Thanks for all your emails, questions and for your business. A number of you wrote to us and asked for our HBS alum / reviewer to publish tips on the HBS essay questions, so here they are!
What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
- We view this classic HBS essay as a microcosm of your entire application - great opportunity to showcase your professional, personal and community activities in one tight essay and get the reader started on a good note
- We find a lot of candidates have a hard time picking from their many accomplishments - which one should we discuss here? If you're not sure, write a 200 - 250 essay on each of your accomplishments and then pick the three you like best.
- Don't forget the second part of the question! Why do you view the accomplishment as so critical in your life? How did it impact you and what you did since?
What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)
- For highly accomplished candidates, this is THE hardest question to answer. Know this and focus your attention on it early.
- 50% of essay responses to this question (of the ones we see, at least) are flawed because they dance around the "mistake" and candidates refuse to take accountability for what they did. No matter how perfect you are, everyone makes mistakes! Accept yours, explain it and discuss what you learned from it.
- Avoid focusing this essay on how you fixed the mistake. Again, a very common error is to spend the first few sentences explaining what the mistake was and the rest of the essay describing the glorious ways in which you fixed it. Rather, focus on what you learned.
What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience? (400-word limit)
- Use this question to either explain away low academic performance, discuss a strong curricular project or significant extra curricular experience
What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
- We recommend you use this question almost 100% of the time – it’s a great place to discuss professional goals, aspirations and how they relate to your experiences
- This is also a good place to fit the “Why HBS” story – without really telling it explicitly – i.e., anyone reading the essay should naturally lead to the conclusion that HBS is what you need next
- Try to avoid “copying” your standard short / long term goals essay here – this explicitly asks for “Career Vision”, mostly implying a longer term vision
Tell us about a time in your professional experience when you were frustrated or disappointed.
- The question asks for when you were frustrated or disappointed – much easier to answer than the classic “failure” or “mistake” question
- While writing about why you were frustrated or disappointed, be careful not to sound as though you are blaming everyone around you for the incident – this can come off sounding very obnoxious
- Describe how you fixed the situation or made yourself feel better, but don’t feel compelled to project yourself as the smartest guy around.
When you join the HBS Class of 2013, how will you introduce yourself to your new classmates?
- Great question – perfect opportunity and everyone should use this essay unless you really have a good reason to not
- Bring in your true personality here – especially the fun stuff, family stuff, the hobbies, the “out there” accomplishments
- Make yourself sound like someone that others would like to hang with – think of this as an interview over an essay.
