Round 2 Application Instruction Updates from HBS

Harvard Business School’s MBA Admissions Office will close for Winter Break at 12 noon tomorrow, December 23rd, and remain closed through January 3, 2011. For those who are still hard at work completing their Round 2 applications, HBS has posted a comprehensive list of application instruction updates designed to answer any questions that may arise while admissions officials are out of the office.

Included among the application instruction updates are specific requirements related to various components of the application, including transcripts, letters of recommendation and test scores. For example, where recommendations are concerned, three are required for an application to be complete, but the Board will begin reviewing applications with only two recommendations submitted. Additionally, recommendations may only be submitted online. Hard-copy recommendations will not be confirmed in the application.

Other updates in the document include clarifications or more detailed instructions regarding how to fill in certain data fields in the application form itself. For example, when providing their GPA, applicants are asked to list each school year separately followed by the cumulative GPA. Applicants who attended a school not using a 4.0 grading scale are asked to leave this section blank rather than calculate or convert to a GPA.

Finally, the document tells Round 2 applicants what to expect once they submit their applications. Specifically, candidates will receive instant confirmation upon submission but should expect no further email confirmation. Application status will remain as “Submitted” until the Round 2 decision date.

All Round 2 applicants to HBS will want to read this list of application instruction updates carefully to ensure that your submissions are in compliance. Best of luck to you all!