HBS Essay dilemma

Question

Hi all!

I am currently working on my HBS essays. I have written the 3 accomplishments and now working on the "introduction to class". I have heard that repeating information in the essays in not a good thing to do particularly in HBS's essays which have such limited word limit.

However, at least 2 of my 3 accomplishments have played an important role in molding my personality and I would at least like to briefly mention them when I am introducing myself to the class. Would it be OK?

What do you guys think?

Thanks and all the best with the applications!!

brp4h · Answer

I've run into this problem as well - my answers to the community involvement and mistake questions overlap with what I would consider my biggest accomplishments. Should I stick to three professional accomplishments to avoid repeating myself?

adalfu · Answer

i think it's fine mentioning them again if it's relatively short... but remember, the focus is to build a solid picture of your full repetoire/narrative and in order to do so, you may have overlapping points in the different essays.

just try to keep the overlap to a minimum (10% overlap max or something).

just try to keep the overlap to a minimum (10% overlap max or something).

mbaSpain · Answer

I agree with Adalfu....if the essays, by virtue of their particular stories, require reference to the same story, then that is fine. You are completely right minime2 that the essays are short and you should not waste any of your valuable word count with repetitive information. Adalfu says 10% as a guideline, I would err on the side of re-using even less. However, you can avoid repetitiveness by focusing on different aspects of the achievements. For example, in E1 you could focus on the aspects of the achievement that would make you a good HBS fit, for example by demonstrating leadership. Then in E3-4, you could highlight the more personal aspects, how the achievement shaped your personality and approach to life.

Of course, if this is just not possible due to the nature of the story and if you will be repeating too much, then I suggest you choose an alternate E4.

Good luck to you!!!

Candy Lee LaBalle
mbaSpain

Of course, if this is just not possible due to the nature of the story and if you will be repeating too much, then I suggest you choose an alternate E4.

Good luck to you!!!

Candy Lee LaBalle
mbaSpain

HBS Essay dilemma

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