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How to get into Harvard Business School

So you’re thinking about applying to earn your MBA. And not just any MBA—but a degree from Harvard Business School , consistently ranked as one of the country’s elite programs .

Your application checklist is primed with a high GPA, top GMAT test scores , and professional experience to match. But each year, thousands of Harvard hopefuls don’t make the cut. The time, effort, and thought it takes to prove to Harvard that you’ve earned that coveted spot is just as rigorous as its two-year, full-time MBA program .

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA

What sets the application process apart is its “introspective” nature, HBS officials, students, alumni, and MBA experts agree. Harvard doesn’t want to hear about how great it is, but how you, as an MBA candidate, can make it even better. 

In 2020, Harvard received 9,304 applications for its full-time MBA program and extended admission to 859 candidates (that’s a nitpicky 9% acceptance rate). What’s the secret to competing among the world’s future business leaders? 

“It’s more of an art than it is a science,” says Shaifali Aggarwal, an HBS graduate who is the founder and CEO of Ivy Groupe, an MBA admissions consulting firm.

Through interviews with current students, alumni, consultants and the HBS admissions director this article seeks to unpack the “art” of getting into Harvard Business School in 6 steps:

• Consider why you want the degree
• Don’t focus solely on test scores and GPA to carry your application
• Choose your recommenders carefully
• Tell your story
• Memorize your application & practice explaining your “whys”
• Reflect on your interview

1. Consider why you want the degree

The HBS process requires applicants to be forward-thinking. Consider not only why you’re looking to earn your MBA , but also what you’re going to do with it once you have it.

“If you know you want to go to HBS, you need to know what you will do at HBS,” says John Okemah, who was admitted in 2020. 

Harvard employs the case study method, using scenarios from real business leaders . Students debate approaches for protagonists to take in a variety of situations and challenges across multiple industries. Students tackle a whopping 500 cases during their two years at Harvard.

“As an admissions team, we’re thinking about the pedagogy and who’s going to lean into that kind of environment,” says Chad Losee, managing director of HBS MBA admissions. Cold-calling and fast-paced debates are an essential component of an HBS education. Consider whether that’s an environment where you would sink or swim.

“It can be easy to fall into the trap of applying to Harvard solely based on the name recognition,” says Ayo Ekhator, another member of HBS’s MBA class of 2023. “But I think the most successful process is had by those who take the time to both research what Harvard offers on an academic, social, and professional level and to next understand how that fits with the applicant’s goals.”

2. Don’t focus solely on test scores and GPA to carry your application

Students admitted to Harvard Business School in 2020 on average had a 3.7 undergrad GPA, 4.7 years of work experience, and a 730 median GMAT score. While these numbers can indicate success, they don’t guarantee admission. HBS students come from engineering, economics, social sciences, business/commerce, and math and physical science backgrounds, with no one undergrad program representing a majority of admitted students.

Focus on your letters of recommendation, essay, interview, and post-interview reflection. These will differentiate your candidacy.

“We’re not doing anything in an algorithmic way,” HBS admissions director Losee says. “We also see our application process as a two-way street. Those who are applying to HBS want to learn more about the school as they go through the process. And we want to learn more about the applicants.”

3. Choose your recommenders carefully

Accompanying your application are two letters of recommendation, which should illustrate HBS pillars: a habit of leadership (stepping up for yourself and others), analytical aptitude and appetite (strong academic performance), and engaged community citizenship (what you’re giving back as your success grows). Someone who’s been close enough to your work to provide constructive feedback makes the best recommender, Losee says. 

Although a good recommender could be an HBS alum, it’s more important to have someone who knows you well to speak on your behalf. 

“Don’t undervalue how important selecting the right composition of recommendation writers is,” says Tess Michaels, HBS class of 2020 and founder and CEO of Stride Funding, a platform that offers income share agreements, an alternative to traditional student loans. Having multiple letters of recommendation from one job is “less interesting to HBS than them getting to see different dimensions of you,” she adds.

Recommenders should articulate how you’ve shown leadership in an academic, professional, or extracurricular setting—or a mix of these, says Michaels, who applied under HBS’s 2+2 Program during her time in undergrad at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The deferred program requires two years of work experience followed by two years in the regular HBS MBA Program. Its application process is identical to the traditional HBS; it’s just under a different timeline.

4. Tell your story

Admissions officers don’t ask, “Why Harvard?” 

Harvard (not so simply) asks, “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?”

This isn’t something you can respond to quickly or in one sitting, Harvard students, officials, and MBA experts agree. It takes time to reflect on your past and plan your future—and to illustrate it through a well-crafted story.

“While HBS is of course looking for certain qualities, it’s really in the context of your own experiences, your perspectives, your values,” MBA consultant Aggarwal says. “It’s really important to tell your story.” And HBS values people who are not purely bookish, she adds.

“So much of what I wrote about was the power of learning by doing, which had helped me propel my career,” HBS alum Michaels says of the essay.

Critical points to hit in your essay : Why now is the right time to pursue your MBA, what your goals are, what you’re hoping to get from the program to get you where you want to be, and (in a non-generic way) why you want to earn your MBA.

Life can be very busy and fast-paced for those applying to an MBA program. Take a cue from Ferris Bueller: It’s important during the essay process to stop, take a step back, and look within to tell your story through your essay instead of approaching it as a longer version of your résumé.

“That reflection, I think, can really help you hit the ground running when you get to business school, and it can help us get to know you and what you would bring to HBS,” Losee says.

5. Memorize your application & practice explaining your “whys”

HBS typically invites one in five applicants to an on-campus interview, Losee says, and of those interviewees, about half are eventually admitted. 

Unlike other programs, only HBS admissions board members conduct interviews. And believe it or not, these officials likely spend more time preparing than you. 

Your interviewer will know your application to a T. They’ll know the classes you took your freshman year of college, where you had your first internship, in which clubs you were involved—and even where you went to high school. They know your story from your essay. 

To nail the interview is to know yourself and to justify your decisions.

“A lot of the prep was asking myself all these ‘why’ questions that I hadn’t really considered before,” Okemah says. These questions included why he worked for the company he did after graduating from Williams College and why he left that company to go to another one. Looking at his decisions from a high level and forming responses for an admissions officer made it “really tough,” he says.

Googling HBS interview questions won’t be very helpful, as every interview is tailored to the applicant. To prepare for the hot seat, memorize your application and practice explaining your “whys.”

“That’s about you and not about what was asked to someone else who submitted a different application,” Losee says.

6. Reflect on your interview

Within 24 hours of the interview, applicants must submit a follow-up letter—the last piece of the puzzle.

The post-interview reflection takes the traditional thank-you note a step further and allows applicants to have the last word, Losee says. Applicants can expand on topics addressed during their interview and bridge any gaps in their application. It’s also another opportunity for HBS to understand how applicants synthesize conversations, says Aggarwal, who counsels prospects for top MBA programs.

There’s no prescription for the structure or length of the letter, but it should be concise and reflective. It’s not something that you can prepare for since no two HBS interviews are alike.

“It’s not meant to be intimidating or prescriptive,” Losee says. “It’s not something to be overthought or overwrought.”

A final word on applying to Harvard Business School

Any MBA program is a huge investment —of both your time and money. The decision to apply could take months or years. 

Before and during the application process, do your research, speak with current students and professors, listen to information sessions and webinars, and spend time on campus. Think beyond the two years you’ll spend at HBS. Investigate industries you’re interested in pursuing and connect with HBS alum to hear their stories. 

“HBS is such an interesting process because there’s so many people every single year who have such fantastic backgrounds who are rejected,” Aggarwal says. “We can never really know exactly why. But that’s why it’s really important to just not let a decision from HBS to derail you in any way.”

See how the schools you’re considering landed in Fortune’s rankings of the best  part-time ,  executive ,  full-time ,  and  online  MBA programs.

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How to nail your Harvard Business School application, according to graduates and an admissions director

• Quacquarelli Symonds ranked Harvard No. 1 in the world for business and management studies.

• Around 11% of the roughly 10,000 students who apply to Harvard Business School get in each year. 
• The managing director of MBA admissions pinpointed three qualities successful applicants have.

The latest stats on Harvard's website show around an 11% acceptance rate for its prestigious MBA program. Those are intimidating odds for the roughly 10,000 students who apply to Harvard Business School each year.

Harvard was ranked No. 1 in the world for business and management studies in 2022 by higher-education analysts at Quacquarelli Symonds and topped the Financial Times' 2020 global ranking of MBA programs.

If you're hoping to get a foot in the door, read on to learn tips from the trenches about what worked and what didn't for HBS applicants who broke through the noise and were admitted.

Make your essay a 'window into your soul'

A critical component of any business school application is the personal essay — so when you're pitching to get into a school as coveted as Harvard, you need your written statement to not just shine, but sparkle and dazzle.

"At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, the essays are the windows into your soul," said Patrick Mullane, the executive director of Harvard Business School Online and an HBS graduate. "They are a chance to put a personality around the numbers that will make up much of an application. It's not enough to be a great writer — although that's essential. An applicant must also be able to communicate, in a relatively short amount of space, something that makes them human."

Mullane doesn't think this "something" needs to be a tale of overcoming incredible adversity, saying that overplaying that could be detrimental — and that the writing need not be complicated.

"Good communicators use simple language and short sentences to get their point across," Mullane said. "Comedian George Burns once said, 'The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, and to have the two as close together as possible.' I think that's great advice for admissions essays as well."

Have a novel story to tell — and tell it well

Knowing that thousands of other top-caliber candidates may be following the above advice, too, the question then becomes how to give your essay the best chance to rise to the top of the heap.

Mike Rivkin, an author and owner of Silverfish Press who graduated from HBS, said that having a different story to tell than the average college student might help tip the balance when it comes to winning over the admissions committee.

Rivkin said that though his college grades and scores were "good but not exemplary" and his extracurricular activities were modest, he focused his essays on his unique experience of running charter and commercial fishing boats out of San Diego. As a Coast Guard licensed captain who earned his money for college by fishing for billfish and tuna, he recognized that he had a story to share that few other applicants could mirror.

"Looking back, I think the novelty of such a background resonated with HBS's search for diversity," Rivkin said. "The details of running an expensive fishing boat and being responsible for all related charters, fuel, crew, maintenance, and more were not part of your typical application."

He added that some favorable letters of recommendation might have helped too.

Channel authenticity

In the quest to come up with a standout story, it's important to ensure that your essay is still true to who you are.

Shaifali Aggarwal, an HBS graduate and the founder and CEO of Ivy Groupe , a boutique MBA admissions consulting company, said that communicating authentically was a key factor that helped her get selected for the program.

"I took the time to think about my experiences across the personal/extracurricular, professional, and academic realms to gain an understanding of what my unique strengths and attributes were, and then highlighted those qualities through specific examples throughout my application," Aggarwal said.

Additionally, Aggarwal connected the dots in her story so that the admissions committee could understand the choices she made and how they linked to her future aspirations.

"To further differentiate myself, I provided color on why some experiences were instrumental in shaping who I was and were meaningful to me," she said. "In doing so, I demonstrated the human aspects of myself as well as self-awareness."

Give yourself enough time to write your masterpiece

Once you've identified the authentic tale that only you can tell and are committed to delivering it "George Burns-style," be sure not to sabotage your efforts by failing to carve out enough time to actually craft it.

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Kaneisha Grayson, who was admitted to HBS with a 620 GMAT score and now helps others do the same as the founder and CEO of The Art of Applying , emphasized the importance of giving yourself enough time, space, and support to write an outstanding essay, saying that many applicants dedicate too much time and energy to getting "GMAT final" while leaving themselves with just a few weeks — or even days — to work on the essay.

"The essay is the part of your application process over which you have the most control," Grayson said. "By making your essay a concise, compelling, and authentic representation of your personal and professional accomplishments, goals, and interest in joining the HBS community, you give yourself a huge advantage over people who treat the essay as an afterthought."

Camilo Maldonado, a member of HBS class of 2017 who cofounded The Finance Twins , also focused on highlighting his unique work experience in his HBS application.

When he applied, Maldonado worked at Bonobos, a men's apparel ecommerce company, where he was promoted to chief of staff at age 25. As a result, Maldonado had a lot of responsibility working for a smaller, less structured company.

"I made sure that my recommendations highlighted the experiences I had working at a high-growth company," Maldonado said. "I knew that many of the applicants at the top business schools come from Wall Street, Fortune 500 companies, or tech giants and that my less typical work experience would help me stand out."

Get your feet wet in industry

Some HBS grads mentioned working or interning in their field — whether in traditional MBA territory, such as finance and management consulting, or areas like startups, healthcare, government, or nonprofits — before applying to Harvard's graduate business program.

Paige Arnof-Fenn, the founder and CEO of Mavens & Moguls , ticked all the boxes by being a Stanford undergrad and a self-described "good student, strong in math, did well on my GMAT — it did not hurt that my father went there, too." She added to these credentials by working for two years on Wall Street as a precursor to her business school application.

"I had great recommendations from bosses, wrote good essays, and applied in the first round so felt I had a good shot to get in," Arnof-Fenn said.

Marques Torbert, an HBS graduate who's now the CEO of Ametros , also pointed to the value of working in industry before throwing his hat in the ring at Harvard Business School.

"Coming from a family background that didn't include business, finance, or higher education, I leveraged the resources and connections around myself that I already made," Torbert said.

With the help of a mentor and an alumnus of his high school, he started his career by interning and working for equity firms, where he gained a wealth of financial knowledge.

"With my drive to challenge myself, I wanted to expand my financial experience and understand the operations side of business," Torbert said.

Target 3 characteristics

Chad Losee, HBS's managing director of MBA admissions and financial aid, said successful applicants share three characteristics .

"First, they have demonstrated leadership, whether it be in an academic, professional, or extracurricular setting, and show the potential to have even more impact," he said. "We're also looking for applicants who have analytical aptitude and appetite, are able and willing to analyze a situation and form an opinion based on that analysis, and enjoy a lively discussion in a classroom setting, a key component of our case method of learning."

Finally, Losee emphasized that the school seeks students who will engage in the HBS community and be respectful of their classmates.

"The best discussions come when there is diversity of thought, so it's very important to us that our student population reflects the global nature of business today," Losee said.

Rock your application — and then get lucky

Christine Telyan, an HBS graduate and the CEO and cofounder of UENI , a tech company in London, neatly summed up the view of many of her fellow alumni: While there are several necessary conditions for admission to HBS — strong undergraduate grades, nearly perfect GMAT scores, and interesting or competitive work experience — none on its own is sufficient.

