Tuesday, February 6, 2018

HBS 2017 - 2018 Essay Guidance and Tips

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?


There are a few different ways to approach this essay (and you can use a combination of these if that works for you as well):
  •  Focus on your personal accomplishments – if you think your resume and recommenders will best capture your professional achievements (and don’t have much to discuss further in that area), this might be the right approach for you. 
  • Why should HBS admit you – what do you bring to HBS?  How will you add value to the classroom?  What specific contributions will you make to the community? 
  • Highlight the “highs and lows” of your life – provide context to one or more accomplishments or discuss struggles that may explain a certain time frame in your career or education
  • What is most important to you? – Adapt this long-standing Stanford essay on what matters to you most and why to paint a picture of your life and your values that may not be evident to someone through your application
  • Discuss your family and relationships – and how they impacted you and helped shapes your values and belief system 
These are some ideas, but there may be other ways to do it too.  A few other things to keep in mind:
  • Avoid regurgitating something that is already in your application – this can be very putting off to the reader especially since it is clearly specified to discuss what is not included in your application already
  • Keep the tone of your essay direct and authentic – HBS is moving more and more toward a no-frills application and the essay should reflect that

The average suggested length of the essay, based on our reviewers’ feedback, is 600 – 900 words.  

Obviously, if you have a legitimate reason to use more words, go for it, but we think this is most appropriate for most applicants. 

Interested in getting your essay reviewed or in a consulting session with an alum?  Email us at essaycritique@gmail.com or use the Buy Now link on our site.