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For candidates aiming for top business schools in Boston, GMAT scores are the "hard currency" that opens the door to the school, but what is more easily overlooked is the "hidden chip" of accommodation planning. Boston, a city home to world-class business schools such as Harvard, MIT and Simmons, attracts tens of thousands of applicants every year. However, its accommodation market, which is characterized by "tight supply, high prices, and a shortage of rooms during peak seasons", often puts the prospective MBA students who have received offers in a passive position. In fact, starting accommodation planning immediately after taking the GMAT not only helps avoid the peak rental period during the August and September school opening season, but also enables you to secure high-quality properties that are "within walking distance" and "well-equipped" at a lower cost. This article will focus on three popular targets: Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan School of Management (Sloan), and Simmons School of Business. It will break down the core advantages of "renting a place early after GMAT" and provide a precise matching guide for "GMAT score - target business school - accommodation area". Help you achieve a seamless transition from a high GMAT score to a guaranteed admission to an MBA program.
Why Rent An Apartment in Advance after GMAT?
The student accommodation market in Boston has a distinct "tidal pattern": from May to September each year is the period when the competition for housing is the fiercest, with rents rising by an average of 15% to 20% compared to the off-season (October to April). In popular areas, there is even a phenomenon of "price hikes to secure a place". For MBA applicants, the GMAT exam is usually completed before the application season (it is recommended to be before October), which coincides with the "window period" of the rental market - landlords often offer discounts such as "one month's deposit waived" and "10% off rent" to lock in tenants in advance, providing a wider range of housing options. The specific advantages can be summarized into three points:
1. More relaxed housing selection: From "picking up bargains" to "selecting the best"
High-quality student apartments around Boston Business School, especially in Cambridge and The Back Bay Area, have a low turnover rate throughout the year. During peak seasons, they are often rented out within 1-2 days of being listed. After the GMAT (October to December), if you start your search, you will have ample time to compare apartment types (Studio/1B/2B), facilities (24-hour study rooms, gyms, kitchen configurations), and commuting (walking/subway time). You can even negotiate with landlords to seek additional benefits such as "furniture upgrades" and "flexible lease term adjustments".
2. Rental costs drop by 20%: Avoiding the "price bubble" during the back-to-school season
Take the Cambridge area as an example. Data from 2025 shows that during the peak season, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $4,200 per month, while during the off-season, the rent for the same type of apartment can drop to $3,500 per month, directly saving $700 per month. Calculated over a 12-month lease period, the total savings amount to as much as $8,400 - equivalent to the cost of half a GMAT training course. For students with limited budgets, this "time for cost" account is clearly a good deal.
3. Adapt to the environment in advance: A smooth transition from "exam preparation state" to "MBA rhythm"
After the start of the MBA program, the course pressure (such as the "RC Semester" at Harvard and the "Action Learning Program" at MIT) and social activities (industry lectures, alumni networking) are intense. If one temporarily rents a house, they are very likely to fall into the triple anxiety of "attending classes + viewing houses + moving". Check in 3 to 6 months in advance. You can get familiar with the surrounding supermarkets (such as "Trader Joe's" in Cambridge), cafes ("Tatte Bakery"suitable for group discussions), gyms (with apartment facilities or free resources of the school), and even get to know the MBA seniors in the neighbors in advance. Obtain "internal information" such as course previews and professor preferences.
Precise Matching of GMAT Scores with Accommodation Areas
Different GMAT score ranges correspond to different target business schools, and the geographical location of the business school determines the choice of accommodation area. The following provides matching suggestions for "score - business school - accommodation area" based on the median GMAT admissions of the three major business schools in Boston in 2025 (HBS 730, MIT Sloan 720, Simmons 680), to help you plan precisely:
1. GMAT 730+: Aim for Harvard /MIT and secure a core apartment in the Cambridge area
Why Rent An Apartment in Advance after GMAT?
