Harvard Business School MBA Program
Important Application Requirements

Table of Contents

The Application Process Application Dates When to Apply Requirements for Admission Admissions Policies The Written Application    Online Application and Recommendation System    Recommendations    Transcripts    GMAT or GRE    Resume    Essays    Additional Information    Application Fee    Application Integrity and Verification

The Interview Additional Requirements for International Students   Academic Requirements   International Transcripts   TOEFL or IELTS Once You Have Applied   Application Receipt Notification   Notification of Admissions Decision   Feedback on Denied Applications Special Situations   College Seniors   Previously Admitted Applicants   Reapplicants   Joint Degree Applicants

Review Application Process

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Harvard Business School MBA Program.  We encourage you to carefully review the following steps:

1) Tell us who you are by completing the form on the Introduce Yourself page. This allows us to send you additional information relevant to your interests, including invitations to MBA Admissions events in your area.

2) Please read our Web site carefully BEFORE submitting your application.

3) College students and international applicants should read the specific information provided for them.

4) Review the Application Dates to select an application period most appropriate for you. Please note that you may submit an application only once per year.

5) Organize the applications materials you'll need, including your transcripts, test scores, resume and recommender contact information.

6) Submit your written application online. All applications and recommendations must be submitted online and will not be accepted via mail.

Application Deadlines and Notification Schedule for the Class Entering 2011

	Application submitted online by 12:00 noon (Boston time):	Notification date of the Board's decision:
Round 1	Friday, October 1, 2010	Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Round 2	Tuesday, January 11, 2011	Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Round 3	Thursday, March 31, 2011	Thursday, May 5, 2011

Please note that each "round" represents a distinct period in which you may apply, not a succession of steps for your application. You may apply in one round only, one time in an application year.

Given past experience, we anticipate that many candidates will submit their online application materials very close to 12:00 noon on submission deadline dates. To avoid heavy server traffic and potential delays, we encourage candidates to submit application materials as early as possible.

Applications received after 12:00 noon on October 1, 2010 will be considered in Round 2.  Applications received after 12:00 noon on January 11, 2011 will be considered in Round 3.  Applications received after 12:00 noon on March 31, 2011 will not be considered. (All times local to Boston.)

Regretfully, requests for decisions earlier than the notification dates listed above cannot be accommodated under any circumstances.

When to Apply

To avoid overwhelming server traffic generated by the high volume of applications we receive, candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible prior to the deadline of each round.

We encourage applicants to apply in the first or second round, as space in the class may be limited by the third round. In addition, applying in the earlier rounds will give candidates more time to address the following:

• International candidates may need additional time to arrange for their visas, housing, and financial aid, and to work on their English proficiency.
• Some candidates may be required to complete preliminary course work prior to their enrollment.
• Many deadlines for outside (non-Harvard Business School) fellowships are in early spring. Only students who have been accepted are eligible for these fellowships.
• HBS financial aid decisions are made only after a candidate has been admitted.
• Harvard Business School residence halls and Harvard University-affiliated apartments are assigned by lottery. Deadlines for both of these housing options precede Round 3 notification, and you must be admitted to HBS before you can enter these lotteries.

Requirements for Admission

To be considered for admission, an applicant must have successfully completed the following:

• A degree program at an accredited U.S. four-year undergraduate college/university or its equivalent;
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate record Examination (GRE) taken January 1, 2006 or later. The GMAT or GRE is a prerequisite for admission;
• Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English (PTE) taken January 1, 2009 or later, is required for international applicants who attended a non-English-speaking undergraduate university; and
• Submission of a complete online application for evaluation by one of the decision round deadlines.

The HBS MBA application itself consists of a number of components you may review on in the Written Application section.

Admissions Policies

As you prepare your application to Harvard Business School, please be aware of the following policies:

• All applications and recommendations must be submitted online.
• Only one application may be submitted per year.
• Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete.
• The Admissions Board will not consider any additional materials or changes once an application has been submitted.
• The completed application becomes the confidential property of Harvard Business School and is not returnable.
• Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the information and accompanying material provided in connection with their application is authentic and accurate.
• Harvard Business School may at any time require applicants to provide satisfactory verification of the information and documents submitted as part of their application. If an applicant is unable to do so, the School reserves the right to cease consideration of the application, to withdraw any offer of admission already made, and/or to terminate one's status as a student.
• Applicants assume all costs for authenticating and verifying documents and information associated with their application.
• All reapplicants, except for those who were previously admitted, are required to submit a complete application. Previously admitted applicants should contact MBA Admissions for special reapplication instructions at admissions@hbs.edu.
• Once an application is submitted, the Board reserves the right to request additional information from the applicant, including, but not limited to, an interview.
• All applicants who have been invited for an interview must fulfill the request in order to complete the application process.
• Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who were not admitted.

