The Harvard MBA: What You Need To Know

For more than 100 years, Harvard Business School has offered a two-year full-time residential MBA program with a general management curriculum focused on real-world practice. 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.

Each class size is around 925, and students are placed into cohorts of 90. With their group of 90, they participate in the core required curriculum for their first year. Each cohort is made up of students from different industries, socio-economic backgrounds, and nationalities to give each discussion diverse perspectives. Application materials include GMAT/GRE score, TOEFL/IELTS/Pearson Test of English (PTE), and an interview to name a few materials.

HBS utilizes the case method to bring leadership to life. Students step into the shoes of case protagonists — real business leaders — and are challenged through the diverse perspectives of their classmates. Through case method courses, FIELD projects, multimedia simulations, and more, students exercise leadership skills.

Students can participate in more than 95 clubs and 200 leadership positions in the Student Association at HBS, engaging in workshops, guest speaker lectures, and conferences that provide opportunities for learning, networking, and socializing outside of the classroom. Students also have the opportunity to participate in HBS Initiatives, where faculty, students, and alumni collaborate with practitioners to address complex topics. The Harvard Innovation Labs support students exploring entrepreneurship and offers a collaborative and supportive network of advisors and mentors.

Harvard MBA Rankings Data

Harvard MBA Employment Stats

Harvard has not published in its employment report its top employers, preferring to list all of the firms that hired the school’s graduates or posted a job in the school’s Career Hub.

MBA Program Consideration Set:

Stretch Schools: None

Match Schools: Stanford, Chicago, Wharton, Columbia, Dartmouth

Safety Schools: Northwestern’s Kellogg School, MIT Sloan, Berkeley, Duke, Virginia

Note: MBA Program Consideration Set: If you believe you’re a close match to this school–based on your GMAT and GPA scores and your age and work experience–you should look at these other competitive full-time MBA programs as well. We list them by stretch, match, and safety. These options are presented on the basis of brand image and ranking status as a general guideline.