HBS 2006 Application Essay Questions and Deadlines

[EDIT 05/23/2008:  The HBS 2009 Application Deadlines and Essay Questions with my tips are now online.]

[EDIT 06/26/2006:  The HBS 2007 Application Deadlines and Essay Questions with my tips are now online.]

Here they are.

Harvard Business School Deadlines :

Application materials submitted online by 5 p.m. EST:	Notification date of the Board's decision:
Tues., October 11, 2005	Wed., January 18, 2006
Tues., January 3, 2006	Wed., March 29, 2006
Tues., March 7, 2006	Wed., May 10, 2006

The wording on the page needs to be updates, but these appear to be the correct dates.

Harvard Business School 2006 MBA Essay Questions

Lots of change here from the last several years. My comments below are in red.

Essay Questions

Essays should be single-spaced. Limit your response to the length indicated.

Essay questions for the MBA class entering in the fall of 2006 are:

1. What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience? (400-word limit)

This question replaces HBS' question on leadership which has been its question #1 for years and is now #3. I think it reflects somewhat HBS' tilt towards younger applicants, but for all applicants it represents HBS' attempt to see patterns over time.  What you choose to include here will obviously vary depending on your experience and the rest of your application, but my ideal answer show a leadership experience from your undergrad career to show that you are a natural leader with a history of leadership -- even if you are several years out of school. Remember: HBS wants to develop leaders, not create them.

2. What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)

I think HBS has been asking this question for at least the last ten years. At least one and probably two accomplishments should show leadership/and or teamwork skills, with the emphasis being on leadership. I also like to have this essay show some breadth. My ideal would be to have one professional, one community, and one personal accomplishment in this essay, but that breakdown is not set in stone and is not imperative.

3. Discuss a defining experience in your development as a leader. (400-word limit)

This is a new one and to a certain extent replaces the old #1. For this question, anecdotally describe the leadership experience showing the impact you had as a leader. Explain why it was defining and how it has influenced your leadership behavior to date. Again, show a pattern of leadership.

4. In your career, you will have to deal with many ethical issues. What are likely to be the most challenging and what is your plan for developing the competencies you will need to handle these issues effectively? (400-word limit)
Again, a new one.  You will need to show knowledge of your future career path to answer this question well. The key here is  research --  into ethical challenges common in your field and how  you plan to  develop that character strength and competency to respond to these challenges. Don't try to come up with superficial drivel and fool the committee with grandiose but empty hyperbole. The strong response will show how HBS  will help you handle such issues and also demonstrate a knowledge of the HBS program that goes well beyond the brand name and rankings. Finally, the grandslams for this essay will even show that you have dealt with ethical issues in the past.

5. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a leader? (400-word limit)

This is not about your strengths and weaknesses as a marathoner or a significant other or any other description. "Your strengths and weaknesses as a leader. " Show that you can analyze and evaluate yourself. Don't be afraid to show a real weakness, but also take the space to show that you have worked to improve yourself in that area. Make sure the qualities you describe  relate to leadership. Briefly provide examples of these strengths and weaknesses.  Aim for no more than 2 strengths and 1 weakness.

6. What are your career aspirations and how can an MBA help you to reach them? Why now? (400-word limit)

See "Goals in MBA Admissions: A Must." The MBA is a bridge between where you are now and where you want to go. Show how an MBA (with emphasis on HBS even if not by name) will take you where you want to go. Reveal both clearly defined post-MBA goals and interim goals for your time a b-school.

7. What do you wish the MBA Admissions Board had asked you? (400-word limit)

This is a great essay to show a side or experience not discussed elsewhere in the application. This question is a wild card gift given you to show another area in which you shine. Do not waste in on a summary or closing sales pitch.

Keep in mind that as you answer these questions,  even as you respond to Harvard's obvious emphasis on leadership,  you want each essay to disclose a different facet of your background, experience, and interests... of you. 

Your application mission is to write  so that each individual essay compellingly answers the given question and when combined with the other essays and information found on your application adds to the portrait of  you as a up-and-coming leader and star.

