St. Gallen(HSG) MBF 2026 intake

Question

To all 2026 St. Gallen MBF applicants, On this thread, we can share updates regarding the MBF application process, ask questions, and share our profiles. Also, All the best to everyone in advance

TestTaker0 · Answer

I applied for MBF in early October, still waiting

Profile:
GPA 4.0/4.0
European target business school
Internships in MM IB and PE
GMAT FE 595
Toefl iBT 110
Extracurricular activities

I guess first round feeeback will be sent out on December 24?

Farru · Answer

Hi, I applied also first round just a couple of weeks ago. I am Italian, graduated from a canadian high school and then started my bachelor in EBE in the Netherlands.

- GPA 8.6 (5.7 Swiss)
- 665 GMAT Focus
- Currently doing a 5 months VC internship
- Been extremely active in student associations all throughout my second year
- Working part-time in a small startup as Startegy Director
- Volleyball captain (not sure but many say it's somewhat relevant)

I think responses are supposed to come either on the 24th or earlier as they say "by the 24th"

estieee · Answer

Hi,

I’m deciding whether I should apply in round 2 (January 31st) with my current GMAT score or if I should take more time to improve and apply in Round 3 instead (February 28th). How much would applying in Round 3 impact my chances? Do they really care about GMAT scores?

Also, I studied abroad for my undergraduate degree, but does being a Swiss citizen provide any admissions advantage? Are there quotas for domestic and international applicants?

Would appreciate any advice,

Thanks

Farru · Answer

It kind of depends on what your current GMAT score is. I talked with quite some people in this regard and they all said to first be comfortable with your GMAT score and then apply - Some people got in R3 - R4 with 655 even but of course GMAT weights quite a lot on the application so I'd make sure to be competitive on that.
For the Swiss citizen thing, maybe it does give an advantage but probably just marginally

estieee · Answer

Do you have any insight on what the average GMAT score is for this particular course? Thanks

Farru · Answer

I would guess around 665-675

Beginner_18 · Answer

Has anyone heard back something? I read on Reddit about people receiving waitlists due to the high number of applications this time in R1.

Farru · Answer

Did not receive anything here. Saw that too on Reddit, don't really know how to interpret the fact that I did not receive that email

Beginner_18 · Answer

I think many strong profiles like yours haven't heard back anything, so maybe they are being accepted in R1 itself. Let's see!

Farru · Answer

Just received letter of acceptance!!

Beginner_18 · Answer

Okay, WOWW. Congratulations!!

LukaT022 · Answer

Congrats!!! Did you receive an email and an update in the application portal?

finnflash · Answer

I've been admitted aswell, almost identical stats and background as  Farru , except im not italian and my internship is at a T2 management consuting firm.

Farru · Answer

Thanks a lot guys, I received an email saying I had 2 doucments on compass and one of those was the letter. Wish you guys best of luck, hopefully I'll see you at hsg!

BenTen10 · Answer

Hi guys,

received the letter of acceptance a couple of hours back as well!

Profile:
GPA 3.9/4.0
European target business school
2yrs professional experience in Sales & Trading at BB IB in Frankfurt
GMAT FE 655
Toefl iBT 116
Extracurricular activities

In case anyone looking to create a WA group please hmu

)

LukaT022 · Answer

Congrats! Is HSG your primary choice, or is it one of the other schools you are applying to? Also, if you don't mind giving reasons as to why.

Beginner_18 · Answer

Congratulations to all those admitted!:)
Could you all kindly share what kind of international experience or Extracurricular Activities you have had?

Thanks in advance

Cr7ismyson · Answer

Hey guys, I wanted to apply for the year of 2027, but I am so lost that I dont know which direction I need to go, and I have no one i can ask about this information. Can I ask some questions to yall?

1. I currently have a GPA of 6.5/10, but could end the bachelors degree with a 7.5/10, i know it is extremenly low for the MBF in St gallen, will my application be affected by my GPA a lot? P.S. My low grade is caused by some courses which are not relevant to MBF, for instance some economics history classes, is the GPA the selective? ( meaning they count the average of only relevant courses? or they do not care about relevance?)

2. I currently do not have any internships, but i own a business in barcelona where i work part time combining with my studies, i have 2 employees, but the business is not related to finance neither economics at all (I own 2 clothing shops). Will this business compensate my lack of internships in the relevant sector? I am currently planning to do a finance related internship next year, does the size of the company matter? or they only count the points by relevance?

3. Even though im studying in Barcelona, my degree is fully in english, do i still require to do the TOELF exam?

4. What actually counts as extracurricular activities? Because I was looking to do the CFI certifications, the FMVA and FPWMP. Will they add points to the extracurricular activities section? are they worth it? or should i spend that time studying the GMAT since I havent even started it yet?

5. Also i will probably do a summer school in the summer of 2026, which will be between 2 choices, either Barcelona School of Economic's advanced financial courses (a course related to private equity and one called advanced portfolio management) or either Univeristy of Zurich's Finance for the future (which is a introductionary course to finance, low leveled). Which one should i go for? there isnt like a "home advantage" with the University of zurich's summer school? since UZH and HSG are both located in the german speaking part of Switzerland.

Thank you guys in advance, i will apreciate if yall could answer.

Beginner_18 · Answer

I am helping with what I know and it maybe wrong:

1- I think they consider the GPA as a whole
2- Business can help your profile to be unique, but having some finance internships will be a boost for the MBF
3- They don't have a requirement for an English exam, it's upto you as the course is in English and you should be fluent enough to understand
4- Definitely these certifications will help, your business can be a great extracurricular. GMAT is a component unique to your profile, you need to work for it anyways
5- For your lower GPA, summer school with excellent grades can be helpful, also no idea about the home advantage

All the best!

St. Gallen(HSG) MBF 2026 intake

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