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Scandy
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Value of Networking 03 Nov 2013, 10:41
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Hey guys,

First-time poster, long-time lurker here. I was wondering if any of you think/know whether there is any value in networking with the Admissions Office for the pure sake of networking?

Obviously, attending various outreach events, visiting campus, etc. is very helpful in terms of learning more about the school and its program, and you may even find a discussion topic or two for your interview. But do you know if the Admissions Office look beneficially on applicants they have met and who gave them a good impression?

Thanks!

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Value of Networking 03 Nov 2013, 18:00
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'Act beneficially' is somewhat strong. Because this process is so subjective, you can't say why you were dinged or why you were accepted. Having said that , they will definitely come to know that you are serious about that school and genuinely interested in going there. That's a big positive. So, it will surely add to your candidacy.
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Value of Networking 04 Nov 2013, 03:35
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Yes

Some schools set up files for would be students. Have you had a chat with admissions, alumni, current students. Worst thing you can do is submit an app with no one being aware your interested.

Posted from my mobile device
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Value of Networking 04 Nov 2013, 04:07
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Scandy
Hey guys,

First-time poster, long-time lurker here. I was wondering if any of you think/know whether there is any value in networking with the Admissions Office for the pure sake of networking?

Obviously, attending various outreach events, visiting campus, etc. is very helpful in terms of learning more about the school and its program, and you may even find a discussion topic or two for your interview. But do you know if the Admissions Office look beneficially on applicants they have met and who gave them a good impression?

Thanks!
Show more

Since this is in the HBS section, I assume you are talking about Harvard admissions team. No it doesn't make any difference to them whatsoever because they receive so many applicants and their admissions is so large that it is unlikely they will remember. Also even if you made an impression, it is probable that your file will be assigned to a different reader.
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Value of Networking 04 Nov 2013, 05:05
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jumsumtak
'Act beneficially' is somewhat strong. Because this process is so subjective, you can't say why you were dinged or why you were accepted. Having said that , they will definitely come to know that you are serious about that school and genuinely interested in going there. That's a big positive. So, it will surely add to your candidacy.
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Thanks for the input. What you said is essentially what I thought may be the case. To me, visiting campus, attending a conference, etc. show great interest and dedication. However, do you know if/how they record the events you have attended? Does the Admissions Officer reading your application also read this information?

sarahrs
Yes

Some schools set up files for would be students. Have you had a chat with admissions, alumni, current students. Worst thing you can do is submit an app with no one being aware your interested.
Show more

Thanks, sarahrs. Do you know if HBS keeps such a file, and whether or not Admissions Officers read this file when assessing applications?

domotron
Scandy
Hey guys,

First-time poster, long-time lurker here. I was wondering if any of you think/know whether there is any value in networking with the Admissions Office for the pure sake of networking?

Obviously, attending various outreach events, visiting campus, etc. is very helpful in terms of learning more about the school and its program, and you may even find a discussion topic or two for your interview. But do you know if the Admissions Office look beneficially on applicants they have met and who gave them a good impression?

Thanks!


Since this is in the HBS section, I assume you are talking about Harvard admissions team. No it doesn't make any difference to them whatsoever because they receive so many applicants and their admissions is so large that it is unlikely they will remember. Also even if you made an impression, it is probable that your file will be assigned to a different reader.
Show more

Thanks for the input, Domotron, you are indeed assuming correctly. This is what I feared endless networking efforts might lead to - absolutely no impact at all. In Europe a lot of top schools hold/gather lists of strong applicants which they have met or heard about. Is this definitely not the case at HBS? Is the admissions decission taken as simply as one Admissions Officer reading the applicant's entire application (incl. interview feedback and post-interview essay), and nothing else, and then putting it in the accept or reject pile?
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Value of Networking 04 Nov 2013, 08:10
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1.) Well, different schools may track information differently. I assume it all goes in their system. But, writing something like that in the essay without visiting/talking can be dangerous. They can always cross check.
2.) Your visit will not always give you airtime with adcom. And even if it does, in all probability it will be a short conversation, which might get lost in thousand of other applicant's queries. Having said that, there are handful of people who might interact with the adcom on a personal level. Will this help you? Maybe. (read my previous response)
3.) Dom is spot on. There are schools that encourage you to interact and show your love. For example - Tuck. And then there is HBS. These are 2 ends of the spectrum, really. Personally, I feel HBS couldn't care less whether you visit or not. But, you should if you get a chance. You will get to see case method in action and realize your fit with the place.
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Value of Networking 04 Nov 2013, 08:12
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Scandy