"You need to have that fire of ambition in your gut that propels you to do things a bit out of reach," Telyan said. "You have to want to work on things that test the boundaries of business or society."

Telyan also pointed out the elephant in the room: In addition to doing everything right, you have to be extremely lucky.

"Countless capable, accomplished, ambitious applicants do not make the cut," she said. "Your profile needs to add just the right balance to the class of 900 students, which depends as much on the other 899 as it does on you."

"As with most successes in life, luck weighs heavily on why anyone is admitted to Harvard Business School, which should keep us all very grounded and humble," she added.

This article was originally published on Business Insider July 23, 2019.

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Organizational Behavior

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Scholars in the doctoral program in Organizational Behavior at Harvard Business School are prepared to pursue an interdisciplinary inquiry into issues that are broadly related to the functioning of individuals within groups, at either the micro or macro level. Graduates of our program go on to become the leading researchers and thinkers in organizational behavior, shaping the field and advancing theoretical understanding in posts at schools of management or in disciplinary departments.

The Organizational Behavior program is jointly administered by the faculty of Harvard Business School and the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and students have the opportunity to work with faculty from both the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Business School.

Curriculum & Coursework

Our program offers two distinct tracks, with research focused either on the micro or macro level. Students who choose to focus on micro organizational behavior take a psychological approach to the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and groups, and the effects that groups have on individuals. In macro organizational behavior, scholars use sociological methods to examine the organizations, groups, and markets themselves, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives.

Your core disciplinary training will take place in either the psychology or sociology departments, depending on the track that you choose. You will also conduct advanced coursework in organizational behavior at HBS, and complete two MBA elective curriculum courses. Students are required to teach for one full academic term in order to gain valuable teaching experience, and to work as an apprentice to a faculty member to develop research skills. Upon completion of coursework, students prepare and present a dossier that includes a qualifying paper, at least two other research papers, and a statement outlining a plan for their dissertation. Before beginning work on the dissertation, students must pass the Organizational Behavior Exam, which presents an opportunity to synthesize academic coursework and prepare for an in-depth research project.

Research & Dissertation

Examples of doctoral thesis research.

• Cross-group relations, stress, and the subsequent effect on performance
• Internal group dynamics of corporate boards of directors
• Organizational mission and its effect on commitment and effort
• Psychological tendencies and collaboration with dissimilar others

Aurora Turek

Justine Murray

Jaylon Sherrell

“ In HBS’s Organizational Behavior program I receive outstanding, rigorous training in disciplinary methods and also benefit from the myriad resources that HBS has to offer. HBS scholars are looking to apply their research to real-world problems, come up with interventions, and make a real difference. ”

Current Harvard Sociology & Psychology Faculty

• George A. Alvarez
• Mahzarin R. Banaji
• Jason Beckfield
• Lawrence D. Bobo
• Mary C. Brinton
• Joshua W. Buckholtz
• Randy L. Buckner
• Alfonso Caramazza
• Susan E. Carey
• Paul Y. Chang
• Mina Cikara
• Christina Ciocca Eller
• Christina Cross
• Fiery Cushman
• Frank Dobbin
• Samuel J. Gershman
• Daniel Gilbert
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• Orlando Patterson
• Elizabeth A. Phelps
• Steven Pinker
• Robert J. Sampson
• Daniel L. Schacter
• Theda Skocpol
• Mario L. Small
• Jesse Snedeker
• Leah H. Somerville
• Elizabeth S. Spelke
• Tomer D. Ullman
• Adaner Usmani
• Jocelyn Viterna
• Mary C. Waters
• John R. Weisz
• Christopher Winship
• Xiang Zhou

Current HBS Faculty

• Teresa M. Amabile
• Julie Battilana
• Max H. Bazerman
• David E. Bell
• Ethan S. Bernstein
• Alison Wood Brooks
• Edward H. Chang
• Julian De Freitas
• Amy C. Edmondson
• Robin J. Ely
• Alexandra C. Feldberg
• Carolyn J. Fu
• Amit Goldenberg
• Boris Groysberg
• Ranjay Gulati
• Linda A. Hill
• Nien-he Hsieh
• Jon M. Jachimowicz
• Summer R. Jackson
• Leslie K. John
• Jillian J. Jordan
• Rakesh Khurana
• Joshua D. Margolis
• Edward McFowland III
• Kathleen L. McGinn
• Tsedal Neeley
• Michael I. Norton
• Leslie A. Perlow
• Jeffrey T. Polzer
• Ryan L. Raffaelli
• Lakshmi Ramarajan
• James W. Riley
• Clayton S. Rose
• Arthur I Segel
• Emily Truelove
• Michael L. Tushman
• Ashley V. Whillans
• Letian Zhang
• Julian J. Zlatev

Current Organizational Behavior Students

• Jennifer Abel
• Yajun Cao
• Hanne Collins
• Grace Cormier
• Megan Gorges
• Bushra Guenoun
• Elizabeth Johnson
• Caleb Kealoha
• Kai Krautter
• Justine Murray
• C. Ryann Noe
• Dominika Randle
• Elizabeth Sheprow
• Jaylon Sherrell
• Yoon Jae Shin
• Erin Shirtz
• Samantha N. Smith
• Tiffany Smith
• Channing Spencer
• Yuval Spiegler
• Emily Tedards
• Aurora Turek
• Julie Yen

Current HBS Faculty & Students by Interest

Recent placement, nicole abi-esber, 2023, elliot stoller, 2023, ariella kristal, 2022, leroy gonsalves, 2020, alicia desantola, 2019, catarina fernandes, 2019, rachel arnett, 2018, evan defilippis, 2023, hayley blunden, 2022, lumumba seegars, 2021, karen huang, 2020, stefan dimitriadis, 2019, elizabeth hansen, 2019, erin frey, 2018, jeff steiner, 2023, ahmmad brown, 2022, yanhua bird, 2020, jeffrey lees, 2020, alexandra feldberg, 2019, martha jeong, 2019.

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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 . 

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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

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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.

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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

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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. 

Application Assistance and Mentoring Program

Many students interested in an economics PhD experience disparate degrees of support in the application process. The Application Assistance and Mentoring Program (AAMP) aims to mitigate these gaps by helping students from underrepresented groups connect with a graduate student mentor in MIT or Harvard’s PhD economics programs. 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 AAMP 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-Latinx, 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 AAMP welcomes participation among students at various stages of their economics studies, including undergraduates and college graduates. The AAMP 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 17th, 2023. Mentorship will begin over the summer and continue through Fall 2023. 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 MIT / Harvard Economics AAMP is a volunteer-based, student-run program. This program is not considered part of the admissions process for the Economics PhD at MIT or Harvard, nor will any student's participation in the AAMP be considered by the Graduate Admissions Committee at either school.

Please direct any questions to [email protected] . To join the program, please click the link below to fill out the form.

Application Assistance and Mentoring Program Form

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

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Harvard Business School Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed

The Harvard Business School acceptance rate in 2022 was the second-lowest of all MBA programs worldwide, just a hair’s breadth ahead of the MIT Sloan School of Management. HBS is typically eclipsed by the single-digit rate of Stanford GSB, partly because the GSB has a much smaller class size—1,015 admits vs. 424. 

Earlier this fall, Poets & Quants shared acceptance rate and yield data for the top US MBA programs. Here, you can plainly see the strength that HBS has in attracting applicants and students.  HBS’s acceptance rate in 2022 was 14.4%, up from 12.5% a year earlier (MIT Sloan was 14.8%). The yield, meanwhile, was 85.5%.

To help demystify the Harvard Business School acceptance rate drivers, we decided to evaluate SBC’s recent client data. Our findings show that the admit patterns by HBS have become increasingly reliant on qualitative aspects, in addition to application essay strength and a broader range of demonstrated applicant attributes. 

An applicant’s personal narrative is often the most influential factor in the admissions decision process. 

It can be even more predictive of admissions success than rigid categories such as college type, test score, or employer. Discussing motivations, life lessons, setbacks, growth, doubts, and realizations are all ways to show a depth of character. When you do this, you activate the holistic and multi-faceted admissions criteria that HBS has come to value.

Recent SBC Clients Admitted to HBS

To preserve anonymity for our client pool, we’ve deconstructed each of our client profiles across these criteria: nationality, industry, employer, college, GPA, test score, and other distinguishing factors.

Our consultants have shared client attributes for each of these criteria. We’ve aggregated the outcomes for HBS admits according to personal, extracurricular, and professional domains. 

These visuals showcase the kaleidoscope of qualities found in HBS admits across a sampling of recent SBC clients.

Overcoming the Harvard Business School Acceptance Rate Odds

In deconstructing the success factors for our HBS admits, we have seen that highlighting personal qualities and triumphs is essential. Our review concluded that neither past academic background nor test scores could reliably predict whether candidates got admitted or rejected.

Furthermore, success appeared linked to how “interesting” the candidate appeared to admissions officers. Applicants conveyed this through both their overarching story and positioning as well as execution through detailed anecdotes and nuances.

Life interests, values, and personal identity are critical influencers for the HBS admissions process and essential to overcoming the challenging HBS acceptance rate odds.

As a recent All-In package client and now HBS admit shared, “Don’t underestimate yourself or compare yourself to others too much. Recognize that your values, your lived experiences, and your interests are what make you YOU. Focus on letting that shine through your application. 

And definitely don’t NOT apply because you feel like you’re not qualified enough. Do not let the competition scare you. Just focus on what you can control— building and communicating the strongest application you can.”

Check out our HBS and GSB dual admit study here for more inspiration.  Also, don’t miss Stanford Business School Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed and MIT Sloan Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed.

If you’d like to speak with one of our Principals about your MBA candidacy, please  request a free analysis here .

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from Harvard HBS, Stanford GSB and every elite business program in the US and Europe.  These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Just two of the many superstars on the SBC team: Meet Erin , who was Assistant Director of MBA Admissions at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) and Director of MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

Meet Andrea , who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation .

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‘The Window’ Closes: Acceptance Rates At The Top 50 U.S. MBA Programs

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Acceptance rates and class sizes shrank in 2021 at most of the top B-schools in the U.S., while yield grew

The Covid-19 pandemic offered a window that gave applicants slightly better odds to get into a reach school.

The window now appears to be closed.

The conclusion is hard to avoid. Acceptance rate, yield, admit, and class size data from the recent release of the 2023 U.S. News & World Report ranking of U.S. MBA programs  show that across the top 52 business schools, 35 heightened their selectivity rates — including 21 of the top 25 schools — as most admitted fewer applicants and shrank their class sizes.

Responding to the heightened difficulty in securing a coveted spot in a premier program, the percentage of admits who enrolled in the school that accepted them — yield — went up at nearly all the top schools. Forty-five schools saw yield increases, including eight of the top 10, a year after 44 schools — including 23 of the top 25 — reported declines in yield. This year, 18 of 51 schools saw double-digit yield increases.

10 SCHOOLS WITH ACCEPTANCE RATES BELOW 20% AND 27 BELOW 30%

The lowest acceptance rate in 2021 — and one of the lowest on record — was, not surprisingly, at Stanford Graduate School go Business, which admitted just 6.2% of applicants last year, down from 7.2% in 2020. Nearly all who were fortunate enough to get into Stanford leaped at the chance, as reflected in the school’s astronomical yield: the school’s highest level on record, 93.6%, up from 82.3% the year before.

Following Stanford in acceptance rate were MIT Sloan School of Management at 12.1%, Harvard Business School at 12.5%, Columbia Business School at 15.7%, and UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business at 17.6%. In all, 10 schools reported acceptance rates below 20% (compare that to just four schools in 2020), and 27 schools were below 30% (compared to 18).

The highest acceptance rate in the Poets&Quants top 10 was at Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business, at 29.5%; the highest in the top 25 was at Georgetown McDonough School of Business, at 48.1%, though Emory’s Goizueta Business School, ranked 26th, was higher at 53.1%. Across all 52 schools we examined for this story, Fordham Gabelli School of Business, ranked No. 51, had the highest acceptance rate, at 67.1%; Brigham Young Marriott School of Business had the highest for a top-50 school, at 60.7%, followed by Utah’s Eccles School of Business (57.6%) and Miami Herbert Business School (57.3%). The lowest rate in the lower 25 was at Arizona State W.P. Carey School of Business, at 16.8%, followed by Penn State Smeal College of Business (18.6%) and Rochester Simon Business School (21.9%)

Boston University’s Questrom School of Business saw the biggest decline in acceptance rate, down 17.4 percentage points from 51.3% to 33.9%. In the top 25, Michigan Ross School of Business saw the most significant decline, down 16.8 points to 20.2% — one year after having the biggest jump of any school .

See the next pages for complete data on acceptance rates, yield, applications, admits & class size at the 50 leading MBA programs in the United States.

TOP 10 B-SCHOOLS: APPS KEEP CLIMBING, ADMITS DROP

At the top 10 schools, which includes the vaunted M7 schools, applications slowed but continued their upward trajectory while other measures returned to a more normal state of affairs. Average acceptance rate across the 10 dropped to 18.4% from a pandemic high of 22.3% in 2020, lower than 2019 but still higher than 2018 and much higher than 2016, before the first rumblings of an application slump began to worry adcoms across graduate business education.

The worries are over, and the elite schools are narrowing the pathway to admission. Cumulatively, they reduced their number of admits by more than 16%, to fewer than 10,000 from more than 11,000 in 2020. Stanford admitted nearly 200 fewer; Harvard nearly 400; MIT more than 500. Enrollments also fell, though not so dramatically.

Sensing the window closing, admits said "yes" more frequently, bumping up the collective yield at the top 10 by 18.5%, though it is still down by more than 11% since its peak of 64.9% in 2018. See above for details.

BIG JUMPS IN YIELD AS MORE STUDENTS SAY 'YES'

Yield is a funny thing. Schools don't like to talk about it, and U.S. News doesn't report it in its annual trove of rankings data . But it's a good measure of the state of affairs in graduate business education. High yield means a school can enroll the students it wants; low yield means they have opted to go elsewhere, or nowhere, instead.

After Stanford's astronomical yield of 93.6%, the next highest in 2021 were BYU Marriott at 84.4%, Harvard at 82.7%, and Alabama Manderson Graduate School of Business at 81.8%. Both Marriott and Manderson have unique programs: BYU is affiliated with the LDS church and conduct of homegrown Utah talent, while Alabama has a STEM pathway program that funnels students from its undergraduate ranks into the MBA. Harvard — well, it's Harvard.

