Introduction to MBA Essay Examples from Harvard Business School
Going through the Harvard MBA application process is no small task. In addition to submitting your resume, transcripts, and scores from standardized tests like the GMAT, GRE or TOEFL, applicants must also submit thoughtful, compelling essays. Here are examples of successful essays from past Harvard admits to help guide you in crafting your own unique responses.
Background Essay Example
This essay provides context about an applicant’s background and experiences and how they influence career goals and fit with the HBS program.
My parents emigrated from Mexico in the 1980s with very little formal education or job skills but a strong work ethic. They worked long hours at low-paying jobs – my dad as a dishwasher and my mom as a custodian – to provide for my sister and me. Watching my parents struggle motivated me to work hard in school, get a good education, and pursue a professional career where I could earn a stable income and support a family.
I was the first in my family to attend college. Starting as a first-generation student was challenging, but I pushed through with the support of friends, mentors, and academic resources on campus. I graduated with a degree in accounting and landed my first job at a Big Four accounting firm. The work was stimulating and I enjoyed helping clients, but I knew I wanted more responsibility leading people and making strategic decisions that impact a business.
My experiences growing up have given me a deep appreciation for hard work and determination. At HBS, I want to expand my business skills and knowledge to take my career to the next level, whether it be advancing within my current industry or transitioning to a new field. The HBS network and hands-on educational approach will prepare me to become an impactful leader capable of driving change within an organization.
This essay shows appreciation for one’s background while demonstrating the drive and ambition cultivated from challenges overcome. It connects past experiences to career goals and fit within the HBS program.
Teamwork Essay Example
This essay addresses an applicant’s ability to contribute as a team member and work collaboratively.
One of my most impactful team experiences occurred during my first rotating leadership project at my job. Our group of five was tasked with analyzing a client’s marketing strategy and recommending improvements. As the first assigned leader, I created an initial project plan and divided up research tasks among team members. After two unproductive meetings where people appeared disengaged, I stepped back to assess what was going wrong.
Through individual check-ins, I learned team members felt my initial plan lacked input from others and that research assignments did not play to each person’s strengths. We redesigned the project structure together: collaboratively outlining a new plan, brainstorming research areas collectively, and allowing people to self-select responsibilities. Morale improved immediately.
Over the next three weeks, our newly cooperative dynamic took hold. People volunteered to take on more than their share, willingly helped others, and ideas snowballed as we bounced them off each other. We delivered our final recommendations on time, with extensively researched supporting analysis and alternative options considered. Client feedback was overwhelmingly positive about our thorough, team-driven work.
This experience reinforced for me the value of actively listening to teammates, flexibility, and empowering people within their strengths. At HBS, I hope to further hone my collaborative leadership abilities and bring a spirit of cooperation, continuous learning, and high-quality outcomes to group projects.
This response highlights learning from mistakes, willingness to adapt, and using strengths of others to achieve success – all valuable team skills. It provides a specific example and clear lessons learned.
Career Goals Essay Example
This essay allows applicants to share their career aspirations and how an HBS education will help achieve goals.
For the past five years, I have worked in brand management roles at Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods companies. I enjoy working with cross-functional partners to bring new products to market and connect them meaningfully with customers. I have found myself wanting to expand my business knowledge beyond just marketing and have a hand in broader strategic decisions.
An HBS education is the next logical step for me. The core curriculum and electives will provide exposure to functions like finance, operations, and corporate strategy that I have not fully explored. This multifaceted business education will prepare me to one day lead my own division or company. I am particularly interested in the Managing Core Business elective to help strengthen my P&L management skills.
Outside the classroom, I hope to leverage HBS’s strong network of alumni in the CPG industry. Their mentorship could help me determine the best path – whether growing within my current sector or transitioning to a new one like healthcare, technology, or sustainability focused businesses. Longer term, I aspire to a CEO position where I can guide strategic direction, build brands at scale, foster innovation, and drive positive business impact.
An HBS degree will give me the well-rounded business foundation, strategic perspective, and industry connections to elevate my career. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity through active classroom participation, team projects, recruiting activities, and involvement with student clubs or the social enterprise accelerator. HBS’s collaborative community embodies where I want to be professionally.
This response clearly outlines career goals, how an HBS education specifically supports them, and the applicant’s intended involvement to maximize the experience.
Leadership Essay Example
Here is an example of an essay addressing leadership experience:
One of my most impactful leadership experiences occurred when my university’s student government faced a crisis of declining membership and budget cuts proposed by the administration. As vice president, I took the lead on our “Re-Ignite Involvement” campaign with two other executive board members. After surveying 200 peers, we identified the top reasons for diminished participation: lack of tangible impact and lack of exciting initiatives.
We overhauled our programming strategy. Instead of just hosting standard social events, we started smaller interactive projects that directly addressed student concerns, like organizing a campus safety walk and working with facilities to install more outdoor seating. We also kicked off our first annual service trip to help with hurricane relief. Participation surged.
To address budget pressures, we created a task force of 30 passionate members across class years. After brainstorming 100 new funding ideas, we selected the top 5 most viable concepts like sponsored sports tournaments and a game app featuring campus landmarks/trivia. They generated enough student buy-in and financial return to save our full funding within 18 months.
This experience taught me the importance of understanding people’s motivations, framing causes around intrinsic benefits not responsibilities, empowering others to lead, celebrating small wins, and being nimble through challenges. As a leader at HBS, I intend to bring an energizing, solutions-driven approach like this to group work and foster meaningful engagement across diverse perspectives.
This essay highlights specific leadership actions taken, challenges overcome, lessons learned, and plans to apply those skills going forward. It provides measurable outcomes of the initiatives.
Recommendations for HBS Essay Responses
As these sample essays demonstrate, standout Harvard MBA application essays typically:
Provide a focused response within the given word limit
Open with a brief, engaging introductory paragraph
Include one or two specific, meaningful examples with descriptive details
Clearly articulate key lessons learned and skills developed
Connect past experiences or goals directly to the HBS program
Highlight relevant achievements while also addressing constructive criticism
Demonstrate self-awareness and commitment to continued growth
Close with a concise summary reinforcing fit and future contributions
With practice, insight from advisors, and by leveraging these Harvard examples, applicants can craft uniquely compelling essays that will favorably impress admissions officers reviewing hundreds of applications. Staying true to one’s authentic experiences while emphasizing the value proposition for HBS is key to standing out in a competitive pool.
Conclusion
The Harvard MBA application essay offers applicants an opportunity to share their unique background and qualities with admissions in a qualitative way. By learning from strong examples like those highlighted here and focusing responses accordingly, candidates can effectively convey their motivation, potential contributions to HBS, and how an elite business education will help achieve future career aspirations. With dedication to the process and passion for one’s goals, outstanding essays are an achievable part of a successful Harvard application.
Andrew Stroud