Here’s your wake-up call. It’s time for serious applicants to start their MBA admissions campaigns – at least those who would like to enroll at Harvard Business School in Fall 2019! So, circle the date “September 5, 2018” on your calendar as that’s the Round 1 application deadline at Harvard.
The good news is that HBS will not be changing its required essay question from last year: “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?”
The not-so-good news is that you’ll need to complete – or at least plan – the rest of your application (i.e., resume, academic history, GMAT or GRE score, short-answer questions, recommendations, etc.) before you can craft that all-important essay.
Before you start working on the actual application, we urge you to take a giant step back to assess your overall competitiveness. Begin by asking and answering these soul-searching questions:
What are the strengths you want to showcase? What are the vulnerabilities you need to mitigate? What are the gaps you need to fill? What is your post-MBA career goal? Which potential recommenders know you best? Why should HBS admit you instead of another applicant with equal or even stronger qualifications?
If your heart is beginning to race and your head is starting to spin, don’t be concerned. You still have time to drill down and answer these questions thoughtfully, authentically and strategically. As a first step, we invite you to request a free, expert evaluation of your MBA candidacy. Based on over 5,000 client engagements during the past three decades, The MBA Exchange can help you launch your admissions campaign with clarity and confidence.
So, MBA applicants, you’re now on the clock! Make every minute count as you begin to turn your MBA dream into reality.