The Written Application

A complete application includes the following:

• Three (3) recommendations (must be submitted online)
• Self-reported transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions attended
• GMAT or GRE scores from a test taken January 1, 2006 or later
• For international applicants (if applicable), TOEFL IBT, IELTS, and/or PTE scores from a test taken January 1, 2009 or later
• Essays (single-spaced)
• Current resume (2 pages maximum)
• Signed HBS Community Values statement
• Signed Statement of Application Integrity
• Nonrefundable (U.S.) $250 Application Fee (credit card only)
• Interview (by invitation only)

Online Application and Recommendation System

All applicants and recommenders are required to submit their application using the online system.

The Admissions Board will not review or consider any materials that are not a part of the online application.

Given past experience and human nature, we anticipate that many applicants will submit their online application materials very close to 12:00 noon on submission deadline dates. As such, we encourage applicants to submit application materials as early as possible to avoid heavy server traffic and potential delays.

Applications received after 12:00 noon on October 1, 2010 will be considered in Round 2. Applications received after 12:00 noon on January 11, 2011 will be considered in Round 3. Applications received after 12:00 noon on March 31, 2011 will not be considered. (All times local to Boston.)

We strongly advise that you keep a copy of your completed application portfolio for your records as the application will not be available to you after the application season concludes.

Recommendations

Recommendations provide an important opportunity for the Admissions Board to gain additional information about you. Consider the following guidelines when choosing recommenders:

• Your three recommenders should be people who are able to relate specific and relevant details about your abilities and performance.
• The Admissions Board may contact your recommenders to clarify or to gain additional information regarding your candidacy as well as to verify the content of the recommendations.
• All recommendations must be completed online. See the instructions listed in the “Recommendations” section of the online application for further information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all three recommendations are submitted online by the deadline date for the round in which you apply. However, you do not need to wait for your recommenders to submit their recommendations before submitting your application. Previous applicants have found it helpful to ask their recommenders to submit their forms the week prior to the applicant’s application deadline.

Transcripts

All applicants must submit self-reported transcripts from each academic institution attended (full- or part-time) that has contributed to the granting of a degree.  You may scan an official, unofficial, or student copy of your transcript, or you may use the self-reported transcript form available in the application.

When submitting your transcript, you should:

• List your courses and course numbers exactly as they appear on your official transcript or scan your transcript.
• Be as complete and as specific as possible.
• Follow the guidelines listed in the “Self-Reported Transcript” section of the online application.

If admitted, applicants will be required to provide an official paper transcript, sent directly from each academic institution attended. Each transcript will be verified, course by course. It is strongly recommended that you use your official transcript as a reference when filling out the self-reported transcript form. The Admissions Board reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between the self-reported transcript and the official transcript.

GMAT or GRE

All applicants are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) before applying and must self-report test scores on the application form. Unofficial scores are acceptable as long as your official scores (including AWA scores) are sent to HBS when they are available. 

Please keep in mind:

• An application will not be reviewed if GMAT or GRE scores are not included.
• Applicants may elect to take the GMAT or GRE more than once; however, GMAT or GRE scores from only one test date will be considered.
• Once an application has been submitted, applicants may not change the GMAT ore GRE scores that will be considered.
• GMAT or GRE scores from tests taken before January 1, 2006 will not be accepted.

Every applicant must also request that Pearson (for the GMAT) or ETS (for the GRE) send an official score report directly to HBS.

• The Harvard Business School Pearson code (for the GMAT) is HRLX892.
• The Harvard Business School ETS code (for the GRE) is 4064.
• If you previously submitted your GMAT or GRE scores to HBS, please self-report your scores in your application. Your scores are on file with our office and there is no need to request an official score report.

To obtain more information about the GMAT, visit www.gmat.org.  To learn more about the GRE, visit www.ets.org/gre.   

Resume

All applicants must submit a current resume (two pages maximum) that describes work history and responsibilities, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.

Essays

All applicants must submit answers to four essay questions. The first two questions are required of all applicants. The remaining two essays may be in response to your choice of the next four sub-questions. Please limit your responses to the lengths indicated.

