Writing a Winning Harvard 1

Some of you may think I am obsessed with videos about Harvard Business School. Although we are just getting started in video, Accepted already posted one video with tips on HBS’ MBA application, and is now posting its second. But let’s face it, it’s Hahvaaad.

In any case, in my reviews of HBS 1 essays, I am frequently struck by the monotony and shallowness of the responses. In the video below I suggest an alternative approach that will differentiate those of you who use it and hopefully encourage you to think more deeply about those three key achievements.

My apologies for the closeness to the deadline of this post. I don’t expect all of you who have written, edited, edited again, and proofed your Harvard essays to trash your current HBS 1. I am posting this video for those of you who aren’t near completing the essay for your round 2 submission — yes there are a few — and for round 3 applicants. And if course if HBS uses this question again, there is always next year.

By Linda Abraham, President and Founder of Accepted.com.

Comments

Linda Abraham says

January 3, 2011 at 8:35 pm

Thanks, SR!
sr says

December 31, 2010 at 12:00 am

Thanks for a great video Linda – really helpful!
Linda Abraham says

December 30, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Amit,

Thanks for your comment.

The weakness in this approach is that the opening is somewhat bland and doesn't engage as well as an impressive example of an achievement, a story, or an anecdote.

Essentially you are starting with a claim of a trait or quality. It is more credible and impressive to demonstrate first and then analyze so that the quality flows organically from the example given as opposed to starting with a declarative, (frequently Olympian statement) that sounds like something most applicants could start with if they just swap out QUALITY.

Best,
Linda
Amit K says

December 30, 2010 at 4:45 am

Linda, dont you think another very effective way of addressing this can be:

Through my professional life, I have discovered and deliberately developed this QUALITY. I think……(analyze importance)….The instances most important in my career reinforce the importance of this Quality and how I gained it. … Go ahead describe the 3 instances……close with powerful statement on your belief and what you have learnt.