to write an essay about how ridiculous most essays are and fill it with loads of humor... but Harvard is Harvard, and I'm afraid to submit something that could be perceived as "goofy"

essaysnark

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06 Jul 2013, 11:18

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dave785

My gut is telling me to just go with a free-flow essay to highlight my personality...

Please don't do this.

There's a chance that someone could pull this off but reading this made us cringe.

From the Harvard essays we're seeing so far, the biggest problem is that it's not clear what the person is trying to say.

dave785, you don't need to tell Harvard Admissions that essays are ridiculous. They just removed the essay requirement completely, they get that! If you really feel that essays are dumb then a way to emphasize that would be to not write one! Instead, if you're going to do one, then use the space to convince them why you belong at Harvard, by offering stuff that's not communicated elsewhere in your app.

We have no problem with funny or showing a sense of humor (though we very rarely see someone pull that off in practice) however the "free flow" thing scares us out of our wits. Your essay must have a point; that's what essays do (good ones, at least!).

Good luck to all on this - it is not a simple exercise.

EssaySnark

michaelk8

Joined: 30 Dec 2012

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Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Strategy

Schools: Insead Sept '16 (M)

GMAT Date: 06-15-2013

Schools: Insead Sept '16 (M)

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07 Jul 2013, 14:03

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dukealum7

Anyone else running into writer's block on the essay? On my third version now, trashed the last two already.

I know exactly how you feel - on my 2nd one.. I think the point is to highlight something unique that can add more colour to your package (resume/gmat/recommendations etc.), but also provide even more consistency to your profile.

Good luck.

Tharlas

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Location: Russian Federation

Schools: HBS '16 (D) Stanford '16 (S)

GMAT 1: 730 Q47 V44 Verified score

Schools: HBS '16 (D) Stanford '16 (S)

GMAT 1: 730 Q47 V44 Verified score

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08 Jul 2013, 06:56

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Reapplicant, will also (re)try!

ohsballer

Joined: 27 Feb 2012

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Concentration: General Management, Nonprofit

Schools: Kellogg '16 (M$) Duke '16 (A) Stanford '16 (D) HBS '16 (WD) Cnsrtm-Hass '16 (WL) Cnsrtm-Goizueta '16 (A$) Cnsrtm-Ross '16 (WL) Haas '16 (WL)

GMAT 1: 700 Q47 V39 Verified score

Schools: Kellogg '16 (M$) Duke '16 (A) Stanford '16 (D) HBS '16 (WD) Cnsrtm-Hass '16 (WL) Cnsrtm-Goizueta '16 (A$) Cnsrtm-Ross '16 (WL) Haas '16 (WL)

GMAT 1: 700 Q47 V39 Verified score

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09 Jul 2013, 06:40

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Does anybody know the recommender questions for this year?

essaysnark

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09 Jul 2013, 06:51

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ohsballer

Does anybody know the recommender questions for this year?

They're at the bottom of this page - relevant bits here:

Quote:

Recommender Questions
Recommendations must be completed online. The recommendation form includes the following questions, along with other types of questions.

How do the candidate's performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response. (250 words)

yoko182

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10 Jul 2013, 01:44

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I submitted my Round1-application a couple of weeks ago. According to the HBS website, the status on my GMAT Score Report is "Awaiting". I'm confused by this as the MBA.com website claims that my score was reported to HBS five months ago. Is this normal? Do you think that everything is OK, or is any further action required on my part?

jumsumtak

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Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy

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10 Jul 2013, 08:36

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yoko182

Already? Wow.

Typically schools take some time (~2/3 weeks) to put in scores in your application file. Give them some time and you should see the right indicator.

hailmary

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10 Jul 2013, 16:58

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yoko182

Wow. Two months in advance. What if you get a big promotion or cure cancer during the next 2 months?

Posted from my mobile device

aerien

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10 Jul 2013, 20:41

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hailmary620

yoko182

Wow. Two months in advance. What if you get a big promotion or cure cancer during the next 2 months?

Posted from my mobile device

He'll have to send in an awesome update letter

tripsd

Joined: 24 Jan 2012

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Location: United States

Concentration: Strategy, Nonprofit

Schools: Stanford '16 (D) Tuck '16 (M) HBS '16 (D)

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GPA: 3.7

WE:Other (Education)

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11 Jul 2013, 09:01

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jumsumtak

yoko182

Already? Wow.

Typically schools take some time (~2/3 weeks) to put in scores in your application file. Give them some time and you should see the right indicator.

Heck I was feeling good I had even looked at the application!

BigRedMBA

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Location: United States

Concentration: Marketing, Strategy

Schools: HBS '15 (M) Wharton '15 (A$) Kellogg '15 (D) Duke '15 (A$)

GMAT 1: 730 Q46 V45 Verified score

GPA: 3.47

WE:Marketing (Consulting)

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Schools: HBS '15 (M) Wharton '15 (A$) Kellogg '15 (D) Duke '15 (A$)

GMAT 1: 730 Q46 V45 Verified score

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15 Jul 2013, 13:34

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yoko182

That's great, but schools don't even look at applications till after the deadline, so submitting SO early is totally unnecessary. Take a deep breath and take time with your applications, you all have PLENTY of time.

abk

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19 Jul 2013, 18:25

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I have written thousands of words, opened up 5 windows of unsaved work, saved 4 drafts and all of them are WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Ugh.

Can I just say: "Please accept me, I'll be a good student! I PROMISE."

sp88

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27 Jul 2013, 06:52

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Count me in for R1!

BoNgDrEaMs

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Status:"Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever the f**k you were gonna do anyway." - Quite a status, Huh!

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27 Jul 2013, 09:18

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Hi,

I had a few questions about an HBS MBA for Indian engineers, do they take only the IITians or do they at least look into others' profile as well? There is a myth(or truth) that HBS, Stanford, MIT etc they r only looking for IITians. How far is this myth/truth true?

Can someone outline the points which are extremely important for HBS (other than GMAT, GPA and Essay of course)..

TIA

essaysnark

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27 Jul 2013, 18:14

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FinalFurlong

@FinalFurlong, they definitely take more than just IIT but it certainly helps if you attended a good school. BITS Pilani, BMS in Bangalore, H.R. College of Commerce & Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru Tech U... these are just some schools that have fed to HBS that we know of. So this myth is definitely NOT TRUE.

What needs to come through in everything - including "GMAT, GPA and Essay of course" - is excellence. You need to show how you're ahead of your peers. You need to be a superstar. There's no one way to define this; it's very individual.

And even though we just said that you need to show excellence through "everything", that doesn't mean that everything needs to be perfect. It's very possible to get in to HBS with a low(er) GMAT score or a low(er) GPA. Probably not both. And much more difficult for someone from India, only because there's so many others from your area who are closer to perfect. But it's definitely possible.

That answer probably didn't help much... it's the kind of thing "you know it when you see it." It's the whole package. There's never one element that causes any decision in either direction.

That means, there's hope! And, it means it's very very difficult at the same time.

EssaySnark