FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Application: General
Application: Essays
Application: Work Experience
Application: Recommendations
Application: Interview
Application: Follow-up
2+2 Program
GMAT & TOEFL
Transcripts
Financing your MBA
HBS Learning Model
Student Life
Events and Networking Opportunities
Application - General
What is the timeline for applying?
HBS has three application deadline dates. For the class entering in 2010, the deadlines are: Thursday, October 1, 2009; Tuesday, January 19, 2010; and Thursday, April 8, 2010.
How will my application be evaluated?
Each application received is reviewed in depth by the Admissions Board. When selecting students we put an emphasis on leadership potential, strong academic ability, and personal qualities and characteristics. To find out more, read about our admissions criteria.
In which part of the application may I enter additional information, including special circumstances?
Please enter important information that you want the Board to know in the Additional Information section of the application.
How do I add new information if I have already submitted my application?
Once the application has been submitted, the Admissions Board is unable to accept application updates other than contact updates. If invited to interview, applicants may inform the Board of updates at that time.
Does the reputation/history or my undergraduate institution or company affect my chances of being accepted?
Our goal is to admit a class that offers a variety of perspectives. Therefore, we carefully consider individuals from a wide spectrum of academic and work experiences.
When I print the application in PDF format, parts of the application appear truncated, unclear and/or do not appear at all. Are these parts seen by the Admissions Board?
The Admissions Office receives the entire application in appropriate format and all fields are viewed clearly by the Board. The document that the applicant views is an unformatted version of the final document.
Applications - Essays
How closely do I need to adhere to the word limit?
Please respect the word limit specified for each essay question.
Applications - Work Experience
What is the desired length of work experience you wish to see in candidates?
HBS does not require a minimum number of years’ work experience prior to entering the MBA program, and it is important for you to assess your own readiness when deciding to apply. Successful candidates have the ability to demonstrate strength in our criteria regardless of the number of years of their work experience. We believe our MBA Program can be impactful for students with as little as 2-3 years of work experience.
What constitutes work experience?
Work experience includes opportunities in which students have been able to develop their professional and leadership skills.
Are there specific types of work experience that will make me a more attractive candidate?
Rather than focus on specific categories of work experiences, applicants should focus on their roles, responsibilities, and what they have learned from the types of work experiences that they have been involved in. The Admissions Board will look at the nature of the applicant’s work experience when evaluating the applicants’ ability to handle the academic rigor of our MBA program.
Applications - Recommendations
Who should recommendations come from?
The Admissions Board suggests that of the three recommendations, two come from professional references. Of these two, one recommendation should come from a current or recent supervisor. Recommenders should be individuals who know the candidate well and who can attest to the candidate's leadership ability.
What is the process for recommenders?
Candidates enter recommenders' names and email addresses into their online application. Recommenders then receive an email with a link to their recommendation. The recommendations are submitted separately from the candidates' application and will automatically be included in the application upon submission. Applicants should not wait for recommenders to submit their recommendations before submitting their applications.
Is the recommendation deadline the same as the application deadline?
Applicants should submit their applications as soon as they feel ready. Recommendations are submitted separately by the recommenders. Please bear in mind that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all three recommendations are submitted online by the deadline date for the round in which the applicant is applying.
Applications - Interview
When should I expect an invitation for an interview?
Interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis throughout the course of each application round. The timing of your interview does not imply anything about the status of your application nor does it impact your candidacy. Invitations to interview may be extended up until the notification date and are a positive indicator no matter when you receive them.
What should I expect for my interview?
Your interview will last approximately 30 minutes and will be conducted by a member of the MBA Admissions Board or one of our Alumni Interviewers. Interviews may take place in-person or over the phone.
How can I best prepare?
The purpose of the interview is to better understand you as an MBA candidate for our program. We encourage candidates to relax and be ready to talk about themselves.
Applications - Application Follow-up
Who should I contact if I have a question regarding my application status?
Any questions you have should be submitted to us via our online form at the top of this FAQ page.
When and how can I expect to hear back from HBS?
Notification dates are set according to each round. For the class entering in 2010, the notification dates are as follows: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 for Round 1; Tuesday, April 6, 2010 for Round 2; and Tuesday, May 18, 2010 for Round 3.