If you would like Accepted.com's help with that mission -- we have been helping Harvard applicants for the last ten years -- check out our MBA admissions consulting and essay editing packages. 10% off through July 31.

Comments

[Chrish Marjullo]

I'm 36. I have a BA, and solid work experiences. I realize that I need an MBA to move up in my career. Is it too late in my life to apply to HBS? If I get in, I'll be 39 by the time I get out. How does HBS view older applicants?

[Linda Abraham]

Harvard does not officially consider age as an admissions criteria, but the reality is that they aim their program for students at a certain stage of their career, if not life. All applicants have to show why they need an MBA from HBS at this point in their career. It is usually harder for older applicants to do so. Please see our article with advice for older applicants at http://www.accepted.com/mba/older.aspx .

You may also find that an EMBA (http://www.accepted.com/mba/emba.aspx ) is more appropriate for you or perhaps a Sloan Masters in Management (http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/exed/sloan.html ) which is offered at Stanford, MIT, and LBS.

Good luck!

[MikeyBstyle]

HAS ANYONE HEARD ANYTHING FROM HBS ON ADMISSIONS STATUS?

[loticos]

MikeyBstyle, I went to HBS for a R1 interview last week and they said they wouldn't be releasing decisions until the final deadline: Jan 18. They are however in the midst of R1 interviews.

[mastakama]

I have a solid 2 years of work experience during which I attained Six-Sigma Green Belt certification, and served as a dashboard architect for a fortune 50 comapany. Outside of work I have been involved in a charitable program that I set up from the ground up. However, I have scored poorly on my GMATs: 680 followed by 640 followed by 630. How much will this downward trend detract from my candidacy to HBS Fall 2006 full-time MBA? Am I still competitive?

[XanBala XanBalayevic]

I am a college senior(international). GMAT Score 750, part-time w/e-3 years. I haveStrong Academic background(GPA=4, Olympiad champion and etc.)
I also participated in important extracurricular activities. Do you think that it is logical for me to apply now?..

[GeoBachi]

I'm from the republic of Georgia. GMATscore 600 followed by 720. 2 years of full-time work experience as a project manager in my country. Finance&acoounting undergrad. the problem is that I'm only 20 years old... Dou you think that it's reasonable to apply?

[Linda Abraham]

XanBala,

I think someone like you with such impressive credentials may be kind of early career applicant HBS is looking for, but I urge you to work for one year at least. You will get so much more out of your classes and recruiters prefer MBAs with some full-time work experience.

[Linda Abraham]

GeoBachi,

It is hard to tell, but give it a try.

[Sethd]

I'm a HBS round one candidate. 760 GMAT, an engineer from MIT, and 5 years of work experience and, more recently, management experience.

I've not been notified of an interview. Is it true that invitations are extended through the deadline, including the deadline itself? What percentage of interviewed candidates are notified in the final 10 days, or on the decision date? I'm scared! Thanks for your help!

Seth

[a]

wasn't essay 7 optional? i didnt do it and submitted my application. help

[Linda Abraham]

Seth,

yes it's true that HBS extends interview invitations to the last minute. Hope for the best, but prepare for something else.

Good luck!

[kat]

Question 7 was not optional but for some reason I thought it was too. I tried to submit without it and it did not let me. It won't let you submit application if anything that is mandatory is left out.

[skyowl]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone is aware whether round 2 interview invitations have begun?

[Irfan Ali]

I have completed my Bachelors in management and the last 3 yrs have been working.I have worked with Hewlett packard financial operations as a Business analyst for 16 motnhs, in the course of which i was certified as a Six-Sigma Green Belt.Then i moved over to BOSCH in the same work portfolio.In these 3 Years of Work-ex, i have 1 year of People Management exp as well.I have secured a 700 in my GMAT.I just was concerned about the fact tat with such a paltry Work-exp and me being only 23, How good or bad are my chances of securing an admission in HBS or any of the top 10 B-Schools in the world?
Thanks,
Irfan

[Gaurav]

I'm an MBA from Case Western Reserve University planning for a HBS MBA for access to networking and for fulfilling my solid desire to join Wallstreet. I have secured a GPA of 3.2 at Case and have been very original in my application. 2 of my recommendations are from Wall Street and 1 is back from India. Do I have chance at Harvard?

