Harvard MBA: The Complete Guide to Admissions

Harvard MBA Class Profile: GMAT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and GPA

Admissions Statistic	Class of 2022 Numbers
GMAT Score Range	620-790
Median GMAT Score	730
Average GPA	3.70
GRE Score Range	Verbal: 148–170 Quantitative: 145–170
Median GRE Score	Verbal: 163 Quantitative: 163
Average Work Experience (Years)	4.7
Women	322 (44%)
U.S. Ethnic Minorities	329 (45%)
International Students	242 (33%)

Sources: Chart data from HBS website

Additional sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

How to Get Into Harvard Business School: Admission Requirements

GMAT Scores for Harvard: The Range

When you’re applying to business schools, shooting for a Harvard acceptance can feel like seeking the holy grail of MBA admissions. There are so many factors that go into business school admissions. Getting your GMAT score around the average Harvard GMAT score is difficult—but possible. After all, the admissions office did accept more than 850 students in its class of 2022.

So what does this mean for you and your GMAT score? Take a look.

The average GMAT score for admitted students in Harvard’s class of 2022 was 730. And, actually, the median GMAT score for Harvard’s incoming classes of 2020 and 2021 were also 730. Therefore, to get a good GMAT score for Harvard, you need to score a 730…right?

Not necessarily! Average scores can be misleading. Score ranges are more telling. Harvard Business School admitted—and has historically admitted—students with a huge range of scores. In this year’s class profile, students scored between 620 and 790.

Shocked? Surprised? Excited? Remember that 50% of students admitted to Harvard Business School got lower than the average score of 730. In fact, in previous years, students with 480 and 510 scores on the low end have gotten in, though in both cases, this was so exceptional that it was newsworthy.)

Remember that the GMAT is only one part of your application. As far as Harvard is concerned even an 800 score may not be enough, on its own, to get an admit. Likewise, those scoring around 620 on the GMAT have demonstrated they are exceptional candidates in other ways.

• Aiming for a 700 GMAT score range is ambitious, but doable—this video outlines how you can reach it!

If your scores are in the “questionable” or “shot-in-the-dark” ranges, I highly recommend you do some serious GMAT prep or consider the GRE as an alternative, a test that is now well-accepted at HBS. Although statistics show there is still a slight bias towards GMAT applicants, if you can score much better on the GRE, that is without a doubt the way to go. Your extra laurels may be able to get your foot in the door, but why not make their decision easier by giving them scores that are going to raise fewer eyebrows?

Application

Harvard’s MBA application process is made up of three stages. In the first stage, you submit your written application. IF you manage to impress with this, you’ll be invited to an interview. Lastly, you’ll have to complete a post-interview reflection within 24 hours of the interview conversation. You can get more info on how to approach this with Magoosh’s complete guide to the Harvard MBA application.

Essays

Writing essays requires a lot of introspection about what you stand for, why you want to get your MBA from Harvard, and what you want to do with it.

The admissions committee at Harvard looks for three key characteristics in applicants:

1. A habit of leadership
2. Analytical aptitude and appetite
3. Engaged community citizenship

You will want to demonstrate that you possess these qualities throughout your application. As well as introducing yourself and your achievements, you’ll also want to show a logical and well-researched career plan. Take a look at our complete guide to the Harvard Business School essay to give yourself a headstart. Remember to be authentic and to focus on your story, rather than the story you think admissions officers want to hear. 

Other Requirements

In addition to the long essays, your resume, your GPA, and your test scores, there are also short questions you’ll need to answer. You can think of these as short essay questions because a decent amount of time and energy should go into them. is not something you can come up with overnight. These shorter essays ask you about your post-MBA career plans, your employment, and extracurricular activities.

You’ll also need to choose recommenders who can favorably compare you to your peers and describe a piece of constructive feedback they’ve given you.

Harvard MBA Curriculum

Most MBAs will cover the same curriculum – core subjects like marketing, business finance, and accounting; more specialized electives; and some exposure to entrepreneurship. What sets Harvard apart is the caliber of its students and professors and the school’s approach to teaching business.

Harvard is not only one of the top MBAs in the world. It is also the first MBA in the world. Harvard’s MBA is over 100 years old and the school continues to be a pioneer in business education. The case method of teaching started at Harvard and is still an important part of the HBS approach. The case method is a way of learning where the class analyses a case – a real situation from a real company. The class then discusses different aspects of the company’s challenges and their recommendations for that company.

The case method gives you a chance to put yourself into a business leader’s shoes. Just like real life, the information is complex and many perspectives need to be considered. Another advantage of the case method is that different students, from diverse backgrounds, can give their points of view. It is often said that you learn as much or more from your peers in an MBA program as you do from your professors. The case method encourages everyone to give their view. Harvard Business School then gives students a chance to apply their learnings through an experience-based curriculum.

Is an MBA from Harvard worth it?

Graduating with a Harvard MBA gives you access to 150 alumni career programs and an alumni network spanning from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Ann  Sarnoff  CEO of Warner Bros, and Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg. And if that’s not enough, a  fair share of senators, ministers and even a US president (George W. Bush) also graduated from HBS. 

Harvard MBA Employment Outcomes

A look at the employment data from Harvard from 2021, shows the median base salary for graduates is $150 000.  Over half of graduates get jobs in consulting or finance roles. 85% The rest work in a diverse range of industries.  85% of the class gets jobs in the US.

But the return on investment of an MBA is not only about your first job. The career benefits will compound over your entire career.

Don’t forget that having the experience, the friendships, and the transformational leadership lessons will also last a lifetime.

Set on Harvard but not the MBA per se? Here are some other Harvard programs that accept GMAT scores:

Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Harvard Graduate School of Education

And if you want to explore additional options along with Harvard, our Magoosh’s Top MBA Programs article is a great place to start!

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