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Harvard Business School is one of the most renowned universities and business programs in the world. Established in 1908, it boasts impressive alumni like Michael Bloomberg, George W. Bush, and Abigail Johnson. With such a reputation, it is no surprise that the HBS application can be a grueling process. This is our guide to one of the most important parts of that application: the essay. Read on for tips to help you distinguish your candidacy and present the best essay possible.
HBS Essay Prompts (2024): Traditional & Deferred
Traditional Application Essay Prompt
The HBS essay asks a simple and open-ended question that gives applicants the ability to highlight whatever they believe is most important and relevant. The prompt is as follows:
Business-Minded Essay: Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words) Leadership-Focused Essay: What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words) Growth-Oriented Essay: Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)
On its website, Harvard advises applicants, “Don’t overthink, over craft, and overwrite. Just answer the question in clear language that those of us who don’t know your world can understand.” HBS has only recently instigated the limit of 900 words. With such an ambiguous question, it’s important to make every word count. It is easy to go on tangents, use the wrong example, or write simply to put words on the page. Students often don’t know where to start, and when to end.
Read: The NEW HBS Essays: Why They Changed & How to Answer Them
HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Essay Prompts
As of 2024, HBS has updated its deferred MBA essay prompts for the first time in many years. Harvard MBA essay questions this year are direct and to-the-point, giving applicants the ability to highlight three different parts of their personality and journey. The HBS essay prompts are as follows:
- Business-Minded Essay: Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)
- Leadership-Focused Essay: What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)
- Growth-Oriented Essay: Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)
Harvard often provides applicants with advice along the lines of “don’t overthink, over craft, or overwrite. Just answer the question in clear language that those of us who don’t know your world can understand.” With such tight limits on very direct questions, it’s important to make every word count. It is easy to go on tangents or use the wrong example in an attempt to give the full picture HBS wants. Because of this, students often don’t know where to start and when to end.
For a concrete breakdown of Harvard’s new essay prompts, read our article: Harvard Business School New MBA Essay Prompts (2024-2025)
HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Essay Prompts
As of 2024, HBS has updated its deferred MBA essay prompts for the first time in many years. The new deferred essay requirements involve writing three short essays: two personal ones and one career one. Each essay has a limit of 300 words.
Personal Essays
The HBS classroom and community thrive when we bring together people who can share a variety of perspectives. To get to know you better and how you will engage at HBS, please choose two of the three prompts below to tell us more about yourself:
1. How have your experiences shaped who you are, how you lead, and how you will contribute at HBS?
2. What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA?
3. What communities have you been engaged with that have defined how you invest in others?
Career Essay
How do the career plans you shared in the Career Plans section of the application fit into your current long-term career vision? What skills and/or professional experiences do you hope to obtain in the deferral period that will help build the foundation for your post-MBA career?
For more info on the HBS deferred MBA essays, read: HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Essay Prompts & Tips (2024)
Now, here are our five HBS essay tips, designed to help you stand out among the over 9,000 applicants that apply to Harvard Business School each year.
HBS Essay Tips for Success
1. Tell a Story
There is no set formula or “right” way to write your HBS essays. Every MBA candidate comes from a different background and unique circumstances. Your job with this essay is to paint the most accurate picture you can of who you are and why you should be accepted into Harvard. They want you to stay true to yourself and let your personality shine. Your resume, test scores, and GPA are important, but they don’t show character; the essay is where you can really make a difference in showing how you’ll fit into the MBA program.
With that being said, don’t write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. They have read through thousands of essays, but they have never read an essay by you, so capitalize on your individuality. HBS wants to know where you have come from and what experiences have shaped who you are. This essay should absolutely not be a retelling of your resume and professional achievements.
Through this essay, HBS wants to see that you understand yourself. They also want to know whether you align with Harvard’s missions and values. They are looking for future leaders who want to make a difference in the world. The best way to prepare for this essay is to deeply reflect on yourself. Who are you? What matters to you? Why are you the way you are? At the end of the day, if you can answer this question, posed by an HBS alum, then you have got a good start: “Could this essay also describe someone else?” If so, then you probably need to do some more introspection.
2. Be Concise
When in doubt, ask yourself, “Does the admissions committee need to know this?” If not, it’s probably safe to take out. There is no “right” length to hit as every candidate will have a different story they’re trying to tell; however, there is a difference between telling a story and rambling. Include relevant information and paint an accurate picture, but do so in a clear and concise manner. Imagine that your essay is the hundredth that the adcom member is reading that day. How would you write to keep them engaged while also preserving the integrity of your story? That is the balance that you are looking for.
3. Don’t Just Answer “Why HBS?”
Unlike many other business schools, Harvard does not ask the stereotypical “Why HBS?” question. With that being said, applicants often feel like they need to use the essay to demonstrate their commitment to HBS. Most of the time, this is not the right approach. Your essay should be about you. Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and you don’t need to justify why you want to attend. Using the precious space you have to talk about HBS is a missed opportunity to shed light on your experiences.