[Linda Abraham]

Gaurav, do you have your undergrad degree from Case Western or do you have an MBA from Case Western?

[KEN Mchale]

Hi,

I am a 24 yr old graduate with two years of experience with a leading consulting firm in wall street, within two years i have been promoted and most of the MDs are luring me to join their team. I scored on the GMAT 690 and my undergrad of 3.1 from a Big Ten school, do you think I have chances by the fact of my low GPA? I have also alot of international development work that I have been doing since college till now trying to eradicate poverty, please advice if i have a chance of HBS admission?

[Linda Abraham]

I share your concern about your undergrad GPA. At the same time your work experience is excellent and the int'l development could also be impressive and a major plus for you. So yes you have a chance at acceptance to HBS, but currently I don't think it is a good one. I suggest you take some business-related classes and earn A's in them to create an alternative transcript. Additionally, if there were extenuating circumstances that contributed to the mediocre undergrad performance, let the schools know about it. Finally, please see http://www.accepted.com/mba/lowstats.aspx .

[Lawrence]

Hi Linda,
First of all, thank you for taking time addressing our concerns!
I have two and half years of work experience in Dell supply chain management since I graduated from Michigan State, just scored a 720 on GMAT (550, 610 and now 720)and have a 3.46 GPA. I'm 24 now and published a book on studying abroad in America when I was 23.
My director recently approached me for an opportunity in Dell Singapore - to set up a Dell global logistics operation in Asia.
My original plan was to apply HBS in R1 for fall 2007. Do you think I would be better off to apply as planned, or wait for a year to apply for fall 2008?
Thank you very much!
Lawrence

[Linda Abraham]

Congrats on that GMAT improvement. I can't say for sure if you would be accepted with your current qualifications, but I do think that a year setting up Dell global logistics operation in Asia would enhance your admissions profile (and future employability).

Good luck!

[Lawrence]

Thanks for your reply, Lisa!
One interesting but very important issue came across my mind when I was chatting with a MIT alum today - US applicants vs. International applicants.
Basically, he said that US applicants (including green card holders) and International applicants are separated into two different pools, because schools try to keep a demographic balance. The international pool typically has a much larger number of applicants for a very limited number of spots. Therefore, it is harder for an international applicant to get in than for a domestic applicant, if both are equally talented.
Do you think that's true?
Thanks!
Lawrence

[Linda Abraham]

That depends on where the international applicant is from. If the applicant comes from a specific pool that is over-represented in the MBA applicant universe (Indian IT for example) then yes it is true. If the applicant is from Africa, the opposite is true. The distinguishing factor sn't international or domestic; it is degree of representation for that broad category among MBA applicants.

Also, keep in mind that schools don't admit categories; they admit individuals. It is up to the individual in an over-represented category to show that he or she has something unique to contribute.

I have written a lot about distinctiveness both in this blog and in the new blog at www.blog.accepted.com.

[Sue]

Hi Linda,

I noticed the 2 day seminar being offered is in september. That seems to be a little late for the first round applications which have deadlines in October. Do you recommend waiting till the 2nd round?
Thanks very much for your advice.

[Linda Abraham]

I only recommend waiting for the second round if your application will be better second round.

Thanks for asking about MBA BlastOff (http://www.accepted.com/mbaadmissionsworkshop/blastoff.aspx , our 2-day MBA admissions workshop on September 3-4. Believe it or not, many people start their applications around Labor Day. Plus we wanted schduled the workshop at a time when many applicants have off and most questions have been published.

We welcome applicants to top schools who have started applying before the workshop. At the workshop they can either focus on an application that they havent yet started on, or focus on one that they have already started and improve it. That is something you can decide after your free consultation with us, which you are eligible for after you purchase. If you have additional questions, please email blastoffATaccepted.com or call 310-815-9553 x101.

Also please feel free to attend the free teleseminars we are hosting to preview MBA BlastOff. You can find out more about them at the link above.