harvard business school phd application deadline

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The department of Economics at Harvard University is committed to seeking out and mentoring scholars who wish to pursue a rigorous and rewarding career in economic research. Our graduates are trailblazers in their fields and contribute to a diverse alumni community in both the academic and non-academic sectors. We invite you to learn more about the PhD program in Economics . Have questions about applying? Please thoroughly check the GSAS admission website before emailing us at: [email protected] . 

Harvard does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job or course of study requirements, and we actively  seek applicants  from historically underrepresented communities. We hope you’ll consider applying. Immigration status does not factor into decisions about admissions and financial aid. For more information, see  Undocumented at Harvard . 

Apply to Economics @Harvard

Application Requirements

• Completed online application form (Must be completed by December 1st)
• Statement of Purpose
• Transcripts for all college/university degrees and courses Self-reported transcripts are accepted for both all programs at the application stage. Applicants must upload copies of his/her transcripts to the online application system. Hard copy transcripts will only be required if admitted to a program, prior to enrollment.
• Current GRE scores
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native English speakers see details below)
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic source). Recommendation letters must be submitted online through the online application system. 
• Application fee 
• Writing sample (at least 15 pages in length)

All applicants are required to take the  General Test of the Graduate Record Examination  (GRE). Test scores are valid for five years (scores must be from no earlier than January 5, 2019 for Fall 2024 admission). Applicants are, however, advised to take the exam no later than mid-November. There is no minimum test score requirement. A department code is not required for score submission. Institution Codes for PhD Programs GRE: 3451

Financial Aid

All admitted students are awarded a financial package which includes tuition, single-person health insurance, living stipend for the first two years, teaching and research assistant stipends and a completion fellowship in the final year of the program.

International Applications

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an institution at which English is the language of instruction must submit  TOEFL  or IELTS scores.

TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for two years. (scores must be from no earlier than January 5, 2022 for Fall 2024 admission). The committee prefers scores of at least 100 on the internet-based test.  Institution Codes for Toefl score reports PhD programs: 3451

Reapplicants

Applicants who applied last year are considered reapplicants. Those reapplying must submit a completely new application. The new application must include all required documents to be provided by the applicant - we will not re-use material previously submitted. These materials include an updated statement of purpose, transcripts, test score reports, updated letters of recommendation, the application fee, and any other supporting materials

Please note, Harvard University will accept no more than three applications from any one individual over the course of his/her lifetime.

Applying to more than one Program

Harvard has several PhD programs that may also be of interest to students considering applying to the PhD program in economics. These include Business Economics, Political Economy and Government, Public Policy, and Health Policy.  Many students in these programs have considerable overlap in their coursework with courses offered to PhD students in economics.   Many also have dissertation committees that include faculty members of the economics department. Please refer to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for applicable program deadlines.  (Deadlines have already passed for some programs this year but not for others.) We encourage those with interest in any of those programs to also apply to those programs. The economics department will make admissions decisions independently, so application to or admission to other programs will not adversely affect admissions decisions within the Economics department. If you opt to apply, please note, the Graduate School will not accept more than three applications from any individual during the course of his or her academic career. 

Economics Mentoring Program

Many students interested in an economics PhD experience disparate degrees of support in the application process. The Economics Mentoring Program (EMP, formerly known as AAMP) aims to mitigate these gaps by helping students from underrepresented groups connect with graduate student mentors in the economics PhD programs at Duke, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. These mentors can provide:

• Advice on graduate school and fellowship applications, including questions about the application process and feedback on application materials.
• Information about economics research, life as a PhD student or in an academic career, for students who are deciding whether a PhD in economics is the right choice for them.

The EMP aims to increase the pipeline of diverse talent in economics PhD programs and welcomes participation from all groups underrepresented in economics, including but not limited to: Black, Hispanic-Latin, Native American, low-income, and LGBTQ+ students, women, students with disabilities, and students who are the first in their families to go to college. The EMP welcomes participation among students at various stages of their economics studies, including undergraduates and college graduates. The EMP is open to students who are curious about the academic economics experience and interested in figuring out if it’s right for them.

Interested participants should fill out the application linked below. We will accept applications until July 22, 2024. Mentorship will begin over the summer and continue through Fall 2024. Mentees who prefer to meet for a single “coffee chat” may indicate their preference on the form. We will do our best to match all interested applicants with a mentor; however, demand may exceed the availability of mentors.

Please note that the EMP is a volunteer-based, student-run program. This program is not considered part of the admissions process for the economics PhD at Duke, Harvard, MIT, or Stanford nor will any student's participation in the EMP be considered by the graduate admissions committee at any school.

Please direct any questions to [email protected] . To join the program, please click the link below to fill out the form. For more information, please visit our website here

Website link: www.economicsmentoringprogram.com

EMP Application Form Link: https://forms.gle/tWvNRXRJQWEHhFn16

• PhD Program
• Program Requirements
• Job Placement
• Financial Support

HBS Application Portal

• Round 1: Wednesday, September 4, 2024 (Notification: Tuesday, December 10, 2024)
• Round 2: Monday, January 6, 2025 (Notification: Wednesday, March 26, 2025)

Summer II 2024 Application Deadline is June 30, 2024.  

Click here to apply.

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• 45 min read

The Complete Guide to Business School PhD Applications

Megan Gorges, Harvard Business School

Stephen Turban, Harvard Business School

(Authors contributed equally to the development of this guide. Authors listed alphabetically.)

Quick Links:

Refreshed Guide to PhD Application - PDF Link

Compiled Business School PhD Interview Questions

Example CVs of PhD Applicants

Example SOPs of PhD Applicants

This document is intended as a guide to help future applicants navigate the process of applying for business school PhD programs. This guide is based on Stephen and Megan’s firsthand experience applying to PhD programs and is supplemented by data from a survey of 46 other successful applicants. Our objective is to provide open access to the “insider” information we gathered through our own journeys and to help level the playing field for all aspiring business school academics.

Introduction

The competition for admission to business school PhD programs has grown in intensity in recent years. As a result, some successful applicants enter the admissions process with considerable information about business school academia – while others do not. The goal of this guide is to democratize access to this information so that applicants from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed in the admissions process.

The authors of this guide – Stephen Turban and Megan Gorges – first met while at an admitted students' day for a management PhD program. Over the following few weeks, we would bump into each other on several visit days across the country. As we did, we began to wonder: why were we accepted to these programs when others were not? We concluded it was not because we were better candidates, but rather because we had more access to information about the admissions process. Megan had worked as a lab manager at Berkeley Haas in the preceding year and had received guidance from faculty members and PhD students as she applied. Stephen, similarly, had spent a summer working at Harvard Business School in college and so drew upon his friends and mentors to help him through the process. The advice in this guide is drawn from our experiences combined with quantitative survey data collected from other admitted PhD students.

Specifically, this guide is intended to provide tactical advice on how to succeed in the business school PhD admissions process. It is inspired by Abhishek Nagaraj’s 2010 “ A Guide to Business PhD Applications ,” which we highly recommend. We have endeavored to make this guide complementary to the information already provided in that article.

We will begin with a general discussion of whether or not you should pursue a PhD, recommend a timeline for preparation (which ideally begins 2+ years prior to your planned application cycle), and then cover choosing where to apply, preparing your application materials, and navigating the interview process.

Before we begin, the following are some considerations regarding the authority and generalizability of this guide. Both authors applied to Organizational Behavior and Management programs (Stephen to the macro track and Megan to the micro), so our advice will be especially relevant for individuals applying to those areas. However, where possible, we have highlighted differences in expectations for different subdisciplines.

To gain a broader perspective, we invited all the applicants we met at program visits and interview days to participate in a survey about their experience in the admissions process. Of the 46 survey respondents, 50% were female, 46% had applied to organizational behavior programs (this oversampling is likely a result of our limited contact with students across other disciplines) while the rest had applied to a range of disciplines including marketing, economics, and strategy, and respondents had received their undergraduate degrees an average of 3.4 years prior to their planned matriculation date (with a standard deviation of 3.3 years and a median of 2 years). Collectively, the survey respondents were admitted to many top business school programs, including Berkeley Haas, Boston College Carroll, Boston University Questrom, Carnegie Mellon Tepper, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Cornell, Duke Fuqua, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, Kellogg, London Business School, Michigan Ross, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB, Toronto Rotman, UCLA Anderson, USC Marshall, Wharton, and Yale SOM. Additionally, we would like to thank our fellow admits who reviewed this guide and improved it with their feedback.

Given our position as incoming students, we are only able to provide advice from the applicant's perspective and are not privy to insider information on how admissions committees select candidates. That being said, we are grateful to Abhishek Nagaraj – now a faculty member at Berkeley Haas – for his feedback on this guide. His input gives us confidence that the recommendations contained herein are valid from at least one faculty member’s perspective.

Should you get a PhD?

The following section serves as a complement to Abhishek Nagaraj’s 2010 guide , which provides a very clear account of the PhD experience and the life of an academic. We seek to add to his analysis by focusing on the trade-offs implicit in pursuing a PhD in a business field, particularly vis-a-vis working in industry and other non-business PhD programs. We will also highlight the impact faculty members make in the field.

Why apply to a business school PhD program?

The most common reason to pursue a PhD in a business school is to become a business school professor. In most business schools nearly all tenured faculty members have doctoral degrees from either a business school field (e.g., management, finance, marketing, etc.) or a related discipline (e.g., economics, sociology, psychology, etc.).

PhD programs in business schools can take many forms. Business research can take a highly quantitative approach – as in the case of business economics, accounting, or finance – or use qualitative methods such as ethnography. Research methods could include experiments, interviews, or the analysis of large datasets. What unites these disparate approaches is A) the connection between the research and the practice of doing business and B) that most PhD graduates intend to become faculty members at business schools.

If you have just started considering a PhD in business, you should seek to gather as much information as you can about what this career path entails and the degree to which it suits your interests and goals. This guide is a good start, but you may also consider attending a DocNet fair where you can meet with and learn from business school admissions staff. If you are a member of an underrepresented minority, you should also look into the PHD Project , which is an excellent resource for learning about the profession and connecting to mentors.

What do business school professors do?

If applying to a business school PhD generally leads to becoming a professor, it is important to understand, “What is the life of a business school professor?”

Broadly, the work of a business school professor can be broken into four parts:

● Teaching and advising

● Service to the school

● External work (e.g., consulting, popular writing, book publishing)

Research is the central focus of professional life for both PhD students and faculty members. In general, the success of both students and junior faculty members is based on their ability to produce original research in their domain of interest. Because research is the most important activity in the academic career path, you should only pursue a PhD if you are passionate about conducting research. Depending on the field of study, this could involve running lab experiments, investigating large datasets, interviewing or working inside a company, or setting up field experiments in the outside world. After finishing a PhD program, most graduates become assistant professors at business schools. They then have 5-7 years to produce sufficient original research, generally in top academic journals, to get tenure. Simply put, tenured professors cannot be fired from their jobs.

Teaching and advising

Teaching also occupies a significant share of faculty members’ time. Business school professors traditionally teach MBA students. However, depending on the school, faculty members could also teach executive education, undergraduate, or digital courses. Universities also expect faculty members to advise PhD students in developing their own research.

Service to the school

The category of service includes any tasks performed for the betterment of the school or department that are not included in research or teaching. This could include, for example, serving on school-wide committees on diversity, working as chair of the department, or helping with admissions for PhD candidates. Some faculty members may go on to university leadership positions (e.g., provost, president).

External facing work (e.g., consulting, popular writing, book publishing) Finally, many faculty members – particularly at elite schools – work on projects intended to directly benefit the broader public. This could include advising companies on their strategy or business practices, writing popular press articles in publications such as Harvard Business Review , or authoring books. This ratio changes over time; as faculty members become more senior, they generally devote more time to external-facing work.

How does being a business school professor compare to other careers?

To begin, it’s important to understand what areas of a career matter to you – whether they be income, autonomy, impact, etc. It’s clear that there are many benefits to life as a business school professor – but also serious drawbacks.

For one, numerous researchers have documented the poor mental health of graduate students. One 2018 study conducted by researchers at Harvard, for example, showed that economic PhD students are three times more likely to show depressive symptoms than the average population (Barreira, Basilico, & Bolotnyy, 2018). It is worth noting that economics PhD programs may be harder on students’ mental health than most business programs, but we recommend looking into the large body of research on mental health issues in graduate students across a variety of programs. A PhD can be pressure-filled and the relatively small stipend can become a serious stressor for many students. Additionally, as many students argue, it’s hard to feel a sense of “progress” day-to-day. When the output is generating novel, innovative research, it is often unclear whether or not you’ve made progress toward that goal each day.

In addition, many PhD students face a significant opportunity cost by attending a PhD program – particularly a business school program. It is important to recognize that individuals who successfully become business school professors are generally highly educated and talented. That is to say, they have a skill set that would allow them to work successfully in other careers. In fact, PhD students who do not enter into academia often enter into other fields such as finance, consulting, and tech. Nonetheless, there are also numerous benefits to a PhD and business school academic career, including intellectual fun, autonomy, and a uniquely flexible lifestyle post-tenure.

Below is a general comparison of a business school professor’s career to one in industry. In general, professors win out on autonomy, lifestyle, and intellectual fun, but earn less and have fewer choices in location.

Individuals considering a PhD in business may also be interested in an academic career in a related field, such as economics, sociology, or psychology. For this group, it is useful to compare the career of business school academics to other academics.

When making a comparison based on these factors, business school academic careers win out over other academics in social science fields in most scenarios. One important caveat to this hinges on your ability to do “fundamental” or “basic” research. Because business schools exist to support managers and leaders, there is an expectation that your research be somewhat “applied” and connected to the practice of management. More fundamental topics (such as understanding personality changes across the lifespan which falls into the realm of basic psychology, or studying the structural elements of a machine learning algorithm which falls into the realm of computer science) can often fall outside the scope of business school research. If you are interested in studying an important topic that does not fit within the umbrella of business, then you may be more fulfilled pursuing a PhD in another discipline.

The main reason why business school academics are paid more (generally starting around $180 - $200k and then going up to $300-$400k) is because of their exit opportunities. If they left their career as an academic, they could command significantly higher salaries in the industry, which is not necessarily true for academics in other fields. Another reason why business school salaries are generally higher is that business schools bring in more revenue to spend on attracting high-quality faculty members and supporting their research. It is important to note that salaries likely vary by discipline (finance and strategy professors often command the highest salaries) and by school (more prestigious schools may be able to offer higher salaries).

