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Rubashov1
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HBS - do these help with acceptance? 14 Sep 2007, 14:38
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Does having recommendations (good ones!) from a Harvard BA and MBA improve one's chances?

Also, what about a domestic partnership (opposite sex) with a current Harvard student (but not in HBS)?

Thanks!
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seanpatin
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HBS - do these help with acceptance? 14 Sep 2007, 20:05
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First one - I think, yes! Even if not quite as much as having a familial relation to a Harvard grad, this is still a plus.

Second one - I would shy away from mentioning this even. Don't think that it is really advantageous and I personally am not planning to mention much about personal (outside of work) relationships in my essays or anything.
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Rubashov1
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HBS - do these help with acceptance? 14 Sep 2007, 20:09
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Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me how many recommendations HBS asks for? My boss (CFO) is the BA/MBA and she'll be #1 rec. Then the CEO.

If a 3rd is requested do you think it would be beneficial to use a former colleague who is a Harvard PhD (science)? (On that note, she now works in MIT's tech licensing office, do you that would help at MIT?)

Regarding domestic partnership, I guess a full-on spouse would matter more.

*goes shopping for wedding rings*
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seanpatin
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HBS - do these help with acceptance? 15 Sep 2007, 00:07
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I can't say for sure how many recommendation letters HBS requires. You may be able to figure this out from someone who is currently in the application process to the school, or even just 'google' some things about it.

Your boss with the BA/MBA will be an exceptional recommendation. The CEO also. I am not sure if you would want to use a former colleague as a recommendation though if a third is required. It seems to me that recommendations are supposed to typically come from "higher-ups," at different stages in your career/education. But, then again, maybe this colleague was at one point or another. Personally, I think that a better recommendation could be found if you do need to find a third one.
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lepium
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HBS - do these help with acceptance? 19 Oct 2007, 21:09
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seanpatin
I can't say for sure how many recommendation letters HBS requires. You may be able to figure this out from someone who is currently in the application process to the school, or even just 'google' some things about it.
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HBS requires 3 recos.

L.