Harvard Business School

What Harvard Business School Looks for in Applicants

Getting into Harvard Business School isn’t easy.

The MBA program, which ranks number five in P&Q’s “Top Business Schools” ranking, is incredibly selective about who it lets in. Since 1908, HBS’s mission has been to build and educate leaders who make a difference in the world, which requires an environment of trust and mutual respect, free expression and inquiry, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, recently offered insight into what the HBS admissions team looks for in applicants and what characteristics applicants should highlight in their application.

SHOW HABITS OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership is a must for HBS applicants. But leadership can be demonstrated in many ways. Blackman breaks leadership down into two facets: small L and capital L—both of which are worthy of highlighting in your application.

“The small L leaders step up when needed and thrive when times are hard,” Blackman says. “Plus, they demonstrate leadership traits over time and can show that track record to HBS throughout their application. Capital L leadership may include examples such as fraternity president, Eagle Scout, student council president, varsity soccer team captain, etc.”

DEMONSTRATE ANALYTICAL APTITUDE & APPETITE

HBS seeks out applicants who can show strong analytical aptitude and appetite. A high GPA and strong GMAT or GRE score is a must.

“Academic, analytical and quantitative prowess is crucial, as HBS Adcom will look at the applicant’s GPA and test score,” Andrea Cardarelli, an admissions consultant at Stacy Blackman Consulting and former Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School, says. “HBS AdCom will also comb through transcripts and consider the skills the applicant exercised and built in his or her work experiences.”

In addition to GPA and test scores, applicants can highlight analytical aptitude and appetite in their undergraduate experience and interests.

“Research projects, thesis projects, reading and interests you develop on your own all qualify under horsepower,” Cardarelli says. “One’s quest to satiate his/her intellectual curiosity needs to shine through for the HBS application. This comes across in extracurriculars, awards, on the resume, and certainly in the HBS essay.”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, P&Q

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