Besides the four schools with yields above 80%, five others were above 70%, and nine above 60%. Twenty schools out of 52 were above 50%. In 2020, that latter number was just 10.

The lowest yield in the top 10 was at Yale School of Management (38.2%), and the lowest in the top 25 at Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management (35.7%). In the entire top 50, Emory Goizueta, at No. 26, was the lowest at 34%, with Maryland Smith School of Business close behind at 34.2%.

While the biggest increase in yield at any school occurred at Stanford, which grew its yield 26.6 percentage points in one year, the biggest decline occurred at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, which dropped to 48.4% from 56.2%.

CLASS SIZES SHRINK Y-O-Y, BUT ARE UP FROM 2019

Class sizes shrank year-over-year at most schools, growing at only 22 of 50 (compared to 28 of 49 in 2020), but they have grown at most top-50 schools since 2019. Blame the Covid effect again: In the last two years, only 11 schools out of 49 are below their class sizes from 2019, while 33 are up and two are exactly even. The biggest drop in that time occurred at Columbia Business School, which has lost 140 seats; in the last year CBS actually lost more, going from 782 to 614 seats. Also notable: Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business dropped 50 seats over two years, to just 65 in 2021.

Many schools have increased enrollment, of course: Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business more than doubled the size of its MBA from 40 to 82 in one year, and Harvard, after enrolling its smallest-ever class in 2020 , made up for the big drop-off and then some, eclipsing its 2019 size by enrolling the only class of more than 1,000 in the top 50 ranking. Also noteworthy is that across three years, Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business has increased the size of its cohort by 71 seats, to 178. (See page 5 for more enrollment data.)

And the smallest classes? In the top 10, that distinction belongs to Berkeley Haas, with 291 students enrolled in 2021 (with Dartmouth Tuck close behind at 294); in the top 25, Washington Foster School of Business is smallest with 126 MBA students; and in the top 50, Florida Warrington College of Business has just 26 students in the fall 2021 cohort. Unusually small? Yes, but small itself isn't unusual: 20 schools out of 51 have fewer than 100 in their MBAs.

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, graduate school acceptance rates: can you get in.

Even the most qualified and confident applicants worry about getting into grad school. But don’t panic! Graduate school acceptance rates, which give the percentage of applicants that were admitted to a particular school or program in an academic year, can help you determine how likely you are to get into a given program.  But where can you find grad school admissions statistics?

In this article, we’ll first investigate the trends and factors associated with graduate school acceptance rates. Then, we’ll take a look at some of the current acceptance rates and give you expert tips on how to find acceptance rates for your programs. Finally, we’ll show you how to determine your odds of getting into grad school.

Graduate School Acceptance Rates: Factors and Trends

Grad school acceptance rates are the same as any other acceptance rate: the lower the acceptance rate, the more selective the school or program is. Similarly, the higher the acceptance rate, the less selective the school or program is. As with undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates vary widely, from extraordinarily selective (less than 5 percent) to incredibly lenient (nearly 100 percent).

Unlike undergrad rates, though, grad school acceptance rates are usually calculated for specific programs or departments and  not for entire universities. This is because with grad school, you are essentially applying to an individual program rather than an overall institution (as you did for undergrad).

Now that we’ve covered all of the basics, let’s look at a few key trends. Our research indicates there are three major factors that help determine grad school acceptance rates:

• School or program prestige
• Degree type
• Amount of funding

Let’s look at how each of these factors influences grad school acceptance rates.

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#1: School or Program Prestige

How prestigious a particular grad school or program is can affect its overall competitiveness and selectivity. In general, the more prestigious a program is, the more competitive it’ll be and thus the lower acceptance rate it’ll have.

An easy way to determine school or program prestige is to consult official rankings, such as those listed on  U.S. News . (Grad schools are typically ranked by field or program and   not by overall institution.)

For example, a 2017  U.S. News  list of the best political science grad programs  ranked Duke’s political science program at #7 and Northwestern’s at #23. Because both of the programs have fairly high rankings, it’s safe to assume they’re probably quite selective.

And this is true: in 2016,  Duke  reported a mere 10 percent acceptance rate to its political science doctoral program, while  Northwestern  reported a 12 percent acceptance rate.

#2: Degree Type

Another major factor is degree type. Generally,  doctoral programs tend to be more selective than master’s programs (though this isn’t always the case as I’ll explain in a moment). This trend is likely due to the fact that doctoral programs often look for higher-quality applicants with proven academic track records and more relevant experience in their fields.

For example, in 2016  University of Michigan’s math doctoral program  had a 17.2 percent acceptance rate, whereas its master’s program  had a much higher 31.8 percent rate. In this case, the doctoral program is clearly tougher to get into than the master’s program.

Still,   master’s programs can have lower acceptance rates than doctoral programs. If we were to take the University of Michigan’s grad programs in computer science and engineering, we’d find that the doctoral program has  a 15 percent acceptance rate  and the master’s  an even lower 8 percent acceptance rate .

Additionally, M.F.A. programs are particularly cutthroat. In 2015, the creative writing M.F.A. program at UT Austin’s James A. Michener Center for Writers only admitted 12 out of 678 applicants — that’s a mere 1.8 percent acceptance rate !

#3: Amount of Funding

Funding, too, plays a big role in how selective a grad program is.

Well-funded  programs typically receive more applications than those offering little to no aid, thereby raising their selectivity. Competition is especially fierce for fully funded programs — possibly because fewer people are willing to go into debt for grad school.

Compared to fully funded doctoral programs, fully funded master’s programs are somewhat rare and thus pretty competitive. UT Austin’s Creative Writing M.F.A. program, for instance, is not only a prestigious program but also one of the most well-funded Creative Writing M.F.A. programs in the country: it  offers full tuition remission and a $27,500 stipend per academic year . It’s no wonder, then, that its acceptance rate is below 2 percent!

What Are the Current Graduate School Acceptance Rates?

For this section, we’ve scoured the internet to bring you a robust assortment of acceptance rates for popular U.S. grad schools.

Before we dive in, note that not all institutions calculate grad school acceptance rates using the same methodologies. Some offer only a single acceptance rate for all of their grad schools put together, while others offer individual rates by school, field, or program.

Now, let’s see how selective these schools really are!

*Statistics for NYU are based on the number of enrolled students and not the number of admitted students. Therefore, expect actual acceptance rates to be slightly higher.

How to Find Graduate School Acceptance Rates: 4 Methods

Unfortunately, grad school admissions statistics tend to be more difficult to find than undergrad acceptance rates.  But there are ways to search for them — you just have to do a lot of digging and possibly a little reaching out.

Below are our top four methods for finding grad school acceptance rates for the programs you’re applying to.

#1: Consult School Websites

By far the most reliable resources for grad school admissions statistics are  school websites.

Start your search by consulting program and departmental pages, particularly admissions and FAQ pages. Look out for any statistics-related keywords or phrases, such as “admission(s) rates,” “acceptance rates,” “enrollment,” “facts and figures,” etc. Use ctrl+F to move swiftly through large chunks of text.

Not all schools publish grad admissions information online, and those that do don’t always report it in the same way as others. For example, Princeton offers a handy PDF  containing acceptance rates for all academic fields of study. On the other hand,  Notre Dame  gives separate admissions charts for each of its grad programs (which you can access by selecting a program and then clicking “Admissions Statistics”).

Additionally, many schools release admissions statistics without explicitly publishing acceptance rates.  In this case, it’s your job to take the statistics provided and use them to calculate an acceptance rate. To find the acceptance rate of a school or program, you’ll need the following information:

• The total number of applicants in a year
• The total number of applicants granted admission  that year

The acceptance rate equals the total number of applicants offered admission divided by the total number of applicants and then multiplied by 100, or:

$$\acceptance \rate = {\number \of \applicants \offered \admission}/{\total \number \of \applicants}100$$

Be sure to  avoid conflating the number of students who were  offered admission   with the number of students who accepted their offers of admission. These two concepts sound alike but are actually different. What you’re looking for is the first statistic — that is, the number of admitted students (regardless of whether they decided to enroll).

If you’re having trouble finding admissions statistics by browsing school websites, search on Google for “[Your School] graduate acceptance rate” and see if any relevant school pages appear. While searching for acceptance rates to use in the table above, I consistently swapped “acceptance rate” with similar phrases, such as “admission(s) rate,” “facts and figures,” “student statistics,” “admittance rates,” and “admission(s) statistics.”

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Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can also use phrases like “Ph.D. admissions statistics” or “master’s admissions statistics” to narrow your search even further. Try to think outside the box as you do your research. What are other ways people talk about acceptance rates?

#2: Check  U.S. News

If your school or program doesn’t offer any admissions statistics on its website, go to  U.S. News . This website offers official rankings of grad programs as well as lists of the most (and least) selective programs in various fields.

For example, I found a 2016 list of the most competitive online M.B.A. programs  and a 2015 list of the most competitive online graduate engineering programs .

If U.S. News doesn’t offer any relevant lists for you to use, try skimming the current grad school rankings to gauge how competitive your program is compared with others in the same field.

#3: Search Other Websites

One less reliable method for looking up grad school admissions statistics is to  look for (unofficial) websites discussing acceptance rates for your school or program.

The Grad Cafe’s  admissions results  section is a solid place to start. Here, applicants post whether they’ve been accepted, rejected, or waitlisted for grad programs.

Search for your program to get a rough feel for how many acceptances and rejections go out each year. You might notice that certain types of applicants are more active than others. Creative Writing M.F.A. applicants, for example, are prolific posters in winter and spring (during admissions season).

Occasionally, Google itself will provide you with grad school acceptance rates, but this only appears to work consistently for well-known law schools, medical schools, and business schools.

Additionally, while using Google, don’t assume that any acceptance rates that pop up are directly connected to your search terms. For example, when I searched “stanford graduate acceptance rate,” Google gave me this result:

This 4.8 percent acceptance rate is  not  the acceptance rate for Stanford’s grad programs (what I searched for) but rather the acceptance rate for undergrads. So always cross-check any statistics Google gives you.

You can also consult grad school data websites such as  Peterson’s and StartClass . Take their grad school acceptance rates with a grain of salt, though — their data isn’t always verifiable online. If possible, try to compare any data you find on these types of websites with the school websites themselves or U.S. News .

#4: Contact Schools

If the internet isn’t giving you the help you need, call or email your schools. Be polite but upfront: ask whether the school calculates acceptance rates for grad programs and where you can find this information online (if available).

If a school refuses to divulge admissions statistics or simply doesn’t report acceptance rates, see if they can give you estimates for how many applications they receive each year, or for how many acceptances they usually extend to applicants in your program.

Graduate School Acceptance: What Are Your Odds?

By this point, you might be wondering how likely it is you’ll actually get into the grad program you wish to attend. After all, acceptance rates are pretty broad — they tell you what everyone’s odds are but not your odds specifically.

Below are three easy steps for determining your odds of getting into grad school, including advice on when it’s better to go for it or choose another program.

Step 1: Check Program Requirements

First, go to your program’s website and pinpoint the admissions requirements page. Now, ask yourself:  do you meet all of the program’s basic requirements? If not, you’ll likely wind up with a rejection (and might not even be able to apply).

However, if you’re still interested in applying, contact the program and ask if they’ll make an exception for you. Your chance of getting accepted is still low, but you’ll at least have your application considered.

If your program strongly recommends qualities you lack, don’t interpret this as an automatic rejection. Sometimes, applicants can make up for deficiencies in other ways. For example, if your undergrad GPA is 3.1 and your program recommends applicants have a minimum 3.2, don’t write off the program — you might still have a shot at getting in as long as the rest of your application is solid.

On the other hand, even if you meet all of a program’s requirements, you’re not necessarily a shoo-in. Remember, all other applicants have met these requirements, too, so you’ll need to find a unique way to make your application stand out.

Step 2: Find Average GRE Scores and GPAs

Your next step is to look up your program’s average GRE scores and GPA  to see how your own scores and GPA compare with those of previously admitted applicants.

You can usually find GRE score information on admissions requirements or FAQ pages. You can also search on Google for “[Your School] [Your Program] average GRE scores.” For step-by-step instructions on how to find average GRE scores, check out  my article on average GRE scores by school .

For GPAs, you can use the same basic methodology. Check admissions requirements and FAQ pages and use ctrl+F to search for “GPA.” If GPA information is available, you’ll most likely come across minimum GPAs or average GPAs (or both). For more tips on how to find GPA information for your grad schools, read our guide .

Now, compare your own GRE scores and GPA with the averages you’ve found. Below are all possible scenarios and what they mean for you and your odds of getting into the program:

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• Your GRE scores and GPA are both  higher than your program’s averages:  Congratulations! You have an excellent chance of getting accepted, especially if the rest of your application is equally impressive. Keep up the great work!
• Your GRE scores and GPA are both  about the same as your program’s averages:  You’re doing pretty well! You are just the type of applicant your program is looking for. The only drawback is that you probably won’t stand out as much from other applicants who have similar GRE scores and GPAs. So take time to make your application sparkle (I’m looking at you, statement of purpose).
• Your GRE scores and GPA are both lower than your program’s averages (or just one of the two is lower):  It ain’t over ’til it’s over! You can still make up for your deficiencies in other ways. While you can’t change your GPA, you can retake the GRE . If your GPA is low, a great strategy for combating this is to discuss it in your statement of purpose, taking care to highlight any external factors that contributed to the low GPA as well as any attributes of yours that prove you’re indeed ready for grad school.

Step 3: Decide Whether to Apply

Now, we get to the final question: do you apply to the program or not?  This is a vague question that’s difficult to answer as is. The real questions you should be asking yourself are as follows:

• Do I meet all of the program’s basic requirements?
• Do I meet most or all of the program’s expectations of applicants (in terms of GRE scores, GPA, etc.)?
• Is the program’s acceptance rate extremely low?
• Do I really like this program?

Although acceptance rates and GRE/GPA comparisons are helpful, don’t base your decision to apply solely on how difficult the program is to get into. We can’t know for sure what kind of applicant a grad program is looking for or who they’re willing to make an exception for.

Take a moment to think deeply about how interested you are in this particular program. Be realistic about your chances of getting in — but don’t cross the line into pessimism. If you don’t meet most or all of a program’s expectations and you’re not super invested in it, consider applying elsewhere.

But if you meet some, most, or all of a program’s expectations and you’re extremely interested in enrolling, give the application a go. Remember, it’s totally normal (and even encouraged) to have a few reach schools. Plus, you’ll never get in if you don’t apply!