What impact do business school professors have on the world?

In the comparison table above, we give industry careers a slight edge on the “impact” dimension. This begs the question: what type of impact do faculty members have on the world?

The reason industry careers may be judged as more impactful is that most business academics are solo contributors. This means that unless their research is picked up broadly – which is relatively rare – they will not be able to leverage teams and organizations to extend their impact as their industry peers do. In general, the distribution of the impact of academia has a long right tail, with research from a few superstars having significant influence, and most academics not achieving widespread exposure. Academics can combat this limitation by teaming up with other researchers or by developing academic organizations to expand the impact of their work (for example, founding a research lab or an institute in their particular area of interest).

What is the lifestyle of a business school professor?

A significant benefit of any faculty position is the autonomy. Professor and PhD students have the freedom to choose when and how to work. Generally, academia is a path that enables immense flexibility and self-direction.

Becoming a professor is a great way to engage in a lifetime of curiosity and learning. Professors often spend their days trying to learn about and answer questions that they find interesting. Unlike an industry career with its constant pressures towards commercial ends, professors are generally shielded from the day-to-day press of paperwork and profits.

How difficult is it to become a successful professor?

Unfortunately, even if you do complete a PhD, there is no guarantee that you will secure a job as a faculty member. The job market for assistant professor positions is quite competitive and most PhD graduates accept job offers at schools a rung or two lower in prestige than their degree-granting institution (Clauset, Arbesman, & Larremore, 2015). This 2015 study by Clauset, Arbesman, and Larremore found that PhD graduates in business go on to a faculty position at an institution an average of 25-30 positions lower in prestige (e.g., from Harvard to UT Austin). Others, of course, choose to forego an academic career and instead enter into industry, generally in a relatively high-paying position in finance, consulting, or tech. Some choose to complete their PhD and then take this path, whereas others elect not to finish the PhD and skip straight to their next career.

Why pursue a business school PhD?

This leads us back to the central question: why complete a business school PhD at all? If you are pursuing a PhD in a business school, it means that you either A) want to devote your time to conducting research and become a business school professor (and think the pros of this career outweigh the cons) or B) think that the PhD will unlock something else important in your life.

For Stephen, “A” was certainly true. He realized that the things he did for fun – write, explore data, and try to understand how organizations and business work – exactly matched the job description of a professor. For you, it is important to make that decision before you begin on the PhD application process and the long path to academia. The PhD can be extremely challenging, and the single best reason to enter into this journey is because you believe that you will be most happy spending your time conducting research.

To succeed in the PhD application process, you should give yourself ample time to prepare. As we will detail in the following section, there are numerous parts of the application. Some parts can be done relatively quickly – such as finding and uploading a transcript – and other parts require serious time commitment – such as doing research with faculty members.

In the below section, we outline an ideal timeline for an applicant. Of course, we recognize that most people will not follow this timeline exactly, and many will be able to complete some steps in this timeline more quickly. Rather, this timeline should serve as a benchmark as you go along your PhD application journey. For reference, most programs have application deadlines that range from early December to early January.

Illustrative timeline below

Illustrative Timeline for Business School PhD Application

Some quick notes on the timeline. We include a section that involves “Assist faculty member with research.” Though this is not 100% necessary, our experience indicates that research experience gives your application a strong edge in the selection process. The reason for this is three-fold: 1) prior research experience shows that you know what you are getting into and demonstrates your commitment to academia, 2) research experience signals some degree of preparation which may make you more successful in the PhD program, and 3) if you work on research specifically in a business school this can give you an “in” to the research community you are hoping to join. Notably in our survey, we found that 44 of our 46 surveyed admitted students had some form of research experience before applying. We will discuss this step in more detail in the section on the “the RA path to the PhD.”

We do not include your graduate or undergraduate studies as part of the timeline, though they remain important in the application. Broadly, the expectation is that you perform well during both of those periods. Of the admitted students we surveyed, the average GPA was roughly a 3.85 with a standard deviation of .12. However, we saw GPAs in the survey range from 3.5 to 4.0. In general, the common wisdom is that a strong GPA is necessary but not sufficient for a successful application.

We recommend that applicants get ahead of the schedule for applying. One faculty member at HBS, who completed their PhD at Stanford in 3 years, advised that you should be done with almost all parts of the application by August or September (which is even more aggressive than our timeline above). Front-loading your application efforts provides more ample time for revision and can reduce the stress during the final few weeks of submission.

Choosing where to apply

One of the most important steps before beginning the application is to identify the PhD programs to which you want to apply. In general, applicants should first select their broader field of interest (e.g., accounting, finance, business economics, strategy, etc.). Next, they should begin to identify some questions or topics they find interesting (e.g., social networks, status hierarchy, VC flow of capital, etc.). Finally, after selecting their intended field and topics of study, they should identify the top programs (and specific faculty within those programs) that match their own particular research interests.

Choosing your field and topics of interest

Business academia is split into numerous fields and subfields within which you must identify your particular interests. In general, business school research draws from a set of disciplines such as economics, sociology, psychology, and to a slightly lesser extent other fields such as history, statistics, and political science. Over time, business school researchers have developed their own fields such as organizational behavior, accounting, finance, and strategy. The best way to gain an understanding of these fields is to look at the types of academic articles that these researchers are publishing. It is important to have a general sense of the field of your interest and the types of questions that it does (and does not) cover.

From there, it is important to ask yourself questions about the topics that interest you. Megan, for example, knew she was interested in emotions and prosocial behavior because she had enjoyed assisting with research in those areas, and this led her to consider programs in management and organizational behavior (micro). Stephen, on the other hand, was interested in physical space, social networks, and worker mobility. This led him to look at programs that covered these topics, which were management or organizational behavior (macro). If you are having difficulty honing your own interest, a good way to explore is by reading the major journals in the field (e.g., Academy of Management Journal for management, Strategic Management Journal for strategy, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology or Journal of Applied Psychology for social psychology and micro organizational behavior). While preparing your application you should have a general idea of your research interests and specific topics you can discuss in your application materials; that said, no one will force you to continue doing research on the topics you mentioned in your application. So, this is meant to be directional but not binding.

Choosing the programs to apply to

After identifying your topics of interest comes the difficult task of choosing which programs to apply to. In general, there is a limited amount that you can learn online about a program, and because the characteristics of a program can change dramatically as different faculty members join and leave it is important to seek out up-to-date sources of information. We suggest four main ways to learn about your specific programs of interest.

Method 1) Online search for programs & faculty members

Even with its limitations, an online search is often the best way to get an initial feel for a program and to identify which programs are out there. When reading through program websites, there are three important factors to note: the faculty and their research interests, the careers (academic or otherwise) that their students go on to lead, and the location of the school. When casting your net for potential programs, keep in mind that MBA program prestige rankings do not correlate perfectly with the quality of business school PhD programs. There are many schools outside of the Ivy League or top MBA rankings that have excellent business school faculty and publish research in leading journals.

The most important characteristic of a program is its affiliated faculty members. After identifying which faculty members are affiliated with the program, it is then useful to look at the type of research that they are publishing by using Google Scholar or looking at their most recent CV. Even a cursory look at the abstracts of recent papers written by an academic can give you a sense of some of their research interests. (Though not all! Remember that the publication timeline is long, so a faculty member’s recent publications may no longer reflect their current research interests.) One way to find the most recent work of a faculty member is to look at conference websites – this is the research for which faculty members are seeking feedback from peers, so it is generally newer work. Students should focus on applying to programs with multiple faculty members (2-4) whose research interests overlap with their own, ideally ranging in level from assistant to full professor.

After graduation, what are your possible prospects? For most business fields, the top 10-20 schools all recruit from one another. So, by going to one of these schools, you enter into an elite pool of candidates for an academic job. With that said, some schools consistently perform better than others when it comes to job placements. When conducting your due diligence on programs, look at the past ten years of academic and non-academic placements (which are often at least partially available on the program website). This will give you an idea of the type of school (or company) where you should expect to work post-graduation.

Take note of where potential programs of interest are located. In multiple conversations Stephen had, senior faculty emphasized the importance of location when choosing a school. Though the school itself is important, you are also making a decision about where you will live for the next five to six years. That is a significant part of your life! When choosing a school, it is also important to choose a place where you would actually want to live.

Method 2) Speaking with friends and mentors in the field

Reaching out to your connections in the academic world is a useful way to gain information about the different programs. In general, we recommend reaching out to a broad set of people even if they are not directly in your field of interest. For example, Megan reached out to her friends from her undergraduate psychology program who had gone on to PhD programs or faculty positions in psychology. Early on, these contacts can provide directional advice about programs and can help you connect with others in the field.

Method 3) Reaching out to current graduate students [Pro tip]

One of the most useful cohorts to reach out to is current graduate students. In particular, look for graduate students with similar interests in the same fields that you are targeting. Because graduate students recently went through the application process, they can provide tactical guidance on their own programs and how to approach the application. In particular, ask graduate students about their experience in their program and the faculty members they know in the department. One tip while talking with students is to pay attention to what they do not say about the program or advisors. In general, people speak very positively about their own programs and want to convince you to join. However, if they do not like someone or want to avoid talking about an issue with the program, they may not mention it. For example, at one program (left unnamed for anonymity), Stephen asked a current student about which faculty members he should consider as possible advisors. The student listed 4-5 names, but notably omitted a faculty member who had clear research alignment with Stephen. What Stephen realized through follow-up conversations was that this advisor had a notorious reputation for advising students. The student had answered Stephen’s question, but the omission was more telling than the answer itself.

Method 4) Reaching out to faculty members

Finally, reaching out to faculty members of interest can be a useful way to gain information about programs and to introduce yourself to potential advisors. Because faculty members are busy, we would suggest reaching out to those faculty members with whom you share A) a clear research alignment, B) a connected trait (e.g., same undergrad school, same hometown, etc.), or C) a mutual connection. In general, faculty members are often open to talking with serious applicants and discussing their own research. Whenever possible, in-person meetings are more effective and produce a more positive memory than meetings online. While reaching out to faculty members can be helpful in the application process, it is not strictly necessary. For example, Megan did not contact faculty members at her target programs prior to applying.

Ways to distinguish programs

There are numerous ways to distinguish programs. We identify a few axes to consider when deciding where to apply. Oftentimes it will be difficult, if not impossible, to understand these differences between programs without speaking to people in them or in the field.

Disciplinary vs. phenomenon-driven

One core difference between programs is how “disciplinary” or “phenomenon-driven” they are. In this case, disciplinary refers to the original discipline that the field emerged from. Organizational behavior (micro), for example, emerged from social psychology and the two disciplines overlap considerably in terms of research topics and methods. When we call a program more disciplinary, we mean that it has a deeper focus on that discipline (e.g., psychology), and its faculty likely publish more often in discipline-oriented journals.

Programs which are less disciplinary are generally more phenomenon-driven. This means that their research is focused on understanding specific events, processes, and trends that are currently relevant in business contexts. For example, studying the impact of mentorship on promotion outcomes would be a more phenomenon-driven approach, whereas examining how power influences approach behaviors would be considered more disciplinary (in this case, psychological). In most fields, more disciplinary programs are considered slightly more prestigious. In practical terms, this means that you can graduate from a more disciplinary program and place in a faculty position at a less disciplinary program, but it is more rare to go the other way.

Degree of specialization in level of analysis

A related but distinct axis on which to compare the training focus of programs is the degree to which they expect students to stay within a particular level of analysis or set of methods. For example, some organizational behavior programs maintain strong divides between

the micro (psychological) and macro (sociological) faculty members and students, whereas other programs train students thoroughly in both methods and embrace “meso” approaches and methodologies. Similarly, some strategy programs have a clear boundary between economic and sociological orientations, whereas others embrace mixing the two.

Apprenticeship model vs. entrepreneurial model

Another key difference between programs is the extent to which they are “entrepreneurial” in nature. When a program is entrepreneurial, this means that there are very minimal support structures in place for the student. This provides flexibility for the student to pursue their interests, but it also requires students to identify and connect with faculty members on their own initiative to successfully conduct research.

Apprenticeship models involve a much more structured path for a student. When a student enters a program, they are assigned a faculty advisor. They then work with this faculty advisor on their research agenda, starting as a research assistant and then working to be a co-author. Oftentimes apprenticeship models are paired with “labs” in which people work under 1-2 faculty members interested in similar topics. One advantage of an apprenticeship model is the speed and ease with which graduate students earn publications. However, on the job market, candidates are often penalized for being too similar to their faculty advisors and failing to establish their own research identity.

In general, the top business school doctoral programs all follow some version of the entrepreneurial model, with only minor differences in the degree of support provided.

Senior-faculty heavy vs. junior-faculty heavy

There is significant variation across departments in the percentage of senior and junior faculty. Some departments are very senior-heavy, meaning that they have many tenured faculty but fewer junior faculty (e.g., assistant professors). Other departments have a handful of senior faculty, but are dominated by a younger set of professors. Of course, some departments sit in the middle, but it is often possible to characterize departments as senior- or junior-dominated.

The advantage to collaborating with more senior faculty is that they can provide high-level, strategic advice on your career. Additionally, their clout and social connections can serve you enormously when you go on the academic job market. The drawback is that senior faculty are often less research active, meaning you will collaborate with them less and projects may proceed more slowly. Junior faculty-heavy programs, on the other hand, provide you with ample productive collaborators for your research. As research is the primary criterion for junior faculty to gain tenure, their incentives are aligned with yours to produce a large volume of high-quality research. However, they may have less clout in the field, which could make your job search more difficult.

An ideal program will have a mix of both senior and junior faculty with whom you can collaborate on research so that you can balance the pros and cons of each.

To how many programs should I apply?

In general, we recommend applying to more programs rather than fewer, given the low admission rates at each of these programs (roughly 4-7%) and the low marginal cost of applying to an additional program. In our case, Stephen applied to 7 programs and Megan applied to 11 programs. Our survey respondents applied to an average of 8 programs (with a standard deviation of 5.5). That said, we do not think you should apply to any programs that you would not consider attending – this is a waste of effort on your part and potentially could block out another deserving candidate.

Application Materials

Your application materials will be the main (if not only) input that admissions committees use to evaluate you, so it is important to invest the time and effort to get them right. Your main goals in preparing your materials should be to A) highlight your strengths as a candidate and B) meticulously meet every requirement for the school you apply. Taken together, your application materials should demonstrate your intelligence, persistence, intellectual creativity, and clear understanding of the realities of the path ahead.

