HBS 3 Accomplishment Essay Questions

[echou]

Can an admissions specialist or HBS alum please help me with these questions....

I am having difficulty picking my 3 accomplishments for the HBS essay.

1. I have been out of school now for 3.5 years. Is it appropriate to pick something from college, or is that too far back?
2. Is it important that the accomplishments had impacts other people or organizations (like an accomplishment at work) vs something you did solo that really impacted no one else (such as an independent trip around Asia you took)?
3. Is it better to pick a more significant accomplishment that you had a smaller role in (being an analyst on a large corporate transaction) or a less "important" accomplishment that you had a major role in (President of a student club in college that achieved something)?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Jessica@VeritasPrep]

Those are great questions.

1) Generally I don't recommend focusing on college, but, it is absolutely appropriate for this essay to pick a significant accomplishment from earlier in your life. Be sure to talk about the significance this had on your life after college (maybe it put you on a certain path or erased self-doubt, etc.).

2) Either type of accomplishment is fine. In fact, a "mix" of accomplishments is best. Something that you did on your own is great but I wouldn't pick three solo accomplishments.

3) I'd suggest the latter. Being in the right place at the right time (analyst on huge deal) isn't much of an accomplishment. HBS wants to know about you, not your colleagues! Of course, if you can spin a significant role that you took as part of a team, that is fine as well.

Good luck! I like how you are thinking about the questions. There really aren't right answers, but, a mix of stories is usually the best way to go (one personal, one professional, one "volunteer"). But, be honest with yourself. What truly are your 3 biggest accomplishments? Don't worry about categories and use those!! They ask you "why" you've selected them so that gives you some leeway as well.