Welcome, all HBS class of 2024 hopefuls. Let's use this platform to know each other, exchange ideas, discuss app strategies? Who all are applying? Let us know by commenting below. Follow the thread and bookmark this post Join Harvard chat Harvard MBA Deadlines Round Application Due Decisions Released Round 1 Sep 8, 2021 Dec 9, 2021 Round 2 Jan 4, 2022 Mar 30, 2022 HBS essay question: “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?” Harvard in MBA Spotlight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFE6o7zAPSY

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Calling all Harvard MBA Applicants: 2022 Intake [Class of 2024]

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Businessconquerer

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26 Jun 2021, 06:40

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Hey everyone, at Business Conquerors, we are conducting case workshops for interested candidates from top schools. You can apply if you’re interested. This is a free workshop given the pilot. G’day

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28 Jun 2021, 07:24

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If a candidate with a 6 years work exp. is earning say $ 300k before MBA, what’s the likelihood for him/her to earn more than $300k as a starting salary post MBA (as the median salaries are ~ $ 180k)? It seems a bit impractical that people with different work exp. are put at the same level post MBA. Is it the case ?
I am a little skeptical about short term opportunities salary wise as to the situation above.

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28 Jun 2021, 14:13

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Michelesaragat

Any advice on HBS essay?

We recently published a free BLOG article that answers this exact question: Tips for Your Harvard Business School 2021–2022 Application Essay

StratusSoterios

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28 Jun 2021, 14:25

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gargaman300

Hi gargaman300 - The companies that recruit on campus tend to focus on traditional post-MBA starting level jobs, which drives the average salaries. I would love to understand better why you want an MBA. Are you trying to pivot into a new career or industry? In that case, yes, you likely would expect a lower starting salary. Or would an MBA help you progress further in your existing industry or even company? In that case, you might expect your pay to increase. HBS (and other schools) will want you to explain why you want an MBA from their school right now -- what gaps it will fill for you, how it will help you achieve your short and long term goals, etc. -- and they are generally looking for reasons beyond financial ones. But you're right, there is not always a clear financial ROI for everyone.

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Updated on: 01 Jul 2021, 11:30

Originally posted by Michelesaragat on 01 Jul 2021, 11:29.
Last edited by Michelesaragat on 01 Jul 2021, 11:30, edited 1 time in total.

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Hello everyone,

Do you know, sincerely, the % of people who lie in their HBS essay?

SBCErikaOlson

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01 Jul 2021, 12:38

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Hi all -

HBS alum and admissions consultant here -- just wanted to let you all know that this week's episode of the podcast I host (B-Schooled) for Stacy Blackman Consulting dives deep into how to approach the HBS essay. You can find it on the major podcast apps. Best of luck to all!

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Updated on: 02 Jul 2021, 11:38

Originally posted by matteo10 on 02 Jul 2021, 11:34.
Last edited by matteo10 on 02 Jul 2021, 11:38, edited 1 time in total.

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Hello everyone,

Regarding the application fee waiver, what do you think “present a financial burden” mean? I am not sure if I am eligible, do you suggest to apply? (I clearly have 250 dollars to apply, but all these fees together are becoming significant)

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03 Jul 2021, 04:16

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matteo10

Hello everyone,

Regarding the application fee waiver, what do you think “present a financial burden” mean?

I guess it is meant for those who cannot afford to pay the application fee of $250 or paying the fee causes some serious financial stress.

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prepgmat95

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03 Jul 2021, 13:59

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Hello, do you know if the length of the letter of recommendation for HBS is actually 300 / 250 words exactly for each question or the 300/250 words are just recommended?

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03 Jul 2021, 14:07

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Hi everyone,
When they say in the LOR questions: 300 words or 250 words recommended? Is it a strict limitation or just a recommendation?
The answers are uploaded in a separate document or put in a box in the HBS website?
Thanks!

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Updated on: 04 Jul 2021, 01:07

Originally posted by Beingstoic on 04 Jul 2021, 01:06.
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Hi any guide on LOR?