At the time this guide was written, all major business school PhD programs require that applicants submit either GRE or GMAT scores, including verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores. Most do not state a preference between the two tests, so you can choose whichever one you think will give you a higher score. From our survey of admitted students, 96% submitted GRE scores for their applications, and this seems to be the current standard across all programs. Both Stephen and Megan took the GRE, so the following information will be most relevant to that test.

Business school PhD programs seem to pride themselves on maintaining high GRE/GMAT averages for admitted students. Many programs include these metrics on their admissions websites (often in FAQs), so you can check the figures for your target schools to see how you match up. For example, in 2019 Wharton listed their average GRE verbal score as 163 (90th percentile) and their average quantitative score as 167 (91st percentile). It is important to note that these averages usually include all admitted students across the business school PhD program, including those in finance, accounting, management, and marketing, so the average score may not be very informative for your particular area of interest. For example, one would expect that successful finance PhD applicants might have a higher average quantitative score than organizational behavior applicants, and within organizational behavior macro applicants may have higher quant scores than organizational behavior micro applicants. If your intended research methods require more intense quantitative skills, you can reasonably expect that the average quantitative score will be higher.

Average GRE Scores by Business School Discipline

The table above shows the number of responses, mean, and standard deviation of GRE scores by business school discipline from our survey of admitted students. Of the 42 individuals who reported both GRE scores and disciplines, 22 applied to multiple disciplines; their scores are included in the results for each discipline to which they applied. Please note that the survey respondents were admitted to R1 PhD programs, which represent only a small portion of all programs. Therefore, these scores are higher than may be necessary to gain admission to other high quality PhD programs.

Once you have a handle on what score you need for your target schools, it is time to understand the gap between your current and desired test performance. For some, the GRE is the easiest component of their application to prepare. For others (such as Megan), it was the most difficult. It is a good idea to take an official ETS practice test at least six months prior to your intended test date so you can develop a systematic and sustainable plan to address your weak points. If you find you have a large gap to close, Megan recommends dedicating about ten hours per week (ideally spread across five to seven days of the week) to practicing with official ETS material ( Greg Mat’s YouTube videos are an excellent free resource), punctuated by practice tests weekly or biweekly (there are multiple free ETS practice tests available online). It can be helpful to supplement your preparation with test prep programs such as Magoosh, but bear in mind that only genuine ETS questions can rigorously prepare you for what you will encounter on the GRE. If preparing for the GRE is causing you a great deal of anxiety, it may be worth enrolling in a class or hiring a tutor to provide you with structure and outside validation of your effort and progress. Plan to take the test two to three times to reach your desired score, and arrange for your final test date to occur at least three weeks prior to your first application deadline.

If you have done everything you can and your score is not what you hoped, do not let that hold you back from applying. Megan almost did not apply in 2019 because her GRE quant score (160; 73rd percentile) was lower than all posted averages, but decided to give it a shot anyway with positive results. Based on conversations with faculty members and other admits, it appears that the GRE/GMAT score is used mainly as a general cut-off in the review process; however, a high GRE score is only a baseline requisite and is not nearly sufficient to secure admission.

Your CV (curriculum vita) should include all the most important information that you would like faculty to consider as they are reviewing your application. CVs are similar to resumes in the sense that they should summarize your qualifications, skills, and experiences, but they are allowed to be longer than the standard one page so that they can provide a full record of your contributions to academia. Your CV is a good place to include the technical details of your research projects (i.e., particular tools or methods you used or skills you built), especially if you find that your statement of purpose is being bogged down by these details.

CVs usually follow a consistent format, which you can see by looking up any academic’s CV or by searching online for a CV template. While it is advisable to match your CV’s aesthetics to the norm, you should feel free to pick and choose which content sections to include. Stephen, for example, decided to include the abstracts of all the research articles he had worked on (e.g., his senior thesis) so that he did not have to include it in the statement of purpose. Similarly, you may want to make up your own novel section to highlight your technical skills. On the other hand, you may not have any grants (most applicants won’t), so you can forego that section entirely.

Generally, CVs can be as long as necessary to cover all of your accomplishments, but some programs impose a two page limit. It may be a good idea to stick to that two page limit (as Megan did) so that you can 1) use the same CV for all of your applications and 2) acknowledge the value of brevity in this situation where very busy faculty seek to quickly understand who you are as an applicant.

You can see example CVs submitted by successful applicants in this folder .

Academic Record/Transcripts

You will need to submit transcripts for all post-secondary institutions you have attended (anything after high school, i.e., undergraduate or graduate education and study abroad programs) either as a PDF or as a mailed copy. For both of these options, you will need to request your official transcript from your school, usually through an online portal. It is a good idea to carefully read the instructions for submitting transcripts for each school to which you intend to apply a month or more before the deadline so that you can mail transcripts as needed.

Writing Sample

Some programs will ask you to submit a sample of your academic writing. The ideal item to include here would be a paper or thesis (master’s or undergraduate honors) that you have already written and reviewed with multiple academics. Megan used her undergraduate honor’s thesis (completely untouched since its completion three years before applying) as her writing sample for applications. Stephen submitted a paper that he had published with a mentor that was loosely based on his senior thesis. If you really do not have a good writing sample already prepared, spend the summer before applications writing and polishing one appropriate to the discipline. The writing sample seems to function as another (somewhat peripheral) measure of your research experience and thus your credibility in saying you intend to pursue an academic career. The importance of the writing sample seems to vary by applicant; for some, it was a topic of conversation in many interviews whereas for others it was never discussed.

Letters of Recommendation

Most programs will require you to include three letters of recommendation with your application (with some asking for only two and others allowing up to five). Both the source and content of your letters are very important, and together they should send the message that you demonstrate excellent potential for a career in research at a business school.

The business school academic community is small and tight-knit, and your network can play a key role in your success in the application process. Ideally, your letters should come from business school faculty members with whom you have worked on research (and the more senior and well-known the faculty member, and the closer their connections to your programs of interest, the better). They will be in the best position to speak to your potential, and their letter will get you noticed by the other faculty members in their network. If you cannot get a letter from a business school faculty member, the next-best option is to request one from a faculty member in another discipline. If you find that you can't identify enough letter writers in your immediate academic environment, consider taking a non-degree course at a local university, engaging with the professor, and asking them to write a letter. Once you have exhausted your options within academia, you can then consider soliciting letters from your other connections (such as work supervisors).

The content of your letters is equally (if not more) important. A vague letter with faint praise from a famous professor will not help your case for admission, whereas a specific and detailed letter with glowing remarks from a relative unknown in another discipline may take you far. To set yourself up for a high-quality letter, you should find opportunities to increase the breadth and depth of your research experience with faculty members. You can do this by contributing to multiple research projects, taking on a leadership role, and having conversations with faculty members about your research ideas and interests. If you have someone who you think is a potential letter writer, make sure to keep in contact with them even after graduation. This can include email updates, dropping by their office when you are in town, or discussing your PhD plans with them when you begin the application process.

It is important to be organized and purposeful in obtaining your letters of recommendation. If you have been out of contact with a potential recommender for some time, reach out to them as soon as you decide to apply to re-introduce yourself, discuss your plans, and ask for their support. Rather than asking if they are willing to write you a letter, instead ask if they feel they would be able to write you a strong letter. If they express any misgivings, you should thank them for their honesty and move along to another option. If they confirm that they are able to recommend you highly, you can then have a discussion about what experiences or characteristics they might highlight in their letter. This may feel like overstepping - after all, they are free to write whatever they like and you are not entitled to read it - but it can be quite helpful to remind them of the details of your work together (especially if significant time has passed) and to give them a sense of the story you intend to tell with the rest of your application materials.

Once you have your letter writers lined up, you must turn your attention to logistics management. Much helpful advice for tackling this challenge has already been shared (notably, Susan Athey’s list of tips ). Your goal should be to make it as easy as possible for them to submit their letters on time and to the correct schools. This will likely entail A) emailing them a summary of your shared research or other experiences with the faculty member (make it easy for them to remember!), your draft statement of purpose and CV, and a list of all the schools to which you are applying and when you intend to submit your application, B) coordinating with the professor (and potentially their faculty assistant) on when to trigger the email invitations for them to submit each letter (some recommenders will prefer that you invite them to submit letters for all applications at once so that the links are easy to find in their inbox), and C) following up with them regularly (and politely) until they submit their letter to each school. Once they have finished submitting their letters, it is a great idea to mail them a handwritten thank you card to communicate how much you appreciate their support.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose (SOP) is your opportunity to communicate a compelling narrative about who you are, where you come from, where you want to go in the future, and why [insert school here] is the best academic community for you to join as you ascend to greatness. The SOP is a key part of your application and deserves a significant investment of your time and effort.

Before you can communicate your research identity to admissions committees, you need to figure it out for yourself. The most important step here is to understand your research interests to the best of your ability. Once you have that piece, you will be able to sort through your experiences to tease out the important moments that led you to those interests so that you can craft a cohesive narrative. The best way to narrow down your interests is to engage with a lot of research. Read many journal articles, and take note of the ones that excite you most. Stephen, for example, read a number of research articles across micro and macro organizational behavior to choose which side he fell on.

Once you have amassed a robust cloud of potential research areas, there are two paths you can take. One option is to find a connecting thread between a handful of the ideas that spark the most passion for you, and build your essay around that core. Another option is to write multiple versions of your essay that highlight different clusters of your interests, and submit these more diverse essays to each of your target schools accordingly. Rest assured that no one expects your research interests to be fully formed at this point, and they will not force you to study the specific topics included in your essay. However, you may find more success if you write as if you know exactly what you want to study and why, even if internally you feel less certain. The objective is to demonstrate that you understand the field well enough to articulate interesting and testable research questions.

There are many different ways to write a great statement of purpose. Successful versions can vary on many factors, including their focus on personal anecdotes and underlying motivations vs. impersonal discussion of research experience and interests, past accomplishments vs. future ambitions, and how exactly the connection is made to your target program. For examples of these different options in practice, read through this folder with sample statements of purpose contributed by successful applicants in the 2019-2020 application cycle. For additional example essays across a diverse array of academic fields (and helpful exercises to kickstart the writing process), check out the book Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher. For those who wrote essays for college admissions in the US, know that this process is very different. The focus of these statements is much more on what you can do and have already done in research and much less on telling an intricate narrative about your life’s journey. It is advisable to keep the statement of purpose clear and concise; you will have the opportunity to address the breadth of your interests and personal motivations in the interview process.

Regardless of your stylistic and structural choices, one of the most important things you do in your essay will be to clearly demonstrate how your research ambitions and interests make you an excellent candidate for your program of interest. Tactically, this will likely involve emphasizing different aspects of your research interests for each program, as well as mentioning potential faculty collaborators by name. To do this, you will need to gain an understanding of the research being conducted by the faculty at each of your target programs by reading their faculty profiles, CVs, personal websites, and research articles. We recommend keeping this information in a spreadsheet or other document to stay organized. Once you have identified the handful of faculty members whose interests overlap with your own, you can then highlight those interests more prominently and propose potential areas of collaboration in your essay. There is no need to change your interests entirely for each school. Instead, the objective is to find and emphasize points of overlap and connection that fit each school’s academic community.

Once you have written the core content of your statement, it is time to edit ruthlessly. Most schools set a limit of 1000 words, with a few allowing up to 2000. It is important to get multiple people to review your statement. If you feel that you need significant improvement on the less academia-specific aspects of your essay such as the logical flow and sentence structure, be sure to get feedback from people close to you, such as friends and family, before asking your more academic reviewers. Receiving feedback from current professors and graduate students in your field of interest is the best way to ensure that your essay is up to par. They will be able to notice the logical gaps, unfortunate language choices, or annoying cliches that could otherwise turn off admissions reviewers. Be sure to leave significant time (a few weeks to a month) for this review process.

Once admissions committees have reviewed applications and identified a short list of promising candidates, they will reach out to these individuals to schedule interviews. Most top programs require interviews, with some exceptions (which vary by year and by applicant). From the perspective of an applicant, it appears that the interviews serve two purposes: A) to help programs distinguish and prioritize between applicants who look equally good on paper and B) to weed out applicants who appear interpersonally unpleasant (e.g., are excessively arrogant or unable to hold a conversation).

The vast majority of interviews take place virtually (e.g., via a video call), with only a couple of programs opting to fly candidates out for in-person interviews. If you are invited to an in-person interview, schools generally provide hotel lodging and pay for all travel expenses. The most common form that interviews take is a 30 minute virtual meeting with one or more professors (often faculty members you mentioned in your application), where they will ask you a handful of questions and leave time for you to ask questions of them. Often, you will be asked to interview individually with multiple professors. For Megan, the highest number of interviews for a single program was seven (on an in-person interview day), the lowest (aside from those with no interviews at all) was two, and the average was around three. For Stephen, only one program had more than one interview. All others were a single interview with a few faculty members or no interviews at all. Other applicants report a wide array of interview experiences, with some having only minimal interviews (and no more than one per program) and others having many more interviews for the same program due to their interest in working with specific faculty members.

Common questions and preparation

Interviews for PhD programs are very similar to interviewing for competitive jobs, and the questions are usually fairly standard and intuitive. Here is a list of all of the questions we were asked in our interviews (schools anonymized). Some commonly asked questions (and their equivalent versions) include:

● Tell me about yourself.

○ Tell me about your background and interests.

● Why do you want to do a PhD?

● Why did you choose to apply to this subfield rather than other subfields? ○ Why business academia instead of psychology/sociology/economics academia?

● Why this program?

○ Which faculty would you see yourself collaborating with?

● Is there a particular research question you are interested in pursuing?

○ If you were in a PhD program right now and had unlimited funding, what study would you want to run?

● What questions do you have for me? (Megan had multiple interviews where this was the only question asked, so it is important to have a sizable bank of questions prepared.)

You may also be asked to articulate a vision for your career (e.g., 20 years down the line, what do you envision yourself doing and what impact would you have made on the field?), identify your favorite researcher or favorite research article, share about your strengths and

weaknesses, or discuss one of your failures and what you learned from that experience. For some programs, interviewers may delve deep into the methods (e.g., experiments, statistics, identification for econ-related fields, etc.) you may use to test a research idea proposed in your statement of purpose, ask you to interpret the results in some hypothetical data, or analyze a research paper (shared in advance to allow time for you to prepare your thoughts).