Will HBS provide feedback for students who have been rejected?
Due to the large number of applications we receive each year, we cannot accommodate requests for personalized feedback on your application. We receive 7,000 to 10,000 applications for approximately 900 places in the class, and therefore have to deny admission to many exceptional individuals. Also, please understand that the decision of the Admissions Board is final, and we cannot advise you on whether or not you should reapply in the future.
How long can I defer my acceptance?
Candidates should submit applications only for the year they plan to enter the MBA program. Postponements and deferrals are rarely granted and are considered on a case-by-case basis. We may grant deferred admission to a limited number of college seniors who we feel would benefit from and contribute to the MBA Program after some full-time work experience.
2+2 Program
When will the 2+2 application become available?
The 2+2 application will be available on our website in the Spring of 2010. If you introduce yourself to us, we will email you when the application becomes available.
I am a college senior (or recent graduate). Am I eligible to apply to the 2+2 program?
You are eligible to apply to the regular MBA program, but not the 2+2 Program. In order to be eligible for the 2+2 Program you must be a current college junior with at least one remaining semester, after July 2010, necessary for the completion of your degree.
College seniors and recent graduates are welcome to apply via the regular MBA application process. College senior applicants benefit from several special policies: a reduced application fee of $100, and the opportunity to postpone matriculation for up to two years. There is more information on applying directly from college on the HBS web site.
Which tests does the 2+2 Program accept?
The 2+2 Program accepts either the GMAT or the GRE as part of the application process.
Due to additional credits/my involvement in a co-op program/joint degree pursuits/etc., I will graduate in December of 2010. Am I eligible to apply to the 2+2 Program in July of 2010?
Yes. We require that applicants have at least one remaining semester to complete their degree when they apply.
My undergraduate concentration is in a business-related field, and I have had a lot of business exposure. Is 2+2 the right program for me?
The 2+2 Program is primarily targeted towards students who are not already on a business track (i.e. students studying the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, etc.). If your current academic training and internship experiences put you on a solid foundation to advance in a business career, 2+2 may not be the right program for you. We encourage candidates with a strong track record of leadership and business exposure to consider applying as college seniors to our regular MBA Program.
If I'm pursuing a 3- or 5-year degree, am I still eligible for the 2+2 program?
Yes. Students pursuing undergraduate degrees that are shorter or longer than 4 years are eligible to apply. Students should apply the summer prior to their final year of study.
Can I apply to 2+2 if I am interested in pursuing a joint degree (MBA/MPP or MPA-ID, MBA/JD, MBA/MD, MBA/DMD, etc.)?
Yes. Students admitted to the 2+2 Program are eligible to apply for joint degrees with other Harvard Graduate Schools. HBS currently participates in joint degree programs with Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard School of Dental Medicine. For more information about the joint degree programs offered by HBS, go to the Joint Degree Programs section on the HBS website.
If I apply to 2+2 and I'm not admitted, may I apply to the MBA program as a college senior?
Yes. Students who are not accepted to the 2+2 Program are welcome to apply as college seniors through the regular MBA application process.
If I apply to 2+2 and I'm not admitted, will it negatively affect my chances of acceptance to Harvard Business School in the future?
No. If you have applied to 2+2, you will be at neither an advantage nor disadvantage in comparison to other applicants.
Are international students eligible to apply to 2+2?
Yes. Domestic and international students alike are welcome to apply.
Will the 2+2 program guarantee me a job after graduation?
You are responsible for securing your two years of employment; however, the 2+2 Program will provide many resources to assist you. A dedicated HBS career coach will help you navigate your job search, and HBS will introduce you to a wide network of recruiting partners who have expressed interest in receiving resumes from participants in the 2+2 Program.
Are my job opportunities limited to the recruiting partners that HBS has enlisted?
Not at all. Our partner companies and organizations have indicated interest in providing opportunities for 2+2 admitted students; you are welcome, however, to go outside our list of partners for your two-years of work experience.
How many seats are available in the 2+2 program?
We admitted 106 students to the inaugural 2+2 cohort and don't expect that number to grow substantially. However, we will let the strength of the applicant pool determine the exact number of admission offers we extend.
