What Harvard Business School Is Actually Looking For in Your Essay

By the end of this session, you will: Understand what Harvard Business School is actually evaluating in your essay beyond your resume and accomplishments Learn how to approach an open-ended prompt strategically, including how to decide what is worth writing about Be able to assess whether your current story demonstrates judgment, self-awareness, and leadership maturity Understand how to select and frame experiences that signal depth rather than just achievement Learn how to write an HBS essay that feels focused, intentional, and credible without over-explaining Recognize the common mistakes that make strong candidates come across as scattered, superficial, or overly curated Walk away with a clear framework to build and refine your HBS essay ahead of Round 1