Ep 8 | The Harvard Business School MBA Application

The mbaMission Podcast

In this conversation, Harold Simansky, Jessica Shklar, and Devi Vallabhaneni discuss their experiences at Harvard Business School and delve into the changes in the Harvard Business School application process, particularly the new essay questions. They provide insights into how to approach the essays and highlight the importance of showcasing leadership and personal growth. They emphasize the need to connect different aspects of one's story and demonstrate good judgment in decision-making. Overall, the conversation offers valuable advice for prospective applicants to Harvard Business School. The conversation explores the themes of growth mindset, learning from mistakes, and the importance of showcasing personal growth in the HBS application. It emphasizes the need to demonstrate a willingness to learn and evolve, rather than focusing on static perfection. It suggests that HBS is looking for individuals who have a track record of taking initiative and making an impact. The conversation concludes with practical tips on brainstorming and planning the essays, as well as the significance of a strong resume.

Takeaways

• The Harvard Business School application process has undergone changes, including the introduction of new essay questions.
• The new essay questions focus on business-mindedness, leadership, and growth orientation, and require applicants to demonstrate their mindset rather than just skills and activities.
• Applicants should carefully consider the criteria provided by HBS and ensure that their essays, resume, and recommendations align with these criteria.
• Leadership is a key aspect that HBS looks for in applicants, and it can be demonstrated through various experiences, such as managing teams, taking initiative, and showing good judgment in decision-making.
• Applicants should connect different aspects of their story and highlight personal growth and the impact they plan to have on businesses, organizations, and communities.
• The HBS application should be viewed as a portfolio, with the essays complementing other components such as the resume and recommendations.
• Prospective applicants should take the time to understand HBS and why they want to attend, as this knowledge can be valuable in the interview and post-interview reflection. Demonstrate a growth mindset and a willingness to learn and evolve in the HBS application.
• Focus on personal growth and learning from mistakes rather than presenting static perfection.
• Max out your life and create opportunities for yourself to stand out in the application process.
• Showcase your initiative, problem-solving skills, and impact in your essays.
• Brainstorm and plan your essays carefully, ensuring that each essay presents a unique aspect of your profile.
• Pay attention to your resume, as it may be the only document some interviewers see.

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Luvut

1. Welcome to the mbaMission podcast (00:00:00)

2. Jessica and Devi intro (00:00:38)

3. Changes to the HBS application (00:04:28)

4. Skills & activities vs. mindsets (00:05:06)

5. The new HBS essay questions - HBS admissions criteria 1: Business-Minded (00:10:30)

6. Viewing your application as a portfolio (00:16:37)

7. HBS admissions criteria 2: Leadership-focused (00:18:22)

8. HBS admissions criteria 3: Growth-oriented (00:22:35)

9. What is the admissions committee looking for? (00:28:40)

10. Successful HBS candidates: Maxing out your life & creating opportunities (00:30:58)

11. Preparing your essays strategically: Think, Plan, Write (00:34:08)

12. Approaching your application holistically (00:38:57)