Thanks for the input, Domotron, you are indeed assuming correctly. This is what I feared endless networking efforts might lead to - absolutely no impact at all. In Europe a lot of top schools hold/gather lists of strong applicants which they have met or heard about. Is this definitely not the case at HBS? Is the admissions decission taken as simply as one Admissions Officer reading the applicant's entire application (incl. interview feedback and post-interview essay), and nothing else, and then putting it in the accept or reject pile?
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There are just so many applicants that it would be incredibly difficult to make an impression that sticks in the mind of the admissions team. I can't remember whether they have 1 or 2 reads and when it goes to committee. However I doubt any network efforts would be enough to sway the admission team's decision.
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Value of Networking 04 Nov 2013, 08:34
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domotron
Scandy

Thanks for the input, Domotron, you are indeed assuming correctly. This is what I feared endless networking efforts might lead to - absolutely no impact at all. In Europe a lot of top schools hold/gather lists of strong applicants which they have met or heard about. Is this definitely not the case at HBS? Is the admissions decission taken as simply as one Admissions Officer reading the applicant's entire application (incl. interview feedback and post-interview essay), and nothing else, and then putting it in the accept or reject pile?

There are just so many applicants that it would be incredibly difficult to make an impression that sticks in the mind of the admissions team. I can't remember whether they have 1 or 2 reads and when it goes to committee. However I doubt any network efforts would be enough to sway the admission team's decision.
Show more

Thanks again, domotron. What you write makes a lot of sense, and I think getting your name to stick on a personal level is difficult/impossible with any school. However, in Europe certain schools mark your file or so if they have had a pleasant encounter with you, which adcom then sees when they read your application. I get the impression that HBS does not do this, which is quite fair to be honest.

If anyone else has differing opinions about this, it would be interesting to hear them as well.
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Value of Networking 04 Nov 2013, 09:20
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I am a completely newbie at mba apps myself, but here are my thoughts just for the fun of it :)

If you think you can positively impact your admission chances by networking, then you should do it! Is it easy to leave a great impression by merely visiting the schools and talking to adcoms? probably not or else everyone would've done it. But isn't this business/MBA all about? Be innovative and creative, carefully draw your own strategy and plan to achieve positive results? Some (most) applicants get their interviews/admission by having stellar resumes and well crafted essays and some gets it done by other means. Nothing mediocre will get anyone into Harvard. If you want to utilize networking as one of your strategies then you better be amazing at it. Adcoms are humans after all and have emotions. Are they easily impressed? most likely not, but if you can achieve that feat and no one else can, then you will give yourself an edge. Networking is not limited to visiting and participate in admission events.

I am only beginning my process of applications and I do believe most Top MBA programs look at your application holistically and Harvard is one of the schools that gives you a lot of freedom to show them why you deserve one of the 900 some coveted seats.

take my advice with a grain of salt :)

best of luck


Scandy
domotron
Scandy

Thanks for the input, Domotron, you are indeed assuming correctly. This is what I feared endless networking efforts might lead to - absolutely no impact at all. In Europe a lot of top schools hold/gather lists of strong applicants which they have met or heard about. Is this definitely not the case at HBS? Is the admissions decission taken as simply as one Admissions Officer reading the applicant's entire application (incl. interview feedback and post-interview essay), and nothing else, and then putting it in the accept or reject pile?

There are just so many applicants that it would be incredibly difficult to make an impression that sticks in the mind of the admissions team. I can't remember whether they have 1 or 2 reads and when it goes to committee. However I doubt any network efforts would be enough to sway the admission team's decision.

Thanks again, domotron. What you write makes a lot of sense, and I think getting your name to stick on a personal level is difficult/impossible with any school. However, in Europe certain schools mark your file or so if they have had a pleasant encounter with you, which adcom then sees when they read your application. I get the impression that HBS does not do this, which is quite fair to be honest.

If anyone else has differing opinions about this, it would be interesting to hear them as well.
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Value of Networking 24 Jan 2018, 22:34
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good post actually..full of conceptional clarity
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Value of Networking 10 Jul 2023, 09:34
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Archived HBS Discussion
Hi there,
You've stumbled upon an old discussion from our HBS Forum that's now outdated and has been archived. No more replies are possible here.
Interested in current discussions? Feel free to dive into our dedicated HBS Forum for all fresh things related to the HBS MBA program.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
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