Harvard Business School (HBS) stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of business education. Nestled in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, HBS is synonymous with prestige, innovation, and leadership development. 

Founded in 1908, HBS has been a pioneer in shaping business education globally. With a mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world, the school has consistently set the standard for excellence in management education. HBS is renowned for its case method, an interactive and immersive teaching approach that challenges students to analyze real-world business problems. HBS also has an unparalleled focus on innovation (Harvard Innovation Labs), entrepreneurship (Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship) and groundbreaking, forward-thinking leadership. HBS claims celebrity alumni like Sheryl Sandberg and Sal Khan of Khan Academy and just happen to hold an impressive endowment over $6 Billion.

HBS offers a two-year, full-time MBA program that is rigorous, transformative, and highly competitive. The program emphasizes experiential learning, global exposure, and a collaborative community. 

How To Get Into Harvard Business School

To stand out among the thousands of applicants, it’s crucial to understand what HBS looks for in prospective students and make a strategic game plan.

1. Figure out what you want from them. 

Is that their two-year, full time MBA or perhaps one of their full-time programs leading to a PhD? They also offer an online certificate in Business Analytics and a robust Executive Education Program. The MBA program is a demanding curriculum where you will study management, leadership, and entrepreneurship alongside students who come from over 135 different universities.

2. Gather your materials.

To apply to HBS means planning years in advance. They urge you to “introduce” yourself on their website and sign up for their e-newsletter as early in the process as you’re willing. From there, you’ll need a four-year undergraduate transcript, a stellar GMAT or GRE score, an English language test (most often a TOEFL) if you attended a college where English was not the main language of instruction, a 900-word personal statement, two letters of recommendation from your supervisors (ideally), colleagues, etc., a resume showing a minimum of two years of work experience prior to enrolling (not required but “recommended”), a signed acceptance of HBS policies, and a $250 application fee unless you qualify for a fee waiver. 

3. Show them the numbers. 

Harvard’s Class of 2025 had an MBA enrollment of 938 students. Their admissions website confirms they aim to end up with about 900+ per class. The trouble is few ever turn them down, though they don’t report on those numbers. They received 8,149 applications in the 2022-2023 year and that meant their enrollment rate was 11.5%.  The HBS admit rate hovers at 12.5%. Those are THEIR numbers, but yours are more important. 

• HBS GMAT range was 500-790 with a median GMAT of 740.
• HBS GRE range was 295-340 with a median GRE of 326. 
• The average undergraduate GPA was a 3.73.
• The average years of work experience was 4.9. 
• The average age is 27 years old. 

4. Understand what sets them apart.

Harvard looks for applicants who demonstrate and continually showcase strong leadership. They want you to prove you’re a leader and show how you put that into action in your work. They also want applicants who can think on their feet and show “analytical aptitude and appetite.” Are you hungry for engaging discussions, debates, assessments, analyses? Great, show them. And lastly, do you care about your community?  How, when, where, for whom —and is that part of who you are and what you live for? Harvard terms this “engaged community citizenship” and your resume, essay and letters of recommendation need to clearly illustrate this in unique, compelling ways.

5. Uncover clear ways to set yourself apart. 

The HBS applicants we have assisted overdeliver in their applications, and that is intentional. They do not give Harvard the bare minimum when it comes to GMAT/GRE range, GPA, work experience or clear, concise examples of how they thrive in their work. Our past successful applicants have presented essays to HBS admissions readers that distinctly exemplify how they could and would succeed at Harvard. For example:

• They show their passion for their field with stories, examples, background details that reveal pieces of who they are and how they lead.
• They showcase information on how they interact with and engage with others at work and in their lives, drawing on their personal values, code of ethics, morals and authenticity. 
• They relay clear details that speak to their intellectual curiosity, excitement for learning and keen interest in building connections and community. 

We would love to help you build your profile and become a compelling candidate for HBS —contact us to learn more about our MBA admissions consulting program.