The caveat to this is if providing your reason for attending Harvard makes your overall essay stronger. Some applicants may have a personal story tying them to HBS that they want to expound on. If that’s the case, then include it. The same adage from earlier applies here: If your “Why HBS?” answer could also explain someone else, then you probably don’t need it.
4. Build, Build, Build
Like any good story, your HBS essay should have a thread of continuity throughout. Introduce a theme or lesson, touch base on it every once in a while, and tie everything together in the conclusion. In addition to making your essay more interesting, this will prevent it from coming off as disjointed. Building up to the main point will also keep the reader in suspense and eager to read on. Because the prompts are so direct, it may be easier for you to plan out what you want to talk about while sticking within the limits. Regardless, always remember that sticking to a theme will help you ensure that everything you include is relevant.
5. Get Feedback
After spending lots of time writing something, it can be difficult to step back and view your work with a fresh, unbiased eye. Once you’ve written a rough draft of your HBS essays, have a peer or mentor read through your essay and provide feedback. Ideally, the person reviewing your essay will be an alum of the school. But if that’s not an option, choose someone with business experience and writing skills that knows something about your background.
Don’t overedit your essay. Drafts, reviews, and edits are all part of the essay writing process but you don’t want to overpolish, especially to the point that you rub out your individuality. Instead, we recommend starting your essay early so that you have plenty of time to self-reflect, write, and step back for perspective. Once you’ve completed your first draft, ask for feedback and make some edits, but then put it away for a while. When you come back to it, you will have a fresher perspective and be less bogged down by the details.
By following these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a successful HBS essay! Remember, the key is to be authentic, concise, and reflective. Keep all these in mind and your essay will be destined for greatness!
Get Into HBS With the Help of an Expert
We know that writing the Harvard MBA essays can be a stressful endeavor. At Leland, we have a broad network of world-class coaches who can help with any part of the MBA application. Many of them are experts in essay writing, browse them here. Want to work with an HBS alum who has first-hand experience of the Harvard application process? Here are some of our highest-rated MBA admissions coaches.
FAQ for the HBS Essays
1. What should I focus on when writing my HBS admissions essays?
When writing your HBS admissions essays, focus on telling a compelling story about your career path, leadership experiences, and personal growth. Make sure to be authentic and reflective, as the HBS admissions team values essays that provide genuine insight into who you are.
2. How do the new HBS essays compare against the old ones?
The new HBS essays are far more detailed and specific in what they’re asking for. The question from the last several years has been known to be very vague and open-ended, and it seems the Harvard admissions committee has seen and responded to what students and others have been saying about the previous prompt. The new HBS essays, then, are designed to let you highlight different aspects of your personality and experiences.
4. What are some common mistakes to avoid in my HBS essays?
Some common mistakes we’ve seen include being overly generic, focusing too much on professional achievements rather than personal growth, and failing to answer the specific prompts. Ensure your essays are not a mere retelling of your resume but instead provide deeper insight into your motivations and aspirations.
5. How can I get feedback on my HBS essay drafts?
The best places to get feedback on your HBS essay drafts are from peers, mentors, or professional coaches. Ideally, you should be seeking feedback from someone familiar with the HBS MBA program or the Harvard Graduate School. The HBS admissions team also values essays that maintain individuality, so avoid overediting.
6. What makes a successful HBS essay?
A successful HBS essay is one that authentically reflects your journey, aligns with Harvard's mission to educate leaders, and demonstrates your potential impact on the business world. Ensure your essay is well-structured, with a clear theme and relevant examples.
7. How do the HBS admissions team evaluate essays?
The HBS admissions team evaluates essays based on clarity, authenticity, and how well you articulate your experiences and goals. They look for candidates who have a clear career path, demonstrate leadership potential, and can contribute to the HBS community.
8. Where can I find more information on writing admissions essays for HBS?
For more information on writing admissions essays for HBS, you can explore resources like our detailed article on the new HBS essays, guides on crafting powerful MBA essays, and tips from successful applicants. Additionally, consider seeking advice from HBS alumni or professional admissions coaches.
9. Why is the HBS essay important in the application process?
The HBS essay is important because it allows the admissions team to understand your personal story, motivations, and potential to succeed in the HBS MBA program. It provides a platform for you to stand out from other applicants and demonstrate why you are a good fit for Harvard Business School.
10. How can I ensure my essay aligns with HBS's values?
If you’re concerned about showing how you align with HBS's values, try to focus on demonstrating leadership, a commitment to making a positive impact, and a clear vision for your future career path. Reflect on how your experiences have prepared you to thrive in the HBS MBA program and contribute to its community.
Where Can I Start?
The application process can be daunting and difficult, especially without help. Read these articles to get started on your HBS journey.
- Harvard Business School: MBA Program & Application Overview
- How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay
- A Comprehensive MBA Timeline–With Chart
- How to Ace the HBS MBA Interview
- The HBS Waitlist Strategy
- Harvard Business School MBA Application Deadlines (2023-2024)
- How I Got Into Harvard Business School With Low Test Scores
