MBA

Harvard Business School invites students in. Into two years of leadership practice immersed in real-world challenges. Into a diverse community of colleagues and faculty reflecting a world of talents, beliefs, and backgrounds. Into an intense period of personal and professional transformation that prepares you for challenges in any functional area—anywhere in the world.

To experience the HBS MBA is to go inside the issues that matter—and to reach inside yourself for the strength, skills, and confidence you will develop to face them. In every case, class, event, and activity, you are asked not only to study leadership, but to demonstrate it.

Each day at HBS begins with one question: "What will you do?" Because that's the truest way to prepare you for the larger question that matters most, here and in your career beyond our campus: "What difference will you make in the world?"

This is how the HBS MBA makes a difference:

Management across any function

Change is the one thing you can expect with certainty. That's why we have carefully crafted the MBA Curriculum to help you develop a capacity for analysis, assessment, judgment, and action that you can exercise throughout the course of any career you choose to pursue.

Learning in practice

It's one thing to learn a theory from lectures and textbooks. It's something else entirely to learn how to make decisions in the face of conflicting data, complex politics, and intense time and fiscal pressures—then defend your choices among peers as motivated and intelligent as you are. That's exactly what you'll do at HBS, not once but over 500 times through two years of in-depth, case-method learning that puts you in the role of the decision maker. Field studies, career treks, and in-depth Immersions under faculty guidance take students to the frontiers of new markets, practices, and technologies across the globe.

An engaging community

At its core, HBS student life is built around an intense section experience that's invigorated with School-wide club events, student organizations, guest speakers, seminars, sports, conferences, and more. In fact, many of our student profiles share a common theme: how MBA candidates have not only found a community of support, but a close-knit network of friendships that last a lifetime. Everything on the HBS campus—from our multimedia classrooms to our gourmet-quality dining facilities—is designed to encourage community collaboration for a richer learning experience.

The world's business school

The HBS experience is inherently international. One-third of the more than 250 cases developed each year are international in scope, and a wide variety of MBA courses and cases directly address global business issues. To support its research and case development process, the School maintains a network of Global Research Centers that reach from the Asia-Pacific to the Silicon Valley, from Latin America to India and Europe. But the global connections at HBS are personal as well. Every section is in itself a virtual seminar in international relations, drawing talented students from all over the world—and from every industry and professional interest—into active discussions enriched by diverse perspectives and points of view.

A network of success

When you graduate with an MBA from Harvard Business School, you earn a place within a community of nearly 70,000 business leaders in 150 countries. More than 40,000 of our alumni have made themselves available to help current students build connections and uncover business opportunities throughout their careers. Whether you're interested in corporate management, entrepreneurial enterprises, or nonprofit leadership, as MBA students, you'll find experienced, top-level business professionals eager to lend you their support.

Learning in Practice

There are special moments that pull everything we have learned into focus. When theory, practice, experience and talent all come to one sharp point — a decision that shapes a definitive course of action. When it's no longer an issue of what can be done, but of what you will do.

Decisive moments define a Harvard Business School education. Here, everything from Section life to case studies, from field-based learning to international Immersions, culminates in one larger lesson — what it means to assume leadership within an ever-growing, ever-changing world.

Through case method courses, learning team discussions, multimedia simulations and more, you exercise the leadership skills you will practice in business and beyond. The issues are complex, the stakes high, and the demands challenging. But as a result, you leave HBS with lessons in leadership that are practical, priceless and most importantly, real.

A Commitment to Teaching

I n an HBS classroom, faculty lead 90 individuals from all over the world in discussions that challenge, provoke, and inspire. Under skillful faculty direction, classrooms become crucibles for leadership: students test their judgment, explore complex ideas, and embrace new models and methods for effective business management.

Our high expectations demand exceptional commitment. For every hour of class time, an HBS faculty member dedicates many hours of preparation that includes individual case review, writing notes and lessons plans, and collaborative analysis among colleagues. While instructing classes, teaching takes priority over every other obligation including research, writing, and administrative duties. Faculty dedication is motivated by its reward: an exciting, energized classroom that's thoughtfully choreographed, yet open to unexpected insights and understanding.

“As a teacher, I place students at the top of my priority ladder. My mission is to enable them to develop and realize their potential as leaders. Helping them achieve that is a lifelong commitment and source of continual satisfaction.”

James E. Austin, Professor, Emeritus

HBS faculty are pioneers in the study of emerging companies and industries; leaders who have run important companies and agencies; and entrepreneurs whose innovations have sparked change and opportunity for others. But above all, they are teachers who transform students into professionals capable of assuming responsibility in business and in the world.

The HBS Case Method in Action

Pioneered by HBS faculty and one of the highlights of the HBS experience, the case method is a profound educational innovation that presents the greatest challenges confronting leading companies, nonprofits, and government organizations—complete with the constraints and incomplete information found in real business issues—and places the student in the role of the decision maker. There are no simple solutions; yet through the dynamic process of exchanging perspectives, countering and defending points, and building on each other's ideas, students become adept at analyzing issues, exercising judgment, and making difficult decisions—the hallmarks of skillful leadership.

