Harvard (HBS) Calling all applicants - Class of 2016

To my fellow "further consideration" friends from Round 1:

Do we think we will learn our fates on the first interview release date (Feb. 29)? My thinking is that by now, they should really have a pretty darn good idea if they want to interview us or not, and won't need the extra week. Of course, there is the possibility they are still getting through those other apps of comparable R2 candidates. Thoughts?

Interesting, albeit speculative, discussion on how to respond to the HBS essay prompt. I really do believe there is no one-size-fits-all format for this essay. You could always hypothesize an effective approach based on data, but more often than not your sample size is likely to be rather small and your conclusion could ignore other context specific data. Take away: Stop speculating! Answer the question as honestly as possible in a way that you think enhances your candidacy as a potential leader in international business. Send it in and then get on with life

I think it warrants reminding that 90% of your "odds" (if not more) are set well before you start this essay, so give it your best shot and let it go.

My approach was to use a personal story (within a professional context - exit/sale of my start-up) that hit two points (i) answer the WHY to each career move (ii) explain how I developed my aspirations and what I hope to accomplish as a leader in international business.

An idle mind is the devil's workshop. I know the waiting is hard (for me too!) but let's not go crazy speculating! HBS is a means to an end, so let's not take our eye of the proverbial ball!

In past years, "further consideration" people were notified on the first Rd 2 interview invite date.

Rephrased for clarity: In past years, "further consideration" people who were moving forward with an interview were notified on the first Rd 2 interview invite date.
_________________

I looked at the waitlisted thread for 2013 applicants. It looks like people who moved forward with interviews heard on both days.

Yes, last year invites for further consideration folks came out on both days, not just the first.

Speaking of Further Consideration folks - do we have any idea of stats for those in the past? Like what portion gets interviews? (I'm FC as well).

Also just curious, though I think I know the answer, do they ever give people FC decision in Round 2?

i'm also FC-ed from R1, and this is what i've gathered.

i don't understand why they would need to wait until the second interview notification date to tell us FC'ers. they've seen our application for like 4 months now, and given the 800/100 split between first interview date notifications and second interview date notifications, it just feels cruel. like being on death row. twice.

i don't think numbers were disclosed this year, but last year's R1 FC group was around 100. dean leapold said about 50% got interviewed and 50-60% ended up getting into HBS. she also said it was unlikely someone would be FC'ed in R1, interviewed in R2, and then waitlisted in R2; but that doesn't state that it would be unlikely that someone is FC'ed in R1, and then FC'ed again in R2 (or am i just being paranoid?).

five days. or twelve days. or much longer. ugh.

Wait a minute - what is this 800/100 split I am reading about?

Does that mean of the 900 interview invitations sent out - 800 will be sent out Jan 29 and the 100 will be sent out on Feb 5?

Yeah, I'd heard that too. I also heard it as 80% come out the first day.

just 4-5 days from the first wave of interview invites. Fingers crossed!

Fingers crossed. And a prayer on lips. All the best everyone!!

55 hours 30 minutes to go...

People tend to take bits of info and transform the meaning to an angle or rule. From what I saw from a brief search on the internet she referenced sometimes wishing she knew less. Occasionally applicants to college or graduate programs will use the essays as more of a diary entry for very personal topics, which is not good. I believe this is what she was referring to. She says to remember who the audience is, which to me means to make the essay relevant and appropriate.

fantastic.. stomach doing flips already. going to be a tough 48 + 2.4 hours.

How can your stomach do flips? You have been admitted into CBS and Wharton. You should be the one telling us to calm down, boss.

Anyway, 51 hours to go...

odds arent in my favor but still optimistic as i have an unusual story and solid job performance. best of luck to all of you and remember grad school is just a destination in your long journey called life. its not the be all and end all. if you have what it takes to be a leader you will be a leader regardless of whether you go to duke or hbs.

I would give an arm to be admitted to Duke right now. Bird in hand ....

well if you get in awesome. if you don't there is always a next time. u can take extra classes give your gmat and improve your ec's. all of this can actually be done in 6 months if you are serious. so again just relax put in your best effort and see what happens. with duke there is actually a good chance you get feedback too if you probe a lil so there's that.

ritinster - your tone implies you are sure you will get into Duke. Fuqua is very competitive...and very underrated. I would not assume anything! My profile : Ivy undergrad + unique work ex + 700 GMAT + volunteer work in Africa..I am sweating bullets about Duke. A consultant gave me a 5% chance at HBS because of the low GMAT and a 50% chance at Duke. Its a coin flip bro..