School guides · 2026-27
Harvard Business School
The essay prompts, word limits and deadlines for 2026-27, and what Harvard Business School says it looks for. Always check the official site before you submit.
What Harvard Business School looks for
- Business-Minded
- Leadership-Focused
- Growth-Oriented
Essays
Business-Minded
300 wordsBusiness-Minded: Please reflect on how your choices have influenced your career path and aspirations.
Leadership-Focused
250 wordsLeadership-Focused: What experiences have shaped how you invest in others and how you lead?
Growth-Oriented
250 wordsGrowth-Oriented: Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth.
Career aspirations
500 charactersBriefly tell us more about your career aspirations.
Reapplicant essay
250 words · optionalPlease use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular or volunteer engagements).
Deadlines
| R1 | September 9, 2026 |
|---|---|
| R2 | January 5, 2027 |
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Sources
- HBS application dates
- HBS: Who are we looking for
- HBS application guide 2026-27 (PDF)
- Clear Admit: HBS essays 2026-27 (essay wording and limits)
Last checked November 7, 2026. Storylode is not affiliated with Harvard Business School.