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.

Essays should be single-spaced. Limit your response to the length indicated.

Essay questions for the MBA class entering in the fall of 2011 are:

1.  What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)

2.  What have you learned from a mistake?  (400-word limit)
______________________________________________________________

3.  Please respond to two of the following (400-word limit each):

a.     What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?

2. What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
3. Tell us about a time in your professional experience when you were frustrated or disappointed.
4. When you join the HBS Class of 2013, how will you introduce yourself to your new classmates?

_____________________________________________________________

Joint degree candidates only:
How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400-word limit)

 

Additional Information

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline date for the round in which you apply.

• The Admissions Board will not review any materials that are not a part of the online application.
• No additional materials sent to HBS after your application is submitted (e.g., additional recommendations, professional and personal updates, etc.) will be reviewed.
• If you are extended an invitation to interview, you may update the interviewer of any changes in your candidacy at that time.

Application Fee

• A nonrefundable (U.S.) $250 application fee must accompany each online application.
• Applicants must make payment using a credit card.
• Applicants may use a credit card registered in someone else’s name (e.g., a friend, family member, colleague) if they do not have one registered in their name.

Application Integrity and Verification

The Admissions Board reserves the right to conduct verification of any part of a applicant’s application, including academic and testing information, employment information, extracurricular activities, awards and recognition, essays, and recommendations. Please aid us in this effort by being as complete and precise as possible in your application.

All applicants are required to sign a Statement of Application Integrity.

The Interview

After your application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to an interview. The interview is an indicator of interest, but is not a guarantee of admission; it serves as one element among many that are considered as we review your application. All interviews are conducted by invitation only, at the discretion of the Admissions Board. If invited, however, you must participate in order to complete the application process.

Interviews are conducted by the MBA Admissions Board or a member of our small alumni interviewing network. Interviews may be scheduled on campus, on the telephone, or in domestic or international hub cities.

Neither the timing of your interview nor its format – in-person or by phone – implies anything about the status of your application or affects your candidacy. Invitations to interview may be extended up until the notification date of a round and are a positive indicator no matter when you receive them.

Also, please note the following:

• Applicants are expected to incur reasonable travel costs as a result of the interview process.
• Applicants will be sent interview invitations via e-mail with telephone follow-up if necessary. Invitations will be issued throughout the weeks of the decision round, up to and including the day of decision notification.

Additional Requirements for International Students

The admissions criteria for evaluating international applications are the same as those for U.S. citizens. All application materials (including self-reported transcripts and recommendations) must be submitted in English.

The Admissions Board strongly encourages international applicants to apply by the second decision period (Round 2) to allow admitted applicants ample time to address language, visa, housing, and financial aid issues.

Academic Requirements

International applicants are required to hold a college or university degree, equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree. Include all postsecondary educational institutions you have attended in your application, including technical and professional schools, using the complete formal names of the institutions and the title of any diploma or degree earned.

International Transcripts

All courses must be translated into English on the self-reported transcript. List your courses exactly as they appear on your official transcript. Be as complete and as specific as possible, following the guidelines listed in the “Self-Reported Transcript” section of the online application.

If admitted, international applicants will be required to provide an official paper transcript sent directly from each college or university attended to World Education Services (WES), a third party verification agency. If available, your school should send a transcript in English along with the original language document. It is strongly recommended that you use your official transcript as a reference when filling out the self-reported transcript form. The Admissions Board reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is a discrepancy between the self-reported transcript and the official transcript.

TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE

The HBS MBA Program is built upon an immersive learning experience that encourages public speaking, group discussions, and active class participation. To succeed, students must possess a highly developed proficiency in written and oral English.

• Candidates who received their bachelor's degree from an English-speaking university are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE (i.e., they are exempt).
• Candidates who received their bachelor's degree from a non-English-speaking university are required to take either the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and/or the Pearson Test of English (PTE).  We no longer accept the paper or CBT versions of the TOEFL. 
• Candidates who received a master's or Ph.D. degree from an English-speaking university are strongly encouraged to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, and/or PTE score.  A TOEFL, IELTS, and/or PTE test score may be a condition of admission.
• Scores from tests taken before January 1, 2009 will not be accepted.
• The MBA Admissions Board discourages any candidate with a TOEFL score lower than 109 on the IBT from applying.

Those candidates required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE must have received at least their unofficial scores prior to submitting their application. Both overall and component test scores must be reported on the application form.

