For the first time in more than a decade, Harvard Business School has updated its essay questions.

In this much-anticipated series, we sit down with HBS alum and longtime SBC consultant Yvette to talk about each of these questions and share suggestions, tips and strategies regarding how best to approach these new essay prompts.

In this segment, we tackle the second question:

Leadership-Focused Essay: What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)

In this episode, we discuss:

• What this question is REALLY asking (and what it isn't),
• A discussion of what "leadership" means in the context of this question and what leaership experiences might be appropriate for this essay
• Possible ways to structure your essay response,
• Specific things you should do when answering this question,
• Possible pitfalls you should avoid when answering this question, and
• How this essay fits into your larger application

This essay is a MUST for anyone thinking of applying to HBS. Special thanks the many SBC consultants and former admissions officers who shared useful advice and guidance that informed this episode.

For the first time in more than a decade, Harvard Business School has updated its essay questions.

In this much-anticipated series, we sit down with HBS alum and longtime SBC consultant Yvette to talk about each of these questions and share suggestions, tips and strategies regarding how best to approach these new essay prompts.

In this segment, we tackle the first question:

Business-Minded Essay: Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)

In this episode, we discuss:

• What this question is REALLY asking (and what it isn't),
• One possible way to structure your essay response,
• How to decide which experience(s) from your own life to share (and the importance of sharing what you LEARNED),
• Specific things you should do when answering this question,
• Possible pitfalls you should avoid when answering this question, and
• How this essay fits into your larger application

This essay is a MUST for anyone thinking of applying to HBS. Special thanks the many SBC consultants and former admissions officers who shared useful advice and guidance that informed this episode.

Perhaps more than any MBA acceptance pair, many applicants dream of being admitted to both the Stanford Graduate School of Business (the GSB) and Harvard Business School (HBS).

In this three-part series, two GSB + HBS dual admits -- host Chandler and SBC consultant Dawn -- sit down for a series of VERY candid conversations about gaining admission to these two schools.

• In the first segment, our hosts start by sharing some important context for how this podcast should be used (and how it shouldn't). Afterwards they share their personal takes on what types of students tend thrive in each environment.
• In the second segment, our host are more data driven, with Dawn and Chandler reviewing successful applicant profiles from each school.
• In this final third segment, Dawn dives deep into what some call the "unicorn" of the MBA applicant world... those applicants who are fortunate enough to earn admission to both programs.

This episode is a must-listen for any applicant applying to either of these schools.