Red Flags When Writing Your Harvard MBA Personal Statement

Harvard is a top choice for MBA programs. With world-class learning facilities, highly respected faculty, and a well-cultivated learning environment, this is a dream school for many aspiring MBA students. Securing a slot in Harvard’s School of Business is almost synonymous to securing a brighter future, according to some people. Unfortunately, making it to Harvard is not very easy, with the tight selection process and numerous competitions. Career Center shares some tips on how to make it to Harvard through the MBA personal statement.

Things that Harvard looks for in an MBA personal statement

According to Career Center:

The statement of purpose should demonstrate excellence in writing and clarity of thinking. It functions as a writing sample, often the only one you submit. Make it as solid a piece of writing as possible. It can also function as your interview if none is required. It is a chance to introduce yourself and describe who you are, what your background is, and what is important to you.

As one of the most important factors for admissions, you really need to take time writing your admissions essay. You need to write an essay that also highlights you as a would-be valuable addition to a certain community. Another tip says:

Another way to think about it is to consider “focus and fit” are your interests in graduate study focused, and is there a good fit with your interests and the particular program or school? This requires carefully researching the school or program to which you are applying. Read about the program’s emphasis, the nature of the required courses, the work or research of its faculty. The more you know about the program to which you are applying, the better. You will sound more knowledgeable and more convincing in your essay.

Here are some red flags on MBA admissions essay for Harvard:

Poor grammar and usage in an essay certainly signal a red flag to admissions committees, as does an inappropriate fit with program. It’s not a good sign if the applicant demonstrates little knowledge of program or school, or worse, names another school in the essay by mistake! Presentation matters: have others read the essay for grammar and ideas.

Who wants an applicant who does not know where he or she sees him or herself in the future? This is why you have to research about the school and the program and use the information on emphasizing your focus and fit through the essay. Needless to say, you have to be a good match for the school if you want the admissions officers to give due credit to your application.

Career Center adds that:

Similarly, if an applicant demonstrates a lack of relevant experience, sounds naive, inexperienced, or unfocused and unprepared for graduate study in an essay, it can hinder his or her application.

Experience is a very important factor that could make or break your application. You should take a good chance at it, but focus on the elements of a successful application essay, one of which is clear sense of purpose and direction.

According to The Writing Center, you must:

Refer to past experiences, both academic and “real world” that are relevant to graduate study.

Your experiences will show how ripe you are to accept the challenges in Harvard Business School. Making it to Harvard admissions is just one step. It takes a whole lot of effort to actually earn a degree and be successful in the chosen field.

If you really want to go to Harvard Business School, you have to tailor-fit your essay to the given standards. Put a lot of thought on what you’re writing and how you can give your application a boost.

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