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Each application received is reviewed in depth by the Admissions Board. When selecting students we put an emphasis on a habit of leadership, analytical aptitude and appetite, and engaged community citizenship. Find out more.

Please enter important information that you want the Board to know in the Additional Information section of the 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.

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.

The Admissions Office receives the entire application in the appropriate format and all fields are viewed clearly by the Board. The document that the applicant can view is an unformatted version of the final document.

There is a nonrefundable application fee (credit card only) of $250 (USD)* for the MBA application and a reduced $100 (USD) fee for the 2+2 application to offset the cost of reviewing applications. All active duty military applicants and past SVMP participants do not have to pay the application fee. As of July 2021, we offer a need-based application fee waiver.

You do not need to hire a paid admissions consultant to get into Harvard Business School. We want everyone to have a fair chance, so our application and evaluation processes are designed to be clear and accessible. We recommend seeking the guidance of trusted friends, mentors, or family members as you put together your application, and highly encourage you to take advantage of our online resources and ongoing events. We also offer Application Help Sessions led by our Admissions team to assist candidates who have started their applications. Please note that the sign-up link for the Help Sessions is available in the application portal.

The HBS MBA Program is designed for students who have full-time work experience. The Admissions Board recommends that applicants have at least two years of full-time work experience (prior to enrolling). College seniors need to apply through the 2+2 application in the expectation that they will be offered "deferred admission," i.e. an offer of admission to a future class conditional upon acquiring full-time work experience, as a positive outcome. It is important for candidates to assess their own readiness when deciding to apply: there is no universal "right" time.

Work experience includes opportunities in which students have been able to develop their professional and leadership skills. Typically this means full–time (35 hours or more per week) in a position that requires an undergraduate degree. Work experience in the military/armed forces that takes place before college may count toward professional experience.

Rather than focus on specific categories of work experiences, applicants should focus on the roles, responsibilities, and what they have learned from the types of work experiences in which they were involved. 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.

The case method of learning used by our MBA program relies on exchanging perspectives. Our MBA students draw on their individual professional experiences when analyzing and discussing cases in class with their peers. Note: College seniors need to apply through the 2+2 Program application in the expectation that they will be offered "deferred admission," i.e. an offer of admission to a future class conditional on acquiring 2-4 years of full-time work experience.

Internships, co-ops, or other jobs you’ve done while in school can be included in your application, but typically these experiences aren’t counted as full-time work experience.

The word limit for the application essay is 900 words.

For several years, we’ve had no word count for the essay and we found that this raised questions for some applicants about the “right” word length. We’ve added a 900-word limit to the essay in order to provide applicants with more direction. With the broad essay prompt and 900-word limit, we believe candidates have ample opportunity to share what they wish with the Board while eliminating the stress around how much is too much to write.

The MBA application process was turning into an essay writing contest. We have created a very thoughtful application process, including some short answer fields, that gives us the information we need to make a decision and is not asking you to write more than is necessary. We implemented the interview portion of the application process several years ago which also eliminated the need to get to know our candidates only on paper.

The Admissions Board suggests that one recommendation should come from a current or recent supervisor, if possible. Recommenders should be individuals who know the candidate well and who can attest to the candidate's leadership ability.

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.

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 recommendations are submitted online by the deadline date for the round in which the applicant is applying.

See Application Process for GMAT/GRE test date ranges. 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. These are the only scores 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 note that the HBS code for the GMAT is HRLX892. For more information on the GMAT, please visit www.gmac.com. 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.

The HBS code for the GRE is 4064. For more information about the GRE, please visit www.ets.org/gre. 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.

No. We accept applicants with a wide range of test scores.

The Admissions Board hopes that all applicants will recognize the following: the full range of GMAT/GRE scores is very broad, that there is no "minimum" score requirement, and that the GMAT/GRE is just one piece of data among the many used to evaluate an application.

We will accept the GMAT Focus beginning with the 2+2 round in April 2024.

We will accept the new, shorter GRE beginning September 2023.

Yes. You do not need to have the results of the AWA section of the GMAT or GRE in order to submit your application; however, we do require you to complete this portion of the exam and we will require an AWA score for anyone applying to the program. 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.

Yes. Anyone who takes the GMAT on or after June 5, 2012 will be required to take the Integrated Reasoning portion of the GMAT exam.

If you only have a degree (or degrees) from a university where English was NOT the sole language of instruction, you must take an English Language test (either the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test). Please note that HBS only accepts the Internet-based (IBT) version of the TOEFL.

Again, if you only have a degree (or degrees) from a university where English was NOT the sole language of instruction, you must take an English Language test (either the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test).

In this case, you are still required to take an English Language test.

Though it is not required as part of your initial written application, we strongly recommend you take an English language test even if you have a graduate degree from a university program where the sole language was English.

TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), and Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years. See Application Process for test date ranges.

Please note that the HBS code for the TOEFL is 3444.

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.

No. We accept the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo English Test. You should take whichever test you prefer.

Transcripts must be scanned and uploaded to the application. 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.

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.

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. Check out our Class Profile page for statistics on our first-year class.

No, we do no accept transfer credits of any kind. All students are expected to complete the full HBS MBA Program.

Interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis. The timing of your interview does not imply anything about the status of your application nor does it impact your candidacy. Invitations to interview are a positive indicator no matter when you receive them.

