With the recent release of the 2014 HBS application, it is clear that shortening the number of essays is a trend that is here to stay for now. With only one essay on the HBS application this year, it is becoming more important than ever to not only communicate effectively and concisely, but also to leverage the balance of the application and of course the interview to stand out from the crowd. You must always be thinking of how you look compared to someone else with the exact same background, cultural experience and involvement because trust me, they are out there. Everyone thinks of themselves as unique, but when you enter a pile with other unique folks, you suddenly are not so unique anymore. For this reason, I always encourage clients to tell stories vs. give descriptions. Tell them not only what happened but why it mattered to you and how it has shaped you. Best of luck during this new season!