Harvard Business School

CANDIDATE:  KT, USA

QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Science, Joint Major in Computer Science & Mathematics, Harvey Mudd College

PRE-MBA INDUSTRY: Technology

EXPERIENCE:  6 years

GPA: 3.6

GRE/GMAT: 339 (GRE)

ADMITTED TO: Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School



Building a Cohesive Story For Admissions at Harvard Business School

Background

Raised in a home where empathy came naturally, KT understood early on that strong communities can be a lifeline in times of adversity. During his undergraduate years, he mentored international and neurodiverse students, launching resume workshops, cultural orientation sessions, and peer support groups. As an employee at Microsoft, he co-founded an initiative to support BIPOC employees and ultimately secured long-term funding for a formal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Working Group. He also contributed to the development of responsible and trustworthy AI systems. Beyond his professional life, he created creative spaces for fiction writers and designed a solo-writing game that was funded through Kickstarter. He wanted to pursue an MBA to gain deeper business insight and accelerate his transition into product management and strategy roles within the AI space.

KT came to us with a strong foundation in technology and a clear passion for AI. However, his multifaceted profile, spanning technology, DEI, and storytelling, required a cohesive, clear, and richly layered narrative.  He needed help streamlining his background to build a standout MBA profile. 

Approach

We worked closely with KT to clarify his goals, focus on the business side of AI, and link them to his past work. We also guided him in using HBS’s three new essays strategically, ensuring each highlighted a different side of his leadership and impact within a cohesive narrative. His writing, shaped by a creative lens, initially lacked business-style clarity, so we helped him refine it by emphasizing “show, don’t tell” and using clear examples to convey both character and competence.

Key Takeaway

After receiving offers from Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School, KT opted for the latter. His success shows the power of clear goals and strong storytelling. It highlights two key lessons: first, setting specific post-MBA goals makes your vision more believable; second, great essays demonstrate your impact through actions, not statements. His journey proves that when your unique experiences are shaped with intention, they can become your greatest strength.