Welcome to this week’s edition of Wiki Wednesdays, in which we cull content from the Clear Admit Wiki to offer insight into the interview practices and admissions processes at the top MBA programs. Following up on last week’s Stanford-specific post, we thought we’d turn this week to Harvard. While some schools, like Wharton, have finished interviewing round one applicants and have already notified hopefuls their final decisions, both Harvard and Stanford issue invitations and conduct interviews up to their mid-January notification deadlines.
Though most HSB interviews are conducted on campus by members of the admissions committee (as the school is very focused on personality-based fit), this particular report comes from someone who met with an alum. One distinguishing characteristic of the Harvard interview, no matter the type of interviewer, is that they are conducted by someone who has read the applicant’s essays and is in a position to inquire about specific comments or events, and even prompt the candidate to share a story not mentioned in his or her written materials. Let’s take a look at the questions this wiki contributor was asked and consider what they might indicate about the school’s focus:
“1. How has your leadership style evolved and what leadership skills do you hope to gain from HBS?
2. What kind of international experience do you have?
3. How will you contribute to Harvard and what was your first impression of HBS when you visited the school?
4. What inspires you the most and why?
5. Who is your favorite leader? (and a lot of follow-up questions on the leader I mentioned)
6. What do you do outside work?”
The first of these prompts, paired with the school’s fourth essay question, suggests that Harvard’s interests extend beyond an applicant’s past leadership experiences and accomplishments. The school seems to be probing to determine the candidate’s level of self-awareness in leading others, seeking students who have carefully considered and worked to enhance their leadership styles. The question about a favorite leader also points to this emphasis and fishes for a hint at what sort of individuals the applicant aspires to emulate.
The insights that one can derive from just a list of questions – and their relevance in preparation for an interview – really illustrate the value of sharing one’s experiences with others through a resource like our wiki. This is why we urge those of you who have interviewed at a top program this season to contribute a brief description by creating an account or emailing your text to us at wiki@clearadmit.com. Meanwhile, those with interviews in the coming weeks are welcome to contact us at info@clearadmit.com for more information on our in-depth School Guides, general and school-specific interview guides, and mock interview services.
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