It is a good idea to prepare thoroughly for each of your interviews, both by reading up on your interviewers and by thinking through your answers to commonly asked questions. You will likely spend the most time preparing for your first interview because you will need to craft your messaging about your journey to the PhD, your research interests, and your intended path forward in academia. Then, for each interview, you should spend a couple of hours reading the interviewer’s CV and latest and most cited papers, reviewing your statement of purpose and your match with other professors at that school, and preparing your particular questions about the program and your faculty of interest.

During your interviews, do your best to have fun and enjoy the experience! This is a rare and precious opportunity to discuss exciting ideas with some of the most influential researchers in the field. Though not required, it is recommended to follow up with a brief note thanking your interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

Path to PhD: the Rise of the Predoctoral Research Job

As we met our potential incoming cohorts during school visits, we started to notice a trend: many successful applicants had one to two years of post-undergraduate, predoctoral research experience working as a lab manager or research associate at a business school. At one school, for example, of the six students accepted across the macro/micro organizational behavior program, only one (Stephen) had not previously worked in a research job. In our survey of admitted students, 61% had worked in predoctoral research jobs before applying.

Mirroring the rise of postdocs on the back end of the PhD, there seems to be a proliferation of these predoc positions, likely for the same reason: candidates seeking to differentiate themselves and enhance their credibility as a researcher in an increasingly competitive field.

Megan took this path in positioning herself for the application process, and noticed several advantages gained from this approach, all of which cluster around a central theme: embeddedness in business school academia. To be clear, this is not a necessary path – Stephen did not become an RA and instead focused on using his research experience in college and his research collaborations post-graduation to position himself, and other applicants have successfully gained admission with work experience in the private sector (e.g., consulting and finance).

It is important to note that predoctoral research jobs often pay very little and thus may not be financially feasible for some. In these cases, you can still gain research experience and many of the attendant benefits by volunteering as a research assistant for a particular project on a part-time basis (e.g., 5-10 hours per week) while maintaining a full-time job.

Gaining research experience

Any predoctoral research position you accept should give you the opportunity to participate directly in most (if not all) aspects of the research process. This is a great way to hone your research skills and gain a better understanding of your interests. Ideally, you would work for a faculty member who is excited about involving you in their research as an author so that you can begin to build your research pipeline and CV before beginning a PhD program (though bear in mind that it usually takes years for a project to progress from data collection to publication). This research experience may be especially valuable to applicants who have not previously worked as an undergraduate research assistant, or who worked in an unrelated job between their undergraduate/master’s degree and applying to PhD programs.

Building relationships with faculty and students

In the best predoctoral research positions, you will be working very closely with at least one faculty member. If you perform well and are able to form a strong relationship with this faculty member, they will likely be the most valuable advocate for you in the application process. They will be able to write a well-informed letter of recommendation and may draw upon their own connections to encourage programs to consider your application.

Beyond the most obvious benefit of a strong letter of recommendation, connections with both students and faculty can provide you with valuable information and advice about the application process, specific programs and faculty members, and launching a career in academia. Because Megan was a lab manager, she had access to multiple faculty members and grad students to review her essays, received a crash course from a helpful post doc about a particular faculty member’s research right before a surprise interview, and entered into the PhD application market with other well-informed lab managers from her department with whom she could share tips and tricks.

A window into the academic experience

Working in a research job at a business school is also an excellent way to figure out if this is the best career path for you. Ideally, this role will embed you into the rhythms of academic life that you would experience as a PhD student and faculty member. You get to see what it means to think about research, work individually on challenging new tasks, meet with collaborators at the peer and advisor level, and participate in department events such as

colloquia, seminars, and journal clubs. This experience may confirm that business school academia is the life for you. Alternatively, it may help you learn that academia is not for you and allow you to extricate yourself without having committed to a PhD program. Either way, you will have gained valuable self-knowledge and a clearer vision for your future.

Landing a predoctoral research job

Now that we have described the opportunities unlocked through a predoctoral position, you may be asking how to get started. These are difficult positions to find because they are somewhat scarce and are often advertised and filled through informal networks rather than official recruitment postings. A good first step is to contact anyone with whom you have an existing connection in business school academia (or a related field), tell them you are searching for a predoctoral research job, and ask that they let you know if they hear of any opportunities. Then, you should find any websites that aggregate relevant job opportunities and subscribe to their feeds. For example, Harvard Psychology maintains a page for post graduate research jobs which occasionally lists roles relevant to micro organizational behavior, and the Twitter account econ_ra shares open Research Assistant roles in Economics. At time of writing, Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB both have official programs for pre-docs with HBS’ RA p rogram (this program includes opportunities for individuals seeking to prepare for either MBA or PhD applications, so it is important to clearly communicate your desire for a predoctoral role) and Stanford’s Research Fellows Program , and the Stanford GSB Behavioral Lab also hires multiple Research Coordinators each year who often go on to business school PhD programs. Northwestern, Columbia, and NYU also have predoctoral job opportunities, though at the time of writing, they are somewhat smaller.

Even in these formal programs, but especially for schools without them (the majority), reaching out directly to faculty is critical. Spend time crafting excellent cold emails to professors to inquire if they may be looking for a lab manager or research associate. You should approach these cold emails as miniature statements of purpose; you must concisely state who you are and why you are emailing them, provide a compelling summary of your background (tastefully name-dropping any other professors you have worked with), and communicate what excites you about contributing to their research. Do not be discouraged by non-responses. Because these jobs are quite rare, you may need to reach out to dozens of faculty (if not more) and should plan to cast your net as wide as you are willing to move.

Once you have found a professor who is in fact hiring a lab manager or research assistant, you will need to interview for the job. This interview process will likely be very similar to a PhD admissions interview, though perhaps more relaxed around understanding your specific research interests. The interview and selection process can be quite competitive, but take solace in the knowledge that if you receive an offer, you will have placed yourself in one of the most dominant pipelines into top business school PhD programs.

The great management thinker Clayton Christensen once wrote, “While experiences and information can be good teachers, there are many times in life when we simply cannot afford to learn on the job…. This is why theory can be so valuable: it can explain what will happen even before you experience it.” Just as business school professors take experiences about the world and synthesize them into lessons, we hope that this guide highlighted the useful insights we gathered from our experiences and that it will give you the information to successfully navigate the PhD application process.

To this end, we are particularly grateful to the dozens of people who have supported us in the writing, revising, and data collection for this business school PhD guide. In particular, we want to thank the 46 fellow applicants who were willing to share their experience applying via the survey as well as the applicants who shared their application materials and spent time providing feedback on this piece. As well, we want to thank Abhishek Nagaraj again for his guidance and initial foresight to create such a guide. It is our hope that this guide will help future applicants and create a more level playing field for aspiring scholars from all backgrounds.

As the pair of us worked on this guide, we spent hours poring over a single question “Why do some people get into these PhD programs and others do not?” However, as we drew to the end of the writing and revising, we began to realize how deep down the proverbial “rabbit hole” we had gone. Of course, PhD admissions matter. That is why we wrote this. But, so do many other things. So, for you – the prospective applicant – we have a few final thoughts on this process.

We are doing a PhD because we think it is fun

The reality is that a PhD – even from the most prestigious of programs – is still a life path that is less lucrative, less notable, and perhaps even less admired than many other things we could do. We want to do it because it is fun. And so even though the application process is a drag (particularly when you fill out the dozens of forms to apply), remember that you are doing this because you want to enjoy a lifetime of exploration and curiosity.

If you do not get in, life goes on

While Stephen was applying to PhD programs, one of his mentors took him aside. He said, “Stephen, I know that you’ve wanted to do a PhD program for a while. But, if you don’t get in, I want you to know that it is OK. I secretly think your life may be more interesting if you

don’t.” If at the end of this process, you do not get into the programs you wanted, it is OK. You can always apply again – as Megan would have done – but you can also use that as an opportunity to consider other possible life paths. Life goes on, and it may be more interesting than if you had gotten in. However, if your dream is to pursue the business school academia career path, don’t be afraid to invest the time to strengthen your credentials and reapply. Take a look at the background of students in your target programs: often, business school PhD students are a bit older than those in other disciplines, and taking a different route to academia is not stigmatized.

Once you are done, pay it forward

As Megan and Stephen went through the application process, we spoke with dozens of friends, mentors, PhD students, and faculty members. That is to say that collectively we benefited from a lot of people’s time talking about the PhD process. This guide is our small attempt at penance – to pay forward what we cannot pay back.

We ask that you do the same for other applicants and people interested in this world. When you get into your dream PhD program, there will likely be a moment when a friend, distant contact, or even a complete stranger wants to talk about what you do. We hope that you take that time; it is a small gift that we believe will compound into a community of generosity.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a look at other FAQs, please refer to Nagaraj’s “Guide to the Business School PhD”

Does work experience matter?

In general, work experience is not necessary though it may be A) an indication of success in another field, B) a source of future research ideas, and C) a signal of legitimacy at more management-focused schools (e.g., Wharton, Harvard). Both Megan and Stephen had work experience with Megan working at Deloitte for three years and then working as a lab manager and Stephen working at McKinsey for two years and then at a start-up university in Vietnam. From our survey of admitted applicants, 50% worked in a non-research job before applying. When Stephen was considering applying to grad school directly after graduation, his advisors at Harvard urged him to work first in order to learn about “the big questions that managers cared about.” In general, most programs seem to value applicants gaining work experience before beginning grad school, though this is not a requirement. However, this can greatly vary by field with some valuing work experience much more highly.

Do I need to get a master’s degree before applying to a PhD?

No. You do not need to get a master’s degree before applying to a PhD (neither Megan nor Stephen have master’s degrees). In fact, of our 46 surveyed admitted students only 12 had completed a master’s degree, or only ~26%. Getting a master’s degree might be a good choice, however, if you want to get additional research experience or are trying to gain support from new faculty members. Nonetheless, it is not a requirement like it is in other countries. It is possible that programs may have higher expectations from applicants holding graduate degrees, so it is advisable to use the time well if your plan is to obtain a master’s degree before applying to PhD programs.

What are my chances of getting in?

Across top business school programs, the acceptance rate seems to range between 4% and 7%. For most business school programs, the cohorts are extremely small with usually four to five students admitted and two to three students matriculating each year. From our understanding, some PhD programs are more competitive than others (e.g., business economics seems to be one of the most competitive), so it is important to recognize variation across your field. Of the admitted students, they on average were accepted to ~50% of the schools they applied to which indicates a “winner-take-all” market where the top applicants receive multiple offers and some applicants may receive none.

These acceptance rates are only useful in the abstract; when thinking about your probability to get accepted, it is important to condition on your own background and abilities. Do you have research experience? Do you have good grades from a top institution? Do you have interests that relate to the faculty’s interests? Do you do research before applying (e.g., by reading a guide like this)?

What happens at visit days?

If you are admitted to a PhD program, most schools will fly you out to visit their campus for one to two days. These visit days are generally structured such that there is a meeting with the PhD faculty coordinator in the morning, a slew of back-to-back 1-1 meetings with faculty, a campus tour, and a dinner with current PhD students and faculty. These visits are an opportunity for you to get a feel for the campus and the life of current PhD students. Remember that your “performance” in meetings with faculty no longer has any bearing on your admission to the program, and do your best to relax and enjoy the visits!

Should I visit a school if I do not think I will accept their offer?

We would encourage you to attend any interview or visit day to which you are invited. It is very possible that you will find that seeing the school and talking with faculty members changes your opinion of the school and the program. Similarly, you may find that programs that you thought were your top choices are no longer so appealing when examined up close. If you decide after the visit that you still would not choose to attend the program, be as diplomatic and courteous as you can when communicating that decision. Ultimately, by embarking on the PhD journey, you are entering a community of scholars. It is valuable for your long-term career success (especially when you go on the academic job market) to get to know other members of the community even if you do not end up attending their school.

What percentage of students do not finish their business school PhD?

It is difficult to find reliable data to answer this question, and it will vary greatly by program and year. However, from our conversations at top programs, it appears that somewhere between 15-20% of all PhD students do not finish their degree. Many will leave with an exit “masters” where they complete two years of coursework and then do not complete their dissertation. It can be helpful to (diplomatically) ask questions about this during visit days, or through private conversations following visits, because this metric can be an important indicator of how a given doctoral program operates and its degree of commitment to student success.

What percentage of students do not continue in academia after finishing a PhD?

This is another case where reliable data is scarce because this exit path is somewhat stigmatized (though perhaps less so in the field of finance). Some business schools seem to have more students exiting to industry than others. For example, many students from schools located in the San Francisco Bay Area seem to go into tech after graduating. This percentage will vary widely by school and by field, but it seems that somewhere between 20-30% will choose not to continue in academia based on our limited sampling. Within some fields (e.g., operations research and management) this percentage may be higher (exceeding 40% in some programs in recent years).

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Inspira Futures specializes in helping students secure a spot at top business schools. Their team, comprised of former admissions committee members and experienced consultants, and end-to-end application consulting process helps you craft a solid application for top B-Schools! To schedule a free 20-minute consultation with the team, click here .

Admissions Process

Researching Our Program Offerings

Offered in both virtual and in-person formats, our executive development programs enable you to deepen your knowledge, broaden your skill set, and collaborate with a global network of peers. To compare and narrow down your program options, utilize the Program Finder tool on our website or consult with our Program Advising team for a personalized recommendation.

Submitting an Application

Before you submit your application, please be sure you have answered all the questions thoroughly and have printed or saved your application for your records. Your application and all required documents must be received before you will be considered for program admission. While each program has its own distinct application, view this sample version to help you prepare. Some programs require additional supporting materials, so please read the admissions requirements for your selected program thoroughly.

Notification

All applications will be acknowledged via email. All application information is strictly confidential. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an email acknowledgment, please contact the Admissions Committee:

Email: [email protected] Phone: +1.617.495.6226

Going Through the Admissions Process

For most programs, the Admissions Committee meets monthly and admits qualified candidates on a rolling, space-available basis. Select programs have application deadlines, as noted on the program page on our website. For all programs, early application is strongly encouraged. To view your application in progress and track your admissions status, log in to your account home page .

In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

Upon acceptance into a program, you'll receive an electronic invoice from our Finance department that is payable within 30 days of receipt. Please review the payment policies and the steps for cancelling or deferring participation.

