Want to Get Into Business School? Write Less, Talk More

Ross is also asking applicants to provide one recommendation letter, instead of two. Ms. Kwon said the additional letter often didn’t yield new, worthwhile information. Meanwhile, she said Ross will shift its emphasis to one-on-one interviews and team exercises in their evaluation of candidates.

Harvard Business School last year asked applicants to provide only one essay, and even made that optional. Dee Leopold, managing director of admissions and financial aid at HBS, said the changes made the application more “sensible” for both officials and applicants. Fewer than a dozen applicants chose to skip the essay; one of those was accepted, she said.

In 2004, the school asked applicants to complete six essay questions. Since then, said Ms. Leopold, one-on-one interviews have given officials a better sense of whether applicants are Harvard material. They’re not totally off the hook, however: applicants who win interviews must write a short essay, reflecting on the interview conversation, to be completed within 24 hours.

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