HBS Essay Question #1: Undergrad Academic Experiences

In response to a query on the BW Forum, I sent HBS the following email:

"Your essay one asks, "What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience? (400-word limit) "

"I am getting inquiries about this question on the Businessweek forums and via email. Does HBS want applicants to focus in their answers on the narrow academic (coursework) a part of their undergrad experience? Or is HBS interested in their larger undergrad academic experience, including out-of-class experiences, which would not limit them to their coursework?"

HBS promptly responded with the following:

"The Admissions Board is interested in hearing what the applicant feels is important to communicate about their academic experience. It is up to the applicant to determine what aspects of this experience are most salient given the context of their candidacy."

A couple of tips for your essays:

1. "Salience" at HBS has to do with active participation and leadership, leadership, leadership.
2. The answer provides a good example of brevity that you would be wise to imitate particularly in answering the HBS questions, but answer HBS' (and all other schools') questions with infinitely greater clarity and directness than provided above..

Gotta love that transparency...

Comments

[Sahil]

Hi Linda,

Does this mean that you can even use this to show the well roundedness of your undergraduate experience?
To elaborate, apart from a distinction throughout in acedemics, I have been fairly active in sports, paper presentations etc. I have also organized various other events and was a student representative (Elected).

[Linda Abraham]

Yes, but I would also advise you to tie that well-roundedness to the academics so that you will be responding to the question.

[Josh]

How important do you think it is to focus on the positive aspects of the academic experience? I have a decent gpa ~3.45, but I have more academic regrets than not - didn't study much, my gpa gets worse over time. Do you think I could focus on what I've learned as a result of my academic experience instead? Or should I avoid this strategy and focus on trying to bring out my leadership skills through my academic experience.

[harshg pandey]

H'lo Linda,

For my Undergraduate course I have a Bachelor's in Hotel Management.I did not seek employment in the Hospitality Industry after my UG. My GPA was 3.4.

I sought employment in and am still working for the BPO/ITES/ Call Centre Industry in India. After 6.5 years of work this is my third job.

How do I show transition from my academic field of specialisation and the field of employment so that it minimises the risk of my appearing inconsistent ??

Do advise,
Harshg.
harshg_pandey@dell.com
harshg_pandey@rediffmail.com

[Linda Abraham]

Just explain why you chose the position. Did it pay better than hotel management? Did it provide you with greater opportunity in some other way?

A greater challenge will be to show growth in your position at the call center and tie your work to your future goals.

[harsh]

Hi linda...
I have aan excellent undergrad..But in 2 semesters i have almost passing grades in mathematics...how does that affect my application..?!

[Linda Abraham]

It hurts your application, but doesn't doom it. Please see http://www.accepted.com/mba/lowstats.aspx .

[NA]

If you were a transfer student, should this be the bulk of your essay?

[Juno888]

Maybe they can adjust..