Enhancing Your Program Experience

Our Program Delivery team will be your primary point of contact before and during the program. About three weeks before your program starts, you will receive a link to the Learning Community, which gives you access to relevant case studies and a detailed program schedule.

Continuing the Conversation

Once you complete a program, you become part of the extended HBS Executive Education community. Our Program Advising team will continue to be a resource as you consider future programs at HBS.

How do I apply to a program? Dropdown down

Each HBS Executive Education program has its own set of admissions criteria. A general overview of the admission requirements is available.

In order to apply to a program, you’ll need to submit an online application. To access a specific program's application, visit the Apply/Log-In page and select the program and session that interests you. Individual program applications are also accessible by clicking Apply within the program's pages. Please note that if you have not applied to a program previously, you'll need to create an account. (Alternatively, you can download a PDF application and submit the application via mail or email.)

To learn more, contact our Program Advising team at:

• HBS Campus: 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S.: +1.617.495.6555)
• Harvard Center Shanghai: 86.21.3852.3888
• India Research Center: 91.22.2493.4510

Is there an application fee? Dropdown down

There is no fee for applying to an HBS Executive Education program.

What are your admissions requirements? Dropdown down

To ensure a rich learning experience for all participants, admission to Executive Education programs is selective and based on professional achievement and organizational responsibility. For most programs, proficiency in written English is required, and participants must be fluent in the English language to take an active part in fast-moving discussions. (However, please note that some programs are offered in both English and Chinese.)

For each program, we carefully select a cross-section of high-potential leaders from around the globe who have different backgrounds and experiences. This diversity enables participants to enhance their management effectiveness by leveraging the experience of their peers and acquiring a new level of cultural sensitivity.

In addition, some programs require a letter of reference.

Which programs require a letter of reference? Dropdown down

The following programs require a letter of reference as part of the application process:

• Advanced Management Program
• General Management Program
• High Potentials Leadership Program
• Program for Leadership Development
• Senior Executive Leadership Program—India
• Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East
• Senior Executive Program—Africa

The letter of reference must be completed by a senior executive within your organization, a board member of your company, or a Harvard Business School graduate familiar with your role and responsibilities who can provide a detailed firsthand account. This letter of reference provides the Admissions Committee with a better understanding of your background and your potential as a leader. The Admissions Committee will begin its review upon receipt of both the application and the letter of reference.

Are the programs open to participants from outside North America? Dropdown down

Yes. Executives attend from around the globe. Approximately 52 percent of Executive Education participants represent countries outside North America.

How long does it take to process my application? Dropdown down

The Admissions Committee meets monthly, and admits qualified candidates on a rolling, space available basis. Early application is strongly encouraged.

How do I check the status of my application? Dropdown down

To check the status of a current application, please log in to your HBS Executive Education account . You can also contact us by email: [email protected] or by phone at: +1.617.495.6226.

When will I receive the program schedule? Dropdown down

Approximately three weeks prior to the start of the program, you will receive a packet of preliminary information, including a detailed schedule, case readings, and assignments for the first few days of the program.

If I am not accepted into a program, can I apply again for a future session? Dropdown down

Yes. Admission to HBS Executive Education programs is highly competitive, as class size is tightly controlled. In addition, we work to ensure that the class roster includes participants from a variety of industries, countries, and backgrounds. For those reasons, we encourage you to reapply in the future or to consider other HBS Executive Education programs that may be of interest.

If I do not live in the United States, will I need a visa to attend Executive Education programs? Dropdown down

If you live outside the United States, please review the information for International Applicants .

What is included in the program fee? Dropdown down

The program fee includes tuition, single-occupancy accommodations, most meals, and all program materials. Incidentals such as dry cleaning, entertainment, phone bills, and the like are not included in the program fee.

When is payment due? Dropdown down

Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date, or upon receipt of the invoice if admission is within 30 days prior to the start of the program.

What types of payment are accepted? Dropdown down

Payment can be made by company check, electronic bank wire transfer, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). Detailed information regarding payment will be included with your invoice.

What is your cancellation policy? Dropdown down

Cancellations must be submitted in writing more than 30 days before the program start date to receive a full refund. Due to program demand and the volume of preprogram preparation, cancellations received 15 to 30 days before the program start date are subject to a fee of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests for cancellation received within 14 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.

Is financial aid available? Dropdown down

No. Financial assistance is not available for HBS Executive Education programs.

What is your deferral policy? Dropdown down

Deferrals must be submitted in writing more than 30 days before the program start date. Due to program demand and the volume of preprogram preparation, deferrals received 15 to 30 days before the program start date are subject to a fee of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests for deferral received within 14 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.

What constitutes alumni status? Dropdown down

A Harvard Business School alumnus/a is defined as any person receiving either a degree or a certificate of completion from Harvard Business School in a qualifying program.

Current HBS programs that grant alumni status include:

Degree Programs

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Joint Program with Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (MS/MBA Biotechnology)
• Joint Program with Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (MS/MBA)
• Joint Program with Harvard Kennedy School (MPP/MBA and MBA-MPA/ID)
• Joint Program with Harvard Law School (JD/MBA)
• Joint Program with Harvard Medical School (MD/MBA)
• Master in Business Administration (MBA)
• PhD in Business Economics (PhDBE or PhDBusEc)
• PhD in Information, Technology, and Management (PhDITM)
• PhD in Organizational Behavior (PhDOB)
• PhD in Science, Technology, and Management (PhDSTM)

Certificate Programs

• Advanced Management Program (AMP)
• General Management Program (GMP)
• Owner/President Management Program (OPM)
• President's Program in Leadership (PPL)
• Program for Leadership Development and completion of additional program(s) equaling 10 PLDA Points (PLDA)
• Senior Executive Leadership Program—China (SELPCH)
• Senior Executive Leadership Program—India (SELPI)
• Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East (SELPME)

Retired HBS programs which granted alumni status (all attendees are members of the current HBS alumni community):

• Individuals in the MBA Class of 2006 or earlier having completed one year of the HBS MBA program
• Advanced Management Program/International Senior Management Program (AMP/ISMP)
• Central and Eastern European Teachers' Program (ETP)
• Doctor of Commercial Science (DCS)
• Global CEO Program for China plus completion of China CEO Renewal Program (GCPCA)
• Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration (HRPBA)
• Industrial Administrator (IA)
• International Senior Management Program (ISMP)
• International Teachers' Program (ITP)
• Middle-Management Program (MMP)
• Mid-Officer Certificate (MOC)
• PhD in Decision Sciences (PhDDS)
• Program for Global Leadership™ (PGL)
• Program for Management Development (PMD)
• Programs for Health System Management (PHSM)
• Senior Executive Program China plus completion of China Senior Executive Renewal Program (SEPCA)
• Senior Executive Program for the Middle East (SEPME)
• Senior Executive Programme for Africa (SEPSA)
• The General Manager Program™ (TGMP)
• Veterans' Certificate (VC)
• Visitor for Individual Studies (VIS)

How can I verify my alumni status? Dropdown down

To confirm your status as an HBS alumnus/a, first review the definition of alumni status. If you still are uncertain and have questions, you may contact our Executive Education Program Advising team at 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Are all HBS Executive Education programs eligible for the alumni discount? Dropdown down

The 30-percent alumni discount applies to all HBS Executive Education programs, both in-person and virtual, with the exception of these courses:

• Alumni Reunions
• Global Alumni Leadership Summit
• Leading Change and Organizational Renewal (Stanford campus)
• Senior Executive Leadership Program—China
• Strategic Nonprofit Management—India
• Value Creation Through Effective Boards
• Programs created exclusively for an organization or association

Can I apply the alumni discount to an HBS custom program for my organization? Dropdown down

Programs created exclusively for an organization or association do not qualify for the alumni discount.

Do I need to note my alumni status on the application in order to receive this discount? Dropdown down

Your application does not require any alumni reference. The 30-percent discount will automatically be reflected in the invoice you receive upon acceptance into the program.

When does my alumni status begin? Dropdown down

Participants of Executive Education programs that grant alumni status can access alumni privileges upon completion of their qualifying program. If the qualifying program has multiple modules or units, you must complete the entire program before accessing alumni privileges. At the end of the program, you will be given a certificate of completion.

Does Executive Education alumni status mean I have a Harvard Business School degree? Dropdown down

No. Completion of select Executive Education programs earns participants a certificate of completion and alumni status, but does not confer a degree like our MBA, MS/MBA, PhD, and DBA programs.

Can my alumni discount be transferred to a family member or colleague who does not have HBS alumni status? Dropdown down

No. This discount benefit is exclusive to HBS alumni, nontransferable, and subject to standard HBS Executive Education cancellation and admissions policies.

View Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Graduate Programs

You asked and we'll answer!  Check out these FAQ's for applicants to our  Ph.D., M.E., S.M., and A.B./S.M. programs.

Visit the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) FAQ's  for even more information.   Applicants to the Master in Design Engineering should go  here  for more information.   Applicants to the MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences program should go  here  for more information.

Application Questions

We offer admission into the  Ph.D.  in the following four areas:  Applied Mathematics , Applied Physics , Computer Science , and Engineering Sciences. Engineering Sciences includes Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering , Environmental Science and Engineering , and Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering .

Note: we do not offer admission into terminal masters degrees in any of these areas.

We offer admission into the  Master of Science (S.M.)  in the following two areas:  Computational Science and Engineering and Data Science .

We offer admission into the  Master of Engineering (M.E.)  only in Computational Science and Engineering .

SEAS offers the following collaborative options: 

• Health Sciences and Technology graduate program , with Harvard Medical School and MIT (for Ph.D. students only)
• Master in Design Engineering (M.D.E.)  with the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) (masters degree only; application via GSD)
• MS/MBA :Engineering Sciences jointly offered with Harvard Business School (HBS) (masters degree only; application via HBS)

While there is no perfect set of criteria for admission, we especially look for candidates who:

• Have a strong interest in and great potential for undertaking research
• Have excellent grades, e.g., in the range of A to A- in their undergraduate, and if applicable, graduate programs
• Have solid preparation in coursework and research experience (e.g., a strong plan of study at a respected university)
• Obtain recommendation letters from distinguished people who (a) know your work and (b) know what is expected at a major research university.   The strongest letters speak in specific terms about your preparation and aptitude to conduct research at a major university

As of the Fall 2023 admissions cycle, applicants may submit two applications to SEAS only if one is for a PhD degree and one is for a master’s (SM or ME) degree. Each application must be unique, containing a separate statement of purpose, transcripts, recommendations, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores.  Multiple applications to the SEAS masters or PhD programs will result in the additional applications being withdrawn.  Students may also apply to a SEAS program and a non-SEAS program in the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the same admissions season. It is Harvard Griffin Graduate School policy that an individual may submit no more than three applications to GSAS during the course of his or her academic career. 

Applicants to the School of Engineering are responsible for fulfilling the requirements listed  here  and also on the Harvard Griffin GSAS  website.

We have two application deadlines; one for students applying to our PhD program and one for students applying to any of our terminal masters programs.  We cannot accept late applications, so be sure you apply on time!

December 1, 2024 is the application deadline for students submitting an application to one of our S.M., M.E., or AB-SM programs.    

December 15, 2024 is the application deadline for students submitting an application to one of our PhD programs.   

Note these deadlines do not apply to our MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences nor Master in Design Engineering programs.

-Students interested in the Master in Design Engineering with the Harvard Graduate School of Design will find information about applying to that program  here .

-Students interested in the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences program offered jointly with Harvard Business School will find information about applying to that program  here.

The application fee is required to process the application. If you would like to request a fee waiver, you may do so in the Application Fee section of the application. More about the fee waiver process is here .

We encourage serious-minded candidates (i.e. those who have a clear sense of what they would like to do and with whom they would like to work) to get in touch with relevant faculty to discuss their research plans.  Generally speaking, email is the best way to reach out to faculty.  Bear in mind that our faculty receive numerous emails from prospective students and they may not be able to personally respond to all inquiries they receive.

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) does not accept the General GRE scores nor Subject Test GRE scores for applicants to our Ph.D. programs or masters degree programs in Computational Science & Engineering and Data Science.  Applicants to these programs should not submit official or unofficial GRE scores to us nor mention them anywhere in their application materials.  

Either the GRE or GMAT is required for applicants applying to the Master of Design Engineering or the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences programs.   The applications for these programs are available via the Graduate School of Design or Harvard Business School, respectively.

Note: this policy was officially changed in August 2020 and is in effect for the Fall 2025 admissions cycle.  

When requesting official score reports from ETS for the TOEFL, indicate the receiving institution as Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Code 3451. There is no department code; you may leave it blank.

To check the status of your application, you may log on to your online application account and see what materials have been received and what materials are still missing. The School of Engineering cannot provide information regarding the status of your application or supporting materials, as all materials are submitted to the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).  The contact information for Harvard Griffin GSAS is:

• PHONE: Please call the GSAS by phone between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday through Friday, at 617.496.6100.
• EMAIL: Please email GSAS at  [email protected]  with the SUBJECT LINE and information for the message as noted below. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response.
• SUBJECT LINE: Enter “ADMISSIONS QUESTION: CHECKING APPLICATION STATUS” in the subject line exactly as is and in all caps.
• MESSAGE (BODY OF EMAIL): Include your Name, Date of Birth, Program of Interest, and a note that you are checking the status of your application

We do not offer rolling admissions. New students are admitted once a year, to begin studying in the fall.

Decisions on deferral requests to our PhD programs are made on a case-by-case basis and only after an admitted student has accepted our offer of admission.    We do not grant deferrals for our terminal masters programs except in cases with extenuating circumstances. We do not grant deferrals for our masters programs for reasons related to employment or financing the cost of the program.

Applicants are required to upload copies of all transcripts into the online application system; these are usually in PDF format.  Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for the purposes of the application.  

SEAS does not have a formal transfer application process and we do not admit "transfer students."   All admitted students begin our program as first year graduate students.  All students complete the standard Harvard Griffin GSAS graduate application. After entering the program, Ph.D. students may submit a petition to transfer in coursework as explained below.

If you have any additional questions about admissions to graduate programs at SEAS, please contact the SEAS Graduate Admissions Office via email at  [email protected] . 

Questions about the Master in Design Engineering should be directed to  [email protected] .

Questions about the MS/MBA with Harvard Business School should be directed to  [email protected] .

You may apply to a SEAS master’s program if you already have a master’s degree from another institution.

