How hard is it to get into Harvard's MBA program?
I'm currently a senior in high school and considering going into business after college. I know it's really early, but I've heard a lot about Harvard Business School and its MBA program. I'm just trying to get an idea of how difficult it really is to get accepted there.
Does anyone know what kind of stats or experience they look for? Like, is it mostly about your undergrad GPA, or is work experience more important? I'd love to hear from anyone who’s gone through the process or has insight on how attainable it is for someone who’s really motivated but maybe not a total genius.
Also, is there anything I could be doing now, even though I'm still in high school, to make myself a stronger candidate down the road?
Does anyone know what kind of stats or experience they look for? Like, is it mostly about your undergrad GPA, or is work experience more important? I'd love to hear from anyone who’s gone through the process or has insight on how attainable it is for someone who’s really motivated but maybe not a total genius.
Also, is there anything I could be doing now, even though I'm still in high school, to make myself a stronger candidate down the road?
6 months ago
•
86 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Harvard Business School's MBA program is widely considered one of the most selective in the world. For their incoming classes, the acceptance rate usually hovers between 9-12%. This means that, while not impossible, admission is highly competitive and goes far beyond just having strong stats or grades.
Your undergraduate GPA does matter, but Harvard really emphasizes well-rounded excellence. Most admits have a GPA above 3.6, but successful candidates can be above or below that number. Standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE) also count, and the middle 80% of scores for accepted students usually falls between a GMAT 680-760. That said, Harvard’s admissions committee looks holistically—they want to see rigorous coursework, strong leadership skills, and evidence of impact.
Work experience is very important. The average incoming MBA student is around 27-28 years old and has 4-5 years of professional experience. Quality of experience matters even more than job title or company. Harvard likes to see that you’ve made a meaningful impact: led teams, solved complex problems, and showed potential for leadership. For example, someone who started a small business in college or launched a major campus initiative could stand out just as much as a consultant at a top firm.
If you’re still in high school, focus on building the foundation: Aim for a rigorous undergraduate program at a respected college, pursue leadership roles in activities, and build strong communication and teamwork skills. Look for ways to make a difference in your community or school—maybe you could lead a club, launch a new project, or solve a real problem. An example: Starting a nonprofit tutoring program and growing it from three volunteers to a team that helps 50 students. Stories like these become the backbone for a compelling MBA application down the road.
Also, network and seek out mentors in business early. This can help you get meaningful internships in college, which contributes to the strong work experience HBS and similar programs value. The journey to Harvard’s MBA is long, but being intentional from high school onward puts you on the right track!
Your undergraduate GPA does matter, but Harvard really emphasizes well-rounded excellence. Most admits have a GPA above 3.6, but successful candidates can be above or below that number. Standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE) also count, and the middle 80% of scores for accepted students usually falls between a GMAT 680-760. That said, Harvard’s admissions committee looks holistically—they want to see rigorous coursework, strong leadership skills, and evidence of impact.
Work experience is very important. The average incoming MBA student is around 27-28 years old and has 4-5 years of professional experience. Quality of experience matters even more than job title or company. Harvard likes to see that you’ve made a meaningful impact: led teams, solved complex problems, and showed potential for leadership. For example, someone who started a small business in college or launched a major campus initiative could stand out just as much as a consultant at a top firm.
If you’re still in high school, focus on building the foundation: Aim for a rigorous undergraduate program at a respected college, pursue leadership roles in activities, and build strong communication and teamwork skills. Look for ways to make a difference in your community or school—maybe you could lead a club, launch a new project, or solve a real problem. An example: Starting a nonprofit tutoring program and growing it from three volunteers to a team that helps 50 students. Stories like these become the backbone for a compelling MBA application down the road.
Also, network and seek out mentors in business early. This can help you get meaningful internships in college, which contributes to the strong work experience HBS and similar programs value. The journey to Harvard’s MBA is long, but being intentional from high school onward puts you on the right track!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years