Applicants to HBS must have the following:
- A four-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent
A degree program at an accredited U.S. four-year undergraduate college/university or an international equivalent (unless you are a college senior applying to our 2+2 Program). Equivalent programs include international three-year bachelor degree programs.
- GMAT or GRE test results
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test taken in the timeframes on the chart below. The GMAT or GRE is a prerequisite for admission. We will accept the new, shorter GRE beginning September 2023. We will accept the GMAT Focus beginning with the 2+2 round in April 2024.
If you are applying in… Your GMAT or GRE test date must fall on or between Round 1 September 6, 2018 and September 6, 2023 Round 2 January 3, 2019 and January 3, 2024 2+2 Round April 25, 2019 and April 25, 2024 - English language test results if you attended a non-English undergraduate program
A TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), or Duolingo English Test is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English. If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.
If you are applying in… Your English Language test date must fall on or between Round 1 September 6, 2021 and August 31, 2023 Round 2 January 3, 2022 and December 31, 2023 2+2 Round April 25, 2022 and April 20, 2024
Written Application
To apply to Harvard Business School, we ask you to assemble and prepare a variety of materials that will help us assess your qualifications. Remember, all materials must be submitted to HBS online by the application deadlines. The following serves as a preview of what you need to prepare.
- Transcripts
Candidates must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (unless applying through the 2+2 program — please see information for college seniors). Degrees from international universities offering three-year baccalaureate degrees are valid equivalents.
We require uploaded transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions that you have attended (full- or part-time).
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.
When the Admissions Board looks at your transcripts, we are looking at the whole picture — not just your GPA. We take into account where you went to school, the courses that you took, and your performance. We understand the structures of different grading systems worldwide. There is no minimum GPA to apply, although our students usually have strong undergraduate records. Undergraduate academics are just one factor the Admissions Board uses to evaluate a candidate.
- GMAT/GRE
- There is no minimum GMAT or GRE to apply and we do not have a preference toward one test or the other. If you look at our class profile, you can see that we have a range of GMAT and GRE scores in the current first-year class.
- We will accept the new, shorter GRE beginning September 2023. We will accept the GMAT Focus beginning with the 2+2 round in April 2024.
- When submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GMAT or GRE score given on the day of the test, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must request that the testing agency sends an official score report directly to HBS. We accept online versions of the GMAT or GRE.
- We require you to complete the AWA portion of the exam; however, you do not need the results in order to submit your application. Note: If you took the online version of the GMAT prior to the addition of the AWA section (i.e. before May 20, 2021), we will accept those test scores without the AWA as long as they have not expired.
- Be advised that in order to apply for admission, scores must be dated as follows:
If you are applying in… Your GMAT or GRE test date must fall on or between Round 1 September 6, 2018 and September 6, 2023 Round 2 January 3, 2019 and January 3, 2024 2+2 Round April 25, 2019 and April 25, 2024 Please note that the HBS code for the GMAT is HRLX892 and the HBS code for the GRE is 4064.
- English Language Test
- A TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), or Duolingo English Test is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.
- Be advised that in order to apply for admission, scores must be dated as follows:
If you are applying in… Your English Language test date must fall on or between Round 1 September 6, 2021 and August 31, 2023 Round 2 January 3, 2022 and December 31, 2023 2+2 Round April 25, 2022 and April 20, 2024 HBS does not have a minimum test score to apply, however, the MBA Admissions Board discourages any candidate with a TOEFL score lower than 109 on the IBT, an IELTS score lower than 7.5, a PTE score lower than 75, or a Duolingo score lower than 145 from applying.
HBS only accepts the Internet-based (IBT) version of the TOEFL. Please note that the HBS code for the TOEFL is 3444.
- Essay
There is one question for the Class of 2026 application:
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (900 words)
We invite you to share personal or professional experiences from your background that give you a unique ability to contribute to HBS. Try to remember to not overthink or overwrite in this essay; it is best to answer the question in clear and concise language that those of us who don't know your world can understand.
Joint program applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School must provide an additional essay: How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 words)- Recommendations
You will need to have two recommendations submitted online by the application deadlines. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all recommendations are submitted online by the deadline date for the round in which the applicant is applying.
Use your best judgment on who you decide to ask - there is no set formula for who should be your recommenders. We know it is not always possible to have a direct supervisor write your recommendation – we would not want you to jeopardize your current position for the application process. Look at the questions we are asking recommenders to complete. Find people who know you well enough to answer them. This can be a former supervisor, a colleague, or someone you collaborate on an activity outside of work. How well a person knows you should take priority over level of seniority or HBS alumni status.
Recommender Questions
Recommendations must be completed online. Recommenders will be asked to fill out a personal qualities and skills grid and answer our two additional questions:How do the candidate's performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response. (250 words)
- Resume
This can be your standard business resume or CV. You do not need to have it in any special format. You can use whatever you would use to conduct a job search.
Note: The HBS MBA Program is designed for students who have full-time work experience. While it is important for candidates to assess their own readiness to apply, the Admissions Board recommends that applicants have at least two years of full-time work experience (prior to enrolling).- Acceptance of Policies
- Signed Acceptance of HBS Admissions Policies
- Fee or Fee Waiver
- There is a nonrefundable application fee (credit card only) of $250 USD* to offset the cost of reviewing applications. All active duty military applicants and past SVMP participants do not have to pay the application fee.
If your annual income at your current or most recent place of employment is $65,000 USD or less, the need-based application fee waiver will automatically apply. If you do not automatically qualify but would like to request a fee waiver due to financial hardship, you may apply for a need-based application fee waiver after starting your application.
*Applicants to our 2+2 Program have a reduced application fee of $100.
Interview
After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to interview. Interviews are 30 minutes and are conducted by an MBA Admissions Board member who has reviewed your application. Your interview will be tailored to you and is designed for us to learn more about you in the context of a conversation.
Post-Interview Reflection
Within 24 hours of the interview, candidates are required to submit a written reflection through our online application system. Detailed instructions will be provided to those applicants who are invited to interview.
MBA Application Tips Video Series
Every HBS MBA student has been where you are right now. In this video series, we hope to help you learn how to break down your application into small, actionable steps so that you can submit a successful application that is true to you and your journey.
