Harvard Business School (HBS) has started accepting applications for the MBA Class of 2020 with Round 1 deadline for submission of online applications on September 6.
The notification of the MBA admissions board’s decision for the first round will be on December 12. Round 2 Application deadline is January 3, 2018, with the admissions board’s decision on March 21, 2018.
Round 3 Application deadline is April 2, 2018, with admission board’s decision on May 9, 2018.
The application date for 2+2 applicants, the deferred admission application process for current students, who are either in college or a full-time master’s program, is April 10, 2018, with the admissions board’s decision on May 30, 2018.
Class of 2020 applications received after September 6 will be considered in Round 2. Applications received after January 3, 2018, will be considered in Round 3. Applications received after April 2, 2018, will not be considered. Since 2+2 applications have a single deadline of April 10, 2018, applications received after that date will not be considered.
HBS says it is advisable to put in the application in the first or second round, as space in the class may be limited by the third round.
Among the advantages in applying early is that for international students will be able to tackle their visa requirements in a less stressful atmosphere. Some of the candidates, who are not proficient in English, would also get enough time to enhance their language capabilities.
Some candidates may also be required to complete preliminary course work prior to their enrollment.
Many deadlines for outside (non-Harvard Business School) fellowships are in early spring. Only students who have been accepted are eligible for these fellowships.
Financial aid (loans and need-based HBS Fellowships) is available regardless of when students are admitted. However, the application deadline to be considered for need-based HBS Fellowships is June 30. (Loans are available throughout the school year).
While students can apply for financial aid only after they are admitted, Round 3 admits may get lesser time to prepare their application.
Eligibility & Application Process
You must possess a 4-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent, GMAT or GRE test results. For Round 1, the test should have been taken between September 6, 2012, and September 6, 2017. For Round 2, it should be between January 3, 2013, and January 3, 2018, and for Round 3, between April 2, 2013, and April 2, 2018.
For 2+2 applicants, the test should have been taken between April 10, 2013, and April 10, 2018.
Those who have attended a non-English undergraduate program will have to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE test results.
As far as citizenship is concerned, 651 (69%) are from North America, 610 (65%) from the United States, 130 (14%) from Asia, 95 (10%) from Europe, 40 (4%) from Central/South America, 16 (2%) Africa and 9 (1%) Oceania.
The Application, along with supporting documents, should be submitted to HBS online by the application deadlines. The documents include Transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions that you have attended (full- or part-time). GMAT/GRE scores, TOEFL/IELTS/Pearson Test of English (PTE) where applicable.
The others are the essay, two recommendations, resume, acceptance of policies and the fees.
Once the written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited for an interview. Within 24 hours of the interview, candidates are required to submit a written reflection through HBS online application system.
Class Profile
A look at the preliminary profile of the MBA Class of 2019, with HBS yet to release the final figures, will give you a fair idea of the acceptance rate, student diversity and other details.
The total MBA enrollment is 941, culled from a total 10,351 applications. Eleven percent of the applicants were admitted with a yield of 91%.
Women at 394 comprise 42% of the class. US Ethnic Minorities at 242 form 26% of the class. International students at 331 representing 70 countries make up 35% of the class. Their average age is 27.
The GMAT – middle 80% range is 700-770 and median GMAT 730. Average GPA is 3.71
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As far as citizenship is concerned, 651 (69%) are from North America, 610 (65%) from the United States, 130 (14%) from Asia, 95 (10%) from Europe, 40 (4%) from Central/South America, 16 (2%) Africa and 9 (1%) Oceania.
In educational background, 421 students (45%) are from Economics/Business, 338 (36%) are from STEM, 182 (19%) are from Humanities/Social Sciences.
In Industry, 147 students (16%) are from Consulting, 15% each in High Tech/Communications (141) and Venture Capital/Private Equity (142), 103 (11%) from Financial Services, 7% each in Govt. Education & Non-Profit (68), Health care/Biotech (67) and Other Services (66).
The rest are 6% each in Consumer Products (59), Energy/Extractive Minerals (59) and 5% each in Industrial/Heavy Manufacturing (49) and Military (40).