Program/Requirements Questions

The degree requirements for the Ph.D., S.M., and M.E. are available here.  The S.M. and M.E. in Computational Science and Engineering have additional requirements, which are available  here .   The additional requirements for the S.M. in Data Science are available  here .

• The  Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science (A.B./S.M.)  is a joint degree program offered to  currently enrolled Harvard College students only .    
• The Master of Science (S.M.) degree is a coursework (non-research) based degree and no thesis, foreign language, or general examination is required.  We offer the S.M. in two areas: Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) and Data Science.  The S.M. in CSE is a one year (two terms) degree.  The S.M. in Data Science is a one and a half year (three terms) degree  
• The Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree program is a research based degree and no foreign language or general examination is required.  Students are expected to successfully complete one year of course work and one year of research, including a final oral presentation and thesis, for a total of sixteen letter-graded courses/research courses. This is a two year degree. We offer the M.E. in Computational Science and Engineering only.

Graduate students are expected to be full time. Students may petition to change their status to part-time study only in cases with extenuating circumstances, such as health concerns or a serious family emergency.  

All degree programs at the School of Engineering require that coursework be completed in residence.  (Note:  due to COVID-19, courses may be moved to a remote delivery platform for the Fall 2020 term.   This is an exception given the pandemic.)       

For non-credit online SEAS courses, please visit Harvard’s initiative, edX at  https://www.edx.org/ , for information on free online courses offered by MIT and Harvard University.

The  Harvard Extension School  offers Master’s degree programs in various fields in science and technology areas, as well as professional certificate programs in Nanotechnology, Software Engineering and Web technologies. Some of these courses may be taken online.  The Harvard Extension School and School of Engineering are wholly separate schools within Harvard University.   Note that SEAS does not allow coursework taken at the Extension School it count toward our graduate degrees.

All SEAS Ph.D. students must take 10 courses toward the doctoral degree.  Each area has "Area Course Requirements, Guidelines, and Model Programs", which provide a good idea of the kinds of courses taken by students in Applied Physics versus the kinds of courses taken by students in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering (for example.)   Visit each area's page to see information specific to their area requirements.

Students must decide, based on their own interests and future plans, whether an Applied Physics degree or an Engineering Sciences degree is a better fit.

Note: admitted students can petition to change their degree program after they arrive, providing they have appropriate support from their faculty adviser, an approved program plan in the new area, and the approval of the Committee on Higher Degrees.

It depends.  Our Ph.D. students are expected to have a primary research advisor who is a member of the School's ladder faculty.  Students are allowed to have a co-advisor from departments/schools external to SEAS, but the SEAS ladder faculty member is expected to be the lead advisor and chair the dissertation committee.    All first year students must have an advisor who is a member of the SEAS ladder faculty.  " Affiliate faculty" cannot admit PhD students.   There are many SEAS ladder faculty with formal joint appointments in other GSAS departments, like Physics and Earth and Planetary Sciences.  These faculty can serve as primary research advisors to SEAS students.   A complete list of the SEAS ladder faculty can be found  here - filter for "primary graduate advisors" once you're on this page. 

Yes, but it requires a new, complete application.  Students admitted to SEAS cannot simply transfer to another department within the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).  Students are welcome to apply to another Harvard Griffin GSAS department should they decide it’s a better fit, but that requires submitting a complete application to that department during the admissions cycle.  There is not a separate process for students who wish to “transfer” from one Harvard Griffin GSAS department to another.  More information can be found  here.

For Ph.D. students, transfers from one SEAS area to another SEAS area are handled internally. SEAS Ph.D. degrees areas include Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering Sciences, which encompasses Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science & Engineering, and Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering.

Masters students cannot change degree areas within SEAS.

“Maybe” for Ph.D. students and “no” for masters students.  Ph.D. students can petition for up to three classes taken elsewhere while enrolled in a graduate program to count toward the Ph.D. degree.   All "transfer" courses must be approved by the student's faculty advisor and the Committee on Higher Degrees after the student begins graduate study.

Courses taken while in an undergraduate program, even if they are graduate level, cannot be used for this purpose.  Any coursework you wish to petition to transfer must have been taken while enrolled in a graduate program. Our master’s degree programs do not allow for any transfer courses.

International Student Questions

Please visit  GSAS Oral English Language Requirement  for information about our proficiency requirements.

80 is the minimum score on the TOEFL's Internet-based Test (iBT).  

Applicants may opt to take the  IELTS  test instead of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required.

TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for no longer than two years.  If you are applying for admission for fall 2025, you may submit scores from tests taken no earlier than January 5, 2023.   Applicants must order scores and have them sent to GSAS before the scores expire.

GSAS welcomes applications for admission from individuals holding a BA, BS, or equivalent undergraduate degree (for prospective international students, a three- or four-year undergraduate degree from an institution of recognized standing) and actively seeks applicants from groups historically  underrepresented in graduate schools . All degree candidates are admitted for full-time study beginning in the fall term.

Students who are unsure of the US equivalency of their degree(s) should consult a reputable credential evaluation service.

Please contact the  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences  if you have any additional questions.

Please visit   GSAS Oral English Language Requirement  for information about our proficiency requirements.

80 is the minimum score on the TOEFL's Internet-based Test (iBT).  GSAS policy is that the TOEFL score must be valid  at the time of entry into the program .   TOEFL scores expire after two years.

Applicants may opt to take the  IELTS  test instead of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required. GSAS policy is that the IELTS score must be valid  at the time of entry into the program .   IELTS scores expire after two years. Results should be sent to Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences by the IELTS test center via IELTS E-Delivery service.

Revealed: Harvard Business School’s New MBA Essays For Applicants

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Harvard Business School’s Baker Library.

With just 10 weeks before its first application deadline on Sept. 4th, Harvard Business School today (June 25) revealed a newly revised application for MBA candidates, including a new set of three short essays along with a refresh on how it will evaluate applicants for future classes.

The new prompts?

Business-Minded Essay : Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)

Leadership-Focused Essay : What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)

Growth-Oriented Essay : Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

NEW HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ESSAYS PUT THROUGH BY NEW MBA ADMISSIONS CHIEF

Eagerly awaited by thousands of prospective students and admission consultants, you can bet that the admissions pages of the HBS website were continually refreshed all morning for a glimpse at the new essay. The Harvard Business School essay prompt for the Class of 2027 was posted at 10:30 a.m. with the opening of the 2024-2025 application online.

This year’s change was put through by Rupal Gadhia , who joined the school as managing director of admissions and financial aid last October. A 2004 Harvard MBA, Gadhia came to the school with no previous admissions experience, having been the global head of marketing for SharkNinja robots.

In explaining the change in a blog post , Gadhia noted that “we have refreshed the criteria on which we evaluate candidates. We are looking for applicants who are business-minded, leadership-focused, and growth-oriented…This is your opportunity to discuss meaningful or formative experiences that are important to you that you haven’t had a chance to fully explore elsewhere in your application…Be authentic, be yourself.”

WHAT HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL IS REALLY LOOKING FOR IN THE NEW ESSAYS

The school added some context to its new criteria for admission, more clearly defining what it means by business-minded, leadership-focused, and growth-oriented.

Business-Minded

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about using business as a force for good – who strive to improve and transform companies, industries, and the world. We are seeking those who are eager to solve today’s biggest problems and shape the future through creative and integrated thinking. Being business-minded is about the interest to help organizations succeed, whether in the private, public, or non-profit sector. This business inclination can be found in individuals with a variety of professional and educational experiences, not just those who come from traditional business backgrounds.

In Your Application: We will look for evidence of your interpersonal skills, quantitative abilities, and the ways in which you plan to create impact through business in the future.

Leadership-Focused

We are looking for individuals who aspire to lead others toward making a difference in the world, and those who recognize that to build and sustain successful organizations, they must develop and nurture diverse teams. Leadership takes many forms in many contexts – you do not have to have a formal leadership role to make a difference. We deliberately create a class that includes different kinds of leaders, from the front-line manager to the startup founder to the behind-the-scenes thought leader.

In Your Application: Your leadership impact may be most evident in extracurriculars, community initiatives, or your professional work.

Growth-Oriented

We are looking for individuals who desire to broaden their perspectives through creative problem solving, active listening, and lively discussion. At HBS you will be surrounded by future leaders from around the world who will make you think more expansively about what impact you might have. Our case and field-based learning methods depend on the active participation of curious students who are excited to listen and learn from faculty and classmates, as well as contribute their own ideas and perspectives.

In Your Application: We will look for the ways in which you have grown, developed, and how you engage with the world around you.

TIGHTER TIMEFRAME FOR ROUND ONE APPLICANTS

The new essay prompts come  nearly two months after candidates to the school’s MBA program would more typically know what was expected of them. Some admission consultants say the delay over the prompt’s release, along with nearly a month’s slow down in releasing application deadlines, is “wildly insensitive” to applicants who will have less time than normal to prepare for the round one deadline of Sept. 4th.

That’s especially true because the most successful applicants to HBS have highly demanding jobs that consume the vast majority of their time. Many candidates go through multiple drafts of their essays to get them as close to perfection as humanly possible. MBA admission consultants are expecting a lot of up-to-the-deadline work this year to help prep candidates for Harvard and other top business schools.

The new application still preserves the post-interview reflection for applicants who are invited to a 30-minute admissions interview. Within 24 hours of the interview, candidates are required to submit a written reflection through the school’s online application system.

REACTION TO THE NEW CHANGE IS MIXED

Early reaction to the change suggests the likelihood of mixed reviews. “This is an uninspired and odd set of questions,” says Sandy Kreisberg, founder of HBSGuru.com and an MBA admissions consultant who closely reads the tea leaves of Harvard’s admissions process. “I don’t know how it’s different from what else do you want us to know about you, frankly,” he adds in a reference to last year’s single essay prompt.

“HBS has certainly moved from the abstract to the concrete,” believes Jeremy Shinewald, founder and CEO of mbaMission, a leading MBA admissions consulting firm. “Some applicants previously felt like they didn’t know where to start and some weren’t sure if they had answered the question, even when they were done. Now, the questions are quite straightforward and all have a cause and effect relationship — one where the applicant discusses the past to reveal the present or future. Smart applicants will understand how to share their experiences and, more importantly, how to relay their values. Some will mistakenly try to whack HBS over the head with stories of their epic feats, but the key isn’t to brag or embellish – the key is to simply create a clear relationship, via narrative, between past experience and true motivations.”

Shinewald found it astonishing that Harvard could not have made the change earlier. “It is, of course, surprising that HBS left applicants on edge until the last minute, all to create very traditional essays,” he adds. “As applicants learn in MBA classrooms, change can be hard and take time. The bottom line here is that these essays are somewhat of an applicant’s dream – they allow the savvy applicant to play to their strengths and draw on their best anecdotes and experiences to create a complete story. Some applicants will lament the absence of a ‘Why HBS?’ prompt, but my guess is that the admissions committee recognized that they would get an almost homogenous collection of essays touting the case method and other well known features. HBS gets some kudos for keeping the focus on the applicant.”

Adds Petia Whitmore of My MBA Path: “I think they reflect one of the traits of this new generation of candidates which is that they don’t handle ambiguity well. So it seems like Harvard had to spell out what they’re looking for way more prescriptively than in the past.”

Some, however, find the new essays a return to the past. “To me, the prompts feel quite regressive, and a return to the more formulaic approach that pervaded MBA applications two decades ago,” believes Justin Marshall, a New York-based MBA admissions consultant. “Because the previous prompt was so open ended, it forced applicants to be introspective and self-aware. You couldn’t just ramble for 900 words; you had to identify themes in your life to show how your personal experiences shaped your values, your leadership style, and your goals. Comparatively, these new prompts are much more paint-by-numbers. Applicants will likely cover the same ground in terms of topic, but there’s very little room for nuance and self-expression. I think it will be harder for applicants with less conventional backgrounds and experiences to differentiate themselves. I’m sure HBS grew tired of reading so many painfully earnest ‘life story’ essays, but I suspect they’ll soon find themselves yearning for essays that have a heartbeat and personality. 250 words just doesn’t allow for that unless you’re a very crafty writer.”

Whatever the case, getting into Harvard’s MBA program is still a daunting exercise. Last year, 1,076 of the 8,264 candidates who applied for admission to Harvard Business School gained admission, an acceptance rate of 13.2%, making HBS the second most selective prestige MBA program in the country after Stanford Graduate School of Business which had an admit rate of 8.4%. Harvard saw a 15.4% drop in MBA applications from the 9,773 it received a year-earlier.

Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 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? (up to 400 words)

BIGGEST CHANGE IN HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ESSAY IN NEARLY A DECADE

Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences must provide an additional essay: The MS/MBA Engineering Sciences program is focused on entrepreneurship, design, and innovation. Describe your past experiences in these areas and your reasons for pursuing a program with this focus. (recommended length: 500 words). Applicants will also be able to respond to an optional essay.

In any case, it’s the biggest change in Harvard Business School’s application in nearly a decade. The last time HBS made a major switch, moving to the essay prompt it just eliminated, was in 2016. That change to just one essay with no word limit and a post-interview reflection was made by then admissions chief Dee Leopold.

When Leopold applied to Harvard as an MBA candidate in 1978, she had to write eight essays. Over her years as managing director of admissions, she first cut the essays down to four and then one, making it optional, and finally the one last prompt with a post-interview reflection, saying that applying to HBS should not be a writing contest .

DON’T MISS: 2024-2024 MBA APPLICATION DEADLINES or  HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL WILL NOW UPDATE ITS MBA ESSAY 

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All Harvard Admission Deadlines for 2024-25 Academic Year

From Harvard Business School to Havard College, here’s your one-stop shop for all Harvard admission deadlines and decision dates for academic year 2024-25 .  Plus all application links!

Harvard Business School: HBS MBA

Submit your online application by 12 noon boston time:.

