Thoughts on the incoming 2021 HBS application
It’s been clear for years that Harvard Business School has been introducing ambiguity into their application process. Especially the HBS essay question. Is it intentional? It could be believed that it is, but even if not, it’s still a fact. Consider these three clues to help you navigate through your HBS application before the Round 2 deadline on January 5th, 2021.
THE POST-INTERVIEW RESPONSE ASSIGNMENT in the HBS application
This is a type A person’s worst nightmare, not a comfortable assignment for the typical person who has made it as far as an HBS interview. A 24-hour window to complete the HBS application – restricting you from getting the feedback that you are accustomed to, vague instructions, hints suggesting it should be a little scruffy rather than polished.
It’s almost as if it’s a dare. How comfortable can you be in your own skin? Can you handle writing it up in a cool, calm and collected manner, or are you going to have a melt down? This is most probably what the admissions committee is looking for when reviewing this essay: evidence of stress.
When the HBS admissions committee sees something free, cool and confident, they are impressed. When they see something that came out of a stress ball implosion, they will think “next”.
2. THE UNUSUAL WAITLIST SCENARIO regarding the HBS application
HBS will waitlist you, defer you to a later round, and ask you to hang around for months to get a result. It’s not usual, all schools have some sort of waitlist to control enrollment numbers. But what is unique about HBS? They don’t let you respond in any way. They even say on the waitlist, “do nothing”. Only respond if you don’t want to stay on the waitlist, and then don’t do anything.
It’s almost as if it’s another dare. Who can stay cool and just ride it out? When you flinch, when you panic, when you just can't resist sending an email. Or when you are having your boss/uncle/friend/ [insert whoever you think has clout at HBS] pitch a call in ... you’ve basically sabotaged the equanimity of your application.
3. OPEN-ENDED ESSAY QUESTION in the HBS application
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?
This HBS essay question has remained in place for years, and basically is the latest and greatest example of this ambiguous trend. Yes, it’s another dare. Are you able to follow their instructions? Can you resist repeating your resume? Will you resist telling them your entire life story? In short, can you step up with confidence and state something that they don’t already know that is worth sharing? It’s not easy, but absolutely essential.
No matter what format, length or content, the essay cannot have any hint of desperation. More specifically an essay with no confidence, control or assertive elegance will most probably go into the “next” pile. In contrast to this, essays that have a strong and simple thesis. Essays that have a strong sense of self-possession that comes through on the page. These essays will most probably go into the “potential” pile. It is the HOW it is being said that is more important than the WHAT is being said - this will generate good results.