Harvard Business School has decided to really shake things up this year by having applicants answer a single MBA essay question with no word count limit.

https://www.stacyblackman.com/2013/05/30 ... ay-prompt/

Here it is:

"You're applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, school transcripts, extra-curricular activities, awards, post-MBA career goals, test scores and what your recommenders have to say about you. What else would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?"

In a post today on the director's blog, MBA Admissions Director Dee Leopold notes the reduction in number of essays acknowledges that there will always be a wide range of subject matter and degree of polish in the essays of admitted applicants, and that "it's not an essay-writing contest."

"I also think that removing the word limit brings this process closer to the way things work in the Real World which is always our goal," Leopold adds.

MBA Class of 2016 Application Deadlines

Round 1

Deadline: September 16, 2013

Notification: January 11, 2014

Round 2

Deadline: January 6, 2014

Notification: March 26, 2014

Round 3

Deadline: April 7, 2014

Notification: May 14, 2014

Leopold noted other changes that this upcoming application cycle will bring. Candidates will be required to submit just two letters of recommendation, rather than the three of previous years. Also, HBS will continue to require the "post-interview reflection," where candidates must submit a written reflection using their online application system within 24 hours following the completion of the interview.

All applications are due at 12 noon EST on the day of the deadline. If submitted after 12 noon, applications will be considered in the following round. For more information, visit HBS's admissions website.The application will go live in the next few days, so stay tuned for that, as well as our thoughts on how to approach the single essay prompt.