Types of People that enter HBS

Well it comes down to this- what do you bring to the table that's HBS-worthy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush

These are the type of people who go to HBS.

i only know of one guy who got into harvard. he went to stanford undergrad, 2 years of ibanking, and 2 years of PE, both at absolute top firms. he didn't get into stanford FWIW.

i have no idea what your chances are... but you will never know if you don't apply!

Probably not, but an outside shot. Average gMAT is 710-720, and regardless of what they say, is major factor.

Big Problems: 3.3 - especially at state school. BO/MO

You would be a long shot at H/S/W but if you crafted a good app you would competitive at schools like UVA, UNC, etc but again you dont know if you dont apply

No problem keeping it real.

I will definitely apply but keep my other options open. Besides, I wish to go into trading, not banking...so I don't think I would need the MBA anyways. But yeah, I shall apply

Nothing against UNC or UVA, but you might be able to do a little better (with 720).

HBS in the past few years has really gone for the young ones. The overwhelming majority of the incoming classes these days are 24-26 year olds (in fact that group accounts for approx. 70% of this year's class - and if you add in the 27-year olds, 85% of the class is between 24-27).

Who's in this group? Around 50% of the class comes from IB/PE/VC/IM or consulting, and the overwhelming majority are going to be between 24 - 27. The good news is that there's still a lot who don't come from these backgrounds.

But age matters.

Also, in a recent admissions event, the HBS adcom had mentioned that one of the major pieces of feedback they got from recruiters was they wanted more white males (and from my colleagues in banking/consulting I can confirm that this sentiment is certainly there - whether you agree with it or not is another thing). Which sort of confirms what I've seen in the recent past as well -- in terms of "joe average" types, I've seen that the white dudes seem to have better luck in the process than others at HBS and Stanford, so long as you put together a strong application. This may run contrary to conventional wisdom, but given the deluge of Asian engineering dudes and whispered complaints of certain international students whose English and overall communication skills leave much to be desired (read: students from China, Korea and Japan), there is bound to be some push back from recruiters. This isn't my opinion per se, but what I've seen and heard directly from adcoms and recruiters. It's a big reason why they've been far more selective with respect to international applicants than in the recent past.

In your case, you could be a wild card candidate if you have notable extracurricular achievements - athletic, artistic, political, nonprofit/public service, etc and you're an American white guy (or gal).

It does make sense to me that HBS and others would be looking for more American candidates. With other factors equal, I would think a US bank/PE firm or consulting practice would prefer those who communicate with a high level of proficiency. Nothing against the foreign engineers or Indian IT people, but I would definately prefer a US candidate who communicates effectively and has some related experience even if it's industry finance. Not a big fan of the peace corps candidate either as I don't see the connection between that type of work and the business world. How long ago did you graduate from RU?

Pickup "65 Successful Harvard Business School Applications". It gives a pretty good insight about the wide array of people that get accepted and what they have done to do so.

a senior at RU.

I will be joining a Finance Division for a UK bank (Deutsche, Barclays, UBS). It most likely deals with controller groups and financial reporting groups.

I pray that I get to build some relationships w/ traders and then move in when the markets turn around (3 years?)

But if I realize it's a dead end, which is a high probability, I'd like to go to a bschool for an MBA and hopefully do something I like more.

And yeah, I figure one wouldn't even need an MBA for trading...but I don't know...at that age I'd want a boost in my salary ya?

Thanks for all the advice people.

And I'm Asian. :(

Thanks again for the input.

Who knows? Maybe in 3 years I'll do something extraordinary and find a nice cozy seat in HBS. Until then, life isn't so bad so I can't spend all my time wondering eh?

I appreciate the feedback from everyone really!

Thanks!

I know it's relatively knew, but does anybody know any statistics on the people accepted into the HBS 2+2 program? Thx for any information

Paradoxical

Guys--everyone has a chance to get into a top program. Grades, GMAT, etc. are all worth far less than most people realize. It is about selling yourself--why you need an MBA and why get it at a particular school, what you will bring to class discussions that no one else can, etc. That's what matters.

In my MBA class the amount of diversity was amazing. Yes, on day 1 you're blown away by the guy who created a business in his spare time in high school and then sold it for tens of millions before getting his MBA, or all the guys with literally gold-plated resumes. But after about the first week the ones who add to the experience are the military guys (I was one), the peace corps people, the kids who literally de-wormed orphans in Somalia, etc. That's the value of b-school--not sitting around with the 100 kids in your class who worked at McKinsey or the 100 who worked at Goldman.

"HBS adcom had mentioned that one of the major pieces of feedback they got from recruiters was they wanted more white males"

wtf are you smoking? just because colleges don't like asians doesn't mean they like white ppl

Tomorrow 10 EST on CNBC - There's a special on HBS.

HBS GRADS NEVER GET LAID OFF AND ALL WILL BECOME GOLDMAN PMD'S AND EVENTUALLY BILLIONAIRES....GIVE ME A BREAK

I personally know an HBS grad who worked for 19yrs at JPM and was recently laid off.

if you are over 28 your chances of admission to HBS are virtually zero. exceptions for servicemen, oddball candidates such as older tech-nerd who sold company for $500mm, or pro athlete

Monument Man - what is your basis for that? I've heard that HBS is looking for younger applicants, but to say that nobody over 28 can get in isn't true - I have a friend at HBS that is 31.

And he's not military, a pro athlete, or sold a business - he just did banking at Goldman for two years

HI everyone! Having read over your comment, I too would also like some input as to whether I am competitive as a prospective applicant for HBS. The following are my qualifications:

School: USC Undergraduate Junior Age: 20 (on Dec 20 :D) GPA: 3.7 GMAT: 730 first attempt (can try to get a 740)

Work Exp: Worked full time since summer following my Senior year of High school up until the beginning of this year. I will also work this upcoming summer and senior year of college. (2.5 years +1 Sr yr)

Field: Real Estate finance, property management, real estate development. I also specialize in gas stations (built and operated) and I have Chevron and BP relations.

An Extra Something: fluent in Farsi (Persian language), Proficient at Golf, can make replica of Steinway antique grand piano out of dark chocolate (Google " chocolate antique grand piano").

Also, I would like to mention that the reason why I would like to go to HBS is to make it out on my own (mostly without my fathers help), self made if you will.

What say you? :D

I think you should go for the 740.

HBS provided the resume book to my bank for the purposes of recruiting associates. (Dang that post is over a year old).

Just ask the people who get in. Decisions come out for R1 today.

I know a 2007 Virginia Tech graduate got in at the age of 23 (1-year out of school). So there are all types.

Will be 29, but I fit Mountain Man's profiling. I was kind of shocked at how young all of the schools seem to be. That or I might just be getting old.