HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Essay Prompts & Tips (2025-26)

Harvard Business School recently updated its application essay prompts for its 2+2 deferred MBA program. Here is what you need to know and how to stand out.

I am an MBA admissions consultant and a GSB/HBS deferred admit with extensive experience helping candidates secure spots at top programs like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, and Kellogg. As a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, I know what it takes to write amazing essays that resonate with admissions committees. I have coached 40+ MBA candidates from diverse backgrounds to successfully navigate the application process and achieve their dream of attending elite business schools. In this guide, I will give my expert tips and tricks to craft the perfect HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Essay!

HBS 2+2 Essay Prompts (2025-26)

Those applying to the HBS 2+2 program in 2025 or later will no longer write the traditional "What else should we know about you?" essay. Instead, they will write three shorter, more targeted essays that each have a limit of 300 words. Two of those essays will be on personal topics, and one will be on career aspirations.

HBS 2+2 Essay Prompts (2025-26)

Prompt 1:

Prompt 2:

Prompt 3:

HBS 2+2 Essay Tips

1. Showcase Personal Growth and Self-Awareness

HBS values applicants who demonstrate a keen sense of self-awareness and personal development. Your essays should reflect your journey, how you've evolved, and what you've learned from your experiences.

• Example: If you led a project that faced significant challenges, don't just focus on the success (or the challenges!). Highlight what you learned about leadership, teamwork, and your own strengths and weaknesses.
• Show the way you and your mindset have grown and developed as a result of these experiences.

2. Articulate Clear Career Goals and Vision

HBS wants to understand your career aspirations and how their MBA program fits into that path. Be specific about your goals and how the knowledge and network at HBS will help you achieve them. For deferred applicants, specifically, this is very important. The school does not have a professional track record on which to judge you; instead, you have to show that your potential outweighs any risks in your candidacy.

• Example: Rather than stating a general desire to be in leadership, detail your ambition to lead a tech startup focusing on sustainable energy, explaining how HBS’s resources and alumni network will help you get there.

3. Demonstrate Leadership and Impact

Leadership is a core value at HBS. Your essays should showcase instances where you have made a meaningful impact, whether in your professional, academic, or community engagements. Show leadership wherever you can.

• Example: Describe a time when you initiated something, outlining the challenges faced, the impact it had, and what it taught you about leading.
• Don’t feel like you need to have the ‘right’ example. Whatever shows your impact and leadership best is the best example.

4. Reflect a Global Perspective and Diversity of Thought

HBS looks for candidates who bring diverse perspectives and understand global contexts. Illustrate your awareness and appreciation of different cultures, ideas, and viewpoints.

• Example: Share experiences where you worked in diverse teams or in different countries, focusing on how these experiences broadened your understanding and approach to problem-solving.

5. Craft a Cohesive Narrative

Your essays should collectively tell a story about who you are, linking your past experiences with your future aspirations. They should complement the rest of your application to present a well-rounded picture of your candidacy.

• Example: If your resume highlights extensive work in finance, your essays could discuss how this experience sparked your interest in fintech innovation, shaping your career goals and desire for an MBA at HBS. Do not reiterate information that is already found in the other areas of your application.
• Every single essay should feel like ‘you’. The AdCom should be able to pick up any of them and know who wrote it!

Remember, the essence of these tips is not just to inform the admissions committee about your achievements but to provide insights into your character, mindset, and potential to contribute to the HBS community and beyond. Good luck!

Claire R. is an expert MBA admissions consultant with a track record of helping candidates secure spots at top business schools, including Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, and Kellogg. As a GSB/HBS deferred admit and Knight-Hennessy Scholar, Claire knows firsthand what it takes to build a compelling application that resonates with admissions committees.

Claire has coached 40+ MBA candidates from diverse backgrounds, guiding them to craft authentic, impactful stories. Whether you’re navigating the HBS 2+2 application or developing your career vision, Claire’s strategic approach will set you up for success.

Book a free intro call with Claireto take the next step toward your dream MBA program!

Read these articles next:

• An Overview of the HBS 2+2 Program—and How to Kick Off Your Application
• Harvard Business School — MBA Program & Application Overview (2023)
• Top 10 Deferred MBA Programs in the US—and How to Get In
• The Deferred MBA Process and Top Programs: An Expert Guide
• 2023-2024 Harvard Business School MBA Application Deadlines
• A Guide to the HBS Essay