Over 80 percent of cases sold throughout the world are written by HBS faculty, who produce approximately 350 new cases per year.

Simply put, we believe the case method is the best way to prepare students for the challenges of leadership.

How the HBS Case Method Works

When students are presented with a case, they place themselves in the role of the decision maker as they read through the situation and identify the problem they are faced with. The next step is to perform the necessary analysis—examining the causes and considering alternative courses of actions to come to a set of recommendations.

“... now I can't imagine learning any other way, even with very technical material. Unlike a lecture-based education, you don't concentrate your preparations around exams; you're always preparing yourself with every case. You internalize more of the material than you realize.”

Davinder Singh, MBA '08

To get the most out of cases, students read and reflect on the case, and then meet in learning teams before class to "warm up" and discuss their findings with other classmates. In class—under the questioning and guidance of the professor—students probe underlying issues, compare different alternatives, and finally, suggest courses of action in light of the organization's objectives.

As you watch a case study unfold in class, you'll see students doing 85 percent of the talking, as the professor steers the conversation by making occasional observations and asking questions. This classroom interaction is enriched by ninety classmates from diverse industries, functions, countries, and experiences. At the end of the class, you'll be amazed at what you learn from exchanging ideas with your classmates.

Class participation is so important to the learning model at HBS that 50 percent of a student's grade in many courses is based on the quality of class participation. This requires students and faculty to work closely together—another hallmark of the HBS experience. During their time at the School, students study and prepare over 500 cases.

How The HBS Case Method Works

When students are presented with a case, they place themselves in the role of the decision maker as they read through the situation and identify the problem they are faced with. The next step is to perform the necessary analysis—examining the causes and considering alternative courses of actions to come to a set of recommendations.

To get the most out of cases, students read and reflect on the case, and then meet in learning teams before class to "warm up" and discuss their findings with other classmates. In class—under the questioning and guidance of the professor—students probe underlying issues, compare different alternatives, and finally, suggest courses of action in light of the organization's objectives.

“... now I can't imagine learning any other way, even with very technical material. Unlike a lecture-based education, you don't concentrate your preparations around exams; you're always preparing yourself with every case. You internalize more of the material than you realize.”

Davinder Singh, MBA '08

As you watch a case study unfold in class, you'll see students doing 85 percent of the talking, as the professor steers the conversation by making occasional observations and asking questions. This classroom interaction is enriched by ninety classmates from diverse industries, functions, countries, and experiences. At the end of the class, you'll be amazed at what you learn from exchanging ideas with your classmates.

Class participation is so important to the learning model at HBS that 50 percent of a student's grade in many courses is based on the quality of class participation. This requires students and faculty to work closely together—another hallmark of the HBS experience. During their time at the School, students study and prepare over 500 cases.

The Section Experience

Upon arrival at HBS, students are assigned to a specific "section"—a group of approximately ninety students with whom they will complete the Required Curriculum. The section's rich mix of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and ambitions reflects the greater diversity of the class and much of the world as well. Section mates take their first-year classes together, sharing cases, classroom facilities, and their own dedicated team of faculty. Section faculty teach and manage the learning environment, using their own research and real-world experience to introduce innovative ideas and approaches to learning. In turn, students exercise their team-building and management skills to develop protocols for effective learning and shape the distinctive norms and personality of their sections.

“My friendship with classmates is the most meaningful experience at HBS. The section helps seal a permanent bond among people from all over the world.”

Matt Payne, MBA '08

Students quickly discover that the section experience gets them fully engaged during their first year at HBS and beyond, helping to forge lasting friendships and invaluable contacts for life. In effect, the section becomes a safe and intimate haven where, under the encouragement of mutual support, students can apply newly acquired skills and leadership abilities. It's one of the most formative and defining experiences at HBS.

Curriculum

The MBA Program curriculum is split into two different yet complementary learning experiences:

The Required Curriculum (RC) forms the first year of study and establishes a common foundation in the fundamental practices of business including finance, marketing, leadership, negotiation, operations, strategy, and more. All students participate in the same set of classes within their section of 90 colleagues. In addition to acquiring specific analytical and quantitative skills, students become acclimated to MBA Program standards of communication and collaboration, and develop strong, lasting relationships among themselves.

The Elective Curriculum (EC) follows the RC's breadth of experience with an opportunity for depth, breadth, or both: students choose from among 96 courses in ten subject areas as well as field-based learning opportunities to gain a more concentrated expertise in the industries, functions, and ideas that interest them most. Additionally, cross registration enables students to take classes at other select graduate programs during their EC year.