How many should be there and whom should be the best person to give those?

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04 Jul 2021, 01:54

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Beingstoic

Hi any guide on LOR?

How many should be there and whom should be the best person to give those?

Beingstoic

We have a video about it from ApplicantLab on our YouTube channel

https://youtu.be/tFlDqaQo8Pg

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prepgmat95

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04 Jul 2021, 07:14

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Any feedback regarding the word limit for HBS Letter of recommendation ?

Admissionado

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04 Jul 2021, 10:13

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prepgmat95:

Keep in mind this is a recommendation and not a requirement or a limit.

The best way to interpret the guidance (and what we generally suggest to our clients) is that your recommender should try to get to 300 and 250 words for Q1 and Q2 respectively as best as he or she can, give or take 25-50 words. Anything more or less than 50 words will be obvious to the reader (they can eyeball this) and, while this lack of adherence to a recommendation won't penalize a candidate, it probably won't be viewed favorably either. If for example the recommendation letter is 500+ words, the AdCom might even stop reading it after they've hit the recommended amount.

If you are terribly concerned and want a precise answer from the horse's mouth, I would email or call (the latter is obviously more anonymous) the HBS admissions committee. They will provide you with the official guidance that will hopefully satisfy your inquiry.

Does that help?

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04 Jul 2021, 12:03

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Admissionado
Thank you so much yes that definitely helps! Around 250 or 300 words and no more than additional 50 words.

I assume HBS does not require boxes in which the answers are filled but rather a pdf upload am I right ?

Other schools require for the same questions more words, is it ok if my recommender writes an answer for the constructive feedback (question 2) in a maximum of 250 words and uses the same answer for the same question but with a word limit of up to 500 (Stanford MIT for example…) or should I ask him to go more in detail? (I don’t think my recommender will welcome that but if it’s a requirement …)

And final question, regarding the optional question, HBS specifies : Please be concise what does that mean in terms of word limit? Could it be a little less than 500 words? Same question for Stanford even if I’m not sure they have the same request for this optional question.
Many thanks

Admissionado

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06 Jul 2021, 11:42

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prepgmat95:

Our pleasure. Responding to your follow-up questions:

Q: I assume HBS does not require boxes in which the answers are filled but rather a pdf upload am I right ?

A: You should check what they process are using this year. It can change from year to year. It shouldn't make a huge difference as one would be copy and paste and the other is merely saving a document as a PDF.

Q: Other schools require for the same questions more words, is it ok if my recommender writes an answer for the constructive feedback (question 2) in a maximum of 250 words and uses the same answer for the same question but with a word limit of up to 500 (Stanford MIT for example…) or should I ask him to go more in detail? (I don’t think my recommender will welcome that but if it’s a requirement …)

A: Your recommender can certainly use the lowest common denominator word count but bear in mind the schools will know that they are simply reusing the letter from one school to the next. There's a reason why the schools have their word limits/recommendations - it's what they deem to be appropriate for their own processes. If you can encourage your recommenders to get closer to the word limit that would be ideal, but I understand if they cannot given the big ask this is for them.

Q: And final question, regarding the optional question, HBS specifies : Please be concise what does that mean in terms of word limit? Could it be a little less than 500 words? Same question for Stanford even if I’m not sure they have the same request for this optional question.

A: There is no clear guidance, but I would say 250 words sounds about right. I would try hard not to go beyond 300 words. Something slightly less than 500 words is not concise by the general MBA standards.

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08 Jul 2021, 02:22

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If the MBA program at HBS sounds like the school you see yourself applying to, you will want to know the 3 main traits that HBS looks for in a candidate. Check these traits in the following article https://gmatclub.com/forum/hbs-educatin ... 63810.html

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08 Jul 2021, 02:24

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We are doing an application debrief with one of the recent HBS admit on Wednesday, July 14th at 7 AM Pacific. What would you like us to cover in the session? Let us know by replying here your suggestions