• Round 1 : Sep 6, 2023
• Round 2: Jan 3, 2024

The MBA Admissions Board Will Notify You About Its Decision by:

• Round 1 : Dec 6, 2023
• Round 2: Mar 27, 2024

Source for Harvard admission deadlines: HBS application page

Harvard Kennedy School: HKS Master’s Program

Application deadline: December 1, 2023 at 12 p.m. ET

Financial Aid deadline: Early January 2024 Decision letters are typically mailed by March, 2024

HKS application page

Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences: SEAS

Please find the Harvard admission deadlines for SEAS below:

SEAS Undergraduate Program

• Early Action Application Deadline: November 1, 2023
• Regular Action Application Deadline: January 1, 2024
• Decision letters mailed by: Late March, 2024

SEAS under-graduate admission page

SEAS Graduate Program

• Application deadline for Ph.D Programs : December 15, 2023 by 5 pm ET
• Application deadline for Masters Programs for S.M., M.E., and AB-SM : December 1, 2023 by 5 pm ET
• Decision notifications are made by GSAS and SEAS: Mid February, 2024

SEAS graduate admission page

Harvard College

• Early Action applicants application deadline: November 1, 2023
• Regular Action application deadline: January 1, 2024
• Regular Decision financial aid application deadline: February 1, 2024

Harvard College admission page

Notifications for admission decisions are sent by

• Regular action applicants: mid-December, 2024
• Regular action applicants: late March, 2024

Harvard Divinity School

• Application Deadline for Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Theology, and Special Student programs: January 4, 2024 by 11:59 pm ET

All applicants: Mid-March, 2024

HDS application page

Harvard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: GSAS

Gsas harvard admission deadlines for different subject areas (tbd).

Applications are due on: December 1, December 15, or January 2 by 5 pm, depending on your program of study, as follows:

• African and African American Studies (PhD):  Dec 15, 2023
• American Studies (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Anthropology Master of Arts (AM), (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Applied Mathematics SEAS (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Applied Physics SEAS (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Astronomy (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Bioengineering SEAS (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences DMS HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Biomedical Informatics HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Biological Sciences in Public Health HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Biophysics HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Biostatistics (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Business Administration (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Business Economics (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Celtic Languages and Literatures (AM), (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Chemical Biology HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Chemical Physics (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Chemistry and Chemical Biology HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• The Classics (PhD): Dec 15, 2024
• Comparative Literature (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Computational Science and Engineering SEAS Master of Science (SM), Master of Engineering (ME): Dec 1, 2023
• Computer Science SEAS (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Data Science SEAS Master of Science (SM): Dec 1, 2023
• Earth and Planetary Sciences (PhD): Dec 15, 2024
• East Asian Languages and Civilizations (PhD): Dec 15, 2024
• Economics (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Education (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Electrical Engineering (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Engineering and Applied Sciences Master of Science (SM), Master of Engineering (ME): Dec 1, 2023
• Engineering and Applied Sciences (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• English (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Environmental Science and Engineering SEAS (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Film and Visual Studies (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Germanic Languages and Literatures (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Government (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Health Policy (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• History (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• History of Art and Architecture (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• History of Science (AM), (PhD): Dec 1, 2024
• Human Evolutionary Biology (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Immunology DMS HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Inner Asian and Altaic Studies (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Linguistics (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering SEAS (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Mathematics (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Medical Sciences (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Middle Eastern Studies (AM), (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Molecular and Cellular Biology HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Music (AM), (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (AM), (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Neuroscience DMS HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2024
• Organismic and Evolutionary Biology HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Organizational Behavior (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Philosophy (PhD): Jan 5, 2023
• Physics (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Population Health Sciences (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Psychology (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Public Policy (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Quantum Science and Engineering: Dec 15, 2023
• Regional Studies–East Asia Master of Arts (AM): Dec 1, 2023
• Regional Studies–Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia  Master of Arts (AM): Jan 5, 2023
• Religion (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Romance Languages and Literatures (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Slavic Languages and Literatures (PhD): Jan 5, 2024
• Social Policy (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Sociology (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• South Asian Studies Master of Arts (AM), (PhD): Dec 15, 2023
• Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology DMS HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Statistics (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Systems, Synthetic and Quantitative Biology HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023
• Virology DMS HILS (PhD): Dec 1, 2023

GSAS degree programs deadlines

Helpful Articles:

How to Write a Grad School Personal Statement or Essay

Harvard Graduate School of Design: GSD

Please find the Harvard admission deadlines for GSD below (by 11:59 pm ET):

• Application Deadline for Master of Architecture, Master of Urban Planning, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Architecture in Urban Design, Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design, and Doctor of Design (MArch, MLA, MUP, MAUD, MLAUD, MRE, DDes): January 3, 2024
• Application Deadline for Master in Design Studies (MDesS):  January 8, 2024
• Application Deadline for Master in Design Engineering (MDE):  January 11, 2024
• GSD Financial Aid deadline: Early February, 2024 (TBD)

GSD admission page

Admission decisions are sent by

All applicants: early March, 2024

Also read:  How to Pay for Harvard as an International Student

Harvard Graduate School of Education: GSE

Application deadlines.

• Ed.L.D.: December 15, 2023
• Ph.D.: December 1, 2023
• Ed.M.: January 5, 2024

GSE admissions page

Harvard Law School: HLS

Application deadline for hls graduate programs.

• LL.M. Program Deadline: December 1, 2023
• Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher Program Spring Deadline: September 15, 2023
• Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher Program Fall Deadline: April 15, 2024
• S.J.D. Program Deadline: April 1, 2024

HLS graduate program admission deadlines

J.D. Application Deadline

Submission deadline: February 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Decisions will begin releasing by: January, 2024 All applicants notified by: Early April, 2024

HLS J.D. application page

Harvard Medical School: HMS

Hms application deadlines.

• Deadline to submit the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application:  October 15, 2023
• Deadline to submit HMS Supplemental Application: October 22, 2023
• Deadline to submit transcripts to AMCAS: October 30, 2023

Notification of Decisions

Applicants selected for interview will be notified by mid January, 2024 All admissions decisions are sent out via email by third week of March, 2024

Deadline for submission of all financial aid application: March, 2024

HMS application deadline page

Harvard School of Dental Medicine: HSDM

• Online application deadline: December 15, 2023 ; Apply through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) AADSAS application service
• Complete application deadline: January 1, 2024

HSDM application page

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Phd program in biological sciences in public health.

Application deadline including all materials: December 1, 2023 For those invited, in-person interviews will take place from February 8th – February 9th, 2024 .

PhD BPH application page

Master in Health Care Management Program (MHCM)

Priority application deadline: December 1, 2023

Prospective students may apply after the priority deadline on a space available basis with prior permission from the program. The final, space available application deadline is February 15, 2024 .

MHCM application page

You can find the Harvard admission deadlines for other different HSPH programs below:

• Occupational and Environmental Residency Program (OEMR): October 15, 2023
• MHCM priority deadline, MPH, MPH-Epidemiology (online/on-campus), SM, DrPH, PhD in Biological Sciences, PhD in Biostatistics, PhD in Population Health Sciences: December 01, 2023
• Biological Sciences in Public Health (BPH): December 1, 2023
• PhD in Health Policy: December 1, 2023
• Joint JD/MPH Program with Harvard Law School: January 15, 2024
• Global Health Delivery Intensive, Program in Clinical Effectiveness non-degree deadline: February 1, 2024
• MHCM final deadline: February 15, 2024  (Priority application deadline : December 1, 2023)
• Global Infectious Diseases Summer Program and Summer Session for Public Health Studies non-degree deadline: March 1, 2024

Tip from HSPH admissions office: Try to submit application for admission and all supporting documents by mid-November for your application to be processed by SOPHAS in time to meet the Dec 1 deadline.

Financial Aid & Notification of Decisions

All admissions decisions are sent out via email in February and March, 2024

Deadline for submission of all financial aid application: January, 2024

HSPH admission deadlines page

Global Health Delivery Project

Application deadline: February 2024

Acceptance letters are sent by late March 2024

GHDI admission deadlines page

For any other programs, please find updated requirements & Harvard admission deadlines here on the Harvard official pages.

How Long Do College/ Masters Applications Take?

Also check out:

Harvard Application Process: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

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Fully Funded PhD in Business Administration at Harvard Business School

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Harvard Business School, located in Boston, Massachusetts, continues to provide an outstanding opportunity for aspiring scholars with its fully funded PhD program in Business Administration.

This prestigious program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in academia, offering a comprehensive education and research experience that extends beyond the classroom.

PhD Program Requirements

A strong academic record, typically with a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in a relevant field, such as business, economics, or related disciplines.

Submission of GRE or GMAT scores, along with any additional test scores required by the school.

PhD Funding Coverage

Harvard Business School is committed to providing substantial financial support to all admitted PhD students to ensure they can focus on their studies and research without financial burden. The financial support package includes:

Fellowships: All incoming PhD students, regardless of their financial need or background, are awarded a fellowship. This fellowship includes coverage for tuition, single-person health fees, and a generous living stipend, which is currently set at $43,860.

Financial Aid Program: The school offers a comprehensive financial aid program that guarantees funding for up to five years. This support allows students to focus on their research and academic progress.

Academic Progress: It is important to note that all financial aid awards are contingent upon a student’s satisfactory academic progress. Maintaining high academic standards is crucial to continue receiving financial support throughout the program.

Application Requirement

The admission application package typically includes the following components:

Online Application: Applicants are required to complete an online application form, which includes personal information, academic history, and details about research interests.

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended.

Test Scores: Submission of GRE or GMAT scores, as well as any other required standardized test scores.

Letters of Recommendation: Typically, three to four letters of recommendation from professors or professionals who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications and potential.

Statement of Purpose: A well-written statement that outlines the applicant’s research interests, career goals, and why they wish to pursue a PhD at Harvard Business School.

Resume/CV: A detailed resume or curriculum vitae highlighting academic and professional accomplishments.

Application Deadline

December 1, 2024

Application Fee

The application fee is $105.

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Professors Not Responding? Your CV May Be the Reason.

Try Our Ready-to-Use CV Templates Land You in Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Beyond!

I went to Harvard Business School and the admissions process was intense. Here are 6 things I did that helped me get in.

• Shaifali Aggarwal is a Harvard Business School graduate and CEO of an MBA admissions consulting company.
• She recommends starting on your applications 9 months in advance.
• Aggarwal also says mock interviews and practicing aloud with family members is key to nailing the interview.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shaifali Aggarwal, a Harvard Business School graduate, and founder and CEO of the boutique MBA admissions consulting company Ivy Groupe.

I took an economics class in high school and loved it. It led me to majoring in economics in college. Going to a top business school was a dream of mine, which was solidified while working in investment banking after college.

I was both anxious and excited as I was going through the MBA application process — but I also knew that if I didn't get in, I could always reapply the following year, so that definitely helped ease the anxiety.  With that thought in mind, I actually started to enjoy the process.

Drawing on my personal experience and strategies to get into Harvard Business School, I work with candidates to help them maximize their chances of gaining admission to the top and most prestigious MBA programs. 

I've also helped clients get into all of the other top MBA programs, including the other M7 schools — Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Columbia, Kellogg, and Booth — as well as the top European programs, including London Business School and INSEAD.

Here are six things I would tell anyone who wants to get into HBS or another top MBA program:

1. Craft an authentic narrative and ask yourself "why" 

The most important factor with respect to being accepted to HBS, which is true for other top MBA programs as well, is being authentic. HBS and other top business schools want to assemble a diverse class of students who can deeply reflect on and share their experiences. Admissions committees want to understand the living person beyond the two-dimensional application.

To differentiate yourself, think about your experiences across multiple facets — personal, extracurricular, academic, and professional — and gain an understanding of what has shaped you, as well as your unique strengths and attributes. Then highlight those qualities through specific examples in your application. 

It helps to provide color and "connect the dots" in your story so that the admissions committee can understand the "why." For example, in my own story when applying to HBS, I had a solid foundation in finance from having majored in economics in college and having worked in investment banking. So I drew upon that foundation to talk about my desire to make the move from the sell-side (investment banking) to the buy-side (investment management) post-MBA, first as an equity analyst and then ultimately as a portfolio manager.

When I applied to HBS, there was an essay question that asked about my post-MBA goals. That's where I provided context on how my love of an economics class in high school had brought me to where I am today, and how it would get me to where I wanted to go in the future.

2. Have clear post-MBA goals 

Post-MBA goals that are vague or too broad can hurt your chances of admission. An example of a post-MBA goal that's both too vague and too broad is: "I would like to start my own company after business school."

In your application, you should be able to clearly state your short-term post-MBA goals, or what you see yourself doing for a few years after graduating from business school. You should also be able to explain your long-term post-MBA goals, or what you see yourself ultimately doing in your career.

These post-MBA goals should be specific and achievable. They should also be credible and build upon what you have done in the past.

For example, my post-MBA goal was to transition to the investment management industry from investment banking. I was part of the financial institutions group (FIG) in investment banking and supported coverage of investment managers, working on M&A transactions with a specific focus on investment management companies.

So my goal of transitioning to the investment management space post-MBA was specific, achievable, and credible. Not only did I have exposure to finance, but I also understood the investment management space well. 

Another example could be transitioning from being a software engineer at a technology company — the technical side — to working in a strategy role at a technology company post-MBA and eventually becoming chief strategy officer at that company — the business side. 

3. Make sure your recommenders have supervised you

I've seen an applicant in an oversubscribed demographic with weaker stats get accepted to HBS because of the extremely strong impact he'd demonstrated in the workplace, which he captured in not only his essays, but also his recommendation letters.

When considering who to ask for recommendations, it's extremely important that your recommenders have supervised you in some capacity, have worked directly with you, and can comment on your work and qualities through the interaction they've had with you. In other words, they should know you well. 

Related stories

The biggest mistake I see is candidates asking someone who is very senior, like the CEO of their company, to write a recommendation letter on their behalf even if that CEO hasn't worked with them directly in any capacity. I've seen this strategy actually backfire. 

I also advise my clients to choose recommenders who'll complement one another, so when viewed together, they provide a holistic picture of their qualities. 

4. Start the MBA application process early 

The MBA application process is a marathon and not a sprint. As a result, it's very difficult to put together quality applications in a very short timeframe. 

HBS attracts so many highly qualified candidates each year that you really can't take the application process lightly. As soon as I knew I wanted to apply to HBS, I took the initiative both in the workplace and in my extracurriculars to go the extra mile. I also took the GMAT as early as possible so that I could 100% focus on my application materials.  

I started working on my HBS application nine months before it was due so I'd have ample time to think through my narrative and how I wanted to present it through the essays. This gave me the opportunity to go through more than one draft of my materials so that when I hit the submit button, I knew I'd put my best foot forward — no regrets. 

Since there's a lot of introspection required to craft your story, I've found that nine months is a great time frame without feeling stressed or rushed. I have clients who started working with me in January for the September deadlines. 

