We’ve invited mbaMission to share their Business School Essays Analyses as they’re released for the 2013-2014 application season. Here is their analysis for Harvard Business School.

Harvard Business School (HBS) is taking a bold new approach to its application essays this year by offering just one question”and one that is much more open to interpretation than many applicants would probably like:

You’re applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, school transcripts, extracurricular activities, awards, post-MBA career goals, test scores and what your recommenders have to say about you. What else would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?

There is no word limit for this question. We think you know what guidance we’re going to give here. Don’t overthink, overcraft and overwrite. Just answer the question in clear language that those of us who don’t know your world can understand.

Few things strike more fear into an MBA candidate’s heart than vague essay directions. Because of HBS’s lack of guidance with respect to word limits and its extremely open-ended question, knowing whether you are truly responding with information that the admissions committee wants and needs will be difficult. The committee further complicates things by specifically noting the information it will already have”transcripts, extracurricular activities, awards, etc. This may make you wonder if mentioning such information is a complete no-no and would weaken your chances for admission.

First, we would like to allay your fears to some degree and help you reframe your view of this question. Think of it as an opportunity to round out your candidacy in the admissions committee’s eyes the way you want, not within the parameters of a narrowly focused topic someone else has chosen. This is your chance to tell the school what you really feel it should know about you”what you believe makes you a worthy  candidate, deserving of a spot in HBS’s next incoming class.

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We invite you to test your GMAT knowledge for a chance to win! Each week, we will post a new Challenge Problem for you to attempt. If you submit the correct answer, you will be entered into that week’s drawing for a free Manhattan GMAT Prep item. Tell your friends to get out their scrap paper and start solving!
Here is this week’s problem:

An insect is located at one corner (point A) on the surface of a rectangular solid that measures 3 x 4 x 5 inches, as shown in the diagram.

 

Note: Figure is not drawn to scale.

If the insect crawls along the surface of the rectangular solid to the opposite corner (point B), what is the shortest possible length, in inches, of the insect’s path from point A to point B?

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Here are the free GMAT events we’re holding this week. All times are local unless otherwise specified.

6/3/13– Online – Free Trial Class – 8:00PM- 11:00PM (EDT)

6/3/13– Los Angeles, CA – Free Trial Class –  6:30PM- 9:30PM

6/3/13– Washington, DC – Free Trial Class –  6:30PM- 9:30PM

6/3/13– Toronto, ON  – Free Trial Class-  6:30PM-9:30PM

6/3/13– Bellaire, TX – Free Trial Class – 6:30PM- 9:30PM

6/4/13– Ann Arbor, MI- Free Trial Class– 6:30PM-9:30PM

6/4/13– Westerville, OH – Free Trial Class– 6:30PM-9:30PM

6/4/13– Minneapolis, MN – Free Trial Class– 6:30PM-9:30PM

6/5/13– Durham, NC – Free Trial Class– 6:30PM-9:30PM

6/5/13– Encino, CA – Free Trial Class– 6:30PM-9:30PM

6/6/13– Online – Thursdays with Ron– 7:00PM- 8:30PM (EDT)

6/6/13– New York, NY –GMAT Preview– 6:30PM- 8:30PM

6/6/13– Online –Choosing the Right B-School presented by mbaMission– 9:00PM- 10:30PM (EDT)

6/8/13– Chicago, IL – Free Trial Class- 2:00PM- 5:00PM

6/9/13– Online – Free Trial Class –  10:00AM- 1:00PM (EDT)

Looking for more free events? Check out our Free Events Listings Page.