Academic Preparation

Because HBS students bring a wide array of backgrounds and talents to the MBA Program, it is essential that they develop a common vocabulary of skills and terminology in key areas before they start class. To maximize the benefits of this diversity, students must have an understanding of accounting, finance, and quantitative methods before matriculation. Some students may be asked to use additional resources, such as local courses or reading, or to attend the on-campus Analytics Program to further develop their capabilities in these skill areas.

Field-Based Learning

More than 50 percent of HBS students take learning out of the classroom and into the workplace in faculty-supervised field-based learning. These Field Study and Individual Student Research projects are designed to help students deepen their knowledge in a particular area of interest.

Field Study

A Field Study is typically conducted by a team of three or more students who work closely with a sponsoring organization and a faculty advisor. Projects may involve a product launch, new business development, or research aimed at solving a real-world problem. Sponsoring organizations range from small entrepreneurial ventures to large corporations, from manufacturers to nonprofits. Recent project sponsors include Disneyland, Cybersmith, BMW, Nike, Children's Hospital Boston, African Communications Group, and the New England Conservatory of Music. Teams have also developed their own business plans.

Individual Student Research

The Individual Student Research project presents an opportunity for a student to study a specific topic of interest in depth under the close direction of a faculty member. In recent years, this learning experience has become more popular as students link independent field-based learning to their career planning and job search.

Field-based learning is a remarkable opportunity for students to truly personalize their education as they make connections and gain experience in their chosen fields.

Harvard Business School Joint Degree Programs

Bringing a Business Leadership Perspective
to Government, Law, Medicine, and Dentistry

I n collaboration with four Harvard University graduate schools, Harvard Business School has created five joint degree programs designed to prepare individuals for complex leadership challenges that balance expertise with effective management skills. Learn more at the links below about each program's mission/purpose and curriculum, as well as information about admission and financial aid. Meet members of these joint degree program communities through student profiles.

Harvard Kennedy School

• MBA/MPP (Master of Public Policy)
• MBA/MPA-ID (Master of Public Administration-International Development)

Harvard Law School

• JD/MBA

Harvard Medical School

• MD/MBA

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

• DMD/MBA

Required Curriculum

HBS's MBA curriculum includes a range of exciting courses and is frequently refreshed with new content. The goal is to give students a firm grasp of broad-based fundamentals. The School's inductive learning model goes beyond facts and theories—a process that teaches individuals not only how to manage organizations, but also how to continually grow and learn throughout life.

During the first year at HBS, all students pursue the same course of study: the Required Curriculum. By studying under a common curriculum, students build a solid, broad foundation of general management concepts and skills across all the key disciplines.

Term I Courses

The following first-term required courses use the point of view of the general manager to focus on the internal functional operations of business enterprises.

Term II Courses

The following second-term Required Courses build on the curriculum of the first term, and cover the relationship of the organization to larger economic, governmental, and social environments.

Elective Curriculum

During the second year, students choose from an unparalleled range of elective courses to build on the basic concepts developed in the Required Curriculum. This portion of the program enables students to integrate the functional skills learned in the first year into an understanding of the firm as a total enterprise.

Students may take any combination of courses—up to five courses per semester—and also have the opportunity to cross-register for courses in other select graduate programs.

Elective Course Descriptions

Consult the online listing of Elective Curriculum MBA courses for faculty biographies, unit overviews, and detailed course descriptions.

Cross-Registration

Opportunities for students to take classes at other select graduate programs during their second year.

Learning Resources

At HBS, even the physical construction of the classrooms is carefully planned to fulfill the needs of our participatory learning model. To accommodate the energetic discussions of case-based learning, HBS classrooms feature an amphitheater seating design that gives every student unobstructed sightlines to the boards, the professor, and one another.

Each room is fitted with multimedia technology for introducing video, videoconferencing, presentations, and live web-based material into case discussions. With the use of voting technology at each seat, professors can gather real-time feedback from students.

First-year students in the Required Curriculum share the same room with their section mates for all their classes.

Baker Library | Bloomberg Center

One of the premiere business libraries in the world, Baker Library | Bloomberg Center is named after George F. Baker, the New York banker who donated $5 million in 1924 to build the HBS campus, and contains more than half a million volumes and 7,000 periodicals covering a wide spectrum of management subjects. Its extensive archives and up-to-the-minute contemporary resources provide a foundation for historical research, the study of emerging business practices, and the investigation of career opportunities. The Exchange, located just inside the South entrance of the Baker Library | Bloomberg Center building, is a place for students to get together and experience real-time happenings in the business and financial world.

Initiatives

To expand case material and encourage research and field study in targeted business areas, HBS supports a number of interdisciplinary initiatives that coordinate multiple efforts and resources:

The Entrepreneurship Initiative fulfills our conviction that a top business school must be an "incubator of ideas." We encourage students with the resources and support they need to explore new ideas and learn how to take a new company boldly into the future.

