730 GMAT Score Got Me Into Harvard, How?

Summary

The speaker reflects on their diverse internship experiences, particularly at BCG and Deutsche Bank, expressing a desire for more meaningful work. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness in career choices, highlighting their realization that their passion lies in the food supply chain sector. The discussion also covers their decision to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School, focusing on the value of storytelling in applications and the unique case study learning method that fosters critical thinking and collaboration among peers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker found their internship at BCG unfulfilling, feeling that their contributions lacked meaningful impact.
• 😀 They experienced a variety of industries during their internships, which helped them explore different career paths.
• 😀 A realization emerged that tangible, hands-on work was more appealing than analytical tasks in finance.
• 😀 The speaker's family background in stock broking influenced their interest in investment banking, yet the experience at Deutsche Bank also felt limited.
• 😀 An internship in the food supply chain provided a sense of purpose and alignment with their career interests.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-awareness gained through internships to discover what truly resonates with them professionally.
• 😀 Pursuing an MBA was motivated by a desire for greater decision-making authority and skill development.
• 😀 The admission process for Harvard Business School values a compelling personal narrative over just high GMAT scores.
• 😀 HBS's unique case study method encourages informed decision-making and participation from students with diverse backgrounds.
• 😀 The speaker became more engaged with entrepreneurship during their time at HBS, focusing on practical applications outside of the classroom.

Q & A

What role did the speaker have at BCG, and how did they feel about it?

The speaker interned in the knowledge team at BCG, where they created graphs for slides in presentations. They found the work unfulfilling and didn't see it as meaningful for their career.

How did the speaker's experiences in different internships shape their career path?

The speaker's internships provided insights into various industries, helping them understand what they enjoyed and wanted to pursue, ultimately guiding their decision to join the family business.

What was a key takeaway from the speaker's internship at Deutsche Bank?

The speaker worked on a niche project related to the lifting of sanctions on Iran, which provided them with unique insights into investment banking, though they still preferred more tangible work.

What prompted the speaker to consider further education, like an MBA?

Frustrated with their decision-making power in the family business, the speaker sought to gain specific skills and a seat at the table through further education.

How did the speaker approach their application to business schools?

The speaker applied only to two schools, viewing it as a high opportunity cost, and focused on how their experiences aligned with their goals.

What was the composition of the speaker's class at HBS?

The speaker's class was notably large due to COVID-19, with around 1,000 students, including a significant number of Indian nationals.

How does the speaker describe the importance of storytelling in the application process for HBS?

The speaker emphasized that having a coherent narrative explaining their career choices and motivations is crucial for standing out in the admissions process.

What is the case study method at HBS, and how does it benefit students?

HBS uses the case study method to encourage students to make informed decisions based on limited information, fostering confidence and engagement in discussions.

What role do group projects play in the HBS learning experience?

Group projects, often in diverse teams, allow students to engage with a broad range of classmates, enhancing collaboration and learning outside the traditional classroom.

How did the speaker transition from classroom learning to entrepreneurship during their time at HBS?

The speaker became increasingly involved in the entrepreneurship ecosystem at HBS, prioritizing practical application over classroom theory and successfully launching a business plan competition.