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Acceptance Rates

Grad school acceptance rates quantify for us the selectivity of grad schools and programs. More specifically, acceptance rates tell us  what percentage of applicants were offered admission to a particular grad school or program. 

With grad school, acceptance rates are often reported for individual schools or programs,  not  entire universities. Acceptance rates can vary widely depending on program prestige, the type of degree you’re seeking, and how much (or how little) funding a program offers.

Unlike undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates are somewhat difficult to locate online. You can look for them using any of the following four methods:

• Peruse school websites
• Check grad school facts and lists on  U.S. News
• Browse other websites and forums such as The Grad Cafe
• Call or email your schools

When trying to determine your  odds of getting into a program, look at your program’s requirements as well as the average GPA and GRE scores of previously admitted applicants to your program. If your GRE scores and GPA are comparable to those of your program, you have a decent shot at getting accepted. If one or both are lower than your program’s averages, however, you can always try to  raise your GRE score  with a retake or address your GPA in your statement of purpose.

At the end of the day, what ultimately matters isn’t that you get accepted to a highly competitive grad program but that you make the right decision for you and you alone!

What’s Next?

Need help with your grad school application?  Learn about the most common grad school requirements  and get tips on how to write a grad school CV or resume !

Is your GPA good enough for grad school ?  Read our in-depth guide to learn how you can make up for a less-than-stellar GPA and ultimately raise your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.

Do you have to take the GRE for grad school ? When are grad school deadlines ?  Check out our guides for answers to these questions and more.

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Hannah Muniz

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz

The Office of Admissions oversees the application process for prospective students interested in master’s and PhD programs . We answer questions about the online application and work with graduate program admissions committees, who make acceptance decisions.  

Please review information about how to apply before contacting Admissions.

If you are interested in learning more about a program, reach out to the contact noted on the program page. 

Non-degree Programs 

The Visiting Students Program Office assists with inquiries about non-degree programs and the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging can answer questions about outreach programs. 

Meet the Team

Have a general inquiry about graduate admissions? Email [email protected] .

Looking for the undergraduate office of admissions? Find their contact information here . 

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Your Chances at HBS: Harvard MBA Acceptance Rate & Other Factors

Wondering about your chances now that you’ve been invited to an interview?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to answer to this question with certainty, as business schools do not publish figures on interview invites.

It is safe to guess that MBA programs interview approximately double the number of people they intend to admit. In crude terms, this means that your chances of acceptance are good—around 50%.

But remember that there are other factors at play which are not reflected in this generalized statement:

• The post-interview decision will still depend on the strength of your application: outstanding applicants will have a better chance both pre- and post-interview.
• Less competitive applicants—with lower GMAT scores, sub-optimal employers, and a less prestigious undergraduate degree—will be under more pressure to impress than a highly competitive applicant.
• Anyone can have a surprising interview—for better or for worse.

Regardless of your initial application, your next step should be to prepare as effectively as possible for your MBA interview—with someone who has interview experience and an understanding of the program you’re applying to.

Menlo Coaching offers personalized, professional MBA interview preparation, tailored to your specific target programs.

See Your Interview Prep Options

Are your sights set on one of the top business schools in the world? You might be trying to decide which MBA programs to apply to and are wondering where you’ll likely be accepted. To help answer your questions, we’ve put together some fast facts covering key admission factors to help you determine your odds of getting accepted into the HBS MBA Program.

If you’re wondering how difficult it is to get into Harvard Business School, then you’ve come to the right place. On this page, we’ll give you a quick overview of what it takes to get into Harvard Business School’s illustrious MBA program and help you understand whether your profile is a good fit for the HBS.

(Note: This page highlights Harvard’s full-time MBA program. The other program options at Harvard are the part-time program or the executive-level Program for Leadership Development.)

Fast Facts: Harvard MBA

Note: As many MBA programs elected not to release acceptance rates for the class of 2025, some of our reported acceptance rates are based on estimates.

Undergraduate Majors Represented in Harvard’s MBA Program 

The top undergraduate majors represented in Harvard’s MBA program are Engineering (26%), Business/Commerce (22%), and Economics (19%).

Top Undergraduate Universities from Harvard’s MBA Class

The undergraduate universities most represented in Harvard’s MBA class profile are: 

• University of Pennsylvania
• Stanford University
• Yale University
• Princeton University
• Duke University
• Dartmouth College
• Cornell University
• Notre Dame University
• Brown University

More Acceptance Rate Pages:

• Stanford GSB Acceptance Rate
• Wharton Acceptance Rate
• Kellogg Acceptance Rate

If your undergraduate college is listed above, that means that Harvard has accepted many applicants with your education background in the past. It also shows that candidates who have gone to these schools have considered applying to Harvard, and it is one indication that the business school has found students who have completed their undergraduate education at these universities to be successful.  

Interview Prep with Menlo Coaching

If you’re interested in prepping for your MBA interview with the Menlo Coaching team, reach out today! We offer mock interviews and school-specific training for HBS, Wharton, Sloan and more!

Harvard’s Top Pre-MBA Industries

Harvard’s top pre-MBA industries are venture capital/private equity (16%), consulting (15%), technology (13%), and financial services (11%). 

Looking at the pre-MBA industries shows you whether your profile is well-represented at Harvard. Don’t worry if you don’t see your industry on the list—there might not be many students enrolled from your industry simply because many candidates didn’t apply to the program in the first place. The same goes for the pre-MBA employers data we’ve provided below.

Top Pre-MBA Employers Represented at Harvard

The pre-MBA companies that are most represented in the Harvard MBA class are: 

• McKinsey & Co.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
• Bain & Company
• Goldman Sachs
• Morgan Stanley
• U.S. Navy 12
• Bank of America/Merrill Lynch

Some pre-MBA experience tends to be popular across the board—for instance, the Big 3 consulting firms are well-represented at each of the M7 MBA programs .

Further research can help you understand how desirable your pre-MBA work history and undergraduate degree are at America’s most competitive MBA programs .

What does Harvard value?

Harvard prefers hard-working, exceptional students who exhibit potential for success in the future. It admits students who are passionate, well-rounded, and can get used to the immense study load at Harvard. Most importantly, it likes to admit those who have an interesting story so they can add to the diverse student body, from which other students can learn something from.

Interested in finding out more about Harvard? Visit our Harvard Business School overview page .

Need expert guidance to navigate the complexities of MBA admissions? Connect with our seasoned MBA admissions consultants for personalized insights and strategies.

Related Articles

• How to Get Into Harvard Business School
• Top MBA Programs in the US & Europe
• The Complete Guide to MBA Admissions

The Ultimate MBA Admissions Checklist

Our free, comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to shop for an MBA admissions consultant.

✓ Compare pricing across 35+ MBA admissions consulting firms

✓ Learn why “success rates” are not to be trusted

✓ Find the right service model for your needs

✓ Prep for your consultation calls

How to Get Accepted to Multiple Top Business Schools

Maximize every opportunity to emphasize the unique contributions you can bring to an MBA class.

Get Accepted to Multiple Top B-schools

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When applying, it's important tailor your application to each school and have well-developed goal statement that plots the intended career path, experts say.

Nikita Srivastava applied to seven MBA programs and got admitted to three: Yale University School of Management in Connecticut, New York University's Stern School of Business and the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business in Illinois.

“I definitely was not expecting it,” says Srivastava, who chose Booth.

She attributes her multiple acceptances to top B-schools to tying her personal and professional backgrounds to her post-MBA goals. Her background was mainly in communications, media relations and public relations, and she credits her MBA admissions consultant for showing her how to tell her story.

“Lean into what makes you unique," Srivastava advises MBA applicants .  " Think about how this unique quality will enhance the classroom for your peers and professors. Be proud of it and own it.”

Being accepted into multiple B-schools can allow an applicant to weigh program fit, potential opportunities and scholarship offers. Here are some things to consider to increase your chances of being accepted to multiple top business schools .

Apply More Broadly

Getting admitted to numerous MBA programs is a numbers game, says Sam Weeks, an MBA admissions consultant and founder of Sam Weeks Consulting.

“The more business schools a prospective applicant applies to, the more likely they are to be accepted into more than one school. That’s why we recommend to our clients to apply to at least six schools, if possible,” says Weeks, who has an MBA from the University of Oxford in England.

Students should not only apply to more schools to increase their chances of multiple admissions, but also more broadly in terms of school selectivity, experts say.

“This sounds obvious, but there are many applicants who go into this process only considering a limited set of schools with slimmer acceptance odds. They say the ROI is not there for other schools outside their ambitious targeting,” says Alex Leventhal, an MBA admissions consultant at Prep MBA Admissions Consulting.

Leventhal, who has an MBA from Harvard University Business School in Massachusetts, contends that the return on investment is compelling at more schools than most people think. He says applicants should look at the salary data of program graduates and the percentage of graduates who got jobs within three months after graduation.

“For example, the very top consulting firms recruit at a range of schools, and not just the top three,” Leventhal says.

He also suggests looking for joint degree programs to increase your odds by applying to a specialty track that a school is promoting or trying to fill.

Leventhal said he has had "some less-than-stellar clients" get accepted to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School , likely because they applied to the Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies joint program "for one of their less popular regional tracks. Or a client who got into Stanford Graduate School of Business because their professional experiences fit so nicely with a limited scholarship program focusing on the sustainable food supply chain.”

Customize Each Application

Schools like to see B-school applicants demonstrate familiarity with their programs, experts say. Leventhal says schools will “look for evidence that you have engaged with their program and talked to current students and alumni.”

Applicants should demonstrate they took the time to research a particular school “and all it has to offer, and consider both what they will learn from the program and how they will add value on campus,” says MBA consultant Scott Edinburgh, founder of Personal MBA Coach.

This means taking time to develop a strong personal story that connects past choices with future goals, says Edinburgh, who has an MBA from Wharton.

Applicants should demonstrate four key things in their tailored applications, he says: “Ability to handle the academic rigor of the target MBA program, leadership potential, how they will uniquely add value on campus and clarity of purpose.”

When applying, Weeks says, it’s important to have a well-developed goal statement that “charts out the applicant's intended career path and the impact they expect to have in their career.” He says those goals should be ambitious but attainable and make sense for the applicant.

Knowing what makes top business schools distinct "and then showing how you fit into those unique scenarios is essential to securing admits,” says Candy Lee LaBalle, an MBA admissions expert and founder of mbaClarity, formerly LaBalle Admissions.

Highlight Extracurricular Activities

Professional accomplishments that demonstrate leadership are great but shouldn’t be the only things highlighted. Edinburgh says applicants should show a passion for driving change.

“Successful MBA applicants are interesting people with plans to leave the world better than they found it in unique ways. Demonstrating passion and a track record of success in working towards this passion goes a long way,” Edinburgh says.

LaBalle says applicants who get admitted to multiple top B-schools tend to be “genuinely curious about the world, about learning, about having their perspectives challenged, and that shows in their hobbies and interests, work and goals.” They care deeply about the world and can demonstrate it, she adds, “whether that is mentoring classmates or starting an NGO that feeds thousands, and everything in between.”

Boost Your GMAT or GRE Score

If your GMAT or GRE score is lower than you had hoped for, take some more time to study and retake the exam.

“It is easier to get admits, and thus multiple admits, if your test score is strong and balanced between quantitative and verbal,” LaBalle says.

She says a strong, above-average test score can make a difference. “While there are many ways to offset a lowish test, the hard truth is that the higher your score, the better your odds of multiple admits.”

Students who don’t do well in the quantitative or analytical parts of the GMAT may prefer to take the GRE. Some business schools accept either test for MBA admissions.

Tests and other application materials aside, experts say securing strong letters of recommendation by supporters invested in your career and future is important to getting accepted to top MBA programs.

Apply to Schools Offering Scholarships

Applying to more schools can mean more scholarships that come with those admissions, which can give you options. Leventhal says his clients have focused on applying to more B-schools the last few cycles because they are increasingly interested in merit scholarships.

“The schools are trying to secure talented applicants with money off the tuition. As the price tag of the MBA has gone up, the merit pull can understandably matter. And schools that are reaches for an applicant generally won’t offer much in the way of merit grants,” Leventhal says.

Srivastava says she received some scholarships with each admissions offer, helping to relieve the burden of paying back student loans after graduation and giving her “freedom to focus on finding a career that would be a good fit for me both personally and professionally.”

A major bonus to getting accepted to multiple B-schools that offer scholarships is leverage, Weeks says. “You are in a strong position to negotiate scholarships.”

That includes awards at the most elite business schools. Students with more than one acceptance can inform schools that they received another offer and ask if any additional scholarship funding is available, he says.

Boost the Odds of MBA Acceptance

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Harvard MBA – Acceptance Rate, Ranking, and More

Besides the far-reaching cultural impact of a Harvard Business School degree and the power that it represents, Harvard’s storied program provides practical training and global access to the greatest minds in business, management, and leadership. 

Harvard Business School gives graduates the tools needed to implement substantive change in the world through organization, finance, and strategy.

The school’s Case Method involves collective problem-solving , cultivates strong negotiation and debate skills, and exposes students to a wide range of practical world issues. 

FIELD projects allow students an immersive experience implementing the techniques they’ve learned as they address real business problems while paired with a company.

Joint degree programs give students the flexibility to pair their MBA degrees with law, dental, public policy, life sciences, engineering, or even medical degrees.

Established in 1908 (with the revered Harvard Business Review beginning publication a little later in 1922), Harvard’s program balances its traditions with innovation. 

Now with expanded online executive training programs, summer institutes, and research centers worldwide, Harvard Business reaches out beyond its MBA students to provide a diverse slate of training opportunities.

Harvard MBA Acceptance Rate

Harvard Business School’s acceptance rate hovers these days around 10%, tending lower over time. 

Average GMAT and GPA scores tick a bit upward each year; the Class of 2023 averaged a 3.69 GPA and a median total GMAT of 730 .

The GMAT range, however, spanned from 590-790, demonstrating Harvard’s discretion in admissions criteria evaluation. 

High test scores or GPAs do not guarantee acceptance, and a score out of line with the median doesn’t end a candidate’s chances, either.

While no single key to acceptance stands out in the profiles of Harvard Business students, a robust academic career helps set a better foundation from which to begin. Work experience in a relevant field also helps an application folder stand out.

The admissions department explains its more nuanced criteria in its list of common traits shared by successful applicants. 

These characteristics include a track record of leadership, highly analytical verbal skills, strong ethical standards, and demonstrated community responsibility.