The student accommodation market in Boston has a distinct "tidal pattern": from May to September each year is the period when the competition for housing is the fiercest, with rents rising by an average of 15% to 20% compared to the off-season (October to April). In popular areas, there is even a phenomenon of "price hikes to secure a place". For MBA applicants, the GMAT exam is usually completed before the application season (it is recommended to be before October), which coincides with the "window period" of the rental market - landlords often offer discounts such as "one month's deposit waived" and "10% off rent" to lock in tenants in advance, providing a wider range of housing options. The specific advantages can be summarized into three points:
1. More relaxed housing selection: From "picking up bargains" to "selecting the best"
High-quality student apartments around Boston Business School, especially in Cambridge and The Back Bay Area, have a low turnover rate throughout the year. During peak seasons, they are often rented out within 1-2 days of being listed. After the GMAT (October to December), if you start your search, you will have ample time to compare apartment types (Studio/1B/2B), facilities (24-hour study rooms, gyms, kitchen configurations), and commuting (walking/subway time). You can even negotiate with landlords to seek additional benefits such as "furniture upgrades" and "flexible lease term adjustments".
2. Rental costs drop by 20%: Avoiding the "price bubble" during the back-to-school season
Take the Cambridge area as an example. Data from 2025 shows that during the peak season, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $4,200 per month, while during the off-season, the rent for the same type of apartment can drop to $3,500 per month, directly saving $700 per month. Calculated over a 12-month lease period, the total savings amount to as much as $8,400 - equivalent to the cost of half a GMAT training course. For students with limited budgets, this "time for cost" account is clearly a good deal.
3. Adapt to the environment in advance: A smooth transition from "exam preparation state" to "MBA rhythm"
After the start of the MBA program, the course pressure (such as the "RC Semester" at Harvard and the "Action Learning Program" at MIT) and social activities (industry lectures, alumni networking) are intense. If one temporarily rents a house, they are very likely to fall into the triple anxiety of "attending classes + viewing houses + moving". Check in 3 to 6 months in advance. You can get familiar with the surrounding supermarkets (such as "Trader Joe's" in Cambridge), cafes ("Tatte Bakery"suitable for group discussions), gyms (with apartment facilities or free resources of the school), and even get to know the MBA seniors in the neighbors in advance. Obtain "internal information" such as course previews and professor preferences.
Precise Matching of GMAT Scores with Accommodation Areas
Different GMAT score ranges correspond to different target business schools, and the geographical location of the business school determines the choice of accommodation area. The following provides matching suggestions for "score - business school - accommodation area" based on the median GMAT admissions of the three major business schools in Boston in 2025 (HBS 730, MIT Sloan 720, Simmons 680), to help you plan precisely:
1. GMAT 730+: Aim for Harvard /MIT and secure a core apartment in the Cambridge area
- Target business schools: Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan School of Management (Sloan).
- Accommodation area priority: Core of Cambridge > Edge of Cambridge.
- If you score 730 or above on your first GMAT exam, immediately start a search for core apartments in the Cambridge area. Prioritize one-bedroom or two-bedroom shared apartments that are within walking distance to school and take advantage of off-season discounts to secure properties.
- If you plan to aim for a score of over 750 in the second exam, you can first rent a short-term rental apartment in the Cambridge area. While preparing for the exam, you can get familiar with the environment. After the scores are released, you can directly renew the lease or change the apartment.
- Target business schools: Simmons Business School (main applicant), Harvard /MIT (Aim high, strong internship/application essay required).
- Priority of accommodation areas: Core of the Back Bay > South of the Back Bay > Edge of Cambridge.
- If the principal applicant Simmons is directly looking for student housing Boston in the Back Bay Area, it is recommended to share a 2-bedroom apartment in 345 Harrison at $2,200 per person per month, balancing cost and convenience.
- If you are aiming for both HBS and MIT at the same time, you can choose to view properties in both the Back Bay and Cambridge areas. Use the "refundable deposit" to lock in 2-3 alternative properties to avoid being in a passive position after the scores are released.
- Target business schools: Simmons School of Business (guaranteed), other business schools in the Boston area (such as Northeastern University D'Amore-McKim, Bentley University).
- Priority of accommodation area: Allston/Brighton> Back Bay South (> Alewife, Cambridge.
- First, rent a shared apartment in the Allston area to save the budget with a low rent and invest in GMAT for the second time.
- At the same time, pay attention to Simmons' "score exemption policy" (some programs exempt those with more than three years of work experience from GMAT). If you meet the requirements, you can directly lock in a property in the Back Bay Area without having to score.
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