HBS released some important details for Class of 2017 applicants this week, including what essays, recommendations, and deadlines will define its 2014 application.
HBS 2014 Essay Question
The admissions committee decided not to change its essay prompt from last year. The question remains:
You’re applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, academic transcripts, extracurricular activities, awards, post-MBA career intentions, test scores, and what your recommenders have to say about you. What else would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?
Once again, the single essay question is optional, and the admissions committee provides little guidance with respect to length or substance. Fortunately, we’ve provided our perspective on both.
HBS 2014 Recommender Questions
If you’ve followed the evolution of the HBS admissions application, then the 2014 recommender questions will ring familiar to you, too:
How do the candidate’s performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)
We’ve blogged about how to approach these questions and the HBS recommendation section in the past, too, which you can read about here and here.
HBS 2014 Application Dates
The admissions committee also provided a bit of information about important Round One milestones, although some of the exact dates are still to be determined:
- Application Available: “mid-June”
- Application Deadline: September 9
- Interviews Conducted: “from mid-October through end of November”
- Decision Notifications: “on or around December 10”
As HBS alumni, we have provided some of our strategies for approaching the HBS application process here, or you can find more information about the 2014 HBS application on admissions director Dee Leopold’s blog.