ddietzel wrote:I just wanted to let those know that the date for the interview notifications has been announced via the HBS admissions blog. They will be sending around 200 invitations out on Monday, July 19th. From what I see there will be no waiting list, and those not invited will receive an immediate "ding"
EssaySnark says, there is never a waiting list for the interview process. Getting invited to interview is the first step; that alone does not guarantee an offer of admission. EssaySnark doesn't believe 2+2 ever had a waiting list in the past, so this is not to imply there would be one this year either, it's just meant as clarification on how things work. So on July 19th, 2+2 candidates either get invited for the on-campus interviewing scheduled for the week of August 18th, or you're out. Last year, BTW, interviews were held during the same week. So from here on out, EssaySnark believes the adcom will be following a similar schedule to last year, with decisions likely released around Labor Day. Last year, the decision date was 9/1, the Tuesday after the holiday. Probably the deadline was moved up two weeks to give the adcom more time for the initial review. On decision date, interviewed candidates will either get an offer, or be declined; again, probably no waitlist.
To comment on ddietzel's "no GPA" issue: don't worry, the bschools know how to evaluate transcripts from all the different universities and grading systems. HBS can translate how SAIC reports -- they've probably had plenty of other applicants from your university before, given the sheer volume of applicants over the years. Stanford doesn't issue grades for undergrad either, so HBS can deal with it. There is, in EssaySnark's opinion, no reason to try for a higher GMAT simply because your college doesn't issue grades.
A 690 GMAT probably qualifies, although do note that even if the GMAT range for 2+2 has been vast -- and realize, they've published the ENTIRE range, whereas almost every other "GMAT range" you'll ever see is the 80% range, which is a very different metric -- the average GMAT for last year's accepted 2+2 class was EXCEPTIONALLY high at 727/ This is probably the highest average GMAT of any program around. This obviously means that there were probably very, very few accepted apps below the ~680 point (just a guess on EssaySnark's part).
The other comment is, as you 2+2 applicants are likely already aware, in the first two years of this program, HBS was looking for kids who weren't traditional bschool material. This year, they specifically said that anyone should apply. In the past, the art school major would likely have been at an advantage. Who knows what evaluation criteria they're using now? And who knows if the volume of apps went up due to their change in strategy?
These are questions that few except the HBS adcom probably could answer, however they certainly affect each applicant's prospects.
EssaySnark wishes all you motivated and exceptional 2+2 candidates luck!!
