Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 07:25 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 07:25
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
sp88
Joined: 18 Jun 2013
Last visit: 28 Apr 2015
Posts: 166
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 29
Posts: 166
Kudos: 9
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
EBM
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Last visit: 19 Apr 2024
Posts: 750
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 6
Affiliations: HBS Class of 2013
Location: United States (TX)
Schools: HBS '13 (A)
Schools: HBS '13 (A)
Posts: 750
Kudos: 163
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
dwal44
Joined: 29 Oct 2010
Last visit: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 82
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
ganteymula
Joined: 16 Oct 2013
Last visit: 07 Apr 2014
Posts: 69
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 7
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Is there any way to strengthen an application once it is in the waitlist zone? I've read sending an update letter, additional recommendations, retaking GMAT etc as all being options.... thoughts?
avatar
Africa1989
Joined: 19 Feb 2013
Last visit: 16 Jun 2014
Posts: 27
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Didn't they say NOT to send anything extra in the FC email?
avatar
ElGrampo
Joined: 27 Sep 2013
Last visit: 17 May 2014
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 21
Concentration: General Management, Technology
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Letter specifically says not to send them stuff as it won't be added to our file / considered in their decision. HBS has historically been one of the "Don't Call Us. We'll Call You" type schools for the deferrals, but not sure if there are exceptional circumstances. Any guidance from someone who's gone through this would be great.
User avatar
jumsumtak
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Last visit: 14 Jun 2023
Posts: 1,092
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 479
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy
Posts: 1,092
Kudos: 594
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ganteymula
Is there any way to strengthen an application once it is in the waitlist zone? I've read sending an update letter, additional recommendations, retaking GMAT etc as all being options.... thoughts?


waitlist-guide-to-earning-yourself-an-admit-129448.html
waitlist-best-practices-compilation-57306.html

Good luck!

[edit]: Sorry. Posted the wrong links earlier.
User avatar
EBM
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Last visit: 19 Apr 2024
Posts: 750
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 6
Affiliations: HBS Class of 2013
Location: United States (TX)
Schools: HBS '13 (A)
Schools: HBS '13 (A)
Posts: 750
Kudos: 163
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dwal44
EBM
vcruz80
I wonder why they would defer so many people...maybe they got a lot more applications in R1 than usual due to only having one essay?

If they're like most schools, they defer groups of people broken down by work experience, nationality, career goals, etc. so they can round out the class later. That way if they get to R2 or R3 and realize that consultants/military/engineers/Europeans/Middle Easterners/etc. are underrepresented, they've got a handful of qualified options on hand to choose from.

I would wonder why they don't defer after interview if we are really qualified? Seems like they have enough people they interview that don't get in, then are the deferred people a step down from them? I guess I won't think about it too much...

Who knows? Maybe they interviewed a bunch of people who turned out to be ***holes...maybe they used the interviews to narrow down the applicants from over-represented fields like banking and consulting. It's best not to worry about it.
avatar
ElGrampo
Joined: 27 Sep 2013
Last visit: 17 May 2014
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 21
Concentration: General Management, Technology
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Another update from HBS, this time clarifying that "further consideration" does not mean "waitlist" (which is post-interview) and that "deferred" isn't a word they use at all (and probably just confuses things). On "further consideration"

Quote:
Further Consideration (FC): We've reviewed your written application and have decided to neither move you forward to "interview" nor "deny" at this time. One reason is that we have a finite number of interview spots we can offer and still keep to our promised December 11 notification date. The other is that we can't see Round 2 applications before we need to make final Round 1 decisions - December 11 is the Round 1 notification date and the Round 2 application deadline is January 6. So we'd like to hold on to you and "further consider" your application in Round 2. We anticipate being able to interview a meaningful number of those "FCs" in February/March. Once in the interview group, these candidates have the same chances of being admitted as any other interviewee - somewhere between 50% and 60%.

It seems they're trying to be helpful short of telling us numbers (historical / projected... which I wish they would) or just flat out tell us that "Yes, you - ElGrampo - are definitely getting in." Points for regular updating & transparency. Let's hope "meaningful number" = 100%!
avatar
grit
Joined: 15 Sep 2013
Last visit: 08 Apr 2014
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
Posts: 19
Kudos: 19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
interestingly the chances of getting in after interview are now somewhere between 50%-60% and not outright 60%!

also, will 100 less offers be given this year as 2+2's start kicking in?
avatar
seamlessftw
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Last visit: 30 Jan 2018
Posts: 47
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Concentration: General Management
Products:
Posts: 47
Kudos: 33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
grit
interestingly the chances of getting in after interview are now somewhere between 50%-60% and not outright 60%!

When were they 60%?
avatar
grit
Joined: 15 Sep 2013
Last visit: 08 Apr 2014
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
Posts: 19
Kudos: 19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
do remember it being quoted by HBSguru and P&Q several times on blogs etc. For e.g. Dee's 2010 interview with P&Q. Sorry, can't post URLs, I'm quite a baby on this site.

