Harvard Business School 2+2 Application Process

The Harvard Business School 2+2 Program is available to undergraduate seniors and graduate students in their final year of study. HBS is particularly keen to welcome applicants with a proven track record of leadership, innovative thinking, and analytical skills. If offered admission, students are expected to work between 2 and 4 years before starting the program. Unlike other schools, HBS has a preference for certain groups of candidates — get more details here.

Furthermore, Harvard Business School particularly encourages STEM students to seek admission to the 2+2 program. In the 2023 cohort, 36% are math/physical sciences majors.

Once admitted, applicants are eligible for HBS need-based financial aid.

HBS 2+2 Program Application Process

Similar to most deferred programs, the HBS 2+2 MBA Program application process mirrors that of the full-time program. Please note that HBS also requires proof of fluency in English from international applicants who attended a university where the language of instruction is not English. The application process also includes three essays. The essay questions for the HBS 2+2 Program are as follows:

Part 1: Personal Essays (choose two- up to 300 words per prompt)

The HBS classroom and community thrive when we bring together people who can share a variety of perspectives. To get to know you better and how you will engage at HBS, please choose two of the three prompts below to tell us more about yourself:

• How have your experiences shaped who you are, how you lead, and how you will contribute at HBS?
• What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA?
• What communities have you been engaged with that have defined how you invest in others?

Part 2: Career Essay (up to 300 words)

How do the career plans you shared in the Career Plans section of the application fit into your current long-term career vision? What skills and/or professional experiences do you hope to obtain in the deferral period that will help build the foundation for your post-MBA career?

Check out Personal MBA Coach’s blog for tips on how to tackle the 2024 HBS 2+2 MBA Application essays.

As with the full-time MBA application, an interview is also required for admission to the 2+2 program. Interviews are granted on an invitation-only basis following application submission.

If you are looking for deferred MBA program consulting, Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you via our Deferred MBA Packages.