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15 Jul 2026, 16:28
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With Harvard Business School’s round 1 deadline a little less than 2 months away, I wanted to share my thoughts on its essay set. It is short, direct, and deceptively difficult. Across three essays totaling only 800 words, HBS asks applicants to show who they are through three lenses: business, leadership, and growth.
The mistake many applicants make is treating these as three separate mini-essays. The stronger approach is to build one coherent application story across all three prompts. You need to focus around one Big Idea.
Collectively, your essays should show 1) how you make important choices, 2) how you invest in other people, and 3) how curiosity helps you learn, adapt, grow, and create impact.
However, before choosing your stories to address those questions, ask yourself: What is the most important thing I want HBS to understand about the way I move through the world?
The answer becomes your master thesis. It does not need to appear word-for-word in your essays, but it should guide the entire set. Here are a couple of examples:
For my complete breakdown (including recommended structures for all three essays, common mistakes to avoid, additional master thesis examples, and a quick essay-planning map), request my free HBS MBA Essay Strategy Guide here: https://www.hoffadmissions.com/free-resources-access
Drew Hoff
Founder & Principal Consultant
Hoff Admissions
15+ Years Helping Applicants Earn Admission to M7, Top 15 & Global MBA Programs
https://www.hoffadmissions.com/
Previously on GMAT Club as “hoffadmissions” with Amerasia Consulting
The mistake many applicants make is treating these as three separate mini-essays. The stronger approach is to build one coherent application story across all three prompts. You need to focus around one Big Idea.
Collectively, your essays should show 1) how you make important choices, 2) how you invest in other people, and 3) how curiosity helps you learn, adapt, grow, and create impact.
However, before choosing your stories to address those questions, ask yourself: What is the most important thing I want HBS to understand about the way I move through the world?
The answer becomes your master thesis. It does not need to appear word-for-word in your essays, but it should guide the entire set. Here are a couple of examples:
- Builder: I choose messy environments where I can create structure and momentum.
- Mission-driven problem solver: I use business tools to address problems that matter to people and communities.
For my complete breakdown (including recommended structures for all three essays, common mistakes to avoid, additional master thesis examples, and a quick essay-planning map), request my free HBS MBA Essay Strategy Guide here: https://www.hoffadmissions.com/free-resources-access
Drew Hoff
Founder & Principal Consultant
Hoff Admissions
15+ Years Helping Applicants Earn Admission to M7, Top 15 & Global MBA Programs
https://www.hoffadmissions.com/
Previously on GMAT Club as “hoffadmissions” with Amerasia Consulting
19 Jul 2026, 00:32
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thanks for the insight
19 Jul 2026, 19:42
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thanks for sharing your thoughts and the insight
