Calling all Harvard (HBS) Applicants Class of 2020 (2018 intake)

Did anyone just not receive anything?? No email for me


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As much as it sucks I think the 11 years WE was the deciding factor. It totally depends on the year and what element you bring to the class composition. Individuals on the far end of either side of the WE spectrum seem to be more polarizing


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I got dinged without interview. 770 (50/44), 3.8GPA undergrad with 6 years as a military officer.

This wouldn't have hurt so much if with the denial, they had returned our 250 bucks and the time spent on the application.

Can that be right? How can more work experience possibly be a negative? Something is off in business school admissions.



Doesn't make any sense, brother. We're not the target demographic.

Candidates with more than 10 years of experience can successfully apply to BSchool, including HBS. I had 9 years of experience when I applied, and I wasn't the most experienced student in our class. I remember that one of the students was a 40+ (50+?) university professor (Mathematics), looking to switch field. HBS and other top programs do admit very experienced applicants every year (albeit a small number). However, it is absolutely key to convey why you feel that applying at this point of your career still makes sense, and to clearly articulate your post MBA goals and show that you know precisely how to get there). It's likely quite important as well to convince them that you will fit in the BSchool environment. Finally, for applicants from underrepresented industries, a strong track record of professional success, and robust LORs can make a big difference.

A lot of great candidates with fantastic stats receive dings every year, often without interview, and it's hard to single out the precise reason in most cases.

There are many other great programs, and an HBS ding is in no way an indication of your potential (or lack thereof) to get into a leading MBA. All the best !

When we run Ding Reports for candidates like this at Ivy Admissions Group, almost always the failure is that you packed your application full of accomplishments but didn't identify a clear narrative as to what inspired you, what your mission in life is, what impact you hope to achieve, and how HBS will take you there. HBS wants "leaders who make a difference in the world", not just those who are accomplished. In that way, the admissions process is way more about trying to "win their vote" than "selling them your brand."

Denied without interview on October 5th

Denied without Interview on: 2017/10/05
Heard back via: Email
Location: United States
GMAT: 750, Q51, V40
GPA: 3.83
WE: 60 months
Industry: Venture Capital
Decision Received on: 2017/10/05

Via Portal

Denied without Interview on: 2017/10/05
Heard back via: Email
Location: United States
GMAT: 750, Q49, V41
GPA: 3.82
WE: 48 months
Industry: Health Care
Decision Received on: 2017/10/05

Denied without Interview on: 2017/10/05
Heard back via: Email
Location: United States, NY
GMAT: 750, Q49, V42
GPA: 3.63
WE: 48 months
Industry: Investment Banking
Submited on: 2017/09/05
Decision Received on: 2017/10/05

In today's weekly MBA chat, admission expert from the Veritas Prep shared few tips on HBS interviews with us. I am quoting her reply below



Hope that helps!

thx--it is so hard to remember "act normal" while preparing so reminders like this r very helpful.

Excited!

Invited to Interview on: 2017/09/05
Heard back via: Email
Location: Thailand
GMAT: 710, Q50, V36
GPA: 3.5
WE: 26 months
Industry: Energy and Utilities
Submited on: 2017/09/05
Invited on: 2017/09/05

How did the interview go? Any updates people?

We will have an HBS alumna in the chat room for next 2 hours in case anyone wants to chat about HBS interviews... https://gmatclub.com/forum/mchat.php?fl=menu

LIVE from MBA Chat...

Question: Any guidance/tips specific to HBS interviews? What HBS tries to evaluate in their interviews?

Maria: This is a great question -- I actually have about a 45-minute video in the ApplicantLab platform that is SOLELY devoted to the HBS interview tips. But, in a nutshell, I believe the interviewer is trying to gauge 3 key things: 1) B.S. factor: was the candidate exaggerating their importance in the essays, did they try to overstate their role [a common trap that is considered a "dingable" offense] 2) Can this person contribute in the case discussion environment? It’s one where you need to be CONCISE yet CLEAR since the other 89 people probably do not know what you know -- can you convey information in the way they are looking for? Do you deal well with disagreement? and 3) Similar to point #1, how well do you REALLY know your current AND future intended industry? Were you b.s.ing your career vision just to say something that you think "sounded" good? Are you intellectually curious enough to be thinking like a leader -- e.g. a common question is: "If you were the CEO of your company [OR ONE OF ITS COMPETITORS] tomorrow, what is the first change you would make?"

If you have any questions on HBS interviews, feel free to join the chat here... https://gmatclub.com/forum/mchat.php?fl=menu Maria will be in the chat for next 1.5 hours

Reminder for those applying for the Joint MBA Degree Program with Harvard Kennedy School -- the deadline is December 4th!

If you are admitted to HBS in Round 1, HBS will let you sit on your acceptance offer until you head back from HKS later in the spring. For those applying Round 2, you'll hear back from both programs at about the same time.

We put together this handy article all about the various programs at the Harvard Kennedy School, including an overview of the degrees offered and the application requirements. Hope you find it helpful!

counting down the days...