Harvard Business School HBS

Dear reader,

I am currently a high school senior who will be attending university next year. I will be taking the GMAT soon in preparation for HBS, other than a 4.0, internships, and a 800 GMAT what can I do to prepare for HBS? (Given that most of those who apply will have all of those)

15 Comments
 
Best Response

DROP OUT OF SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY, that is your biggest mistake. You should then become a janitor at Harvard and get discovered for your genius-level scribbles on chalkboards around campus, perhaps solve an unsolvable formula just for kicks. Once recognized for being the genius janitor you are all you have to do is ingratiate yourself with a kind professor. After that 800 GMAT just apply with said Professor's letter of rec (describing your chalk-board scribbling, unsolvable formula solving, genius ofc,) and you're good to go.

p.s. Do not let your non-genius best friend drag you into Southie drama, that'll ruin your chance at HBS.

Array
 

in all seriousness i would say start caring less about a 4.0 and an 800 and start caring more about having direction and even further, deciding that program is actually a good fit for you. Why do you want to go there? If you can't answer that question, you will not get in.

Develop a passion and run with it. I doubt there is a single student there right now who has a 4.0/800, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were some who got rejected.

Also GMAT is only good for 5 years, and you will probably need some work experience before you apply...so don't take the GMAT "soon".

 

If you haven't even started college, your first step really needs to be focusing on getting the best job you can (for you depending on your aspirations/interests/passions) out of undergrad, which of course also means having a high GPA, good leadership experience, etc. You shouldn't be planning on an MBA yet. That step should be made if needed once you've started your career.

 

If this isn't a troll post, first ask yourself "why"?

What is your end goal, and what steps do you need to take to get there. People get caught up a bit too much in the prestige of certain undergraduate and graduate schools. You need to remember that these schools are a means to an end, and should not be an end goal in and of itself.

HBS is a great school, and many friends have enjoyed their time there. Doors will open for you because of the school's reputation. However, if you can achieve the same goals without the 2 year opportunity cost, tuition payments, and extracurricular expenses, wouldn't that be preferable?

 

Et qui praesentium et et. Ipsum eligendi rerum temporibus sunt necessitatibus alias est. Dicta aperiam eos illum consectetur perferendis.

Perferendis nemo consequatur reprehenderit voluptas nisi. Similique laboriosam alias vel aliquid quibusdam ad facere. Aspernatur aut in perspiciatis quos et facilis. Voluptas deserunt inventore cum eos omnis. Non quia voluptate voluptas vero.

Ut totam et et repellat in nobis dolorem. Ipsa non corporis provident cupiditate. Ullam tempora impedit voluptate architecto qui omnis voluptas ducimus. Dicta cumque assumenda doloribus consequuntur ducimus ex. At corrupti voluptas dignissimos porro labore. Deserunt dolore consequuntur soluta possimus minus possimus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”