Applying to Harvard Business School

Applying toHarvard Business School

featuring:

Sherry Hakimiformer Marketing Specialistof MBA Admissions at

Hosted by: Caitlin QuanEvisors Marketing & Operations Associate

Hosted by: Career Advisors on Demand..com/webinars

http://www.evisors.com/webinars/webinar/60



Agenda

1. About Sherry

2. A Few Things You (Should) Know About HBS

3. What is HBS Looking For?

4. Application Tips

5. Q&A





Former Marketing Specialist in MBA Admissions– Worked at HBS for two years– Worked across several marketing sectors, including college and

women applicants– Focused on yield

Graduated from Harvard Kennedy School

Currently working in Strategy and Operations for the City of NY

About Sherry





Full-time, two-year MBA program General Management MBA ~900 people per class, broken up into 10 sections of ~90 people First year is required curriculum (RC year) – and there is no

testing out of anything; second year is elective curriculum (EC year)

Exclusively teach by case method New: FIELD (HBS is a continuous “delicate experiment”)

Very competitive applicant pool Active, vibrant student life

A Few Things You (Should)Know About HBS





HBS is shifting away from people who “look good on paper” Going beyond essays More about who you are, what you have accomplished, and what

you have the potential to accomplish They want to know that you are the kind of person who can not just

think up an idea – you can operationalize it, too

“To make more progress in the education of leaders, we have to get better at translating knowing into doing.’’

- Dean Nitin Nohria

What is HBS Looking For?





Habit of Leadership– All different kinds– Evaluation of your potential to fulfill HBS’ mission of educating leaders

who will make a difference in the world

Analytical Aptitude and Appetite– Intellectually curious– Yes, they want strong analytical skills– And, yes, they want strong communication skills

Engaged Community Citizenship– Does not mean community service– It means you are a giver as well as a taker– Goes back to both HBS’ mission and the case method

What is HBS Looking For?

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Having a current student write you a recommendation is not going to help you– HBS believes in keeping a level playing field– The letter from a current student will get read, but it will not be considered

in the application evaluation process– Bottom line: If you are a strong candidate, you won’t need it

Think through your “story of self” as your craft your application– Make it cohesive

Make sure to align your recommenders with your “story of self”– Each recommender is instrumental in corroborating all those

accomplishments, leadership skills, and amazing personal qualities that you allude to in your essays and resume

Tips




GMAT or GRE – doesn’t make a difference– As long as you do well (90%+) on either, you are fine

Read the HBS website– HBS is actually fairly transparent about the admissions process– Dee always likes to say that it’s really not the “black box” that

everyone thinks it is – Visit:

http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/application-process/Pages/written-application-introduce-yourself.aspx

– FYI: Read Dee’s Sept. 17 blogpost (it is very “real”)

Tips






Above all, HBS cares about the type of leader you are– Reflect on what type of leader you are, and own it– There is no one type of leadership (examples: motivational,

authoritative, thought, entrepreneurial…)– Every class at HBS starts with a professor asking a student to say

what she or he would do as the protagonist (leader) of the case– HBS wants leaders that will make a difference in the world

Last Tip




Questions & Answers




Questions & Answers

Question 1:

What type of experience is best referenced in the essay portion of the application?

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Questions & Answers

Question 2:

What is the best way for seniors to position themselves in the 2+2 program?




Questions & Answers

Question 3:

Do they have quotas in selecting candidates?




Questions & Answers

Question 4:

To what extent should you be funny when writing an essay?




Questions & Answers

Question 5:

When should someone consider applying to Harvard Business School?




Questions & Answers

Question 6:

Does Harvard Business School favour candidates with entrepreneurial goals?




Questions & Answers

Question 7:

Do the experiences candidates mention in their essays relate to their future goals?




Questions & Answers

Question 8:

What advice do you have for those selected for the interview?




Questions & Answers

Question 9:

How would admissions look at reapplicants differently?




Questions & Answers

Question 10:

Is there a greater emphasis on recommendation letters given the reduction in essay questions on the application?




Questions & Answers

Question 11:

What advice do you have for those on the waiting list?




Questions & Answers

Question 12:

What are the restrictions on your resume?




Questions & Answers

Question 13:

If you are politically opinionated, should you moderate this on your application?




Questions & Answers

Question 14:

What differentiates people with high GMAT scores/strong work experience?




Connect

Book your session with Sherry at:www.evisors.com/expert/2087

Sherry Hakimiformer Marketing Specialistof MBA Admissions at

She can help you with:• Candidate Diagnostic

• Application Help• Essay Critique

• Resume Evaluation & Editing• Interview Prep

…and more!


http://www.evisors.com/expert/2087



Date post:	22-Sep-2014
Category:	Career
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