2023-2024 Application Cycle: Special Note for Round 2 and Round 3 Applicants Invited for an MBA Interview
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Unfortunately, there’s no way to answer to this question with certainty, as business schools do not publish figures oninterview invites.
It is safe to guess that MBA programs interview approximately double the number of people they intend toadmit. 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: outstandingapplicants will have a better chance both pre- and post-interview.
- Less competitive applicants—with lower GMAT scores, sub-optimal employers, and a less prestigiousundergraduate 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 foryour MBA interview—with someone who has interview experience and an understanding of the program you’reapplying to.
Menlo Coaching offers personalized, professional MBA interview preparation, tailored to your specific targetprograms.
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
| Acceptance Rate | 14% |
| GMAT Median | 740 |
| GPA Average | 3.73 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 4.9 |
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:
- Harvard
- 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.
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%).
Do You Have Enough Time to Apply in Round 2?
Take our quiz and find out whether you should submit in Round2—
or whether you should wait to apply next year.
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
- Deloitte
- Morgan Stanley
- U.S. Navy 12
- Accenture
- Bank of America/Merrill Lynch
- JP Morgan
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
- The Complete Guide to MBA Admissions
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