The Global Initiative expands the School's long history of international involvement. Our unprecedented global research centers—in Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Paris, and Tokyo—assist faculty in case writing and research, and deepen relationships with companies, universities, and governments worldwide to address the rapidly evolving demands of an increasingly global marketplace.

The Healthcare Initiative integrates the extensive research, thought leadership, and interest in the business and management of healthcare that thrives at HBS.

The Leadership Initiative drives the School's mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world by ensuring that HBS remains at the forefront of leadership research and development for the 21st century and beyond.

The Social Enterprise Initiative plays a critical role in the School's mission by integrating social enterprise-related research, teaching, and activities into HBS daily life, and by offering students from all sectors opportunities to prepare for leadership roles in social enterprise and cross-sector careers.

MBA Class Profile

A truly diverse student body — in background, nationality, interests and ambitions — is the foundation of the HBS experience. Indeed, these differences are critical to the HBS learning model, which thrives on the many perspectives and life experiences our students from all over the world bring to their classes. From academic assignments to casual conversations, the unique qualities of individual lives enrich the education of the entire community.

For historical information on the MBA class visit these additional statistics.

Class of 2011

Admissions
Total MBA Enrollment	937
Applications	9,093
% Admitted	12%
Yield	89%

  * Includes class years 2006-2009:
2009 - 1
2008 - 15
2007 - 130
2006 - 293

24 Hours: A Sample Student Schedule

O n any given day, an MBA student's schedule includes academics, such as classes and case preparation, along with a rich variety of career-related extracurricular activities, HBS special events and programs, personal recreation, club-related meetings and events, and casual socializing with peers. A typical class day for a first-year MBA student may look like the schedule below. See what unfolds over 24 Hours in the varied lives of actual MBA students by clicking on the "24 Hours with ..." link from within each student's profile.

6:30-7:30	Gym
7:30-8:30	Learning Team
8:40-10:00	Class: Finance
10:20-11:40	Class: Business, Government, and the International Economy (BGIE)
11:40-1:00	Networking lunch with second-year student
1:10-2:30	Class: Strategy
3:00-4:00	Career Trek information session
4:00-5:00	Company presentation
6:00-7:00	Basketball versus Section C
7:00-11:00	Dinner and read/prepare tomorrow's cases

A class day in which students also have interviews may look like this:

7:30-8:30	Learning Team
8:40-10:00	Class: Entrepreneurial Manager
10:20-11:40	Class: Negotiation
11:40-1:00	Brown-bag lunch with classmates who worked in media
1:10-2:30	Class: Leadership and Corporate Accountability
3:00-4:00	Interview #1
4:00-5:30	Prepare for next interview
5:30-6:00	Travel to off-campus interview
6:00-6:45	Interview #2
7:00-9:00	Dinner with company #2
9:00-12:00	Read/prepare tomorrow's cases

Student Activities, Government, and Clubs

Would you like to…

• head a career trek to India?
• captain an ice hockey team that competes against other top MBA programs?
• run one of the many well-known student conferences?
• show off your country's traditional dance during International Week?
• be part of the Student Association Orientation Committee?

There are abundant opportunities to participate in student government and clubs as well as activities that match your particular interests, whether you are looking for a diversion from academic life or to have a significant impact on the HBS community.

“It not only has changed the way I make business decisions, but has forced me to contemplate broader issues in my life: How should I live? What are the most important values? What impact can I make?”

Monica Liu MBA '07

With more than 70 clubs and over 200 leadership positions in the Student Association, there are many ways to refine your leadership and organizational management experience, explore interests, and make friendships that will last a lifetime.

Campus Activities

In addition to more than 300 speakers and nearly 20 conferences each year on the HBS campus, there are many annual activities hosted by clubs, the Student Association, sections, the MBA Program, and the School. These include International Week, the HBS Health Fair, Newport Ball, Holidazzle, Section Olympics, First-Year Thanksgiving Dinners, Movie Nights, the HBS Business Plan Contest in either the Business Venture Track or the Social Venture Track, and the HBS Show.

Community

A t HBS, breakthrough moments can happen any time: in a late-night discussion among peers, during a journey along India's east coast, in service to a neighborhood nonprofit—or simply while relaxing in a Spangler lounge or competing on the tennis court. While formal education is concentrated within academics, the transformation of potential into leadership is realized through every aspect of the HBS experience. To explore student life here is to investigate multiple ways to learn, to connect, to lead.

“HBS takes diversity to a different level. In any given class, someone with a background relevant to the case will spontaneously offer intelligent insights about it. During a discussion on a case set in the former Soviet Union, two students who grew up under Communist regimes talked about the experience.”

Scott Benson MBA '08

Being prepared to lead means being prepared for a multilingual, multicultural and international environment. Just as leadership is nurtured in the HBS classroom, so too is our collective engagement with a diverse world. We not only welcome, but embrace, a student body enriched by individuals who reflect many nationalities, cultures, interests, and points of view. Our sections are not merely representative of HBS as a whole, but of the world at large; each Learning Team encourages individual contributions while reinforcing our personal responsibility for the well-being of the larger community.