Your interview will last approximately 30 minutes and will be conducted by a member of the MBA Admissions Board.

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.

Details for the Post-Interview Reflection will be emailed to candidates who participate in the interview process. Candidates must submit their reflection via our online application. Reflections must be submitted within 24 hours of interview completion.

You can email ApplyTech@hbs.edu for any questions on the application.

Notification dates are set according to each round. View dates.

Due to the large number of applications we receive each year, we cannot accommodate requests for personalized feedback on your application. 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.

Candidates should submit applications only for the year they plan to enter the MBA program. Postponements and deferrals are granted rarely and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

There is a nonrefundable U.S. $100 application fee (credit card only). All active duty military applicants do not have to pay the application fee. Details on how to request the military fee waiver are in the 2+2 application. As of Spring 2021, we offer a need-based application fee waiver.

For more information on applying to the 2+2 Program, please see the 2+2 Application page.

College students can only apply in the designated 2+2 Round (deadline typlically in April).

Yes. Candidates in the process of completing a master’s degree are eligible for the 2+2 program, as long as you did not take a full-time job in between your undergraduate and master’s degree programs.

Yes. Domestic and international students alike are welcome to apply.

Yes. Interviews are conducted 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. We do not admit anyone to HBS without an interview; however, we do not interview all applicants.

We expect the 2+2 cohort size to be in the 100-125 range. For more information about the size and composition of the 2+2 Class, please see the 2+2 Program page.

The 2+2 Program accepts either the GMAT or the GRE as part of the application process, including the GMAT Focus exam. We do not have a preference for either test.

You must take the GMAT or GRE by the application deadline. See Application Process for GMAT/GRE test date ranges. Unofficial scores are acceptable at the time of application, but every applicant must request to have their official score submitted to HBS. You do not need to have the results of the AWA section of the GMAT or GRE in order to apply; however, we do expect you to complete this portion of the exam and we will require an AWA score for anyone admitted to the program.

No. You cannot apply to a joint degree via the 2+2 Program. If admitted via the 2+2 application process, you will have the opportunity to apply to a joint degree in the year prior to your enrollment to HBS.

For more information about the joint degree programs offered by HBS, go to the Joint Degree Programs section on the HBS website.

We require two letters of recommendation as part of the 2+2 Program application process.

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.

No. If you have previously applied to the 2+2 Program, you will be at neither an advantage nor disadvantage in comparison to other applicants.

Yes. Admitted students pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1000 to hold their place in the class.

No. If you plan to accept the HBS 2+2 offer you must withdraw applications from all other MBA programs (including deferral programs) and agree to not apply to additional MBA programs during your deferral period.

No. You are responsible for securing employment for at least two years after graduating from your undergraduate institution. You are expected to leverage the career services offered at your undergraduate institution as a primary resource.

No. Admitted 2+2 students have the flexibility to explore career options in a multitude of industries including traditional companies to start-ups as long as their positions help develop their professional and leadership skills. Historically, the variety of full-time positions admitted 2+2 students pursue have been similar to the diversity of industries and function areas that are represented in the MBA program.

Yes. You can apply to HBS through the 2+2 program as long as you are in your final year of undergraduate study. There are no minimum or maximum requirements for the length of time spent working toward your bachelor's degree.

No. HBS is unable to sponsor a work permit or visa during this time. You are welcome to pursue job opportunities in any country.

You are not limited to two years of deferral. In many cases, 2+2 admits to defer for three or four years in an HBS-approved professional opportunity before matriculating to HBS. Approvals are offered on a case-by-case basis.

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.

While living expenses vary from student to student, the Financial Aid and Scholarship Board uses the standard student budget in determining financial aid awards. This budget assumes a moderate student lifestyle. Please refer to the cost summary page.

HBS is committed to making the MBA Program accessible to students with a demonstrated financial need. Although students are encouraged to draw on personal resources wherever possible to minimize debt, approximately two thirds of Harvard Business School students receive some form of financial assistance, which is composed of a combination of scholarships, fellowships, and loans. Nearly 50% of the class receives need-based HBS Scholarships.

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 page.

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.

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.

Harvard Business School does not offer an online MBA. However, Harvard Business School Online (Harvard's online education initiative) does offer a Credential of Readiness for those interested in honing their business skills.

HBS has one MBA program, and it is offered only on a full-time basis. If you wish to pursue a part-time or executive-level program, you might be interested in exploring the Program for Leadership Development at HBS.

Assistance is available at HBS for students with disabilities, which may include mobility, vision, hearing, and other physical impairments or health conditions, as well as learning disabilities, attention deficit, and other processing disorders. Accommodations can be made for short-term disabilities related to accidents or medical conditions and treatments. Learn more about the support available at HBS

Harvard Business School is home to over 90 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, 26 conferences, multiple career treks, and various social activities scheduled throughout the school year.

About 65% 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.

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.

Harvard Square and the neighboring Cambridge and Boston areas offer ample opportunities for students to take part in social and entertainment activities.

You can sign up for an on-campus information session and tour on our events page.

To schedule a class visit please refer to the visit page on of our website at least one to two weeks prior to your expected arrival date. Due to the high volume of class visit requests, you may only schedule one class visit.

We hold Admitted Student Welcome events on campus in February and April. We also will host regional events in many cities throughout the world, and virtual opportunities for admitted students to connect with one another and the HBS community.

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..