Updates from Harvard Admissions Director - 工管

In case you missed it, Harvard Business School (HBS) Dean of Admissions Dee
Leopold provided an array of miscellaneous updates regarding the admissions
process in a post to her Director’s Blog last week. Included was new
information about transcripts, class visits and upcoming events, as well as
information that Leopold feels bears repeating with regard to letters of
recommendation.

There has been a change this admissions season at HBS as far as transcripts
are concerned, Leopold reminded prospective applicants. “We are requiring
that all transcripts be uploaded this year,” she wrote. That means no more
templates for applicants to fill in their grades. The shift is intended to
make verification after admission easier for HBS. “Yes, you can scan and
upload,” Leopold wrote.

She also called attention to the fact that there are still a couple of
remaining information sessions in Boston, Los Angeles and several
international cities for prospective applicants hoping to learn more about
HBS and the admissions process. These events, like others that have preceded
them, will feature student and alumni panels, time for Q&A about admissions
and more.

Leopold apologized that it is still hard to secure a spot for class visits
despite the fact that HBS has opened up second-year classes to visitors for
the first time this year. “I wish it were easier,” she wrote. “If you find
yourself closed out of a class, it still may be worthwhile visiting. We’ll
have information sessions led by the Admissions Board, tours led by students
and lots of places you can wander and strike up conversations with students.
And really good food.”

The news on recommendations is old. Leopold simply wanted to reassure
prospective applicants that HBS does not require recommendations from current
supervisors. “If it’s possible, we strongly advise it. If it’s not, just
drop a brief explanation in the ‘additional information’ section of the
application,” she wrote. She went on to add that though they don’t ask for
a peer rec, she acknowledges that they can be very important in some cases,
such as when you’re trying to tell the admissions committee about a venture
you started in college or beyond. Finally, for applicants who work for family
businesses, Leopold advised making your best call on how to handle it. “It’
s rare that your mom or dad can be objective (although I’ve certainly seen a
few VERY frank ones!) so you’ll need to explore other options,” she wrote.
But she stressed that HBS likes having the family business perspective in the
classroom, so applicants in this position should not let it deter them.

In closing, Leopold challenged herself to add a new feature to her blog
entries, namely a weekly interview with a current student, perhaps
alternating between first and second years. “I’m going to be interviewing
one person each week on Thursday at 10 p.m. and asking about their day… and
what’s ahead between now and bedtime,” she wrote. The interviews will be
posted on Fridays starting in mid-September.

We look forward to them!

Kevin Chen
Clear Admit

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