2+2 Application Process

The 2+2 program is a deferred admission process for current students, either in college or full-time master’s degree programs.

2+2 is comprised of at least two years of professional work experience followed by two years in the regular Harvard Business School (HBS) MBA Program. We’re looking for innovative thinkers who have demonstrated leadership and analytical skills and want to develop their knowledge and passion to make a difference in the world. After being admitted through 2+2, students spend a minimum of two years (maximum of four years) working in a professional position in the public, private, or nonprofit sector before enrolling at HBS.

Eligibility

If you are in your final year of study, you are eligible to apply in the current application cycle (deadline is April 23, 2025). You must graduate from your program between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Undergraduates in their final year of study are eligible to apply.

Joint Bachelor / Master’s Degree Programs

Candidates in joint bachelor/master’s degree programs are eligible to apply.

Master’s Degree Programs

Candidates from master’s degree programs who have not held a full-time work position (other than internships or co-ops) are eligible to apply. To be eligible for the 2+2 program, candidates need to have gone directly from undergraduate to graduate school.

PhD Programs, Law School & Medical School

Students enrolled in PhD programs, law school, or medical school are not eligible for the 2+2 program; instead these students should apply through the regular admissions process.

Application Steps

1. Learn More About 2+2

We have several resources to help you get to know 2+2 and HBS better!

• Join us for various virtual college events by registering on the Events page.

• Hear from HBS students and alumni about their 2+2 experience on the MBA Voices Blog.

• See 2+2 program section on the Frequently Asked Questions page for responses to frequently asked questions

2. Get Prepared

For applicants to the 2+2 Deferred Admission Program, a valid GMAT or GRE score is required. If you are an international applicant attending a non-English speaking undergraduate university, you will also need to submit results from an English Language Test. See Application Process for more details.

3. Complete Your Application

The 2025 application for 2+2 deferred applicants will open in December 2024.

All applications and recommendations must be submitted online. 2+2 applications have only one deadline: April 23, 2025. Applications are not reviewed on a rolling basis so your application will not be considered until the application deadline.

Applicants to our 2+2 program have a reduced application fee of $100 USD. If the application fee presents a financial burden, we invite you to request a need-based application fee waiver. All active-duty military applicants do not have to pay the application fee. Details on how to request the military fee waiver and the need-based application fee waiver are in the 2+2 application.

List of Application Materials

4. Accept Your Offer

If you are admitted into HBS through the 2+2 program and want to confirm your future matriculation: you will pay a non-refundable $1,000 USD tuition deposit and withdraw applications from all other MBA programs (including deferral programs). You are required to gain two years of professional work experience in an HBS-approved position before matriculating. In many cases, we allow 2+2 admits to defer for three or four years in an HBS-approved professional work opportunity before matriculating (approvals are offered on a case-by-case basis). In accepting your 2+2 admissions offer, you also agree not to apply to additional MBA programs during your deferral period.

Please email applytech@hbs.edu with any questions.