• Business School
    • Admissions Help
    • MBA Essay Tips
    • Executive MBA Essay Tips
    • MBA Admissions Calendar
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
    • EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
  • Medical School
    • Admissions Help
    • Med School Admissions 101
    • Secondary Essay Tips (by School)
    • Student Interviews
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
  • Law School
    • Admissions Help
    • Law School Admissions 101
    • Selectivity Index
    • Free Guides
    • Podcast
    • Video Tips
  • Graduate School
    • Admissions Help
    • Grad School Admissions 101
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
  • College
    • Admissions Help
    • Free Guides
    • Supplemental Essay Tips
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
Accepted

1 (310) 815-9553

Blog HomePodcastContact Us

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

August 19, 2014

Reading Time: 3 minutes

HBS 2+2 Essay Questions and Tips

  

This HBS 2+2 Application tip post is one of a series of posts providing MBA application and essay advice for applicants to top MBA programs around the world. Check out the entire 2012 MBA Application Tips series for more valuable MBA essay advice.  

Harvard Business School 2+2 Essay Tips

The Harvard 2+2 application is now online.  While it still consists of four questions, three are entirely new or at least a little different, and there are no elective questions in this year’s application.

Harvard’s instructions and question are in black below; my comments and tips are in blue:?

1.  Tell us about three of your accomplishments. (600 words)

This is a variation of what has been for year’s Harvard’s signature question. In the past HBS asked, “What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such?” 

Obviously you want to include “substantial accomplishments.” I strongly encourage you to also provide some indication of why you think they are important enough to include on your Harvard MBA 2+2 application.

This essay, like almost all MBA essays, has to balance narrative and analysis. If an event is important enough to relate in the little bit of essay real estate that you have, ensure that the reader knows why you include it. It may be obvious from the story. If it isn’t, combine critical events with insightful analysis to create a revealing, compelling essay.

At least two of the three accomplishments should show leadership and/or teamwork with the emphasis being on leadership. I also like to have this essay show some breadth. My ideal would be to have one professional/internship, one community, and one personal accomplishment in this essay, but that breakdown is neither set in stone nor imperative.

2.  Tell us three setbacks you have faced. (600 words)

New question.

“Oh no! They want me to write about setbacks!!!! I’m supposed to be a super-star.”

True, but real super-stars are resilient. They can handle a set-back and they frequently view failures as hurdles to overcome, not as the end of the world, or their future. They rebound. They learn from mistakes, failures, and bumps in the road and turn them into nothing more than …. well than a setback on the road to achievement, accomplishment and success.

So in addition to the three achievements discussed in response to #1, write about three setbacks. The word “setback” implies that you then moved forward. In your essays briefly describe what went wrong and then go into more detail on how you set it right. Finally, what did you learn on the rebound?

3.  Why do you want an MBA? (400 words)

New question.

What do you intend to do with the degree? Do you have solid, well-reasoned  motivations for pursuing an MBA? Do you have experience that connects to your MBA goal. Include them in your response.

Your reasons should show that you share Harvard’s commitment to leadership. Do they also demonstrate that you need the transformative education provided by Harvard Business School to achieve your goals?

4.  What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience? (400 words)

When introduced, I thought this query was going to produce monotonous, boring pieces, but it didn’t. To my pleasant surprise, I reviewed several responses as part of our quality control program, and they were revealing, excellent essays.

Your topics will clearly vary depending on your experience and the rest of your application, but my ideal answer will discuss a leadership experience from your undergrad career to show that you are a natural leader. Remember: HBS wants to develop leaders, not create them. It wants to admit people in the “habit of leadership.” Show that you are one of those people.

This essay should complement your other essays and reveal another dimension of your personality and experience.

HBS 2+2 Application Deadlines

Round                   Due Date           Notification

Summer Round     July 6, 2011        September 2011

Round 1                October 2011     December 2011

Round 2                January 2012     March 2012

Round 3                March 2012        May 2012

If you would like more help with your Harvard 2+2 MBA application, please consider Accepted’s MBA essay editing and MBA admissions consulting or our HBS 2+2 MBA Packages, which include essay editing, interview coaching, consultation, and a resume edit for the HBS 2+2 MBA application.

Accepted.comAccepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

 

Article by Linda Abraham / Harvard HBS, MBA Admissions / 2012 MBA Application, Admissions Consulting, Harvard Business School, leadership

Get Accepted!

Choose your desired degree and then the service that best meets your needs.

Which program are you applying to?

What do you need help with?

Join the informed applicants who read Accepted's blog!

8 Popular Posts

1. 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

2. How to Write About Your Research Interests

3. 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

4. When Will Medical Schools Give You an Answer?

5. How to Write a Goal Statement for Graduate School

6. 4 Must Haves in a Med School Letter of Interest

7. Writing Your Physician Assistant (PA) Personal Statement [Plus Sample Essay]

8. Preparing for Your MBA Interview Questions

Recent Posts

  • Why These GMAT Experts Approach Test-Taking With Empathy [Episode 402]
  • The Secret to Getting Accepted to INSEAD
  • What is INSEAD Looking For?
  • UC Berkeley Haas Expands Deferred MBA Program
  • Predoc & Premed Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
This Site is Featured on GMATClub

Home Page Services and Prices MBA Med School Law School Grad School College

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog
Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553
© 2021 Accepted

BBB A+ RatingStamp of AIGAC Excellence

Copyright © 2021 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in