Harvard Business School is among the most prestigious institutions in the world, home to the highest-ranking M7 MBA program. The school’s alumni include some of the most influential leaders in the corporate world and it is undeniable that the resources, the network, and the prestige that a Harvard MBA offers will have a tremendous impact on your chances at achieving your career goals.
In short, HBS is an incredibly attractive choice if you are interested in pursuing an MBA. However, Harvard has a competitive admissions process, and if you landed on this page you are likely wondering what it takes to stand out in the process of applying for a Harvard MBA. So how do you get into HBS? In what follows, prospective applicants will find some tips on how to gain admission to one of the world’s top business schools.
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The first question to ask yourself is whether you currently qualify for a Harvard MBA. You need to have a high GPA, as compared to the average GPA for MBA programs, and ideally have a combination of five years of post-college work experience, with some leadership experience, and demonstrated high-achieving academic performance. HBS is also interested in the honors and recognitions you have been awarded along the way. These are generally the requirements you will be expected to meet to be accepted into the Harvard MBA program.
To get into most top MBA programs, you’ll need to make sure you earn a “good” GMAT score. The average GMAT score to get into HBS is especially high, and you should aim for a placement in the high 700s. This is one of the many reasons that starting early is crucial, as it gives you time to prepare for the GMAT. Moreover, in case your GMAT score is too low, you will have time to retake the GMAT to increase your test scores in time for application deadlines.
If you do not tick all of the boxes mentioned so far, this is an opportunity to figure out how you can fill your resume and build your profile to have a greater chance in the future. Certain factors can help make up for other gaps in your profile. Specifically, you can highlight your unique personal history when you are writing your MBA personal statement and show your involvement with inspiring extracurriculars. An outstanding achievement can also strengthen your MBA application.
Based on the data from our Applications Platform…
95% of our slots
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90% of our
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53% of our
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38% of our
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have started essay writing
In addition to the general qualifications that you will likely need to win admission, such as professional experience, academic performance, and an impeccable GMAT score, you can impress MBA admissions committees by demonstrating that you will fit in with the rest of the student body and will increase the reputation of the school. HBS students come with diverse backgrounds, and it is important that you complement these differences with your own story.
This is another reason why you need to start early in the application process, leaving you time to draw out what makes you unique in your essays. Moreover, you need to demonstrate that you are a cultural fit and that you have reflected on why an HBS MBA is right for you compared to other top-ranking MBA programs. For instance, HBS emphasizes what it calls “analytical aptitude” and “engaged community citizenship.” This means that they expect an HBS student to be an academic high achiever who prioritizes goodwill projects.
Coming from management consulting, Vicky wanted to move into the entrepreneurial sphere, with the aim to take on a leadership role within her family business. An MBA would help her access a global network, sharpen her business acumen and gain operational knowledge to perform better as an executive in her family’s manufacturing company.
Hear how she navigated the MBA application process and ultimately won a spot in the HBS MBA Class of 2021.
Another great way to build the right profile for HBS would be to demonstrate that you already have a network at Harvard. As an added bonus, talking to current students and alumni will help you to understand their profiles, and in turn, help you to gauge what HBS is looking for. The best way to do this would be to attend MBA events and organize campus visits. You can also conduct LinkedIn research and take notes about the profiles of HBS students and use them to reach out and build your MBA network in that way.
The next step is to get started on the actual written application. Harvard has an online application system, where you will put together your MBA application resume, add your references, and upload your MBA admissions essays. Filling out an application might come across as a rudimentary step, but make no mistake, the process of putting all the pieces together on the application form can be deceptively time-consuming. It is crucial that you allocate enough time to get it just right.
The HBS essay is a big part of the application puzzle. As mentioned before, this is where you get to highlight your profile and demonstrate what makes you unique. This is an opportunity to engage the admissions committee with great storytelling, communicating how you fit into the HBS MBA community.
You will need two letters of recommendation. To ensure that you stand out and impress the admissions committee, you should let your recommenders know early so that they have plenty of time to prepare and write a great reference. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to start cultivating your relationship with potential references.
The final step of the admissions process takes place when you have been invited to the Harvard Business School interview. This can be a daunting prospect, but making use of practice questions can be a great way to prepare. The better prepared you are to answer any questions the HBS interviewers might throw at you, the higher your chances of making a good impression are. Moreover, if you feel prepared and have had time to practice your interviewing skills, you will likely feel less nervous.
Impressive candidates from all over the world wish to attend HBS, and the hard truth is that most applicants will be disappointed in the outcome. To increase your chances of winning admission then, you have to make sure to grab the attention of the MBA admissions committee. Here is a summary of the main steps to consider when embarking on your HBS journey:
All of the steps outlined above will help you understand that burning question: how to get into Harvard Business School. Becoming an HBS graduate will surely open many exciting doors and prepare you for a successful professional life.
Hopefully, our guide has not only helped to explain how to win admission but has also posed the question of whether HBS is the right school for you. If so, then we wish you all the best on the application!