The core of our participatory learning model, the case method, continually reinforces our students' ability to absorb multiple perspectives while synthesizing their own viewpoints. In addition, the MBA experience offers numerous pathways for collective engagement, including:

• Student Clubs representing more than eighty cultures and interests
• Career Treks and Immersion Experiences to business and cultural centers around the world
• Admissions Outreach Events that actively attract and welcome a truly diverse student body

Partners and Families

When students come to HBS with partners or families, the entire HBS community is enriched. That's why HBS strives to create a warm and welcoming environment from the moment they arrive.

Not only is our community enriched by partners and families, it is enlarged and enlivened. More than 500 registered partners belong to nearly 30 percent of our MBA students. Of all registered partners, approximately 15 percent have children.

In addition to being an integral part of everyday life on the HBS campus, partners can deepen their community involvement in two ways: by registering with MBA Student and Academic Services for the MBA Partner Program, and/or by joining the Partners' Club.

MBA Partner Program Managed by MBA Student and Academic Services

MBA offers opportunities and services to help students' husbands, wives, fiancés, fiancées, boyfriends, girlfriends, and partners from around the world transition to life at HBS, meet one another, and integrate fully into the HBS community. All partners are welcomed and encouraged to attend HBS-sponsored partner events, join HBS clubs, and take advantage of campus services.

“One of the things that impresses me about the HBS experience is how people from myriad different backgrounds, faiths, cultures, and countries come together in a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance. I was skeptical that such community values could exist, but at HBS they are more than an ideal, they are a way of life. ”

Bill Crawford MBA '06

Partners eligible to register with HBS receive many of the same great benefits as students, like:

• HBS e-mail accounts
• Access to the partners' website
• HBS Partner ID card
• Access to MBA Career & Professional Development
• And more...

Please contact partners@hbs.edu for more information.

Partners' Club Managed by current MBA partners

The Partners' Club was founded in 1984 as a unique and independent community for the "significant others" of HBS students. Members rely on each other as they adjust to a new lifestyle, find friendship among people who have faced similar emotions and experiences moving to a new community, and enjoy this new and different phase of their lives together.

Social, cultural and informational activities for club members offer opportunities to be involved in the Harvard and greater Boston community. From book clubs to dinners to children's playgroups and field trips to local Boston activities and sporting events to volunteer opportunities, partners and families build real community as members of the Partners' Club.

Personal and Professional Career Assessment

A pause for reflection

For the students in our MBA Program, Harvard Business School is not a final destination, but an important point of transition that prepares them for the opportunities that lie ahead. That's why MBA Career & Professional Development is an integral part of any HBS experience.

Upon your arrival at Harvard Business School, you'll find one of the most precious resources of all: time for reflection. To fully benefit from our MBA Program experience—including immersive class participation through the case method, Learning Teams, section life, and extracurricular activities—you need time to concentrate on your new environment. In fact, we believe it's important to postpone the recruitment process until you have had the opportunity to build a successful academic foundation at HBS.

Before the formal recruiting process begins for first-year students in mid-November, you can pursue a meaningful career exploration that begins with a personal self-assessment process supported with industry introductions, peer Career Teams and individual career coaching. HBS MBA Career & Professional Development offers support for the job seeking strategies most comfortable to you, including on-campus recruiting, a self-directed job search or a combination of the two.

• Start with a self-assessment
• Introductions to industries
• Career Teams offer peer support
• Create your personal job search plan
• One-on-one career coaching

Start with a self-assessment

The search for the "right career" begins with a search of one's self: who you are, what you want, where you would like to go. Before you arrive on campus, we ask you to complete CareerLeader®, an online self-assessment tool developed by a member of the HBS faculty and used by over 400 businesses and universities around the world. Through this process, you can evaluate your deepest life interests, your business skills, and your own work/reward values. During the first few weeks on campus, you will participate in a class in which you interpret the results of the self-assessment and discuss brief career cases involving HBS alumni.

Introductions to industries

HBS’s formal recruitment period for first-year students is preceded by Industry Weeks, a series of on-campus programs and panels that will help you establish a fundamental understanding of various sectors – including industry overviews, areas of opportunity and how to successfully navigate a job search. Through informative sessions with MBA Career & Professional Development staff, Career Coaches, Alumni and company representatives, Industry Weeks can help you make more educated decisions about potential career paths.

Career Teams offer peer support

You may continue your exploration by joining Career Teams, a program enabling first-year students to advance their long-term career discovery in a supportive, stimulating, and fun environment with a small group of other HBS students. Participants increase their career self-awareness, and help their peers to do the same, through use of a cutting-edge framework and exercises facilitated by trained second-year leaders.