How many letters of recommendation are required?
We require two letters of recommendation as part of the 2+2 Program application process.
Who should my recommendations come from?
Recommenders should be individuals who know you well and who can relate specific and relevant details about your abilities and performance. We believe that supervisors from an internship or part-time work experience, professors, advisors, and mentors can all serve as equally good recommenders. The Admissions Board discourages recommendations from peers, if possible.
When is the latest I can take the GMAT or GRE?
The GMAT or GRE is required by the 2+2 application deadline at 5 p.m. EST. When submitting your application, you must report the unofficial GMAT or GRE score given on the day of the test. This is the only score that the Admissions Board acknowledges. The official test score(s) sent by GMAC or ETS may arrive after the deadline dates, and this score will be used for verification purposes.
What should I expect from the interview process?
Interviews are conducted on the Harvard Business School campus, by invitation only, and at the discretion of the MBA Admissions Board. If you are invited to interview, you must participate in order to complete the application process. All interviews will take place on campus during August 2010 and will last approximately 30 minutes each.
Once I come to HBS, will I and the other 2+2 admitted students be part of a separate program?
No. Once 2+2 students begin their MBA experience on-campus, they will be integrated into the HBS community with all other students in the MBA Program.
GMAT, GRE, & TOEFL
What is the latest date test scores will be accepted?
When submitting your application, you must report the unofficial GMAT or GRE score given on the day of the test. This is the only score that the Admissions Board acknowledges. Your official score report may arrive from Pearson (for the GMAT) or ETS (for the GRE) after the deadline dates, and this score will be used for verification purposes. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years.
Please be advised that in order to apply for admission in 2010, GMAT scores must be dated January 1, 2005, or more recently. Please note that the HBS code for the GMAT is HRLX892. The HBS code for the GRE is 4064. For more information on the GMAT, please visit www.gmac.com. For more information about the GRE, please visit www.ets.org/gre.
TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years. These tests must be dated January 1, 2008 or more recently to be valid. Please note that HBS only accepts the Internet-based (IBT) version of the TOEFL.
If you have applied to HBS in the past and decide to reapply, report your scores on your application. However, you will NOT need to have the testing services resend your official scores to us if the ones we have are still valid.
Is there a minimum GMAT or GRE score required to apply?
No. We accept applicants with a wide range of test scores.
What is the range of GMAT scores for accepted students?
The Admissions Board hopes that all applicants will recognize the following: the full range of GMAT scores is very broad, that there is no "minimum" score requirement, and that the GMAT is just one piece of data among the many used to evaluate an application. 50% of the Class of 2009 scored between 700 and 740 on the GMAT.
Can I list only my best GMAT or GRE score?
Yes. We review only the score from a single test sitting that you present in your application.
Transcripts
How can I submit my transcript?
There are two ways to submit your transcript, either through a self-reporting Excel-based transcript form found within the application or uploading a scanned transcript. Please do not mail a hard copy of your transcript.
You may upload an "unofficial" or student copy of your transcript; however, we will request an official copy for verification purposes should you be admitted to HBS.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement to apply?
No. Although our students often have competitive undergraduate GPAs, there are many other equally important components of the application. GPA is just one factor the Admissions Board uses to evaluate a candidate.
What is the average GPA of accepted students?
Because we recognize that different schools use various grading criteria, it is difficult to determine an average GPA for the class. GPA is only one of many factors that the Admissions Board uses in evaluating an applicant.
Financing your MBA
Financial Aid: What is the estimated cost for one year at HBS?
To help you understand the costs associated with your education, the student budget for the class entering in 2007 for Terms I and II is outlined below. While living expenses vary from student to student, the Financial Aid and Fellowship Board uses the standard student budget in determining financial aid awards. This budget assumes a moderate student lifestyle. While the standard budget does not include the cost of a personal computer required for the MBA Program, you may finance your computer purchase with a loan. Your tuition and Program Support Fee will remain constant during your time at HBS. Other fees may increase. For more information, please refer to the cost summary page.
Financial Aid: What are some options for financing my HBS education?
