Should I use the HBS open essay for multiple purposes?

Share tips as you apply, write essays, interview...
This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:55 am
Followed by:1 members
I've read that the open essay is a good place to confront weaknesses in your application.

My three weaknesses I'd want to explain are:
1) Why I don't have my current direct super visor as a recommender (she's brand new)
2) Out of my 730 GMAT score, why is my quant score so low? (Q45 V46)
3) Why I don't have substantial EC leadership?

What are the thoughts out there? Experts?

thanks!

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:42 pm
Hello sir. You certainly CAN address multiple things in your Aditional essay.
whether you should address these specific things is another matter.
To answer your specific questions:
1) Why I don't have my current direct super visor as a recommender (she's brand new)
Good idea! Run with it.

2) Out of my 730 GMAT score, why is my quant score so low? (Q45 V46)
I don't think it's necessary. Yes, people often have higher quant and lower verbal. But you have a perfectly balanced score.

3) Why I don't have substantial EC leadership?
Not a good idea. It's far better to show as much leadership as you can in your essays and not bring this to their attention.

Hope this helps!
Last edited by Jon@Admissionado on Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 311
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:42 am
Thanked: 45 times
Followed by:18 members

by FutureWorks » Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:36 am
Hi,

Do mention to the adcom regarding the new supervisor bit you should be fine. EC leadership is usually something that most of the candidates highlight. If you can't highlight it than bringing it to their notice won't do anything substantial either.
All the best�

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:55 am
Followed by:1 members

by HeyArnold » Sat Nov 19, 2011 6:25 pm
Thanks guys,

Any thoughts on the fact that I took the GMAT 3 times? Is this something that will need explaining?

User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 78
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:13 pm
Location: New York City, NY
Thanked: 11 times
Followed by:1 members

by bizschoolprep » Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:13 am
HeyArnold wrote:Thanks guys,

Any thoughts on the fact that I took the GMAT 3 times? Is this something that will need explaining?
No. Business school will take the best score. Moreover, the more explaining you will do, the more eyebrows you will raise. Rather than trying to fill the optional essay to the word limit, use it succintly and to the point.
-BizSchoolPrep, MBA Admissions Consultant
www.bizschoolprep.com , Know what makes us different!