Writing the Harvard Business School (HBS) essays is a daunting task, and candidates often find themselves wondering what dreams, stories and traits are worth sharing with the HBS admissions committee. The following essays, along with the associated commentary, reflect one candidate’s strategy. Megan’s essays are excerpts from 50 Examples of Successful HBS Essays (and Why They …
A business school’s essay prompts can provide clues about what it values. That is certainly the case for Harvard Business School (HBS). Each of HBS’s three application essay questions tie to one of the school’s admissions criteria. As HBS states on its site, the business school seeks individuals who are Business-Minded, Leadership-Focused, and Growth-Oriented. The …
The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) holds the title of being the world’s most discriminating MBA program. With an acceptance rate that hovers around 7%, the business school has the enviable position of curating a class of amazing stars. Yet, there is an unenviable side to this as well: so many of the GSB’s …
When you hear “Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,” the first thought that pops into your head might be “finance”—and understandably so, given that the Wharton MBA program has been a leading institution in the area of finance since the school was founded in 1881. But what you might not realize is how much …
MIT Sloan seeks individuals with confidence but not arrogance. The atmosphere on campus is considered “scrappy” and humble, never stuffy or competitive. The school wants people who are eager to learn and willing to help others do so as well. Sloan also prioritizes innovation, showing a preference for applicants who go against the grain, develop …
MBA students at Northwestern Kellogg often value the strength of the school’s community, with classmates dedicating themselves fully to both their own professional development and that of their peers. Kellogg is committed to producing capable leaders who are as thoughtful and driven as they are empathetic and inclusive. According to Kellogg’s website, the school seeks …
Columbia Business School (CBS) requires three essays and two short answers as part of its application. Through your essays, the school hopes to better understand your experiences and career goals, as well as your rationale for wanting to pursue your MBA at CBS specifically. We at Gatehouse appreciate the program’s range of essay topics, because the variety …
While doing your research into Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, you have undoubtedly come across “Team Fuqua.” The phrase helps outsiders understand the spirit of the school’s culture, in which everyone works together and is an integral part of a larger whole. But to those on campus, it means even more: Team Fuqua represents …
Chicago Booth is a business school that might seem to embody a number of contradictory sides, but a closer look actually reveals how these elements instead complement one another. Although the school has long been known for its leadership in the areas of finance and economics, it also offers remarkable resources for aspiring MBAs who …
The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, is one of the smallest MBA programs in the top set, with just under 250 students enrolling in its Class of 2025. With so few seats to award, Haas has every incentive to select candidates who not only bring academic excellence and professional accomplishment …
The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan prides itself on its strong, vibrant, and welcoming MBA community. From the officers on the business school admissions team to the MBA students to the professors, everyone knows the tune of “Go Big Blue!” and feels part of the broader university. This sense of “welcoming …
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