Harvard MBA Tuition

For a single student and based on room and board for the school year only, the 2021-2022 HBS total cost of attendance comes in at $111,542. HBS reports an average of $84,000 need-based scholarship money per student awarded over two years.

Additional scholarship funding through various Harvard fellowships , both specific and general, can offset costs. 

The Financial Aid office can help students find external funding as well; students with external scholarships should inform the financial aid office, as those scholarships may affect their eligibility for need-based funding.

The financial aid department assists graduates in navigating loan reduction or forgiveness programs . 

Students whose careers require lower starting salaries than most MBA graduates would receive can get help through the Social Enterprise Loan Repayment Program, or other similar programs and fellowships.

Harvard MBA Requirements

Harvard Business School’s three-part application process requires a range of written materials, along with an interview. Requirements begin with a four-year undergraduate degree, though no specific major is mandatory.

Students start the application process with transcripts, a resume, and test scores. The GMAT or GRE can serve as an admissions test; in recent years, applicants have submitted GRE scores with increasing success.

Two letters of recommendation should reflect the candidate’s character and suitability for the program. Letters from people well-acquainted with the candidate in a work or academic context make the most effective and persuasive contribution to an applicant’s folder.

Candidates must also complete an essay as part of these initial application materials. 

No words limit and a freeform topic make the essay the perfect place for applicants to share their reasons for attending Harvard Business School, along with any information about their circumstances that would not be covered by the other parts of the application.

Once Harvard admissions review the initial application folders, select students will be invited to interview. Required for continuing the application process, the interview indicates a positive direction, but it does not guarantee admission.

The third step must be completed within 24 hours of the admissions interview. Harvard admissions require an essay reflection to be submitted post-interview, with details to be provided.

Required application fees can be waived based on need. Students whose undergraduate degree programs were taught in a language other than English must also submit a TOEFL or similar exam score.

Harvard MBA Notable Alumni

Harvard Business School alumni succeed in business roles from corporate CEO to startup entrepreneur. Alumni have also gone on to be President of the United States, serve as Mayor of New York City, and serve time as some of the most notorious criminals in the country.

Harvard Business trained presidents and CEOs of JP Morgan Chase, Levi Strauss, GAP, Facebook, Nestle, BBC America, Goldman Sachs, Corning, General Motors, Boeing, Morgan Stanley, Kraft, and ConAgra, among many others. 

Founders of Rakuten, AutoTrader, Zynga, York Capital, Angie’s List, the Carlyle Group, Net Impact, and the Blackstone Group all graduated from Harvard Business School.

Senators, mayors, governors, and political party leaders number among Harvard Business alumni. Also among the graduates are several of the most notorious convicted insider traders.

Harvard Business graduates influence daily life in America in countless ways, from the historical to the practical. Robert McNamara, architect of the VietNam War, Ford executive, and later President of the World Bank—one of the single most influential minds of the 20th century—earned an MBA at Harvard, as did Dan Bricklin, inventor of the electronic spreadsheet.

Harvard MBA Ranking

Harvard and MIT’s Sloan School of Business Management share the number 5 rank at U.S. News , appropriate since Harvard’s partnership with MIT allows its students access to some MIT programs and facilities. 

U.S. News places Harvard in the top spot for management and in second place for international business and for nonprofit management programs.

Financial Times puts Harvard’s Business School at the top of their global rankings for MBA programs; QS also ranks Harvard at number one globally , ahead of the London Business School, Stanford, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

The Economist provides detailed data used as criteria in their ranking, including Harvard Business alumni’s 60% increase on pre-MBA salary , and the 94% of graduates who receive a job offer within three months of graduation. The Economist gives Harvard Business School an overall ranking at #4 among U.S. programs.

Using starting salary, perception in the business sector, and executive careers within Fortune 1000 companies, Fortune selected Harvard as the top full-time MBA program in the country. Their research indicated that 96% of the Class of 2021’s graduates seeking employment received job offers after graduation.

Should You Attend Harvard for an MBA?

Harvard Business School provides exceptional training for motivated students with outstanding verbal skills, analytical aptitude, and a desire to improve institutions of all kinds. 

To determine whether or not the program makes a good fit for a candidate, Harvard Business offers current college students virtual experiences and an in-person one-week summer residential program to get a sense of life as a Harvard MBA student .

For students ready to gain real-world work experience before starting their MBA coursework, Harvard Business offers the 2+2 Program, in which accepted students defer their matriculation until after completing two years of paid work at a program-approved organization or company.

Students interested in making a difference as leaders in nonprofit and social sector organizations can participate in Harvard Business School’s Leadership Fellows program. 

Students in this program gain valuable leadership experience, while participating organizations benefit from Harvard MBA-level leadership for half the expected salary cost.

In the Leadership Fellows program, Harvard Business places recent graduates in high-level management and leadership positions within organizations focused on public benefit, with Harvard subsidizing the graduate’s salary by half for one year.  

With many options for study, work placement, and improved salary potential after graduation, Harvard Business School might prove a more practical choice than it might at first seem. For the right candidate, the program can open almost any door.

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Top 25 Business Schools' Acceptance Rates & Class Profiles (2024)

An overview of acceptance rates-as well as class profiles-of the top 25 business schools, to help you determine which schools will be the best fit for you.

Posted May 22, 2024

Featuring Victoria G.

The Summer Before Round 1: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Starting tuesday, may 28.

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Table of Contents

Applying to business school is a difficult and scary process. The different MBA programs available to students are unique: each has its own specialization, requirements, applicant preferences, and culture. When starting applications, it can be beneficial to get an idea of the different programs’ acceptance rates and class profiles to find out the right MBA program for you.

These acceptance rates will provide a ballpark estimate; however, keep in mind that most schools don’t disclose their official MBA acceptance rates. However, from class enrollment numbers, it's possible to get a rough idea that can provide some context.

For more expert information on how to get into top business schools, check out these free resources:

• The Complete MBA Application Guide
• How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay -- With Examples
• Six Coaches' Best Advice for the MBA Interview
• The Ultimate M7 Essay Guide
• A Comprehensive MBA Application Timeline -- With Chart
• An Expert Coach's Top Tips for Non-Traditional MBA Applicants

MBA Acceptance Rates Overview

1. stanford graduate school of business (gsb), gsb class profile (2023).

• Students of Color: 48%
• International: 47%
• First-Generation: 12%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 4.8
• Average GPA: 3.78
• Average GMAT: 738
• Average GRE: 165 (Verbal), 165 (Quantitative)

GSB Acceptance Rate: 5-6%

• Number of Applicants: 7,367
• Class Size: 426

For more info on Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, check out:

• Stanford GSB MBA Curriculum - Core, Electives, & Specializations
• Stanford GSB MBA Essays: Prompts, Tips, & Examples
• Stanford GSB: MBA Tuition & Fees Breakdown
• The 5 Best Classes at Stanford's Graduate School of Business

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2. Harvard Business School (HBS)

Hbs class profile (2024).

• Students of Color: 40%
• International: 38%
• First Generation: 13%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 5
• Average GPA: 3.70
• Median GMAT: 730 (Verbal: 42, Quantitative: 48)
• Median GRE: 163 (Verbal and Quantitative)

HBS Acceptance Rate: 11-12%

• Number of Applicants: 8,264
• Class Size: 1,015

If you’re looking to get a better understanding of HBS, you’re in luck! Read our articles on all things HBS here:

• Harvard Business School: Executive Education Opportunities (2024)
• Applying to Harvard Business School: Story of a Current Student
• What to Know About the HBS Case Study Method
• Harvard Business School MBA Essay: 5 Things to Do

3. University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business

Wharton class profile (2024).

• International: 35%
• LGBTQ+ Students: 8%
• First-Generation: 11%
• Average GPA: 3.6
• Average GMAT: 733
• Average GRE: 162 (Verbal and Quantitative)

Wharton Acceptance Rate: ~20%

• Number of Applicants: 6,319
• Class Size: 877

Read through some more of our resources on Wharton here:

• Wharton MBA Curriculum Overview - Concentrations, Core, and Electives
• Wharton MBA Application Essays: Prompts & Expert Tips
• Wharton MBA Class Profile – Key Insights & Takeaways

4. University of Chicago Booth

Booth class profile (2024).

• Students of Color: 51%
• International: 37%
• First-generation: 11%
• Veterans: 8%
• Average GMAT: 729
• Average GRE: 163 (Verbal), 164 (Quantitative)

Booth Acceptance Rate: 22-23%

• Number of Applicants: 4,352
• Class Size: 621

For a better overview of Chicago Booth’s curriculum and admissions process, read through our resources here:

• Chicago Booth MBA Curriculum: Concentrations, Core, and Electives
• Chicago Booth MBA Essays: 5 Expert Tips
• Chicago Booth MBA Class Profile: Key Insights & Takeaways
• How to Answer the “Why Booth?” Interview Question

5. Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

Kellogg class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 37%
• Average GPA: 3.7
• Median GRE: 162 (Verbal), 163 (Quantitative)

Kellogg Acceptance Rate: 20-21%

• Number of Applicants: 5,813 (class of 2022, this year's numbers not released)
• Class Size (2024): 503

Check out more on Kellogg’s MBA program with the following resources:

• Kellogg MBA Curriculum Overview - Concentrations, Core, and Electives
• Kellogg MBA Class Profile – Key Insights & Takeaways
• Kellogg Financial Aid & Scholarships – Overview & Tips
• How to Nail Your Kellogg MBA Application Essays

[MBA essay guide resource for Amelia to add]

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan

Sloan class profile (2023).

• Minority Students: 23%
• International: 43%
• Average GPA: 3.59
• Median GMAT: 730
• GRE Range: 157-168 (Verbal), 158-169 (Quantitative)

Sloan Acceptance Rate: 14.6%

• Number of Applicants: 7,122
• Class Size: 409

For more information on MIT Sloan, read our guides:

• MIT Sloan Class Profile – Key Insights & Takeaways
• Expert Guide to the MIT Sloan Short Answer Question
• MIT Sloan Courses & Certificates to Level-Up Your Career
• MIT Sloan MBA Cost: Tuition & Fees Breakdown

7. Columbia University Business School

Columbia class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 42%
• International: 51%
• Average GRE: 158 (Verbal), 167 (Quantitative)

Columbia Acceptance Rate: 22%

• Number of Applicants: 6,177
• Admitted: 1,363
• Class Size: 844

Read more articles on Columbia Business School’s MBA programs here:

• Columbia MBA Curriculum – Core, Electives, and Specializations
• A Guide to the Columbia Business School Essays (2023-2024)
• Columbia MBA Majors: Real Estate, Healthcare, & More
• 10 Columbia Business School Courses to Take

8. University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business

Haas class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 45%
• International: 41%
• First-generation: 13%
• LGBTQ+: 16%
• Veterans: 4%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 5.6
• Average GPA: 3.64
• Average GRE: 161 (Verbal), 163 (Quant)

Haas Acceptance Rate: 17.6%

• Number of Applicants: 3,700
• Class Size: 247

If you’re looking to get a better understanding of Berkeley Haas, we recommend looking through some of our articles here:

• Berkeley Haas MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your Berkeley Haas MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
• Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, and Examples

9. Yale University School of Management (SOM)

Yale som class profile (2024).

• Students of Color: 54%
• International: 48%
• LGBTQ+: 12%
• First-Generation: 17%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 4.7
• Average GPA: 3.69
• Median GMAT: 725
• Median GRE: 164 (Verbal), 166 (Quantitative)

Yale SOM Acceptance Rate: 23.7%

• Class Size: 347

Curious to learn more about Yale SOM? Look no further! Read our articles here:

• Yale SOM MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• Yale SOM MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• How to Nail Your Yale SOM MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

10. Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business

Tuck class profile (2023).

• Minority Students: 31%
• Students with children: 5%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 5.4
• Average GPA: 3.52
• Average GMAT: 726
• Average GRE: 162 (Verbal), 162 (Quantitative)

Tuck Acceptance Rate: 22-23%

• Class Size: 287

Read more on Darmouth’s MBA program here:

• Dartmouth Tuck MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• Dartmouth Tuck MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• How to Nail Your Dartmouth Tuck MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, and Tips

Coach Recommendations

To give yourself the best chance of getting into a top MBA program, we highly recommend working with a Leland expert MBA admissions coach. Below are some of our top coaches, browse all of them here .

11. New York University Stern School of Business

Stern class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 47%
• International: 44%
• Veterans/Active Duty: 11%
• Average GPA: 3.62
• Average GRE: 162 (Verbal), 163 (Quantitative)

Stern Acceptance Rate: 27%

• Number of Applicants: 3,553
• Admitted Students: 962
• Class Size: 324

For a better overview of NYU Stern’s programs, read our articles here:

• How to Nail the NYU "Pick Six" MBA Application Essay
• NYU Stern MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• How to Nail Your NYU Stern MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

12. Duke University Fuqua School of Business

Fuqua class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 43%
• International: 39%
• Military: 9%
• Have a Partner: 30%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 6
• Average GPA (middle 80%): 3.1-3.9
• GMAT Range: 680-760
• GRE Combined Average: 317

Fuqua Acceptance Rate: 22-25%

• Class Size: 399

If you’re looking for more info on Duke’s MBA program, check out our articles here:

• Duke Fuqua MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• Duke Fuqua MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• How to Nail Your Duke Fuqua MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

13. University of Michigan Ann Arbor Ross School of Business

Ross class profile (2024).

• Students of Color: 42%
• International: 36%
• LGBTQIAS+: 9%
• Military: 7%
• First Generation: 14%
• Average GPA: 3.5
• Average GMAT: 720
• Average GRE: 160 (Verbal), 160 (Quantitative)

Ross Acceptance Rate: 20%

• Class Size: 380

Read more here:

• Michigan Ross MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your Michigan Ross MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
• Michigan Ross MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples

14. University of Virginia Darden School of Business

Darden class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 21%
• Military: 8%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 5.8
• Average GPA: 3.51
• Average GRE: 319 (combined)

Darden Acceptance Rate: 26-36%*

*Estimates vary within this range.

• Class Size: 348

Read more about Darden at our guides here:

• Why I Chose Darden for My MBA Program
• UVA Darden MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your UVA Darden MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

15. Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management

Johnson class profile (2024).

• Underrepresented Minorities: 16%
• US Military: 13%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 5.5
• Median GPA: 3.3
• Median GMAT: 710
• Average GRE: 320 (combined)

Johnson Acceptance Rate: 39.6%

• Class Size: 303

Want more information on Cornell Johnson’s MBA program? Read through some of our articles here:

• Cornell Johnson MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your Cornell Johnson MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
• Cornell Johnson MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples

16. Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business

Tepper class profile (2023).