Create your personal job search plan

As you learn more about opportunities for summer internships and other career-related experiences, you’ll find that there are many ways to pursue your options.  You may choose to participate in on-campus recruiting, when many companies visit the HBS campus to interview for summer and full-time positions.  You may also choose a self-directed job search in which you pursue opportunities outside of the typical recruiting cycle.  Or you may choose to start your own business and forgo recruiting altogether.  Whatever you decide, MBA Career & Professional Development has the resources to assist you with your job search.

One-on-one career coaching

“Filling out my career leader profile, talking with a career coach, and participating in career teams opened up the world for me and gave me a chance to really think about what I want to do with my life.”

Lei Lei MBA '07

Throughout your MBA Program experience, more than 35 trained Career Coaches are available to work one-on-one with you along every step of your career trajectory from initial self-assessment through the job search and beyond. Experienced business professionals, our coaches can help you as you craft your résume and cover letters, create and execute a search strategy, prepare for interviews and offer negotiations, and improve your networking techniques.

The resources available through MBA Career & Professional Development can help you explore emerging interests and investigate further opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Career Resources

MBA Career & Professional Development supports students by helping them define their career vision and equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve success. From self-assessment to lifelong networking, we work with you to realize your leadership potential. Through a variety of tools, workshops, events, and other resources, we help you discover the career path best suited to your personal fulfillment and to your contribution to the greater good.

Our career resources include:

• Career development programs and workshops
• Online Job Bank and HBS Intranet
• Baker Library | Bloomberg Center career resources
• Connect with HBS Alumni Advisors

Career development programs and workshops

In addition to customized individual career coaching, MBA Career & Professional Development has designed a comprehensive program to help students discern and achieve their career goals. We offer workshops and events to develop students' skills in areas such as networking, interviewing, resumé and cover letter writing, and negotiations. We also coordinate speakers and panels to increase students' knowledge in specific industries and functions. You can expand your career path beyond the campus by participating in a variety of treks and Immersion Experiences. Additionally, many HBS student clubs offer career-related events such as conferences and career fairs.

“The vast array of HBS resources has meant access—access to the finest professors, access to the unique perspectives of such a diverse student population, and access to numerous opportunities previously unimaginable.”

Robert Gannett MBA '08

Online Job Bank and HBS Intranet

Once admitted, you will have access to the HBS Intranet that connects you to colleagues, course work, and career resources. With a click of the mouse, you can access a wealth of information: lists of HBS recruiting partners; recent articles in major newspapers and magazines about target firms; information on alumni and fellow students who have experience in areas or companies of interest. Students can also view job opportunities, apply for jobs, and schedule interviews online through the HBS Job Bank. In addition, MBA Career & Professional Development has a team dedicated to cultivating company relationships and job opportunities based on student preferences and feedback.

Baker Library | Bloomberg Center Career Resources

Baker Library|Bloomberg Center's career-focused librarians help students research industries, specific companies, and job search pathways. The Baker Library | Bloomberg Center website complements the librarians' activities with a powerful research tool that provides remote access to an array of databases and research resources. To help you find information on companies, industries, and business trends, the library's staff offers individualized instruction on using the many available tools.

Connect with HBS Alumni Advisors

As an HBS MBA student you're connected to nearly 70,000 alumni in 150 countries. More than 40,000 of our alumni have made themselves available to current students to help them explore career opportunities. Through a collection of profiles, articles, and video clips, we can introduce you to several of our alumni—and the extraordinary possibilities opened up by the HBS experience: HBS Entrepreneurs and Alumni Achievement Award Winners.

Who Are We Looking For?

We encourage candidates who can benefit from—and contribute to—a transformative education in which students challenge and learn from each other as they test their growing leadership abilities.

To create a dynamic environment that mirrors the breadth and depth of our world economy, we seek diversity. Each fall, we welcome 900 students representing more than seventy countries and a wide range of interests and backgrounds. While our students' lives and experiences vary greatly, they all share a demonstrated capacity for leadership and a desire to effect positive change.

For the right person, now is the right time to apply

The emergence of an individual's leadership talent does not follow a pre-determined schedule. Though some applicants choose to apply after four or five years of work experience, many promising candidates are optimally prepared for the HBS MBA after two or three years of experience—or even, in some cases, directly from college. Ultimately, you are in the best position to determine whether you are ready to apply.

If you have thoroughly explored our Web site and think that HBS may be right for you, we encourage you to carefully review the Admissions and Financial Aid section. Begin with our Admission Criteria page and be sure to complete the Introduce Yourself form so that we can send you additional information relevant to your interests, including invitations to MBA Admissions Events in your area.

Our MBA selection process is thoughtful, thorough and need-blind. Once students are admitted, they may apply for financial aid; HBS is committed to making the MBA Program accessible to students with a demonstrated financial need.

Formatted for Printing

For a convenient synopsis of our site, including the Admissions and Financial Aid information, please see our print-ready pages.

Admissions Criteria

Genuine business talent cannot be narrowly defined. Instead of looking for an "ideal" candidate, HBS invites MBA applicants who exhibit a variety of skills, accomplishments, and temperaments. The true common characteristics of our students are demonstrated leadership potential and a capacity to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.