All applicants must request that ETS (for the TOEFL), IELTS, and/or Pearson (for the PTE) send official copies of their scores to HBS.

To obtain more information about these tests, contact:

• TOEFL at www.toefl.org.
• IELTS at www.ielts.org.
• PTE at www.pearsonpte.com.

Once You Have Applied

Please be advised that once an application has been submitted, any additional materials sent to HBS (e.g., additional recommendations, professional and personal updates, etc.) will not be reviewed.

Application Receipt Notification

Once you have submitted your application online, you will receive a confirmation email from the Admissions Office. We will contact you if there are any missing components of your application.

Notification of Admissions Decision

By the end of the day on the notification date for the round in which you submit, your decision will be posted to the online application system. When your decision is available, all applicants will receive an email reminder to check the Board's decision via this system, but you may also access it directly by logging into your application. In some cases, your decision may be an invitation to interview or an invitation to join our waitlist.

Requests for decisions earlier than your notification date will not be granted.

Decisions will not be given to applicants via telephone.

Feedback on Denied Applications

Admissions decisions are made only after thoughtful weighing of all the evidence provided to us by each applicant and with careful consideration given to the overall balance of participants we seek for the MBA Program.

Unfortunately, many outstanding individuals are denied admission. Because of the large number of applications we receive, we cannot accommodate requests for personalized feedback on your application. Also, please understand that the decision of the Admissions Board is final, and that we cannot advise you on whether or not you should reapply in the future.

Special Situations

College Seniors

The Admissions Board encourages college seniors who exhibit outstanding leadership through extracurricular and community activities and superior academic ability to apply. Each year, we grant admission to outstanding college seniors. Admitted college seniors who feel they would benefit from some full-time work experience prior to enrolling may request a postponement after admittance. The Admissions Board may also grant deferred admission to college seniors whom we feel would benefit from and contribute to the MBA Program after some full-time work experience.

Please keep the following in mind when completing the application:

• Self-reported transcripts: Include the name of any courses in which you are currently enrolled.
• Resume: Provide information about your most recent work history, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.
• Recommendations: Your three recommenders should be people who are able to relate specific and relevant details about your abilities and performance. These could be professors, supervisors, or extra-curricular activity advisors.
• Application Fee: The $250 application fee will be reduced to $100 for college seniors (i.e., applicants currently enrolled in a four-year university or the equivalent with no full-time work experience). Please check the college senior box in the Education section of the application, and you will be able to submit your application at the reduced fee.

Previously Admitted Applicants

If you were admitted to the class entering in Fall 2010 but were unable to attend, please contact MBA Admissions for special reapplication instructions by telephone at 617-495-6213 or via email at admissions@hbs.edu.

Reapplicants

HBS neither encourages nor discourages applicants from reapplying to the MBA Program. Successful reapplicants are able to demonstrate personal and professional growth achieved through increased opportunities for leadership and/or improvement in academics.

• All reapplicants are required to complete the 2010-2011 application in its entirety.
• All reapplicants must pay the nonrefundable (U.S.) $250 application fee (credit card only).
• GMAT or GRE scores from tests taken before January 1, 2006 will not be accepted. If you previously submitted your GMAT or GRE scores to HBS, please self-report your scores in your application. Your scores are on file with our office and there is no need to request an official score report.
• International reapplicants should note that TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE scores from tests taken before January 1, 2009 will not be accepted. If you previously submitted your TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores to HBS, please self-report your scores in your application. Your scores are on file with our office and there is no need to request an official score report.  Note that HBS only accepts the Internet-based version of the TOEFL.

Joint Degree Applicants

The Harvard Business School offers joint degree programs with Harvard Medical School (MD/MBA), Harvard School of Dental Medicine (DMD/MBA), Harvard Law School (JD/MBA), and Harvard Kennedy School (MPA-ID/MBA and MPP/MBA).  Applicants must apply separately to each school.  Applicants should indicate on the HBS application their intent to complete a joint degree, and must also answer an additional essay question for joint degree applicants.

For more information about joint degree programs, go to
www.hbs.edu/mba/academics/jointdegree.html

For more information about the Harvard Medical School, go to
www.hms.harvard.edu.

For more information about the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, go to
http://www.hsdm.harvard.edu.

For more information about the Harvard Law School, go to
www.law.harvard.edu/admissions.shtml.

For more information about the Kennedy School, go to
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/gateway/prospective-students.