Harvard Business School Profile
There are several reasons that Harvard Business School is one of the top-ranked and most commonly recognized business schools in the world.One of these is simply longevity.
The HBS MBA program was the first of its kind in the world when it debuted in 1908. Another reason is the real-world applicability of its curriculum.
Students at HBS work closely together on more than 500 case studies throughout their time in the program, developing innovative strategies to deal with problems as diverse as distributor interruptions, personnel issues, and marketing challenges.
The HBS program maintains its relevance for current students with a focus on international business needs.
Over one-third of the program’s admitted students in recent years have been international students.
This is reflected in the program’s required case studies, which are typically comprised of at least 25% globally-focused cases.
Students in their first year of the program are now required to spend at least one week abroad in order to strengthen their global mindset as part of The FIELD course.
Competition for spaces in the HBS program is intense; for the class of 2016, only 12% of applicants were accepted.
However, with a post-graduation employment rate of 93% and an immersive curriculum that enables students to develop a microbusiness in their first year, Harvard Business School is a program that’s worth working hard to get into.
Curriculum Overview
The primary learning model at Harvard Business School is the Case Method, which was pioneered by HBS professors and which focuses on helping students to develop real-world leadership skills through complex analyses of true-to-life case studies.
Participation in case studies and classroom discussions typically accounts for 50% of a student’s grade, illustrating the emphasis faculty members place on these real-world decision-making exercises.
Important Dates & Application Deadlines
Harvard Business School typically has three windows, or rounds, where they accept applications: September, January, and April.
Admissions for the class of 2017 is closed as of April 6, 2015.
International students are encouraged to apply in rounds 1 or 2, to allow for additional time to complete visa requirements.
Resources
There are several opportunities for students to get to know the school including through regular information sessions on campus, off campus school presentations, and webinars hosted by the admissions board.
Tuition Cost
Harvard Business School’s yearly tuition is $58,875, plus a program support fee of $7,360.
Other fees, including student health services and insurance, room and board, utilities, and personal expenses range from $28,865 per year for a single student living on campus to $64,865 per year for a student with a spouse and two children.
Employment Info
From the class of 2014, 75% of graduates were actively seeking employment, and 93% of employment-seeking graduates received an offer.
Median base salary for graduates was $125,000, with a median signing bonus of $25,000.
School Address & Contact Info
MBA Admissions
Dillon House
Soldiers Field
Boston MA 02163
+1. 617.495.6128
Date Founded
1908 (world’s first MBA program)
Director of Admissions
Deirdre Leopold, Managing Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid
Class Profile (2014 Class)
919 matriculated students
60% men, 40% women
34% international students
24% U.S. ethnic minorities
43% majored in a business or finance subject for their undergraduate degree
34% received an undergraduate degree in a STEM subject
22% had an undergraduate degree in the humanities or social sciences field