• Minority Students: 44%
• International: 34%
• Average GPA: 3.35
• Average GMAT: 691

Tepper Acceptance Rate: 27%

• Number of Applicants: 800-1000
• Class Size: 231

For more info on Carnegie Mellon’s MBA program, check out our articles here:

• CMU Tepper MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• How to Nail Your CMU Tepper MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
• CMU Tepper MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples

17. University of Southern California Marshall School of Business

Marshall class profile (2024).

• Students of Color: 56%
• LGBTQ+: 10%
• US Military: 10%
• Average GPA: 3.58
• Average GMAT: 732
• Average GRE: 160 (Verbal), 161 (Quant)

Marshall Acceptance Rate: 28-30%

• Number of Applicants: 2,652
• Class Size: 190

Want to learn more about USC’s MBA program? Read our guides here:

• USC Marshall MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• USC Marshall MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your USC Marshall MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

18. University of California Los Angeles Anderson School of Management

Anderson class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 28%
• GPA Range (middle 80%): 3.1-3.8
• Average GMAT: 711
• Average GRE: 162 (Verbal), 167 (Quantitative)

Anderson Acceptance Rate: ~20%

• Number of Applicants: 2,471
• Class Size: 330

Check out more on UCLA’s MBA program with our guides here:

• The UCLA Anderson MBA Program: Expectation Vs. Reality
• UCLA Anderson MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your UCLA Anderson MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

19. University of Texas Austin McCombs School of Business

Mccombs class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 38%
• International: 24%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 5.7
• Average GPA: 3.48
• Average GMAT: 706
• Average GRE: 160 (Verbal), 159 (Quantitative)

McCombs Acceptance Rate: 28.5%

• Class Size: 220
• Dual Degree Students: 21

See more in our articles here:

• How to Nail Your UT Austin McCombs MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
• UT Austin McCombs MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• UT Austin McCombs MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples

20. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School

Kenan-flagler class profile (2024).

• Average GPA: 3.43
• Average GRE: 317 (combined)

Kenan-Flagler Acceptance Rate: 44-51%

• Class Size: 242

Curious to learn more about UNC’s MBA programs? Check out our guides here:

• UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
• UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples

21. Georgetown University McDonough School of Business

Mcdonough class profile (2023).

• International: 42%
• Average GPA: 3.29
• Average GMAT: 697

McDonough Acceptance Rate: 47.5%

• Number of Applicants: 1,537
• Class Size: 249

If you’re looking to get a better understanding of Georgetown’s MBA program, we recommend looking through more of our articles here:

• Georgetown McDonough MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• How to Nail Your Georgetown McDonough MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips
• Georgetown McDonough MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples

22. University of Washington Foster School of Business

Foster class profile (2023).

• Students of Color: 36%
• International: 40%
• Average GPA: 3.42
• Average GMAT: 704
• Average GRE: 161 (Verbal), 160 (Quantitative)

UW Foster Acceptance Rate: 40-41%

• Class Size: 126
• UW Foster MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• UW Foster MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• How to Nail Your UW Foster MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

23. Indiana University (Bloomington) Kelley School of Business

Kelley class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 17%
• International: 45%
• Average GPA: 3.38
• Average GMAT: 685
• Average GRE: 159 (Verbal), 159 (Quant)

IU Kelley Acceptance Rate: 38%

• Number of Applicants: ~500
• Class Size: 125

For more info on Indiana University’s MBA program, read our full guide here:

• Indiana University Kelley MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• Indiana University Kelley MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples
• How to Nail Your Indiana University Kelley MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

24. Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management

Owen class profile (2024).

• Minority Students: 20%
• International: 31%
• Military: 17%
• Average Years of Work Experience: 5.3
• Median GPA: 3.34
• Average GMAT: 690
• Average GRE: Doesn't report

Owen Acceptance Rate: 35-40%

• Number of Applicants: ~700
• Class Size: 147

25. Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business

Jones class profile (2023).

• Minority Students: 30%
• First-Generation: 21%
• Average GMAT: 705
• Average GRE: 316 (combined)

Jones Acceptance Rate: 39.5%

• Number of Applicants: 587
• Class Size: 178

Check out more on Rice University’s MBA program with our guides here:

• Rice Jones MBA Essays Guide: Overview, Tips & Examples
• Rice Jones MBA Letters of Recommendation Guide - Questions, Tips, & Examples | Leland
• How to Nail Your Rice Jones MBA Interview: Overview, Questions, & Tips

These numbers give a good rough estimate of the class profiles and application cutoffs. However, applications change every year depending on the number and profile of the applicants, and the school’s priorities, and may not line up exactly with past years. Compile the best application you can, and shoot for the stars!

Business School Admissions FAQs

Why is understanding acceptance rates important for MBA applicants?

• Knowing the acceptance rate of a particular program can help you gague your chances of getting an admissions offer. Acceptance rates are also a telltale sign of how competitive the school can be.

How are acceptance rates calculated?

• Some schools are proud to publish their official acceptance rates. Others, however, can be a bit more secretive with releasing their numbers, meaning that estimates are made from other data such as class size and the total number of applicants.

How important is the GMAT/GRE score for MBA admissions?

• Your score from the GMAT/GRE is one of the most important parts of your application because it serves as a prediction of how well students will function in a grad-level program. Still, other factors such as work experience, GPA, and personal essays can play a strong role in your consideration for admissions.
• For more info on the GMAT and GRE exams, read our article GMAT vs. GRE for Business School—Which Should You Take (and How to Ace Both) .

What is the average work experience required for top business schools?

• Most top MBA programs accept applicants with an average of 4-6 years of professional work experience. However, some schools may accept applicants with less experience if they demonstrate exceptional potential.

What are some key tips for writing a strong MBA application essay?

• A strong MBA application essay should clearly articulate your career goals, highlight your unique experiences and skills, demonstrate your fit with the program, and reflect genuine self-awareness and motivation.
• If you’re looking for some tips and tricks to writing your MBA essay, we have a guide just for you! Read: How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay—With Examples

What should applicants consider when choosing which business schools to apply to?

• Applicants should consider factors such as the school's reputation, program specializations, culture, location, alumni network, career services, and overall fit with their personal and professional goals.
• Rejected From an MBA Program? Here's What to Do Next
• Top MBA Programs for Product Management
• Top MBA Programs for Investment Banking

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• Study in USA /

All About PhD at Harvard University

• Updated on  
• Dec 6, 2022

Studying for a doctorate or PhD at Harvard University means immersing yourself in one of the world’s most vibrant and important intellectual communities. The diverse PhD programs at Harvard Graduate School of Education take advantage of the University’s remarkable multidisciplinary strengths. The Harvard University PhD enables aspirants to experience cutting-edge interdisciplinary research informed by Cognitive Sciences, Economics , Medicine , Humanities , and more. In this blog, we’ve covered everything you’ll need to know about pursuing a PhD at Harvard University .

PhD in USA: Everything You Need To Know

This Blog Includes:

About harvard university, harvard graduate school of arts and sciences, harvard university phd acceptance rate , harvard university phd programs, research-based doctoral degrees at the harvard graduate school of education, application process , phd in harvard university requirements, living costs.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s main aim is to improve public health through learning, discovery, and communication . To achieve this goal, the School conducts research, reproduces knowledge via the higher education, and converts information into evidence that can be shared with the public, policymakers, and practitioners in order to improve population health. They want to achieve the following:

• Deliver an evidence-based educational experience that prepares students to solve public health concerns in the twenty-first century via study, research, and practice.
• To enhance public health locally, nationally, and worldwide, create and preserve a dynamic and inclusive intellectual community with an atmosphere that supports the development of knowledge and skills concerning diversity, equality, cultural competency, and advocacy.
• Create and advance knowledge, as well as its translation into discoveries that lead to improvements in people’s and populations’ health.
• Participate in service activities that help communities better their health.
• Use new communication tactics to raise public knowledge of public health issues and remedies.

From advancing scientific discovery to educating national and international leaders, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has been at the forefront of efforts to benefit the health of populations worldwide. As we service society’s evolving health requirements, we will continue to prioritize shaping innovative ideas in our area and successfully conveying them.

The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) is Harvard University’s largest graduate school, with a total of 12 graduate schools. GSAS, which was founded in 1872, oversees the majority of Harvard’s graduate programs in different fields of study like Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. The aspirants can pursue Harvard University PhD In around 58 disciplines.

The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences has consistently placed first among graduate institutions to study in usa in terms of academic offerings. A varied group of renowned public officials and scholars have graduated from the School. The vast majority of Harvard’s Nobel Laureates received their education at GSAS. GSAS graduates have gone on to become US Cabinet Secretaries, Supreme Court Justices, foreign leaders of state, and heads of government, in addition to intellectuals and scientists.

The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) oversees all Harvard University PhD programs and applications are conducted through the GSAS online application system.

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences has a low and highly competitive acceptance rate . This means that students have to really work or study hard to get admission into Harvard University PhD. The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences received over 4300 applications for the fall 2020 class of graduate students across all PhD and master’s programs and the university has only admitted 301 applicants. As a result, the acceptance rate for the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is 7%. This means that out of every 100 applicants, only 7 applicants could make it to pursue the University of Harvard PhD programs.

Know about How to Get Into Harvard? [Complete Admission Guide] !

The Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offer an integrated PhD program in education. As a PhD student, you will work on innovative interdisciplinary research with researchers from all of Harvard’s graduate schools. Given below are some of the popular specialisations for aspirants to pursue Harvard University PhD programs along with the Harvard University PhD application deadline:

HGSE switched from awarding a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education in the fall of 2014. The Ed.D. was superseded by the Ph.D. in Education, a joint degree given in conjunction with the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, to better reflect the program’s research focus since its beginning in 1921, and to deepen relationships with academic departments across Harvard University.

The Ed.D. and Ph.D. in Education programs both provide intensive intellectual instruction to their graduates. Both degrees involve training that builds both knowledge and experience in the spectrum of quantitative and qualitative methodologies needed to undertake high-quality research, reflecting the multidisciplinary character of education. Our alumni do independent research in a variety of disciplines, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practise, with the objective of having a transformational influence on education research, policy, and practise. Graduates of both programmes have and will continue to hold positions as university professors, researchers, senior educators, and policymakers.

How to Apply for PhD at Harvard University?

The following are the application process and the basic requirements for aspirants to know how to apply for PhD in Harvard University:

• The first item to submit is a digital or online application. Only once the admission committee has received your completed online application form they will examine other application materials such as transcripts, test scores, essays, and so on. The Common Application (Common App), the Universal College Application (UCA), and the Coalition Application are all accepted by Harvard. Any of the application portals can be used to apply to Harvard.
• Following the examination of all submissions, HGSE will invite chosen Ph.D. applicants to participate in a mandatory online interview with members of the admissions committee. 
• The interviews will take place in January, with exact dates to be confirmed.

A complete application to the PhD program typically consists of the following, submitted to the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS):

• Online application form (accessed through GSAS’s website )
• Statement of Purpose
• 3 letters of recommendation
• TOEFL or IELTS .
• Transcript (s)
• Application Fee : 105 USD(7,790 INR)
• Supplemental form for the PhD in Education

Here’s a List of Important Documents Required to Study Abroad

Harvard University PhD Fees

The following table denotes the current PhD in Harvard University fees for the academic year 2022-2023:

This was all you should be knowing about Harvard University PhD programs. Want to study PhD at Harvard University? Connect with our experts at Leverage Edu and kickstart your study abroad journey from today. Call us at 1800572000 to book your first FREE counselling session with us. 

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Graduate profiles

Meet the class of 2024, harvard college.

Meet more Harvard College graduates

Isabella Madrigal

Isabella’s senior thesis screenplay, a genre-bending family drama full of magical realism, centers the issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and two-spirit people.

Read more about Isabella

Dora Woodruff

Dora will next pursue a Ph.D. at MIT in algebraic combinatorics, a branch of mathematics that applies methods found in abstract algebra to discrete counting problems.

Aaron Shirley

Aaron dove into the world of medieval medicine with his thesis, “Holiness to Wholeness: Restoring Medieval Surgery to its Religious Cultural Context.”

Harvard Business School

Meet more HBS graduates

Davida Bynum

As a dual-degree candidate studying business and government, Davida is exploring the best ways to serve the public and private sectors.

Eduardo Avalos

With a focus on social entrepreneurship, Eduardo is hoping to create more equitable opportunities for those with fewer resources and less access.

Claudia Hill

By combining a degree in biomedical engineering with an M.B.A., Claudia plans to change millions of lives by creating life-saving drugs that can be distributed equitably.

Harvard Divinity School

Meet more Divinity School graduates

The growth I’ve experienced at HDS, both personal and academic, has been beyond anything I expected.” Samirah Jaigirdar Master of Theological Studies Learn more about Samirah’s studies

Jude Terna Ayua

Jude says his time at HDS changed his perspective about other faith traditions. After graduation, he will work as a private attorney and also run his non-profit, Keep Hope Alive Nigeria.

Christopher Siuzdak

While studying at HDS, Christopher’s favorite class was “Trends in World Christianity, 1900-2050,” which explored shifts in Christian confessions around the globe from a historical and social scientific perspective.

Harvard Extension School

Meet more Extension School graduates

Tomas Hernandez

Extension School graduate Tomas was able to complete his Master of Liberal Arts in Finance degree while working a full-time job, being a dad to three children, and pursuing his love of karate.

Vivien Kocsis

For her Master of Liberal Arts in Data Science capstone project, Vivien had a very specific sponsor in mind: NASA.

Brian Mazmanian

Of his journey at Harvard Extension School, Brian said, “I can honestly say that I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Harvard Graduate School of Design

Meet more graduates

For the first time, I truly felt like I was doing work that was very in touch with what GSD wants people to do, which is working with communities.” Priyanka Pillai Master in Design Engineering A joint Graduate School of Design and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences program Learn more about Priyanka’s work

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Meet more School of Education graduates

Kavya Krishna

Kavya was recently named among Forbes’ “30 Under 30” for her dedication to empowering girls with the digital literacy skills necessary to excel in a technology-driven society.

Alria and Vyankatesh Kharage

Alria and Vyankatesh met as undergraduates, fell in love, and began building a life together when their shared passion for education brought them to Harvard.

Moriah has turned her own struggles with sobriety and recovery into an opportunity to help others seeking higher education opportunities.