BTW - this is just pre-interview stress and over-analysing everything on any website or public resource. feel free to ignore!
avatar
nikkiikkio
Joined: 22 Jul 2013
Last visit: 16 Dec 2013
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 15
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
How are you all preparing for the interview?
avatar
Beckham123
Joined: 15 Jan 2012
Last visit: 07 Sep 2015
Posts: 38
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 35
Posts: 38
Kudos: 49
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
nikkiikkio
How are you all preparing for the interview?

- reading up interview prep articles on clear admit and other similar sites
- preparing outlines of answers to key questions (describe yourself/strengths/weaknesses/why mba/career goals etc)
- also tried the mirror method a couple of times, seems interesting. Please google 'vince prep mirror method'
- praying!

What about you guys?
avatar
knightofdelta
Joined: 13 Dec 2012
Last visit: 07 Sep 2021
Posts: 180
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 29
Posts: 180
Kudos: 118
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Beckham123
nikkiikkio
How are you all preparing for the interview?

- reading up interview prep articles on clear admit and other similar sites
- preparing outlines of answers to key questions (describe yourself/strengths/weaknesses/why mba/career goals etc)
- also tried the mirror method a couple of times, seems interesting. Please google 'vince prep mirror method'
- praying!

What about you guys?

I'd be very careful with the Vince Prep mirror method. One of the major reasons people get dinged, according to Dee, is that their "their interview responses were too scripted". The interviewer couldn't get through to the real person. Maybe the mirror method could help bolster your confidence but I'd use it with caution and probably just concentrate more on answering curve-balls.

That's just me though, but I'm yet to submit my application not to talk of being called up for interview. So, feel free to ignore.
User avatar
smartperson
User avatar
Chat Moderator
Joined: 27 Oct 2010
Last visit: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 42
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 17
Affiliations: Tau Beta Pi
Location: United States (NY)
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Technology
Schools: Harvard Business School (HBS) - Class of 2013
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V45
GPA: 3.69
WE:Engineering (Computer Software)
Products:
Schools: Harvard Business School (HBS) - Class of 2013
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V45
Posts: 42
Kudos: 12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'm going to agree with knightofdelta, above. In most cases the HBS interview should feel more like a conversation - would you practice a conversation in front of a mirror?

My advice? Find a current HBS student or an HBS alumnus (ahem) that you know, and just talk to them. Don't tell them you want to do a mock interview, but do mention that you have an interview coming up. You should have a nice conversation, where many of the topics from the interview will come up. It will help you feel more comfortable in your own skin, and will hopefully reduce some of the anxiety you may be feeling.

Good luck, everyone! Feel free to drop by the chat room if you need to vent :-)
avatar
londoncalling1
Joined: 20 Oct 2012
Last visit: 05 Apr 2016
Posts: 39
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 7
Location: United Kingdom
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GMAT 1: 760 Q44 V49
WE:Marketing (Internet and New Media)
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Interview-related question. I noticed on Poets & Quants a passing reference to the fact that Dee has in the past asked "Who is your favourite Downton Abbey daughter." I have never watched the show. Should I start a series marathon?

(I know this is probably a ridiculous question but it seems like such a weird and random thing to ask and I'd hate to be wrongfooted just because I watch the wrong tv shows!)
avatar
seamlessftw
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Last visit: 30 Jan 2018
Posts: 47
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Concentration: General Management
Products:
Posts: 47
Kudos: 33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
londoncalling1
Interview-related question. I noticed on Poets & Quants a passing reference to the fact that Dee has in the past asked "Who is your favourite Downton Abbey daughter." I have never watched the show. Should I start a series marathon?

No. Also, the last season devolved into bad television, so it's really not worth getting into.

londoncalling1
I know this is probably a ridiculous question
You are correct!
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
londoncalling1
Interview-related question. I noticed on Poets & Quants a passing reference to the fact that Dee has in the past asked "Who is your favourite Downton Abbey daughter." I have never watched the show. Should I start a series marathon?

(I know this is probably a ridiculous question but it seems like such a weird and random thing to ask and I'd hate to be wrongfooted just because I watch the wrong tv shows!)

Why not just say, "I'm sorry I have never seen that show."?

Some of you guys stress over the weirdest things. :lol: Relax.
User avatar
alomo
Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Last visit: 15 Dec 2014
Posts: 47
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 17
Concentration: Other
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V39
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V39
Posts: 47
Kudos: 19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hey guys, I have a question.

Do you guys happen to know who will be the one interviewing candidate in each station?

Has it published somewhere or they keep it confidential until you arrive at your interview location?

Thanks a lot in advance :)
   1  ...  18   19   20   21   22  ...  55   
Moderator:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts