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

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Evgart

Joined: 08 Feb 2017

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Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing

Schools: HBS '20 (M) Stanford '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 660 Q48 V33 Verified score

GMAT 2: 710 Q49 V38 Verified score

GPA: 3.32

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Schools: HBS '20 (M) Stanford '20 (A)

GMAT 2: 710 Q49 V38 Verified score

Posts: 77

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[17]

Updated on: 17 Jan 2018, 06:35

Originally posted by Evgart on 31 May 2017, 13:06.
Last edited by Narenn on 17 Jan 2018, 06:35, edited 6 times in total.

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Alright guys! Lets do this. Harvard 2020! The Application for the Class of 2020 is now live.

P.S. HBS will now waive the $250 application fee for all active duty military applicants.

Helpful Links....

Archived 'Calling All HBS Applicants' Topic

Hi there,

You've reached an old 'Calling All HBS Applicants' discussion which is now outdated and has been archived. No more replies are possible here.

Looking for the latest discussion? Check out this up-to-date Calling All HBS Applicants Discussion for the most recent conversations on this topic.

Interested in more from this school? Visit our dedicated HBS Forum to dive into all things related to HBS's MBA program.

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

Founder

Joined: 04 Dec 2002

Last visit: 21 Apr 2026

Posts: 43,149

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83,699

Given Kudos: 24,671

Location: United States

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

GPA: 3

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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

Posts: 43,149

Kudos: 83,699

05 Oct 2017, 14:01

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Filthydelphia

Something is wrong with the tracker. I'm pretty sure this is me and I was denied.

Invited to interview, 59 minutes ago, from United States, GMAT:760 (Q47 V47), GPA: 3.66, Industry: Military & Defense, WE 140, heard via: email

Sorry about the ding. Your profile seems strong.

Thank you for the tip about the tracker - I will look into whether it is broken or it decided to be merciful today.

Posted from my mobile device

Filthydelphia

Joined: 06 Sep 2016

Last visit: 14 Jul 2018

Posts: 141

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 6

Location: United States (NY)

Concentration: Finance, Economics

Schools: Booth '20 (A) Kellogg '20 (A) Haas '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 760 Q47 V47 Verified score

GPA: 3.66

WE:Military Officer (Military & Defense)

Products:

Schools: Booth '20 (A) Kellogg '20 (A) Haas '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 760 Q47 V47 Verified score

Posts: 141

Kudos: 48

[1]

05 Oct 2017, 15:07

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Sandy over at HBS Guru/Poets&Quants gave his thoughts on my profile. My career outside of the military has been accounting and compliance, jobs that aren't 'HBS feeder jobs' which sank my app. Didn't help that I will be 33 at matriculation. Goes to show you that sometimes you get dinged for things you cannot control (age, career to date), even if the things you can control (GMAT, GPA, essay) are in good shape.

I almost think I would have been better off omitting that I have private sector experience. A straight military applicant is preferable to a Reservist with active duty time but also many years of private sector experience.

artihcs

Joined: 12 Feb 2017

Last visit: 13 Dec 2017

Posts: 23

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Given Kudos: 12

Location: Singapore

Schools: HBS '20 Kellogg '20 (S)

GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V42 Verified score

GMAT 2: 720 Q46 V42 Verified score

GPA: 3.37

Schools: HBS '20 Kellogg '20 (S)

GMAT 2: 720 Q46 V42 Verified score

Posts: 23

Kudos: 1

05 Oct 2017, 15:46

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

Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum

HeadingEast

Joined: 08 Apr 2017

Last visit: 17 Dec 2020

Posts: 89

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Location: United States

Concentration: Finance, Other

Schools: Sloan '20 (WL) Stanford '20 (D) HBS '20 (D) Kellogg '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 750 Q48 V44 Verified score

GPA: 3.77

Schools: Sloan '20 (WL) Stanford '20 (D) HBS '20 (D) Kellogg '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 750 Q48 V44 Verified score

Posts: 89

Kudos: 25

05 Oct 2017, 16:30

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Filthydelphia

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

Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

MBA20Twenty

Joined: 14 Aug 2016

Last visit: 21 Aug 2018

Posts: 12

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[2]

Given Kudos: 2

Schools: Stanford '20 (D) Wharton '20 (D) HBS '20 (D) Sloan '20 (D) Booth '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V44 Verified score

Schools: Stanford '20 (D) Wharton '20 (D) HBS '20 (D) Sloan '20 (D) Booth '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V44 Verified score

Posts: 12

Kudos: 7

[2]

05 Oct 2017, 16:30

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Filthydelphia

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

valardohaeris

Joined: 19 Dec 2016

Last visit: 21 Jul 2018

Posts: 32

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Given Kudos: 106

Location: Malaysia

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) ISB '19 NUS '20 (S)

GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V27 Verified score

GMAT 2: 640 Q43 V34 Verified score

GPA: 4

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) ISB '19 NUS '20 (S)

GMAT 2: 640 Q43 V34 Verified score

Posts: 32

Kudos: 13

05 Oct 2017, 17:55

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

Filthydelphia

Joined: 06 Sep 2016

Last visit: 14 Jul 2018

Posts: 141

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Given Kudos: 6

Location: United States (NY)

Concentration: Finance, Economics

Schools: Booth '20 (A) Kellogg '20 (A) Haas '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 760 Q47 V47 Verified score

GPA: 3.66

WE:Military Officer (Military & Defense)

Products:

Schools: Booth '20 (A) Kellogg '20 (A) Haas '20 (A)

GMAT 1: 760 Q47 V47 Verified score

Posts: 141

Kudos: 48

05 Oct 2017, 18:49

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HeadingEast

Filthydelphia

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

MBA20Twenty

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

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

tohin

Joined: 24 Mar 2011

Last visit: 13 Mar 2021

Posts: 80

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[3]

Given Kudos: 10

Schools: Harvard Business School - Class of 2013

GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V42 Verified score

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Schools: Harvard Business School - Class of 2013

GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V42 Verified score

Posts: 80

Kudos: 27

[3]

05 Oct 2017, 20:23

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Filthydelphia

HeadingEast

Filthydelphia

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

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 !