Indeed, to create the most stimulating environment possible for all students, we consciously select a diverse student body, one that not only reflects a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities, but a wide range of personal interests and professional ambitions.

A Habit of Leadership

We recognize — and welcome — leadership that may be expressed in many forms, from college extracurricular activities to academic or business achievements, from personal accomplishments to community commitments. We appreciate leadership on any scale as well, from organizing a classroom to directing a combat squad, from running an independent business to spearheading initiatives at work. In essence, we are looking for evidence of your potential - a portfolio of experiences, initiatives, and accomplishments that reflect a habit of leadership.

Capacity for Intellectual Growth

Harvard Business School is a demanding, fast-paced, and highly-verbal environment. We look for individuals who will thrive on sophisticated ideas and lively discussion. Our case-based method of learning depends upon the active participation of prepared students who can assess, analyze, and act upon complex information within often-ambiguous contexts. The MBA Admissions Board will review your prior academic performance, the results of the GMAT or GRE, and, if applicable, TOEFL IBT and/or IELTS, and the nature of your work experience. There is no particular previous course of study required to apply; you must, however, demonstrate the ability to master analytical and quantitative concepts.

Engaged Community Citizenship

So much of our MBA experience - including the case method, section life, and student-organized events - requires the active collaboration of the entire HBS community. That's why we look for students who exhibit the highest ethical standards and respect for others, and can make positive contributions to the MBA Program. The right candidates must be eager to share their experiences, support their colleagues, and teach as well as learn from their peers.

Please note that there is no minimum work experience requirement for the MBA Program. Successful candidates are able to demonstrate strength in the criteria outlined above, regardless of their number of years of work experience. They include college seniors with significant leadership experience, as well as individuals with as little as one to two years of full-time work experience.

It is important for you to assess your own readiness when deciding when to apply.

Application Dates

The following are the deadlines for the MBA Class of 2012 entering in the fall of 2010:

Application Periods:	Application submitted online by 5 p.m. EST:	Notification of the MBA Admissions Board's decision:
Round 1	October 1, 2009	December 15, 2009
Round 2	January 19, 2010	April 6, 2010
Round 3	April 8, 2010	May 13, 2010

Please note that each "round" represents a distinct period in which you may apply, not a succession of steps for your application. You may apply in one round only, one time in an application year.

Given past experience, we anticipate that many candidates will submit their online application materials very close to 5 p.m. on submission deadline dates. To avoid heavy server traffic and potential delays, we encourage candidates to submit application materials as early as possible.

Applications received after 5 p.m. on October 1, 2009 will be considered in Round 2. Applications received after 5 p.m. on January 19, 2010 will be considered in Round 3. Applications received after 5 p.m. on April 8, 2010 will not be considered.

Regretfully, requests for decisions earlier than the notification dates listed above cannot be accommodated under any circumstances.

When Should I Apply?

To avoid overwhelming server traffic generated by the high volume of applications we receive, candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible prior to the deadline of each round.

We encourage applicants to apply in the first or second round, as space in the class may be limited by the third round. In addition, applying in the earlier rounds will give candidates more time to address the following:

• International candidates needing visas will find that applying in round 3 makes the timing of their visa application stressful.
• International candidates admitted in rounds 1 and 2 find that it's helpful to have the additional time to work on English proficiency.
• Some candidates may be required to complete preliminary course work prior to their enrollment.
• Many deadlines for outside (non-Harvard Business School) fellowships are in early spring. Only students who have been accepted are eligible for these fellowships.
• Financial aid is available regardless of when students are admitted. However, since admitted students may apply for financial aid only after they are admitted round 3 admits have less time to prepare their application.
• Harvard Business School residence halls and Harvard University-affiliated apartments are assigned by lottery. Deadlines for both of these housing options precede Round 3 notification, and you must be admitted to HBS before you can enter these lotteries.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, an applicant must have successfully completed the following:

• A degree program at an accredited U.S. four-year undergraduate college/university or its equivalent;
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) from a test taken January 1, 2005 or later. The GMAT or GRE is a prerequisite for admission;
• Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score from a test taken January 1, 2008 or later, is required for international applicants who attended a non-English-speaking undergraduate university; and
• Submission of a complete online application for evaluation by one of the decision round deadlines.

For more information about the HBS MBA application, please see our Written Application page.

Financial Aid

One of the ways we welcome students to the MBA Program is by helping them prepare for their financial obligations. Even as you consider applying to Harvard Business School, there are a few important things you should know:

• The MBA Program is need-blind in its candidate selection process. When you apply for admission, we have no knowledge of your financial situation, nor do we consider ability to pay as a factor in your evaluation.
• Once admitted, students have access to financial assistance through loans and fellowship programs to cover the entire student budget.
• Financial aid is awarded to students based on the cost of the program and their ability to contribute. Our goal is to ensure that admitted students get all the support and funds they need to attend HBS. Given the rigorous pace and range of MBA activities, students should not plan to be employed during the academic terms.
• Throughout the entire financial aid process you have the guidance and support of the HBS team of Financial Aid Advisors. We work directly with you, one on one, to help you determine need and identify resources.

