For the Class of 2027, 9,409 people applied for 943 places in Harvard Business School’s two-year MBA, and every part of the application is read for one thing: what you have done, what you will do, and how you think. MBA Center has helped candidates from Europe into HBS since 2012, including admits from ESCP, HEC Paris, Centrale and UCL. We help you plan your test, write the three new HBS essays, brief your recommenders and prepare for the interview and its written reflection.
Source: HBS class profile. 44% of the class submitted the GRE, 34% the GMAT Focus and 28% the 10th edition GMAT. HBS has no minimum score and no test preference.
Round 1 has closed. A Round 1 application submitted late is moved to Round 2, but a late Round 2 application is not considered, so build in a margin. Test scores must be dated within five years of your round’s deadline. Graduating students should read about the HBS 2+2 and other deferred MBA programmes. Source: HBS application process.
Our older HBS essay analysis covers the previous single-essay format; the essays above replace it.
HBS invites a share of applicants to a 30-minute interview with a member of the Admissions Board, held on campus, in hub cities or by Zoom. The interviewer has read your file closely, so questions are specific and often follow up on your essays and career choices. Within 24 hours you submit a written reflection through the application portal.
• Mock interviews with an interviewer who has read your file, so you practise answering detailed, unscripted follow-ups. Interview preparation → • Reflection planning: how to add something new rather than summarise the conversation • Waitlist strategy if you are placed on the HBS waitlist. Waitlist strategy →
GMAT scores above are on the classic GMAT (200–800).
Read our Wharton and INSEAD guides, compare with London Business School and HEC Paris, or start with MBA admissions consulting.
An honest view of your chances at HBS and a balanced school list. Plan ahead →
GMAT Focus or GRE, timed so your score is ready well before your round.
Choosing the experiences that belong in each of the three essays, the CV and the recommendations.
Your Head Coach and Personal Coach review every draft. Final review →
Mock interviews and a plan for the 24-hour reflection.
Our all-in On the Road to a Top MBA package covers HBS and five other schools. Read more about how we work.
For the Class of 2029, HBS asks for three required essays: a business-minded essay of 300 words, a leadership-focused essay of 250 words and a growth-oriented essay of 250 words. An optional essay lets you add context not covered elsewhere.
HBS has no minimum score. For the Class of 2027 the median was 685 on the GMAT Focus Edition (middle 80%: 645–735) and 730 on the 10th edition GMAT. HBS also accepts the GRE, with a median of 164 Verbal and 164 Quant, but not the Executive Assessment.
Round 1 closed on 9 September 2026. Round 2 closes on 5 January 2027 with decisions on 25 March 2027, and the 2+2 round for final-year students closes on 28 April 2027.
The Class of 2027 had 4.9 years of work experience on average, with the middle 80% between three and seven years. Final-year students can apply earlier through the HBS 2+2 programme.
After a 30-minute interview with a member of the Admissions Board, you have 24 hours to submit a written reflection through the application portal. It is a chance to add something new rather than repeat the interview.
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