With respect to the application process, you should have a clear idea of what you've done and where you want to go. Think about your past experiences and your post-MBA goals — this will make the application process so much easier. Only after doing this would I then suggest actually delving into each of the application elements: working on your resume, essays, and the short answers for each application as well as guiding your recommenders.

5. During the interview phase, practice and practice and practice 

Don't assume you can "wing it" during your interview. Every single day leading up to my interview, I practiced out loud either by myself or with a family member/friend to make sure that I was comfortable relaying my thoughts.

Go through your resume and application to determine where your interviewer may likely dig further. You should be speaking to students and alums to frame your response as to why an MBA from HBS is imperative for you.

Some areas where an interviewer could dig further include professional gaps in your employment history, understanding short employment stints if you've worked at a company for only a few months, how you've stepped up in your professional roles especially if you are a younger candidate, why you may have worked in different industries, learning more about an extracurricular activity if they're not familiar with it, asking more about the company you're working at if it isn't as well-known such as a start-up, and your thoughts about major industry news or headlines.

HBS interviews are 30 minutes and are conducted by a member of the HBS admissions board. They're typically 1:1 although sometimes there's an observer in addition to the interviewer. Whether there's an observer depends on capacity and logistics, so candidates shouldn't read into the presence of an observer at their interview.

Keep in mind that the HBS interview is not "blind" — in other words, the admissions committee member interviewing you will have read your entire application and will have very pointed questions prepared to ask you.

Recently, my clients have been asked around 15 to 20 questions during their HBS interview. These questions can be about  anything  in your application. They can be behavioral questions, questions related to your industry and post-MBA goals, and even random questions to test your ability to think on your feet — to make sure that you'll be comfortable with the case method at HBS, since one element of that teaching style is being cold called! I've had clients get asked questions like "Walk me through how you would explain a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis to someone who doesn't have a finance background" or "What about HBS gives you pause?"

Don't try to control the interview agenda — that won't come across well. Don't come across as being perfectly rehearsed, as having self-awareness and being thoughtful can go a long way in the interview.

This interview is truly different from every other MBA interview because of the level of preparation that goes into each one on the part of the interviewer. They will thoroughly know your application. Most other MBA interviews are only based on a candidate's resume and are often conducted by alums. 

6. Nail the post-interview reflection

HBS now also has a post-interview reflection due within 24 hours of the interview where candidates are given the opportunity to do just that — reflect upon the interview. So being able to impactfully convey your thoughts throughout the HBS interview process is critical.

After the interview, it's helpful to write down the questions that you were asked during your interview as you prepare to answer the HBS post-interview prompt.

Last year, the question was "What was the highlight of your interview and why did this resonate with you? Is there anything else you would like to share now that you've had time to reflect on your interview?" Word guidance for the post-interview prompt is 300 to 450 words. 

Through this exercise, HBS is giving you the opportunity to end strong, so you shouldn't take this step lightly. Think of it as a memo after a business meeting. You shouldn't prepare your response prior to the interview, and your response shouldn't be over-polished. 

Some questions to think about to nail your response are "What did you enjoy most about the interview and why?" "Could you have clarified any answers?" and "Are there any aspects of your candidacy that you'd like to share that weren't discussed?" 

As you wrap up, be enthusiastic and leave HBS with a positive feeling about you.

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AlphaSights

Associate, client service, san francisco, 2025.

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Start Dates Available:  January & Summer 2025

Looking to start your career in a fast-paced commercial role? Seeking to have immediate personal impact with a clear career path ahead of you? If so, our Associate Program is the right choice for you.

About AlphaSights

We bring together some of the most ambitious people from around the globe to work with the leading investment funds, strategy consultancies and Fortune 500 companies. Together, we help our clients access expert knowledge, elevate their decision-making and drive progress by connecting them with niche experts across the world.

Founded in 2008, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 1500+ professionals in nine cities worldwide, we’ve firmly earned our place as a leader in our market and one of the fastest-growing companies in the world. Our relentless pursuit of excellence means we only hire the best and brightest graduates to help us reach new heights.

Springboard your career with us if:

• You thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
• You possess a client-first mindset.
• You excel under pressure and enjoy working to tight deadlines.
• You are gritty, resilient and ready to roll up your sleeves and make things happen.

A day in the life of an Associate

As an Associate in the Client Service team, you’ll be the link between our clients and the expert knowledge they seek. Throughout your workday, you will work on multiple projects from investors, strategists and dealmakers at top-tier client organizations seeking expert insights to inform their decision-making. This is a communications-intense frontline role requiring you to multitask across parallel workstreams.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Recruiting experts : you will spend a significant part of your day speaking on the phone with experts who are uniquely relevant matches for your clients’ projects, often under tight deadlines. 
• Understanding the  project and market context  and the legal and regulatory environment in which your clients and experts operate. 
• Taking ownership  of every aspect of your projects, from initiating and managing client-expert communications to meticulously scheduling calls to ensure seamless collaboration between them.

Ensuring success for our Associates means: 

• Giving you an  introduction to the   business world  without being pigeonholed into any one industry or profession.
• Helping you  develop transferable commercial and client management skills  spanning professional communications, negotiation, persuasion, project and time management.
• A  clear career path for advancement  to Manager after 24-30 months, and to Vice President after ~5 years.
• Successful completion of the Associate Program may qualify you for our  MBA Tuition Program , which provides financial support towards the program cost of some of the top business schools worldwide.

Requirements

You’ll need to bring your A game to work, daily. We are looking for:

• Strong academic credentials (undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or above)
• Noteworthy extracurricular achievement throughout school and university
• Relevant internship experience
• Fluent English is required
• Work authorization in the United States; we do not sponsor visas but will consider applicants with STEM/OPT eligibility
• Expect total first-year compensation ranging from $90-110k (average to high performance) consisting of (i) annual base salary of $75,000 and (ii) uncapped variable compensation linked to individual performance.
• 17 vacation days, in addition to 10 public holidays, and business closure during winter holiday week.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) match – 4% of your total compensation matched dollar-for-dollar.
• State-of-the-art office with amenities in the heart of San Francisco; option to WFH each Friday.

AlphaSights is an equal-opportunity employer. 

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3 Ways to Compassionately Hold Your Team Accountable

• David Rock,
• Emma Sarro,
• Chris Weller

Why some teams are more successful at meeting deadlines, hitting targets, and growing revenues.

Why are some teams more successful than others when it comes to meeting deadlines, hitting targets, and growing revenues? Researchers at the NeuroLeadership Institute looked at the cognitive processes associated with leaders who cultivate accountability on their teams. They identified three distinct habits practiced by these leaders: They think ahead, obsess about commitments, and anchor on solutions.

Leaders have always had to balance compassion and accountability — and in recent years, we’ve seen the pendulum swing wildly in both directions. During the early years of the pandemic, many organizations made their people a priority, offering flexibility, mental health benefits, and other support to help employees navigate a stressful time. Recently, as interest rates and inflation have risen, we’ve seen leaders change their tune, dialing back on some benefits, bringing people back to the office, and placing more emphasis on results: meeting deadlines, hitting targets, and growing revenues.

• DR David Rock is cofounder of the Neuroleadership Institute  and author of Your Brain at Work .
• Emma Sarro , PhD, is the senior director of research at the NeuroLeadership Institute. Before joining NLI, Emma was a tenured professor of biology and neuroscience at Dominican College in New York and taught at New York University, She received her BS in human biology from Brown University and PhD in neuroscience from the Center for Neural Science at New York University.
• Chris Weller is a veteran writer, editor, and storyteller whose work appears in The Atlantic , Newsweek , Harvard Business Review , Business Insider , Fast Company , and more. He is the co-creator of the 2020 Netflix documentary Spelling the Dream and the founder of 1-Across , a ghostwriting and editing services firm for executives, entrepreneurs, and other thought leaders who want to change how people see the world.

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The HBS classrooms and community thrive when we bring together people who can share a variety of experiences and perspectives. We are looking for future leaders who are passionate about business, leadership, and growth.

Here you will find a detailed explanation of our MBA application process and requirements. We look forward to learning about you through your application.

Submit A Written Application

To 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.

Candidates must have the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (unless you are a college senior applying through our 2+2 Deferred Admissions Process ). Equivalent programs include international three-year bachelor degree programs.

We require uploaded transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions that you have attended (full- or part-time).

You may upload an "unofficial" or student copy of your transcript; however, we will request an official copy for verification purposes should you be admitted to HBS.

When the Admissions Board looks at your transcripts, we are looking at the whole picture — not just your GPA. We take into account where you went to school, the courses that you took, and your performance. We understand the structures of different grading systems worldwide. There is no minimum GPA to apply, although our students usually have strong undergraduate records. Undergraduate academics are just one factor the Admissions Board uses to evaluate a candidate.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT, 10th Edition or Focus Edition) is a prerequisite for admission. There is no minimum GRE or GMAT score needed 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 and GRE scores in the current first-year class.

When submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GRE or GMAT scores given on the day of the test, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must have the testing agency send an official score report directly to HBS. A valid and verified score is needed to be admitted to the program.

Note on the GMAT Focus: Writing is an essential component of the MBA program. Therefore, to be admitted to HBS all students must have an official writing assessment. You can satisfy this with a valid GRE, GMAT 10th Edition, or English language test score. If you only submitted the GMAT Focus, which lacks a writing section, HBS will contact you at the interview stage about taking the separate GMAC Business Writing Assessment. If you wish to take the GMAC Business Writing Assessment before knowing your interview status, you will be able to do so beginning July 2024. Because the written application has opportunities to showcase your writing abilities (e.g. essays, short answers), you will not be at a disadvantage if you do not include the GMAC Business Writing Assessment before you are invited to interview.

Be advised that in order to apply in the 2024-2025 cycle, scores must be dated as follows:

Please note that the HBS code for the GMAT is HRLX892 and the HBS code for the GRE is 4064.

A TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), or Duolingo English Test 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.

HBS only accepts the Internet-based (iBT) version of the TOEFL. Please note that the HBS code for the TOEFL is 3444.

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, a PTE score lower than 75, or a Duolingo score lower than 145 from applying.

Applicants to the MBA Class of 2027 (matriculating fall 2025) need to respond to these three essay prompts:

Business-Minded Essay : Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)

Leadership-Focused Essay : What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)

Growth-Oriented Essay : Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

Joint Degree Essays :

Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 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? (up to 400 words)

Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences must provide an additional essay: The MS/MBA Engineering Sciences program is focused on entrepreneurship, design, and innovation. Describe your past experiences in these areas and your reasons for pursuing a program with this focus. (recommended length: 500 words). Applicants will also be able to respond to an optional essay.

You will need to have two recommendations submitted online by the application deadlines. 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, or 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.

Recommendations must be completed online. Recommenders will be asked to fill out a personal qualities and skills grid and answer our two additional 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)

This can be your standard business resume or CV. We do not have specific preferences on how your resume is formatted. Note: The HBS MBA Program is designed for students who have full-time work experience. While it is important for candidates to assess their own readiness to apply, the Admissions Board recommends that applicants have at least two years of full-time work experience (prior to enrolling).

Applicants must pay a $250 nonrefundable application fee* via credit card, which helps cover the costs of reviewing applications. There are two exceptions:

1. Active duty military applicants are exempt from the fee (details will be provided once you begin your application).

2. Applicants who would experience genuine financial hardship from paying the $250 fee may submit a request for a need-based application fee waiver . You can access the waiver request form after you start your application.

* 2+2 Deferred Admissions applicants have a reduced application fee of $100.

After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to interview. Interviews are 30 minutes and are conducted by an MBA Admissions Board member who has reviewed your application. Your interview will be tailored to you and is designed for us to learn more about you in the context of a conversation.

The interview is a positive indicator of interest, but is not a guarantee of admission; it serves as one element among many that are considered as we complete a final review of your candidacy. 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 may be scheduled on campus, in domestic or international hub cities, or via Zoom. Neither the timing of your interview invitation nor its format, whether in person or via Zoom, implies anything about the status of your application or affects your candidacy.

Post-Interview Reflection

Within 24 hours of the interview, candidates are required to submit a written reflection through our online application system. Detailed instructions will be provided to those applicants who are invited to interview.

MBA Application Tips Video Series

Every HBS MBA student has been where you are right now. In this video series, we hope to help you learn how to break down your application into small, actionable steps so that you can submit a successful application that is true to you and your journey.

Joint Degree Programs

Applications for both Harvard Business School and the partnering Harvard graduate school must be submitted as explained on these overview pages:

• MS/MBA Engineering
• MS/MBA Biotechnology
• MBA / MPA-ID

Special Instructions

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

Wharton MBA Application Timeline and Deadlines for 2024-2025

For those ready to take the next step in their MBA journey, we are pleased to announce our application deadlines for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. The Wharton MBA program offers three application rounds per year, each with its own set of key dates. Here is a breakdown of the timeline for the upcoming admissions cycle:

Round 1: Application Deadline – September 4, 2024. Interview Release – October 24, 2024. Decisions – December 10, 2024.

Round 2: Application Deadline – January 3, 2025. Interview Release – February 19, 2025. Decisions – April 1, 2025.

Round 3: Application Deadline – April 2, 2025. Interview Release – April 18, 2025. Decisions – May 13, 2025.

Deferred Admissions Round: Application Deadline – April 23, 2025 Interview Release – May 29, 2025. Decisions – July 1, 2025

To increase your chances of securing a spot in the Wharton MBA program, it’s advisable to apply in either Round 1 or Round 2. Round 3 applicants face a more competitive pool due to limited space in the class. For candidates interested in the Lauder MBA/MA Program or the MBA in Health Care Management, applications are considered in all three rounds. For those interested in the Carey JDMBA Program, applications are considered in Rounds 1 and 2 only.

The application will open in mid-July, so as you prepare your materials, take note of the deadlines for this admissions cycle to make sure you don’t miss out on an extraordinary opportunity. We are not making any changes to the application for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. You can find a detailed list of all application requirements here.

To help you prepare your best application possible, take advantage of our upcoming events for the opportunity to connect with the admissions committee virtually or in person. Our Admissions Fellows are also ready to have personalized conversations with you over the phone to give you firsthand testimonials on student life at Wharton.

Whether you are a first-time applicant, or a reapplicant, we look forward to connecting with you this admissions cycle!

Just Released on YouTube!    Online VS Traditional MBA: Pros, Cons, Value of Online Degree

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