A financial aid timeline

Securing financial aid involves a series of steps that proceed in the following order:

• Submit your application for admission to the MBA Program.
• After admission, complete and submit the financial aid applications that will be available to you on the HBS Intranet.
• Follow the progress of your financial aid application on your personalized online tracking tool.
• Review fellowship options offered by HBS and Harvard University.
• Explore loan options and research outside funding opportunities. Outside fellowship organizations maintain their own application and decision processes.
• Start planning now for the repayment obligations you may face after graduation.

You will find more information on the following pages:

Cost Summary

To help you understand the costs associated with your education, the MBA student budget for the class entering in 2009 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.

MBA Class of 2011 Student Budget

	Single	Married/DP	Married/DP with One Child
Tuition	$46,150	$46,150	$46,150
University Health Services Fee*	$1,126	$2,700	$3,394
Blue Cross/Blue Shield (12 months)**	$1,714	$3,866	$5,106
Program Support Fee***	$4,450	$4,450	$4,450
Room & Utilities (9 months)	$10,800	$16,362	$21,114
Board, Personal, Other (9 months)****	$12,360	$15,972	$20,386
Total	$76,600	$89,500	$100,600

* The University Health Services Fee is obligatory regardless of your health insurance status.

** The BC/BS expense may be waived upon proof of health insurance coverage.

***Fee includes expenses for books, cases, (web-based) course materials, and other materials you receive in your courses. This fee also remains constant, unless you leave for more than one term.

****This number is an estimate based on the experiences of most MBA students. Your actual personal expenses may be higher or lower.

Please note that eligibility for federal student aid is based on the single student budget.

Visit HBS

By virtue of its immersion in the case method, the richness of its section life, and the depth and breadth of its extracurricular activities, the HBS MBA Program is best appreciated through direct experience. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to visit our campus. In addition to in-person visits, you also have many opportunities to engage with students, faculty, and admissions staff online and through outreach events around the world.

Campus Activities Calendar

KEY: Class Visit Campus TourLunch ProgramInformation Session

Class Visit Program

For many of our students, the excitement, energy and unexpected insights generated by case method education make it unlike anything they have experienced before. We invite you to satisfy your curiosity by observing a class in session. Class visits will resume in October and are offered most days during the academic year. Due to the number of visit requests we receive, we ask that you schedule only one class visit through the MBA Admissions Office. You may select the class visit time, but not the individual class.

Please consult the schedule of the unavailable class visit dates before making your appointment. Please note that class visits may not be scheduled more than 1 month in advance.

You are now able to sign up for a class visit using the online class visit scheduler.

Information Sessions and Campus Tours

Group information sessions, in which members of the MBA Admissions team conduct overviews of the MBA Program and answer your questions, are held on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 4:00pm. Registration is not required. Please refer to the Campus Activities Calendar above for days when Information Sessions will not be offered. Information sessions will not be held when the Admissions Office is closed.

A campus audio-walking tour is available at the reception desk in the MBA Admissions office.

Student-led campus tours are offered most days at 3:00pm. Please refer to the Campus Activities Calendar above for days when Campus Tours will not be offered.

Lunch Program

During the academic year, first-year MBA students are happy to meet with prospective students over a casual lunch to share their experiences and to answer any questions that you might have about life at HBS. The Lunch Program is held daily at noon when classes are in session.

In addition to our regular Lunch Program, the Women's Student Association will host a weekly lunch for women from 12:00-1:00pm on Fridays, beginning November 6. View the schedule and locations for these weekly lunches.

Events

A s part of our commitment to a truly diverse, international student body, we bring a sample of the Harvard Business School experience to locations throughout the world. At these outreach events, you will have the opportunity to meet representatives from the HBS community and learn more about the MBA Program and its application process. In addition, we host a variety of campus events throughout the year.

If you'd like to participate, complete the Introduce Yourself form so that we can give you event, application, and HBS news and information specifically suited to your interests.

Click on the location of an event to register for that event. If neither the event title nor the location is linked, registration is not yet open for the event.

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

Registration will open approximately 2 weeks prior to the date for general outreach events.

Registration will open approximately 1 month prior to the date for on campus events.

Reach Us

Contact Us

Harvard Business School

MBA Admissions
Dillon House
Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA 02163

Telephone: 617-495-6128
Facsimile: 617-496-8137
E-Mail: admissions+hbs.edu

Inquiries

Introduce Yourself: Please use this link to complete your Harvard Business School Profile which helps us learn more about you. In return, we will provide you with event, application, and HBS news and information specifically suited to your interests.