Harvard Business School is renowned for its prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, but gaining admission can be quite challenging due to the school’s low acceptance rate of 11.5%. With such a competitive pool of applicants, prospective students must showcase exceptional academic and professional achievements to stand out among the crowd.
When applying to Harvard Business School for an MBA, there is no specific minimum GPA requirement, although successful candidates typically have impressive undergraduate academic records. Additionally, there is no minimum score required for the GMAT or GRE exams, as the Admissions Board evaluates applicants holistically. While academic performance is important, the admissions process also considers work experience, leadership abilities, and personal characteristics.
The admissions process at Harvard Business School is highly competitive, with each applicant carefully reviewed by the Admissions Board. In addition to academic and test scores, the board looks for candidates who demonstrate strong leadership potential, unique experiences, and a clear sense of purpose. To increase their chances of acceptance, prospective students should present a well-rounded application that highlights their strengths and distinguishes them from other applicants.
| Harvard MS MBA Acceptance Rate | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 11.5% |
| GPA Requirement | No minimum GPA requirement, but strong undergraduate records are typical |
| Standardized Tests | No minimum GMAT or GRE score required, no preference between the two tests |
Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offer a joint degree program which confers an MBA from HBS and a Master of Science (MS) in Engineering Sciences from SEAS. The program is completed in four semesters over two years, augmented by summer and January term coursework amounting to three-quarters of a fifth semester. Designed to train future leaders of technology ventures, the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences Program will provide a strong foundation in general management, build design skills, and extend students’ understanding of engineering.
The program seeks to enroll about 30 students annually, whose undergraduate training in engineering or computer science combined with their work experience put them on track to lead teams that make “how to build it” decisions in technology ventures. Upon completion of the program, graduates will also be prepared to make “what to build” decisions, which are the province of startup founders and product managers, general managers, and CEOs in mature technology companies.Students in the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences Program have access to a network of alumni advisors, a group of accomplished entrepreneurs, technology company executives, and venture capitalists who serve as mentors, speakers, and career advisors for the community.
Successful technology ventures are able to meet customers’ needs, leverage technology for advantage, and have a viable business model. Leaders of those ventures must be trained as designers—of products, business models, and organizations. To achieve these goals, the program conveys concepts and builds skills in engineering, design, and innovation management.
MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences students complete degree requirements in four semesters over two years, augmented by coursework during August at the beginning of the program and during both January terms. Students have the summer free between Year 1 and Year 2 to work on their own startup concept or pursue an internship at a technology company.
To enroll in the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences program, candidates must apply to and be accepted by HBS and by the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). To simplify the process, required elements to apply to both the MBA and the Master of Science will be hosted in the HBS application system.
Required for MBA: application form, resume, official transcript(s), essay, official standardized test scores, two recommendations, acceptance of policies, and application fee.
Harvard MBA Requirements
Applicants to HBS must have the following:
+A 4-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent+GMAT or GRE test results+TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE test results if you attended a non-English undergraduate program
- Written ApplicationTo apply to Harvard Business School, we ask you to assemble and prepare a variety of materials that will help us assess your qualifications. Remember, all materials must be submitted to HBS online by the application deadlines. The following serves as a preview of what you need to prepare.
- When submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GMAT or GRE score given on the day of the test for tests taken at GMAT or GRE testing centers, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must request that Pearson (for the GMAT) or ETS (for the GRE) send an official score report directly to HBS.
- We require you to complete the AWA portion of the exam; however, you do not need the results in order to submit your application.
- We accept online versions of the GMAT or GRE. Please plan accordingly as scores from online tests may take time to be received.
- Be advised that in order to apply for admission, scores must be dated as follows:
- A TOEFL, IELTS or Pearson Test of English (PTE) is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.
- Scores from ALL of these tests are valid for two years. These tests must be dated January 1, 2020 or more recently to be valid.
- HBS only accepts the Internet-based (IBT) version of the TOEFL.
- There is a nonrefundable application fee (credit card only) of $250 (USD)* to offset the cost of reviewing applications. All active duty military applicants and past SVMP participants do not have to pay the application fee. We also invite you to apply for a need-based application fee waiver if the fee presents a financial burden.
GMAT/GREWhen submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GMAT or GRE score given on the day of the test for tests taken at GMAT or GRE testing centers, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must request that Pearson (for the GMAT) or ETS (for the GRE) send an official score report directly to HBS.We require you to complete the AWA portion of the exam; however, you do not need the results in order to submit your application.We accept online versions of the GMAT or GRE. Please plan accordingly as scores from online tests may take time to be received.Be advised that in order to apply for admission, scores must be dated as follows:
| If you are applying in… | Your GMAT or GRE test date must fall on or between |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 8, 2016 and September 7, 2021 |
| Round 2 | January 4, 2017 and January 5, 2022 |
| 2+2 Round | April 30, 2016 and April 28, 2021 |
There is no minimum GMAT or GRE to apply and we do not have a preference toward one test or the other. If you look at our class profile, you can see that we have a range of GMAT scores in the current first year class. If you do test multiple times, you may report your best score, and we will only look at the scores from the single test sitting you report in your application.
Please note that the HBS code for the GMAT is HRLX892 and the HBS code for the GRE is 4064.–
TOEFL/IELTS/Pearson Test of English (PTE)A TOEFL, IELTS or Pearson Test of English (PTE) is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English.If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.Scores from ALL of these tests are valid for two years. These tests must be dated January 1, 2020 or more recently to be valid.HBS only accepts the Internet-based (IBT) version of the TOEFL.
HBS does not have a minimum test score to apply, however, the MBA Admissions Board discourages any candidate with a TOEFL score lower than 109 on the IBT, an IELTS score lower than 7.5, or a PTE score lower than 75 from applying.
Please note that the HBS code for the TOEFL is 3444.–
Essay
There was one question for the Class of 2022:
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?
There is no word limit for this question. We think you know what guidance we’re going to give here. Don’t overthink, overcraft and overwrite. Just answer the question in clear language that those of us who don’t know your world can understand.Joint program applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School must provide an additional essay:
How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 words)–
Recommendations (2)
You will need to have two recommendations submitted online by the application deadlines.
Recommenders will be asked to fill out a personal qualities and skills grid and answer our two additional questions (see below).
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all recommendations are submitted online by the deadline date for the round in which the applicant is applying.
Use your best judgment on who you decide to ask – there is no set formula for who should be your recommenders. We know it is not always possible to have a direct supervisor write your recommendation – we would not want you to jeopardize your current position for the application process. Look at the questions we are asking recommenders to complete. Find people who know you well enough to answer them. This can be a former supervisor, a colleague, someone you collaborate on an activity outside of work. How well a person knows you should take priority over level of seniority or HBS alumni status.
Recommender QuestionsRecommendations must be completed online. The recommendation form includes the following questions, along with other types of questions:
How do the candidate’s performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)–
Resume
A current business resume uploaded through our online application system.
This can be your standard business resume or CV. You do not need to have it in any special format. You can use whatever you would use to conduct a job search.–Acceptance of PoliciesSigned Acceptance of HBS Admissions Policies–FeeThere is a nonrefundable application fee (credit card only) of $250 (USD)* to offset the cost of reviewing applications. All active duty military applicants and past SVMP participants do not have to pay the application fee. We also invite you to apply for a need-based application fee waiver if the fee presents a financial burden.
*Applicants to our 2+2 Program have a reduced application fee of $100.
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