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Meet more SEAS graduates

Ben Schroeder

During his internship at SpaceX, Ben talked to experts to help him finalize his design for a robotic hand to help astronauts perform tasks remotely without the fatigue imposed by a suit glove.

Maria Emilia Mazzolenis

While pursuing a master’s degree in data science, Maria always kept her focus on the responsibility and impact that technology can have on society.

Lachlain McGranahan

Whether on the Charles River as a skipper on the Harvard Crimson sailing team or on the ocean helping to decipher sperm whale communications, Lachlain was never too far from his love for water and engineering.

Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Meet more GSAS graduates

Thomas found a way to identify otherwise unrecorded 20th-century hurricanes, laying the foundation for a new field of historical environmental seismology.

Dylan Renaud

Dylan’s Harvard Horizons project combines research in the emerging field of nanoscale photonics—how light interacts with very small objects—with practical computing applications to create novel devices that move information via light.

Juhee Kang, who studied history and East Asian languages and civilizations, explored how psychological testing and mass data collection evolved in 20th-century Japan, where they became central across society.

Harvard Kennedy School

Meet more Kennedy School graduates

Ananya Chhaochharia

While pursuing a Master in Public Policy, Ananya learned how to turn a political campaign into an art form.

Adebayo Alonge

After founding a platform that provides safe pharmaceuticals in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, Adebayo decided to pursue a mid-career master’s degree to help him understand how to expand to even more countries.

For her capstone research project, Maya sought to understand and find solutions for the inequality in Boston’s core city services, which aren’t equitably distributed across its diverse neighborhoods and communities.

Harvard Law School

Meet more Harvard Law graduates

Nicholas Gonzalez

Nicholas was instantly smitten with the law when he took part in mock trial and moot court competitions in high school. The performative part of arguing a case felt both familiar and alluring.  

Phoebe Kotlikoff

After becoming one of the first female U.S. Navy submariners, Phoebe was inspired by the integration of submarine service and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to attend law school.

Harvard Medical School

Meet more HMS graduates

I often tell students two things: ‘You can do it,’ and ‘but not alone.’” David Velasquez Doctor of Medicine Learn what inspired David to earn a third Harvard degree

Deborah Plana

Personal experience with cancer in her family cemented Deborah’s determination to pursue a career that combines her passions for analysis and improving patient care.

Mitchell Winkie

There are only a handful of residency positions in dermatology for the U.S. military each year. There was only one spot in the Navy open to graduating medical students, and Mitchell was selected to fill it.

It was an online search for “science internships, Boston” that set Irene on a 10-year path to Harvard where she would ultimately complete a Ph.D. in biological and biomedical sciences.

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Meet more School of Dental Medicine graduates

Sheridan Danquah

Growing up, Sheridan didn’t encounter a dentist until after moving from Ghana to the U.S. when he was 10. The experience made a profound impression on him and influenced him to enter the field.

Explore how Sheridan found his purpose

Jessica Latimer

Jessica turned a passion for doodling into a side job creating scientific illustrations that have landed in well-known medical and dental journals across the country.

Read about Jessica’s unique skill set

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Meet more Harvard Chan School graduates

I heard of people who had given birth during their incarceration, and I was really shocked.” Bethany Kotlar, who studied the impact of maternal incarceration during pregnancy and after birth on child development Learn more about Bethany’s research

Irfan Chaudhuri

Watching his grandmother battle Alzheimer’s disease inspired Irfan to explore the role public health could play in Alzheimer’s prevention.

After navigating the roadblocks involved in gender-affirming care, Ivan founded the startup Trans Health HQ to decrease barriers for clinicians and patients.

James Frater

As a child with asthma, James saw the dangers that come from inadequate health care. That’s why he decided to gain the skills to understand health systems and improve health equity across the globe.

Admitted Degree Candidate Privileges

Prioritize your courses for admission to become a candidate in a Harvard Extension School degree program as soon as possible!

As an admitted degree candidate, you’ll have access to exclusive benefits that can expand and deepen your Harvard experience and support your personal and professional development.

Harvard Extension School Opportunities

Upon your admission, the Bachelor of Liberal Arts (ALB) and Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) academic advising team will support you until graduation. In addition, graduate students pursuing thesis projects and student-directed capstones are assigned a research advisor to help design scholarly independent projects.

To meet and schedule a time with your advisor, log in to MyDCE , choose “ALB/ALM Community” to access the Degree Candidate portal. Have a quick question? Email them via the portal as well.

Also on the Degree Candidate portal, you’ll find your most up-to-date academic progress reports, which track your remaining degree requirements, GPA, and mandatory 5-year-degree-completion deadline (ALM candidates only).

Priority Registration

Admitted degree candidates have the advantage of enrolling in classes before the general population. See the  calendar  for dates.

Payment Plans

Admitted degree candidates may be eligible to enroll in an interest-free payment plan for fall, spring, and summer tuition. Plans are offered per semester and payments are made in four installments. Plan enrollment is open from the first day of course registration through the course change deadline, for a $40 enrollment fee. Course registration that occurs outside the regular enrollment periods for the semester, such as thesis courses, are not eligible for payment plans. See  payment options , Payment Plans for detailed information.

Reduced Harvard Summer School Tuition Pricing

Admitted degree candidates pay the Harvard Extension School tuition rate for undergraduate and graduate credit in Harvard Summer School courses. This includes three- and seven-week courses as well as on-campus and online courses and represents a significant cost savings. Study abroad and noncredit courses are not eligible for the tuition discount. All you need to do is register for a Harvard Summer School course as usual, and the reduced pricing will be automatically applied during the final step of the process. 

Student Research

You can work as a research assistant for an instructor through the  Faculty Aide Program .

Convocation

Each fall, Convocation is held to honor the achievements of recently admitted degree candidates and welcome them to our vibrant community. This inspiring ceremony marks the beginning of their academic pursuits just as gloriously as Commencement punctuates its conclusion. Degree candidates admitted between August of the previous calendar year and June of the current calendar year are sent invitations by the School requesting their attendance.

Strengthen connections with Harvard Extension School degree candidates and alumni who share similar academic experiences and career interests and goals to yours!

• As an admitted degree candidate, you’re eligible to join the Harvard Extension Degree Candidates and Alumni LinkedIn group, as well as the LinkedIn group that corresponds to your degree program. These exclusive forums allow you to take part in discussions and expand your network in areas that are relevant to your life as a professional as well as a student at Harvard. 
• Membership is open to alumni and active degree candidates in good academic standing. Candidates should visit the ALB/ALM Community in MyDCE for more information.

Harvard Extension Student Association

The Harvard Extension Student Association (HESA) is the umbrella organization for all student groups at the Extension School. Degree candidates are voting members of HESA. Visit the  HESA website  for more information.

All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair

The annual All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair, hosted at Columbia University (typically in late February or early March), provides admitted degree candidates and alumni with an opportunity to meet with representatives from organizations in the private, non-profit and public sectors across a multitude of industries. In previous years, the  Harvard Extension Student Environmental Club  (HESEC) has organized bus transportation (ticket purchase required) to New York City for degree candidates residing in the Boston area who wish to travel to the career fair together as a group. Registration for the fair is completed separately via the  All Ivy Career Fair website  where additional information can be found.

New England Museum Association

The Harvard Extension School’s Museum Studies Program is a member of the New England Museum Association (NEMA), which allows all degree candidates to become individual members through it. Enjoy access to discounts on the annual conference, webinars, and workshops; NEMA’s online resource library and publications; their Professional Affinity Groups and informal networking opportunities; and free admission to some regional NEMA member museums. Contact Kathy Jones, Museum Studies Program Director, for more information.

Harvard University Opportunities

Linkedin learning.

LinkedIn Learning provides degree candidates with over 15,000 on-demand courses on computer software, business skills, and creative skills from industry experts.

To access LinkedIn Learning :  Click the Login button and enter your HarvardKey. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll be automatically logged into LinkedIn Learning and given the option of connecting your account to a LinkedIn profile.

ID Card Privileges

You are eligible for a  Harvard University photo ID card  that grants you access to benefits like the  Harvard libraries  and  Harvard museums .

University-wide policy requires you to pick-up your ID card in person. Please visit the Announcements page on Campus Services’s website for pick-up locations and hours.

Microsoft Office

Your program benefits include access to Microsoft Office, OneDrive, and SharePoint. You can access these tools at office.com . Select “Sign in”, then “Sign-in options”, “Sign in to an organization”, and finally input “harvard.edu” as the organization domain. From there, you will be prompted for your HarvardKey credentials.

If your HarvardKey login address is a non-Harvard email address, you must use <NetID>@harvard.edu as your login address with your HarvardKey password.  Don’t know your assigned NetID? Visit Find your NetID .

If you continue to have difficulties accessing O365, contact [email protected] .

Harvard University Online Directory

Your name, school affiliation, and e-mail address is automatically included in the public and internal Harvard University online directories. In the internal directory, your ID card photo also displays. You can request that your information be removed from the directory or only viewable by the Harvard community. To request a change, submit the  privacy level selection form  to the Harvard Extension School Registrar’s Office.

Career Services

The Mignone Center for Career Success at Harvard University provides extensive career resources to admitted degree candidates. Visit  Career Services  to learn more about how the office can help you.

Academic Resource Center

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) at Harvard University provides subject-matter peer tutoring and individual academic coaching to a limited number of admitted degree candidates and Premedical Program participants on a referral basis. For more information, talk to your academic advisor or refer to the ARC Information sheet .

Innovation Lab

The Harvard i-lab is the central component of the Harvard Innovation Labs , a cross-disciplinary ecosystem for the Harvard community to explore innovation and entrepreneurship. It consists of the Student i-lab Membership for current degree-seeking Harvard students, the Life Lab, a wet lab for student- and faculty-led life science ventures, and Launch Lab X GEO for alumni-founded ventures in the pre-seed to seed stage. The Student i-lab Membership provides advising and subject-matter experts to help Harvard students move their startup ideas forward.

Harvard Extension admitted degree candidates in ALB and ALM programs and PMP students can participate in the Student i-lab Membership community in fall and spring semesters if they currently hold a minimum 4-credit course registration status. Membership is by application only. Apply at the beginning of the term to take advantage of orientation, mentorship, and funding opportunities for your venture idea. Or, you may apply later in the semester using the rolling admission cycle for membership. Please visit the Student i-lab Membership page for more information and to apply. Please reach out to the Career and Academic Resource Center if you have any questions.

Culture Lab

The Harvard Culture Lab Innovation Fund awards grants to Harvard students, staff, faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and academic personnel to pursue ideas that seek to strengthen Harvard’s capacity to advance a culture of belonging. Proposals should aim to focus on having a direct connection to the Harvard community and influence the University’s trajectory towards sustainable inclusive excellence.

Full-time admitted ALB and ALM degree students are eligible to apply. Admitted degree candidates whose current registration status is less than full-time may apply if a member of their team is a full-time admitted degree candidate – at Harvard Extension School or another school within Harvard University. You can learn more about the program – including deadlines, grant guidelines, and FAQs – on the Harvard Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion & Belonging website .

Athletics, Dining, and Student Employment

You can purchase discount  athletics  privileges, open a  Crimson Cash  debit account, and dine in the  various cafes on campus . 

Harvard Off-Campus Housing

Harvard University Housing has engaged Off Campus Partners to create an  apartment rental listing for Harvard University Affiliates . On the site you can view maps, photos, and more. You are invited to post a listing for a small fee or search the site for free. There is also a free roommate matching section. 

Study Spaces and Collaboration

The  Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center  offers comfortable and convivial gathering spaces for Harvard University students, faculty, academic personnel, staff, and visitors. While three floors are open to the general public, ​ Harvard affiliates  have the option to reserve additional space.

In addition, the Harvard Library website offers the  Find a Space  tool that allows you to search for group study rooms; shows the availability of amenities like printers and scanners; and lists food and drink policies for the spaces.

Presidential Public Service Fellowship Program

The Harvard University President’s Office, with the generous support of an anonymous donor, has established the  Presidential Public Service Fellowship Program  to provide funding to students interested in pursuing public service work during the summer. Deadlines are in early February.

Office for the Arts at Harvard

The  Office for the Arts  at Harvard (OFA) supports student engagement in the arts and integrates the arts into University life. Through its programs and services, the OFA teaches and mentors, fosters student art making, connects students to accomplished artists, commissions new work, and partners with local, national, and international constituencies. The OFA enables students to explore an art form in depth and to work directly with professional artists in a wide range of classes, workshops, and apprenticeships. The OFA also sponsors Arts First, a weekend of artistic celebration each May.

Phillips Brooks House Association

Phillips Brooks House Association  is a student-run public service organization at Harvard University consisting of nearly 80 program committees and more than 1,800 student volunteers, and serves close to 10,000 clients in the Cambridge and Boston area.

To volunteer, attend the PBHA open house that is ordinarily held during the first of week of classes each fall and spring term.

Institute of Politics Forum

This Harvard Kennedy School institute hosts the  JFK Jr. Forum , the premier arena for political speech, discussion, and debate. The forum regularly hosts heads of state and leaders in politics, government, business, labor, and the media. Be sure to sign up for e-mails so you won’t miss an important event at the forum.

Writers at Work

The  Harvard Writers at Work lecture series  focuses on the ways that writing, by those at Harvard, connects academic and professional work and the broader public. The series is co-sponsored by many University entities, including the Harvard Extension School Journalism Graduate Program.

The Harvard Chaplains

The University’s interfaith coalition of chaplains,  Harvard Chaplains , offers on campus services and guidance for members of many world religions.

Office of Student Life

The Office of Student Life is the place to explore  student organizations . While some organizations are limited to Harvard College students, others are open to members of the entire Harvard Community. Once you find an organization that interests you, email the contact person to inquire if Extension School degree candidates can participate. Degree candidates have enjoyed participating in the Harvard Chorus, ballroom dancing, and much more.

Harvard Graduate and Professional Student Government

The  HGSG  is the official student government for all graduate and professional schools of Harvard University. If you are a master’s degree candidate, we encourage you to get involved.

Beyond Graduation

Harvard extension alumni association.

Alumni can attend the many events sponsored by the Harvard Extension Alumni Association (HEAA). For information about upcoming events, see the  HEAA website .

Harvard Alumni Association

Alumni of the Harvard Extension School also have access to the benefits of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). The HAA is the official alumni association of Harvard University, and it sponsors events, continuing education opportunities, and activities around the world. To find out more, visit the  HAA website .

