Harvard Business School Admission Interviews

[AdmissionsConsultants]

I’ve been receiving emails from consultants and clients that HBS round 2 interview invitations began going out on Monday, Feb 16. The HBS admissions interview is different from most others. The school conducts a detailed analysis of the applicant’s file and asks very specific questions that are often followed up with even more specific questions. The best advice I can give you is to be prepared and re-read your essays if necessary before the interview. Try to give detailed answers (not too long of course) and be willing and able to follow the interviewer’s lead as he/she hones in on specific details.

Just to provide you with one example from our archive of actual HBS admission interview transcripts.

What types of books do you like to read? What was the most recent book you read? Why did you read that book? Why do you believe you share a common background with that character?

Obviously, there are omitted responses from the interviewee (whose privacy we are protecting) to each of these questions, that led to the specific follow-up questions asked above. I simply pulled this particular excerpt because I think it neatly shows how HBS loves to hone in on specific details to quiz the integrity of your answers as well as your analytical skills and ability to think quickly on your feet.

There is no reason to be intimidated of this interview style even if you have never faced it before. With some practice, you will be fine.

We do conduct HBS mock interviews and you can contact us via telephone or email for more details on all of our services.

Best of luck with your applications and interviews!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com

Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

[oz_chap]

G’day David

I am glad to hear that HBS R2 interviews are finally starting to go out. I am a R2 applicant to HBS MBA from Australia. I received an update about my app. on Feb 2nd but so far have not received a call-up for an interview. Till when can I wait in hope for one, mid-March or till the end of this month?

Do you know ~ how many applicants typically apply in R2 for HBS and Stanford and how many of them are accepted?

I also applied to Stanford in R2. I received an update that my application is under review on Jan. 31. However since then a luxury of an interview has not been extended as yet. Should I patiently wait for an interview again or extinguish the flame of hope burning intensely within?

Briefly
I am senior engineer in the wireless industry. I have 8 years of experience in technical roles with several leadership opportunities. I have experienced Aus., American, English and now Singaporean work culture through my company. I have good extra-curriculur experience (I started a district cricket club, I am an amateur photographer). My GPA equivalent is 3.3/4.0 and GMAT 740.

cheers
oz_chap

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi Oz Chap and thanks for your inquiry.

G’day David

I am glad to hear that HBS R2 interviews are finally starting to go out. I am a R2 applicant to HBS MBA from Australia. I received an update about my app. on Feb 2nd but so far have not received a call-up for an interview. Till when can I wait in hope for one, mid-March or till the end of this month?

Do you know ~ how many applicants typically apply in R2 for HBS and Stanford and how many of them are accepted?

I also applied to Stanford in R2. I received an update that my application is under review on Jan. 31. However since then a luxury of an interview has not been extended as yet. Should I patiently wait for an interview again or extinguish the flame of hope burning intensely within?

Briefly
I am senior engineer in the wireless industry. I have 8 years of experience in technical roles with several leadership opportunities. I have experienced Aus., American, English and now Singaporean work culture through my company. I have good extra-curriculur experience (I started a district cricket club, I am an amateur photographer). My GPA equivalent is 3.3/4.0 and GMAT 740.

cheers
oz_chap

I fully understand that it is easier said than done, but it’s a waiting game at this point and you don’t want to be labeled a “pain” by continuously bothering the schools’ admissions officers.

We anticipate again this year that interview invitations will be extended until about 2 weeks before the deadline. Once again, the important thing will be receiving an interview invitation and it will not affect your chances – but admittedly your nerves – if you are the first or last applicant to receive such an invitation.

Best of luck with your applications and interviews!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com

Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

[allan]

has anyone been accepted yet for round 2?

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

I am not aware of any offers yet being extended to our R2 interviewed applicants. (If it has happened, the applicant hasn’t said anything yet to his/her consultant or the consultant hasn’t passed word on back to me.)

The latest we heard was that invitations may be extended as late as one week before the March 31 notification deadline.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com

Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

[IceMilo]

Anyone know when HBS round 3 interviews will go out?

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

Anyone know when HBS round 3 interviews will go out?

HBS normally extends interview invitations up until about 2 weeks before the notification deadline.

Best of luck with your HBS application!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com

Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

[wagni]

IN regards to the interview process at Harvard, is an interview required for admission? Are people granted admissions even without an interview?

Jatinder

[tallone]

quote:

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Originally posted by wagni

IN regards to the interview process at Harvard, is an interview required for admission? Are people granted admissions even without an interview?

Jatinder

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[mlinde14]

For anyone that has had an interview with a member of HBS AdCom.

Have you followed-up with a thank you e-mail to the Adcom? I didn’t receive my interviewer’s full-name and did not think of asking for a card. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Mike

[mlinde14]

For anyone that has had an interview with a member of HBS AdCom.

Have you followed-up with a thank you e-mail to the Adcom? I didn’t receive my interviewer’s full-name and did not think of asking for a card. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Mike

[Author]

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