How to Write Harvard MBA Essays in 2024?

In an Harvard MBA essay Talk about things you've done recently, preferably in the last five years. Don't use examples from the past. You shouldn't put these kinds of experiences on your resume. Instead, talk about the times when you had to make choices, use your critical thinking skills, and be brave enough to act and change things. You can also talk about your level of management, communication, how well you can meet deadlines, and your level of commitment in this part of your essay.

Here are the MBA essay prompts to be submitted for Harvard University admissions:

1. Business-Minded Essay: Reflect on how your experiences have prepared you for your career choices and aspirations as well as the contribution you will make to businesses, organizations and communities you might serve.
2. Leadership-Focused Essay: Which experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and the kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)
3. Growth-Oriented Essay: There are many ways to define curiosity. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

Ordinarily, to get an MBA in Harvard, there are about three or four prompts that one should respond to. But Harvard asks for only one essay. Given below is the only Harvard MBA essay that you are expected to prepare:

How to Answer Harvard MBA Essay Questions

There are several ways to approach. At first glance, the question or question stem may look open. However, for a Harvard University essay, you have to identify what your key strengths are in your answer. In addition, note that by "more," they mean that you must provide your Harvard essay some freshness. You must not give them information that is already in your resume, for example. Other documents may also qualify. 

This paper must discuss these topics in the following order:

1. Leadership Potential/Motivation: The aim of an MBA degree is to ensure that each student becomes an improved leader. Therefore, to open your Harvard essay, think of an incident that recently happened in your life and made you realize that it is possible for you to become an effective leader too. In order to open your essay with an effective start, narrate an incident in which you led various people to complete an arduous project. This should highlight what efforts you made, how effectively you performed, and what results you achieved.
2. Academic and Professional Life: After you explain why you are interested in Harvard and prove you have the potential to be a leader, you can then detail your academic and professional experience as you apply to the Harvard MBA program in the order they occurred. They are a part of why you are who you are today. You should include your modern experiences, preferably within the last five years, as examples to demonstrate your academic and professional qualifications to Harvard Business School. You should not place these experiences on your resume. Instead, you can use experiences where you were required to make decisions, think critically, and demonstrate the passion to initiate change and lead the action. This section of your essay can provide your experience with managing, communicating, meeting deadlines, and your commitment to your work.
3. Community Service and Extracurricular Activities: It would be great if you describe your experience in other activities aside from your studies and those related to your job. Describe the job that you have been doing lately through an NGO or in an official capacity working in community-initiated projects. In addition, describe your achievements in any activities such as those in sports, dance, drama, music, or in any other activity that you do. This is in order to project an image of a balanced person who has a balanced outlook in life. Avoid writing in your Harvard MBA essay about your hobbies because your Harvard MBA essay should sound formal.
4. Why you should get an MBA: Describe how your past work experiences have equipped you for earning an MBA degree. Describe the skills and qualities that you want to acquire through your MBA. What are the essential skills that you want to acquire and what knowledge do you want to attain during your graduation? This section of your Harvard University essay should relate what you already know and acquire in your MBA program. See below: Why Go to Harvard?
5. Goals: Goals are very essential for anyone who wants to earn an MBA degree. Therefore, take time to think about your own future and what you want to achieve in your future. Describe your short-term plans and explain how you want to implement them right after graduation from your MBA. Please give us the name of the company that you want to work in, in which industry you want to work and in which capacity you want to work. You should select to work in your same field unless you are forced to switch. But in that case, you should explain why you want to switch. More importantly, describe which responsibilities you want to undertake. This should be in line with your aim to be an excellent leader and manager. Please elaborate on your long-term strategy and explain in detail that you want to achieve in future. What are your future achievements that would make you an outstanding businessman or entrepreneur? Please elaborate on how you want to implement and achieve to make a positive impact in your community and society in which you are living and working and make it better and prosper.
6. You need to tell why Harvard Business School is indeed the best fit for you in fulfilling your aims. In discussing your aims, you may mention particular courses or opportunities such as engaging with businesses, among others, that align with your aims. Note why you selected Harvard University as your first choice.
7. Conclusion: Your Harvard University essay is completed when you can confidently say that you know what you want and that you will contribute significantly to the academic environment of the school. Your conclusion should close with a positive note that you and Harvard Business School would greatly benefit from having you in the school.

Check out: How to Get into Harvard from India?

Tips for Writing HBS MBA Essays

Since we have discussed the Harvard Business School essay prompt in depth, you should now be confident in how you can answer this type of essay. Take it piece by piece and think about all of the experiences that have qualified you to pursue an MBA. Here are some points that you should remember:

• Make the whole essay revolve around you. Avoid making general statements.
• Instead, use specific and effective words, not trendy vocabulary.
• If possible, quantify the facts you are stating. It will make your story stronger.
• Proofread carefully to avoid errors.
• Look for grammatical errors and inaccuracies.
• Allocate adequate room for each section in the essay to make a well-rounded finished product. Avoid using all the word limit on one aspect.
• Create a proper Harvard essay structure for easier readability.

We are aware of the fact that writing an MBA application essay at Harvard can seem intimidating in the face of a massive number of outstanding candidates vying for a limited number of spots. But the trick is to remain composed and concentrate on your strong qualities. Authenticity is what works, as this is what works the best in your MBA application essays. In case you need any help or have questions related to your Harvard University essays, do not hesitate to reach us.

Writing a short yet gripping response to Harvard's MBA essay question is not a difficult task; however, it is quite rewarding. Be yourself and try to represent yourself with HBS values. Keep in mind that all sentences and stories should build a strong image of you as a candidate for HBS's MBA program. By using a well-crafted Harvard essay, you increase your chances of being accepted into HBS's MBA program. If you need guidance related to University Admission, you can contact us through our website. For any other query, feel free to put your question in the comments section below. For more insights into Top University MBA Essays, visit our website.