Tips From Harvard Business School’s Admissions Team

For over 100 years, Harvard Business School has offered its two-year full-time residential MBA program—one of the most prestigious programs in the world. With an acceptance rate of 14.4%, gaining admission into HBS isn’t easy.

The HBS admissions staff recently offered insight into the HBS application, highlighting the top questions they get from applicants and what questions they wish they received.

GMAT VS. GRE

More than 1,300 business schools worldwide now accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT for admissions. HBS, which accepts both exams, has no preference for one over the other.

“If you submit multiple test scores from GMAT or GRE to HBS, we will only look at the score from your highest single test sitting,” the admissions staff at HBS says. “69% of the Class of 2025 submitted GMAT scores and 34% submitted GRE scores, with some students submitting scores from both tests.”

FULL-TIME WORK EXPERIENCE

Most HBS students have an average of 4.9 years of work experience. While not formally “required,” work experience is highly, highly recommended if you hope to gain admission into HBS.

“As the case method of learning used by our MBA program relies on different perspectives, we strongly recommend that you have two years of full-time work experience in a professional position in the public, private, or nonprofit sector by the time you enroll at HBS,” the admissions staff at HBS says. “Co-ops or internships done while in school or during the summers between terms are not insignificant, but typically do not count toward professional work experience for our purposes.”

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ESSAY?

According to the HBS admissions staff, the best essays they receive are self-reflective.

“The essay is your opportunity to share new information that isn’t elsewhere in the application,” the staff says. “Think about how you can use the essay to help the admissions committee get to know you better. Consider meaningful or formative experiences that are important to you that you haven’t gotten a chance to mention anywhere else in your application (or in as much detail as you would like).”

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RECOMMENDER

HBS prefers to have one of your two recommenders be a current or former supervisor, but the title isn’t critical. It’s best to choose a recommender who knows you well and can speak to your abilities.

“Think about who has seen you develop and grow in a professional context, who would be able to speak to specific projects or initiatives that you have been a part of, and who would be a natural advocate for your professional development,” the admissions staff at HBS says.

Sources: Harvard Business School, Harvard Business School, P&Q

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