HBS is committed to making the MBA Program accessible to students with a demonstrated financial need. The 2007-08 annual student tuition was $41,900. Although students are encouraged to draw on personal resources wherever possible to minimize debt, approximately 75% of Harvard Business School students receive some form of financial assistance, which is composed of a combination of fellowships and loans. Nearly 50% of the Class of 2009 received an average $22,000 per year in need-based HBS Fellowships. Loan repayment assistance is available for students who pursue lower-paying positions in the private sector or in social enterprise organizations.
HBS Learning Model
Case Method: What makes the HBS case method successful?
The case method prepares students for the challenges of leadership in the real world. Through the demanding, engaging, and proactive learning environment, it develops the knowledge, skills, and confidence to face the variety of difficult decisions that students will undoubtedly face throughout their careers. To learn more, you can watch Inside the HBS Case Method, read about the HBS Case Method in Action or schedule a class visit.
Sections: How is the curriculum structured?
Students spend their first two terms completing the Required Curriculum with a "section" of 90 students to which they are assigned. This group of students takes all their first-year classes together and becomes an intellectual and social circle. During the second year, students choose up to five courses per semester from a list of course offerings to build their elective curriculum of choice.
Academic Environment: Should I expect a more collaborative or competitive environment?
HBS encourages collaboration amongst students through organized learning groups, such as the section and learning teams. The learning teams consisting of six to seven students who work together on graded projects and as a study group throughout their first year. HBS assigns these groups during orientation to immediately start cultivating an important sense of camaraderie.
Academic Environment: Is it possible to cross register with other universities?
Yes. HBS students are able to cross register at Sloan School of Business at MIT, Fletcher school of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and any of the other Harvard University graduate programs. During your second year you are able to cross-register for up to two courses toward your MBA degree or may choose to cross-register for an extra course for enrichment only such as a language class.
Student Life
What are the extracurricular activities available?
Harvard Business School is home to over 70 industry, regional, sports, and other student interest clubs. The Student Association offers over 200 leadership positions through which students can serve as liaisons between the MBA student body and the faculty and administration. Additionally, students have access to over 300 speaker events, 10 conferences, multiple career treks, and various social activities (including International Week, the HBS Health Fair, Newport Ball, Holidazzle, Section Olympics, the Dean's Fall Community Party, First Year Thanksgiving Dinners, Restaurant Associates Movie Nights, and the HBS Show) scheduled throughout the school year.
What percentage of students lives on campus?
Over 80% of HBS students live in HBS dorms or Harvard affiliated housing. These residence halls range from dorm rooms to three-bedroom apartments. Because of the very high demand for residence halls, on-campus housing is assigned through a lottery.
What are my transportation options?
The HBS campus is accessible via either car or public transportation. It is not necessary to own a car while living in the Cambridge/Boston area because of the convenient subway and bus systems.
What social opportunities do Harvard Square and Cambridge/Boston offer?
Harvard Square and the neighboring Cambridge and Boston areas offer ample opportunities for students to take part in social and entertainment activities.
Events and Networking Opportunities
How can I sign up for a campus tour?
There is no need to sign up for a campus tour. Just arrive at the Admissions Office in Dillon House at 3pm on any weekday from October through April. Campus tours are not offered in the summer, but you may still attend information sessions.
How can I sign up for a classroom visit and is there a limit to how many I can attend?
To schedule a class visit please refer to the "Visit HBS" section of our website at least one to two weeks prior to your expected arrival date. To attend, be sure to bring your class visit e-mail confirmation. Due to the high volume of class visit requests, you may only schedule one class visit. On any day a class visit is held, you are also invited to take part in our lunch program, during which MBA students will join you for an informal lunch.
What events are held for accepted students?
We hold Admitted Student Weekends in March and April.
As a student, will I have the opportunity to network with alumni through organized events?
Absolutely. HBS has many networking events and networking tools available to it students. For example, many student clubs organize treks to economic hot spots throughout the world, giving students unparalleled opportunities to network and learn about internship and job possibilities. Also, student clubs hold career-related events for specific areas of interest. Finally, students have the opportunity to network with the more than 40,000 HBS alumni have made themselves available to current students to help them explore career opportunities. To learn more about our networking offerings visit Your Career.
