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gmataquaguy
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HBS related question 28 Feb 2005, 10:03
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Hey Omari,
During your years @ HBS what percentage of your classmates were 30-31 at the time they matriculated - 5% or 10%? I'm not looking for exact stats but i've heard/read that HBS is very unfriendly towards (1) older applicants [i applied this year Round II when i just turned 29] and towards (2) reapplicants.
So my question to you is among your section-mates what % of them were a) around 30 when they applied and b) what % of students were reapplicants. If you had mutually exclusive stats or "combined stats" for these criteria that would be cool too.

best regards,
gmataquaguy
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truthringer
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HBS related question 28 Feb 2005, 16:46
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"HBS is unfriendly to older applicants." "HBS is unfriendly toward reapplicants".

Both are rumors that should be strongly discounted. I think in my class about 15-20% of the class was =>30 at matriculation

Year in and year out reapplicants tend to have a slightly higher acceptance rate than first time applicants. Only by a percentage point or two, but the school definitely doesn't discriminate against reapplicants.
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gmataquaguy
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HBS related question 01 Mar 2005, 18:55
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Thanks a bunch, Omari. While i think i've done a great job of researching HBS [~18 months] and feel like i've written a stellar app, i still dont have an interview request from HBS yet - some insecurities starting to creep in coz of my Dr.Jekyll & Mr.Hyde type of profile.

So worst case scenario, i plan on applying again this Fall and what you say is pretty comforting. After talking to Sandy [from BW] i got the feeling i should forget about my HBS dreams.....u're too old, u belong to a heavily represented pool. etc, etc.

Thanks again!!!

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gmataquaguy
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truthringer
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HBS related question 01 Mar 2005, 21:29
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Sandy can be insightful, but has standard lines for standard MBA applicant types -- this is efficient, but not always effective.

Besides, adjusting expectations downward is a classic consultant maneuver so that you don't get upset if admittance is not forthcoming.

All you can do is put your best foot forward and it sounds as though you did just that.

But remember, HBS isn't the only school out there...
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gmataquaguy
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HBS related question 07 Mar 2005, 13:31
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Thanks for your feedback. I'd really really really like to go HBS [not for trophy collection, etc, etc] but because of the emphasis HBS places on both personal and professional growth. Certain "life-altering" events in my personal life have sort of redefined whats important to me.

Anyways i'm still waiting for an interview request - [dunno what HBS has decided to do with people who logged in to see the "blank page" because of the applyyourself fiasco].

What is your personal take on this [applyyourself fiasco?] What would you recommend that people do [sit tight or send a letter of apology]

thanks a bunch,
gmataquaguy
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HBS related question 08 Mar 2005, 07:48
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Unfortunately for those involved it doesn't appear as though it really matters what they do: https://www.thecrimson.com/today/article506247.html

I think it's clear that with this becoming such a public issue, that HBS doesn't have much of a choice. In other words if they decided to now accept applicants that the media views as *hackers*, it would be another piece of ammo to claim that HBS doesn't support ethics. Additionally some alumni and potentially some recruiters may complain. Under the spotlight, it doesn't have much of a choice.

This isn't to say that I believe they should summarily reject all involved, it's just to say that it's the logical (and unfortunate) conclusion given the timing and under the spotlight.

If I were considering reapplying, I would definitely send a letter of apology.

I really do feel bad for the people involved though -- especially those who've been invited to interview in the last couple of days.
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HBS related question 08 Mar 2005, 19:41
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Omari, Thank You for your response.

Yeah i got word last night from Sandy that its siyonara for all applicants who did the "hack". What bothers me is how HBS (the institute) has handled this fiasco and how other applicants are trying to get "one up" on the 119 applicants. Just my theory: I wonder what % of applicants would have done the same thing that i did if the "window of opportunity" was much larger.

I also didnt like Dean Kim Clark's statement/comments about applicants being "unethical at best".

I see this incident as a HBS's PR vehicle in the media for its crucade against unethical behavior because applicants are at the bottom of the food-chain. Too bad Kim Clark hasnt applied the "one size fits all" ethics paradigm - why not strip away HBS degrees (or something of equal consequence) from the Jeffrey Skilling's and the other big-foot alums who arent exactly ethical?

I apologize if I'm ranting [I've spent the last 18+ months of my life planning towards HBS and 200+ hours towards my app - i learnt an important lesson through this failure: As a leader, one cannot be implusive unless he/she has thought through the repurcussions/consequences].

But to me, you and the HBS students i've interacted with epitomize "leaders" who make a difference in the world. Keep up the good work Omari.

best regards,
gmataquaguy.