NateFromHBS

Joined: 22 Aug 2014

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Schools: Stanford '17 (WA) Wharton '17 (WA) Tuck '17 (A) Booth '17 (A$) HBS '17 (M)

GRE 1: Q170 V170 Verified score

GPA: 3.7

Schools: Stanford '17 (WA) Wharton '17 (WA) Tuck '17 (A) Booth '17 (A$) HBS '17 (M)

GRE 1: Q170 V170 Verified score

Posts: 179

Kudos: 124

[2]

09 Oct 2017, 14:26

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MBA20Twenty

Filthydelphia

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

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."

Top10orBust

Joined: 03 Nov 2016

Last visit: 12 May 2018

Posts: 3

Location: United States (CA)

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Booth '20 (WL) Wharton '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) Stern '20 (II) Haas '20 (I) Sloan '20 (A) Anderson '20 (I) Marshall '20 (I) Yale '20 (A) Tuck '20 (WL)

GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V40 Verified score

GPA: 3.83

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Booth '20 (WL) Wharton '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) Stern '20 (II) Haas '20 (I) Sloan '20 (A) Anderson '20 (I) Marshall '20 (I) Yale '20 (A) Tuck '20 (WL)

GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V40 Verified score

Posts: 3

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09 Oct 2017, 18:26

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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

nherika

Joined: 11 Oct 2017

Last visit: 07 Jan 2018

Posts: 3

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Location: United States

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Yale '20 (A$) Haas '20 (D) Anderson '20 (A$) CBS '20 (D) Marshall '20 (A$) Wharton '20 (D) Sloan '20 (I) Stanford '20 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V41 Verified score

GPA: 3.82

WE:Information Technology (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Yale '20 (A$) Haas '20 (D) Anderson '20 (A$) CBS '20 (D) Marshall '20 (A$) Wharton '20 (D) Sloan '20 (I) Stanford '20 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V41 Verified score

Posts: 3

Kudos: 5

11 Oct 2017, 02:51

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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

mbaapplicant222

Joined: 17 Apr 2017

Last visit: 31 May 2018

Posts: 32

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Location: United States (NY)

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Booth '20 (A$) Wharton '20 (A) Stanford '20 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

Schools: HBS '20 (D) Booth '20 (A$) Wharton '20 (A) Stanford '20 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

Posts: 32

Kudos: 8

11 Oct 2017, 08:06

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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

Narenn

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11 Oct 2017, 10:24

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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

VertiasPrepCecil

We actually have a whole page of HBS interview advice: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#-essenti ... interview/

Let me put some of the highlights here. Be prepared to talk about any potential weaknesses in your candidacy or experiences you didn’t have an opportunity to discuss thoroughly in other parts of your application.

Prepare a number of personal and professional stories that exemplify topics of leadership, decision-making, overcoming challenging situations, working on teams. But also be prepared to face unexpected questions. Remember, the goal is to show the admissions officer that you’ll be an interesting, intelligent, and enjoyable classmate at HBS.

Hope that helps!

halibr331

Joined: 05 Oct 2017

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Schools: Anderson '21 Darden '21

GMAT 1: 640 Q46 V31 Verified score

GMAT 2: 670 Q46 V35 Verified score

Schools: Anderson '21 Darden '21

GMAT 2: 670 Q46 V35 Verified score

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12 Oct 2017, 18:24

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Narenn

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

VertiasPrepCecil

Hope that helps!

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

shineo42818

Joined: 09 May 2016

Last visit: 26 Apr 2018

Posts: 1

Location: Thailand

Schools: HBS '20 (A) Booth '20 (WD) Wharton '20 (D) Sloan '20 (WD) Ross '20 (WD)

GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V36 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

Schools: HBS '20 (A) Booth '20 (WD) Wharton '20 (D) Sloan '20 (WD) Ross '20 (WD)

GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V36 Verified score

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

14 Oct 2017, 01:21

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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

ydmuley

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Location: India

Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship

Schools: Haas '20 HBS '20 CBS '20 Wharton '20 Stanford '20 Kellogg '20

GPA: 3.5

Schools: Haas '20 HBS '20 CBS '20 Wharton '20 Stanford '20 Kellogg '20

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12 Nov 2017, 01:33

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How did the interview go? Any updates people?

Narenn

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15 Nov 2017, 09:50

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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

Narenn

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15 Nov 2017, 10:19

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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

NateFromHBS

Joined: 22 Aug 2014

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Schools: Stanford '17 (WA) Wharton '17 (WA) Tuck '17 (A) Booth '17 (A$) HBS '17 (M)

GRE 1: Q170 V170 Verified score

GPA: 3.7

Schools: Stanford '17 (WA) Wharton '17 (WA) Tuck '17 (A) Booth '17 (A$) HBS '17 (M)

GRE 1: Q170 V170 Verified score

Posts: 179

Kudos: 124

16 Nov 2017, 16:39

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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!