Category Archives: mba

I’m a professional athlete? What are my chances of getting into HBS?

I’m in the process of applying to HBS. I grew up in Russia, emigrated to Toronto, Canada when I was 15.
I graduated from Purdue business school with 3.6 (while being a student-athlete); had internships as a research analyst in Washington and in sales and trading in New York. And currently working part-time with a Sports […]

Free iPhone GMAT Prep for Ask The Harvard MBA Readers

Dear readers,
In addition to answering your questions, I also moonlight as an advisor to a number of different startups.  One of these startups, TestSoup, should be of interest to most of you.
TestSoup provides mobile flashcards for test prep on your iPhone or BlackBerry, so you can study for the GMAT (or GRE) whenever you have […]

Should I attend HBS or get a Masters in Finance from MIT?

“I have been admitted to both the HBS MBA and the MIT M.Fin.  I know I want a career in finance. Which one should I chose?”
–Edward
The Harvard MBA says:

Edward, congratulations on your achievement.  The good news is, there is no wrong answer.  You have two wonderful options.
I am not a finance expert (except for when […]

How should I organize my finances once I’m accepted to HBS?

I am a 25 year old who was recently accepted by HBS and I am trying to organize my finances appropriately. I will work until July of next year so I can save some cash, but should I also lower my 401k contribution? Additionally, did any of the students trade financial securities for their personal […]

Do I have any chance of getting into HBS being 180° away from the typical applicant? Am I too different?

I’m the polar opposite of the typical HBS applicant. My undergrad GPA wasn’t great and my degree is from the Harvard of contemporary music - Berklee. I’m 39, a woman and have vast entertainment industry experience working on records & films that people have actually heard of. I know HBS wants diversity throughout the student […]

I’ll be 32 when I start B-school. Will I be able to gel with younger go-getters?

I’m 31, and filling in my HBS MBA application forms - which means if I get accepted, I’ll be starting when I’m 32. I’m in the process of a career switch, from medicine to management - so the HBS Healthcare Initiative is perfect. But I’m slightly concerned at being in the older age group of […]

I’m Asian, Male, Average GPA and GMAT…Am I Doomed?

I’m a 26-year-old Asian-American male in the Software Consulting industry.  After careful consideration, I believe I would like to work in International Finance.  Is there hope for someone like me?  I’ve read some of your responses, and I seem to be a “too traditional” type of applicant.  Asian, male, average GPA, average GMAT (almost exactly […]

HBS versus Wharton for Entrepreneurs

Hi, I want to know your opinion about Wharton vs Harvard.
I’m considering both HBS and Wharton for my MBA , but I have some concerns about the learning model, the curriculum, etc.  I’m an entrepreneur and my company is focused on media and entertainment, so I need strong skills in management, finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, and […]

Should I join my friends in a new medical startup instead of going to b-school?

I applied and was accepted to both Wharton and Stanford GSB. I only applied after my parents practically begged me to do so after my last business (real estate) failed.
Although I fully understand their concerns, I still remain upbeat about the future and undaunted by my failures. I believe my parents got a bit spooked […]

How many graduating Harvard MBAs start their own businesses?

How many of the students that graduate at HBS open their own business? You mentioned that recessions are a great time to open businesses, what kind of business do HBS students open or get into?
The Harvard MBA says:
The entrepreneurship bug bites a lot of Harvard MBAs.  It is estimated that over the course of their […]