Access to Other Harvard University Schools’ Student Services

Harvard Extension School makes no claim that as a Harvard Extension School undergraduate or graduate degree candidate you have full access to all Harvard College or Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) students services. Each of the 12 schools that compose the University—Harvard Extension School being one of them—is distinct from the other, with its own academic programs, reporting structures, and funding, among other attributes. These conditions justifiably permit each school to extend student services to other University populations at their discretion.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Featured Topics

Featured series.

A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts.

Explore the Gazette

Read the latest.

‘Be that voice for compassion, learning, understanding, and unity’

A joyful noise

Six receive honorary degrees

Harvard awards 9,262 degrees.

Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer

Totals reflect the 2023-24 academic year

Part of the commencement 2024 series.

A collection of stories covering Harvard University’s 373rd Commencement.

On Thursday the University will award a total of 9,262 degrees. A breakdown of degrees and programs is listed below.

Harvard College granted a total of 1,742 degrees. Degrees from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences were awarded by Harvard College, the Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School of Design.

All Ph.D. degrees are conferred by the Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

All figures include degrees awarded in November 2023 and March and May 2024.

Harvard College 1,742 degrees

• 1,686 Bachelor of Arts
• 56 Bachelor of Science 

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 1,293 degrees

• 326 Master of Arts
• 279 Master of Science 
• 10 Master of Engineering 
• 678 Doctor of Philosophy

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences 649 degrees

• 347 Bachelor of Arts (conferred by Harvard College)
• 50 Bachelor of Science (conferred by Harvard College)
• 10 Master of Engineering (conferred by GSAS)
• 137 Master of Science (conferred by GSAS)
• 25 Master in Design Engineering (conferred by GSD)
• 80 Doctor in Philosophy  (conferred by GSAS)

Harvard Business School 1,010 degrees

• 869 Master of Business Administration 
• 87 Master in Business Administration with Distinction
• 54 Master in Business Administration with High Distinction

Harvard Divinity School 131 degrees

• 55 Master of Divinity
• 62 Master of Theological Studies
• 11 Master of Religion and Public Life
• 1 Master of Theology
• 2 Doctor of Theology

Harvard Law School 804 degrees

• 171 Master of Laws
• 622 Doctor of Law
• 11 Doctor of Juridical Science 

Harvard Kennedy School 659 degrees

•  87 Master in Public Administration
• 226 Master in Public Administration (Mid-Career)
•  89 Master in Public Administration in International Development
• 232 Master in Public Policy
• 5 Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government (conferred by GSAS)
• 18 Ph.D. in Public Policy (conferred by GSAS)
• 2 Ph.D. in Social Policy (conferred by GSAS)

Harvard Graduate School of Design 318 degrees

• 84 Master in Architecture
• 28 Master of Architecture in Urban Design
• 59 Master in Design Studies
• 76 Master in Landscape Architecture
• 2 Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design
• 27 Master in Urban Planning
• 9 Doctor of Design 
• 33 Master in Design Engineering (conferred jointly with SEAS)

Harvard Graduate School of Education 747 degrees

• 717 Master of Education
• 1 Doctor of Education Leadership
• 29 Doctor of Education

Harvard Medical School 427 degrees

• 2 Master of Bioethics
• 1 Master of Healthcare Quality and Safety
• 2 Master in Clinical Service Operations
• 56 Master in Medical Science
• 182 Doctor of Medicine
• 184 Master of Science

Harvard School of Dental Medicine 56 degrees

• 17 Master of Medical Sciences 
• 6 Doctor of Medical Sciences 
• 33 Doctor of Dental Medicine 

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 599 degrees

• 402 Master of Public Health                                                      
• 168 Master of Science         
• 24 Master in Health Care Management                          
• 5 Doctor of Public Health                                                              

Harvard Extension School 1,501 degrees

• 170 Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies
• 1,331 Masters of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies  

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Electrical Engineering PhD

The Electrical Engineering PhD program studies systems that sense, analyze, and interact with the world. You will learn how this practice is based on fundamental science and mathematics, creating opportunities for both theoretical and experimental research. Electrical engineers invent devices for sensing and actuation, designing physical substrates for computation, creating algorithms for analysis and control, and expanding the theory of information processing. You will get to choose from a wide range of research areas such as circuits and VLSI, computer engineering and architecture, robotics and control, and signal processing.

Electrical engineers at SEAS are pursuing work on integrated circuits for cellular biotechnology, millimeter-scale robots, and the optimization of smart power groups. Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include developing methods to trace methane emissions and improving models for hurricane predictions.

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PhD in Electrical Engineering Degree

Harvard School of Engineering offers a  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)  degree in Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering , conferred through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Prospective students apply through the Harvard Griffin GSAS. In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select " PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering ​."

The Electrical Engineering program does not offer an independent Masters Degree.

Electrical Engineering PhD Career Paths

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies such as Tesla, Microsoft HoloLens, and IBM. Others have positions in academia at the University of Maryland, University of Michigan, and University of Colorado.

Admissions & Academic Requirements

Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering​." Please review the  admissions requirements and other information  before applying. Our website also provides  admissions guidance ,   program-specific requirements , and a  PhD program academic timeline .

Academic Background

Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. In the application for admission, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your degree program choice and your degree and area of interest from the “Area of Study“ drop-down. PhD applicants must complete the Supplemental SEAS Application Form as part of the online application process.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Not Accepted

Electrical Engineering Faculty & Research Areas

View a list of our electrical engineering  faculty  and electrical engineering  affiliated research areas , Please note that faculty members listed as “Affiliates" or "Lecturers" cannot serve as the primary research advisor.  

Electrical Engineering Centers & Initiatives

View a list of the research  centers & initiatives  at SEAS and the  electrical engineering faculty engagement with these entities .

Graduate Student Clubs

Graduate student clubs and organizations bring students together to share topics of mutual interest. These clubs often serve as an important adjunct to course work by sponsoring social events and lectures. Graduate student clubs are supported by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin School of Arts and Sciences. Explore the list of active clubs and organizations .

Funding and Scholarship

Learn more about financial support for PhD students.

• How to Apply

Learn more about how to apply  or review frequently asked questions for prospective graduate students.

In Electrical Engineering

• Undergraduate Engineering at Harvard
• Concentration Requirements
• How to Declare
• Who are my Advisors?
• Sophomore Forum
• ABET Information
• Senior Thesis
• Research for Course Credit (ES 91R)
• AB/SM Information
• Peer Concentration Advisors (PCA) Program
• Student Organizations
• PhD Timeline
• PhD Model Program (Course Guidelines)
• Qualifying Exam
• Committee Meetings
• Committee on Higher Degrees
• Research Interest Comparison
• Collaborations
• Cross-Harvard Engagement
• Seminar Series
• Clubs & Organizations
• Centers & Initiatives
• Alumni Stories

• Harvard Business School →
• College Students
• Who Are We Looking For?
• Class Profile

Application Process

• Application Dates
• Direct from the Director
• Videos and Recorded Webinars
• 2+2 Program
• International Applicants
• Reapplicants
• Need-based Application Fee Waiver

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Applicants to HBS must have the following:

A degree program at an accredited U.S. four-year undergraduate college/university or an international equivalent (unless you are a college senior applying to our 2+2 Program ). Equivalent programs include international three-year bachelor degree programs.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test taken in the timeframes on the chart below. The GMAT or GRE is a prerequisite for admission. We will accept the new, shorter GRE beginning September 2023. We will accept the GMAT Focus beginning with the 2+2 round in April 2024.

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.

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 U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (unless applying through the 2+2 program — please see information for college seniors). Degrees from international universities offering three-year baccalaureate degrees are valid equivalents.

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.

• There is no minimum GMAT or GRE to apply and we do not have a preference toward one test or the other. If you look at our class profile , you can see that we have a range of GMAT and GRE scores in the current first-year class.
• We will accept the new, shorter GRE beginning September 2023. We will accept the GMAT Focus beginning with the 2+2 round in April 2024.
• When submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GMAT or GRE score given on the day of the test, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must request that the testing agency sends an official score report directly to HBS. We accept online versions of the GMAT or GRE.
• We require you to complete the AWA portion of the exam; however, you do not need the results in order to submit your application. Note: If you took the online version of the GMAT prior to the addition of the AWA section (i.e. before May 20, 2021), we will accept those test scores without the AWA as long as they have not expired.
• Be advised that in order to apply for admission, 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 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.

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

There is one question for the Class of 2026 application:

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (900 words)

We invite you to share personal or professional experiences from your background that give you a unique ability to contribute to HBS. Try to remember to not overthink or overwrite in this essay; it is best to answer the question in clear and concise language that those of us who don't know your world can understand.

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.

Recommender 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. You do not need to have it in any special format. You can use whatever you would use to conduct a job search. 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).

• There is a nonrefundable application fee (credit card only) of $250 USD* to offset the cost of reviewing applications. All active duty military applicants do not have to pay the application fee.

If your annual income at your current or most recent place of employment is $65,000 USD or less, the need-based application fee waiver will automatically apply. If you do not automatically qualify but would like to request a fee waiver due to financial hardship, you may apply for a need-based application fee waiver after starting your application.

*Applicants to our 2+2 Program 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 Life Sciences
• MPA-ID / MBA

Special Instructions

• Student Applicants  (2+2)

‘There are no jobs’: PhD graduates struggle to build careers in academia

For the first time in decades, Ian Corbin has dental insurance.

Over the past 15 years, Corbin has been a doctoral student, an adjunct professor, and a postdoctoral fellow. And trying to scrape together a living has been tough. “I was always hustling,” he says.

When Corbin — who holds a PhD in philosophy from Boston College and works at the intersection of ethics and medicine — was a postdoc at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2019, he earned about $50,000 a year and had kids to support. “So I was always teaching classes in the evening and publishing articles as fast as I could. Just taking on really anything that anyone would give me,” he says.

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Corbin’s story isn’t unusual. For many of those with doctorates, who typically spend between four and seven years in graduate school, the employment picture is increasingly bleak, especially for jobs in academia.

Maren Wood, who founded a firm that helps those with doctorates find jobs, says that the market for full-time professors has collapsed. Between 2007 and 2020, the number of openings in philosophy dropped by roughly half. The number of openings in English fell by about 60 percent .

Universities staffed up to accommodate millennials, she says, and now they’re trying to cope with declining enrollments, which are predicted to continue indefinitely . “There’s nothing wrong with a PhD,” says Wood, chief executive of Beyond the Professoriate, whose platform is currently used by Harvard and BC . “The problem is there are no jobs.”

Wood holds a PhD in history, and her breaking point was in 2011 when she came in second place for a job thousands of miles away. The gig was a one-year position. In Reno. And she was told the pay wouldn’t even be enough to live on.

The woman doing the hiring encouraged Wood. “You came in second place!” she exclaimed.

“For what?” Wood asked.

Wood had hoped to be a professor. She had been a top student and earned her PhD from the University of North Carolina. But it didn’t take long to realize: Despite the fact that she had a prestigious degree, there were virtually no decent jobs in universities.

Often, those with doctorates serve as adjunct professors — sometimes while they look for a more permanent gig. To students, adjuncts and tenure-track faculty may appear to be the same. They have PhDs. Students call them “professor.”

But when it comes to stability, they’re worlds apart. Adjuncts rarely get health care. They’re generally paid between $3,000 and $7,000 per class, and you might have to drive considerable distances to get from one job to another.

Over 30 percent of nontenure-track educators in higher education make under $25,000 a year, according to a 2019 survey by the American Federation of Teachers . Another 30 percent make between $25,000 and $50,000 a year. But over the past few decades, the number of adjuncts has grown much faster than the ranks of full-time faculty.

The dearth of jobs has been particularly tough on those in the social sciences, humanities, and some sciences, including biology. Richard Larson, a professor of data, systems, and society at MIT, has noted that many professors churn out lots of doctoral students over the course of their careers — and a good chunk of those students would like to be professors themselves.

But the math simply doesn’t work. Only a few of those grad students — fewer than 20 percent — can get the sort of job that their advisers have. (Though there are certainly disciplines — including chemical engineering and computer science — in which graduates can find jobs fairly easily, often in industry.)

Kristina Aikens, who earned her PhD in English from Tufts University, initially tried to piece together a living as an adjunct. For a year and a half, she says, she was teaching four or five classes in two or three locations, which is a common — though brutal — workload.

Aikens doesn’t believe that doctoral students — particularly in humanities — understand the real threat of finding themselves in an unstable position. “I think people think it won’t happen to them,” she says. “It’s not because they think that they’re better than anyone else. It’s just a denial that they’re in.”

But the threat of job instability is considerable. Massachusetts is not only the state with the highest percentage of people with undergraduate degrees; it also has the highest percentage of those with graduate degrees . And while many of those degree holders are thriving, too many live in precarious situations — situations made all the more precarious by the extraordinarily high cost of housing in the Boston area.

So if the supply of academic jobs has waned, why don’t doctoral programs simply slim down and admit fewer students?

Most of the people I spoke with noted that professors may be loath to give up their graduate students because they genuinely enjoy working with them. Grad students can talk about esoteric areas of scholarship, built on years of deep study.

“I think that faculty want to believe that they’re doing good,” says Wood. “I think that graduate deans generally believe that graduate education does good. And the fact that universities have paid so little attention to career outcomes means that they don’t actually have good data to work with.”

It’s also possible that schools’ reluctance to admit fewer graduate students is financially motivated. Universities often run on the work of grad students, as the Boston University strike has demonstrated . Grad students teach sections of large classes. They work in labs. They perform in-the-field research.

“The business model only works with a lot of cheap labor,” Corbin says. “I think it’s bad. I think it’s bad for students. I think it’s bad for the classroom. I think it’s bad for the grad students and the perennial adjuncts.” But, he believes, doctoral students represent an enormous pool of untapped talent.

Corbin is now a tenure-track researcher in neurology at Harvard Medical School, with a secondary appointment in bioethics. It’s a job he likes, and life feels much more stable. “It’s becoming less desperate,” he says.

Aikens — who now serves as the program director of writing support at Tufts — says she doesn’t regret getting a doctorate, and she doesn’t think we should preclude people from pursuing that sort of intense study.

Coming from a working-class background in West Virginia, she had wanted to see if she could do it. And the six years she spent getting a PhD were hard. But she knew that success wouldn’t necessarily lead to employment:

“At my graduation, literally at the ceremony, I turned to my friend and said: ‘Should I apply to law school? Because I don’t think this is going to work out.’”

Follow Kara Miller @karaemiller .