Calling all Harvard MBA Applicants: (2019 Intake) Class of 2021!

In!

Please share experience

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In for R1. Good luck to everyone!

What experience are you enquiring about mate?

Advice from the HBS class of 2018

Good luck to everyone applying! Just wanted to share some advice I got from the outgoing class hopefully y'all will replace. It might not help you write better essays, but it will definitely make you wiser.

Ditch imposter syndrome

Many people at Harvard suffer from imposter syndrome; they worry that they were admissions mistakes. The truth is that life is too short for such self-doubt and that no one really “deserves” the benefits of the program. Instead of worrying about cosmic fairness in your admission, focus instead of living your life so that you are worthy of the gifts you are give.

Whiteboard your priorities

The currents at HBS are strong. Career events are geared to push you towards consulting and investment banking, the social hierarchy pushes you to rack up large bills drinking and traveling, and the curriculum implicitly pushes you to value higher paying jobs. If you don’t set your heading before you embark on your HBS journey, they will take you out to sea. To keep yourself on track, purchase a white board and stick somewhere in your apartment where you will see it every day. On the whiteboard, write down your 1-3 priorities for the coming year. As you consider whether to attend a lecture, social event, or weekend trip, check the opportunity against your criteria. If it doesn’t match, then decline with confidence.

Timebox your activities

If you plan on spending one hour on a case, pull out a stop watch and set it for 60 minutes. When it goes off, wherever you are in your reading or analysis, stop! There is always more work to do, more things to read. If you don’t put open-ended tasks into boxes they will eat up all the time you’re saving for other valuable activities.

Embrace unlearning

We all come with prejudices and misconceptions. Lean into experiences where you find your view challenged and when you find that they are wrong, change them!

There are a bunch more here that I had to cut for space, but feel free to check them out too. Good luck on this journey! In the end, it is absolutely worth it.

Thank you NateFromHBS for your advice and insights. We look forward to more precious insights and tips from you

Hi all -

As I have some clients already in the thick of their HBS essay work, I thought I would pass along some advice: when HBS asks "what more would you like us to know," the key word is "more." Meaning that they aren't looking for you to repeat information they can already find elsewhere in your materials. This is a chance to fill in the blanks for them and get more personal. Tell them what drives you, important moments from your past that shaped you, WHY you have the goals you do, WHY you've made the career moves you've made -- stuff like that. Rehashing accomplishments or explaining "why HBS" (something they have literally never asked in any year) is likely to bore them and result in a ding.

They are looking to be moved or to be curious enough about you that they MUST meet you via an interview.

Also, resist the temptation to write a long essay. HBS has always valued succinct communication. If you're stretching past 1200 words, you're doing it wrong.

Hope that helps and best of luck to all!

Thank you Erika for the helpful advice I feel that's a nice starting point you have given. We applicants can start brainstorming on those lines to create an initial draft.

In!

I wish everyone all the best in their applications! Harvard is the dream.

Just graduated from hbs 2018 and wanted to pay it forward. Feel free to post and comment with questions and queries on my blog and Instagram

Blog: https://atych00.wordpress.com
IG handle: Atych00

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Yuhuuu! That calls for a big celebration! Cheers! (Damn! No champagne emojis?! )


Thank you. Will get in touch with you for some pro-insights

In for R1, looking forward to any advice and support through the process. Good luck to everyone!

Your GMAT score is outstanding! Could you tell us more about your professional background?

And I would say this to everyone here. Come forward, introduce yourself to fellow applicants, share your post MBA aspirations and motivations to apply for HBS MBA. I am sure a fruitful exchange of ideas and positive dialogue with co-applicants will help everyone immensely in your own essays.

Everyone, my GPA is just a 3.3. However, my GMAT is 770 and I have a strong career path in addition to strong extra EC. Do you know of anyone who had a sub 3.3 and got into Harvard?

Well, you will find many peeps who would have got in with such stats. Harvard is one school which looks holistically at your application and if you are worth, you will definitely make it through!

Coming to our concern: my understanding is that you have already offset any doubts that the admissions committee would have about your quantitative aptitude with your superb GMAT. If you still feel that you can justify the low GPA, bring it out in your essay and add what you learnt from it. But, if your career path is as strong as you say, I don't think you will require the justification. I suggest you work hard on your essays and give the admissions committee irresistible information about you, something that would make them fall in love with you and that they won't even care for your GPA. Hope this helps. All the best

Oh wow thanks a lot!!! I'll try my best. Do you recommend an admission consultant? Who is the best one in your opinion?