Harvard Graduate School: Complete Admission and Preparation Guide

Harvard University comprises several graduate schools, each a leader in its field.

Harvard Business School (HBS)

• Flagship program: MBA (2 years)
• Ranking: #1-3 worldwide depending on year
• Class size: ~930 students
• Cost: ~$115,000/year (fees + living)
• Characteristic: Case method (100% case studies)

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

• Programs: MPA, MPP, MPA-ID
• Focus: Public leadership, policy, development
• Size: ~500 students/year
• Cost: ~$90,000/year
• Ideal for: Future public sector leaders

Graduate School of Education (HGSE)

• Programs: Ed.M., Ed.D., Ph.D.
• Focus: Education, educational policies
• Duration: 1-3 years depending on program
• Ideal for: Education leaders

Other notable schools

Popular joint programs

• HBS/HKS: MBA/MPA or MBA/MPP (3 years)
• HBS/HSPH: MBA/MPH (3 years)
• HKS/Law: JD/MPA (4 years)

HBS is the most prestigious business school in the world. Here's everything you need to know.

HBS MBA Program

Structure:

• Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
• First year: Required Curriculum (RC) - all together
• Second year: Elective Curriculum (EC) - personalization

Pedagogical method: The Case Method

HBS exclusively uses the case method:

• 500+ case studies during MBA
• Class participation mandatory (50% of grade)
• Intensive preparation each evening
• Learning groups of 6-7 students

Class profile

• Applicants: ~10,000/year
• Admitted: ~930 (rate ~9%)
• Average age: 27 years
• Average experience: 4.7 years
• Median GMAT score: 730
• Median GRE score: 328
• Women: 45%
• International: 37%

HBS admission criteria

1. Habit of Leadership: Demonstrate a leadership pattern
2. Analytical Aptitude: Analytical ability (GMAT/GRE + academic)
3. Engaged Community Citizenship: Community contribution

HBS MBA Deadlines

No Round 3 - HBS only has 2 admission rounds.

Recommendation: Apply in R1 if possible to maximize scholarship chances.

For those targeting public leadership and development, HKS is the world reference institution.

HKS Programs

Master in Public Administration (MPA)

• Duration: 2 years
• Profile: 7+ years of experience
• Focus: Executive leadership in public sector
• Size: ~200/year

Master in Public Policy (MPP)

• Duration: 2 years
• Profile: 0-3 years of experience
• Focus: Public policy analysis
• Size: ~150/year

MPA in International Development (MPA-ID)

• Duration: 2 years
• Profile: 3+ years in development
• Focus: International development, economics
• Particularly suited for African candidates

HKS admission criteria

Typical MPA profile (for Africans)

• Management position in government or NGO
• Measurable impact on a policy or program
• Clear vision for return to country
• GRE score: 160+ Quant, 160+ Verbal

HKS scholarships for Africans

• MasterCard Foundation Scholars: Full funding
• Edward S. Mason Program: For leaders from developing countries
• Public Service Scholarships: Need-based
• HKS Merit Scholarships: Merit-based

Test scores are an important but not determining element of your Harvard application.

GMAT for HBS

Target scores:

• HBS median: 730
• 80% range: 700-760
• Competitive score: 720+
• Solid score: 700+

Recommended breakdown:

• Quant: 48+ (ideally 49-51)
• Verbal: 40+ (ideally 42-44)
• AWA: 5.0+
• IR: 6+

GRE for Harvard (HBS, HKS, others)

HBS target scores:

• Median: 328 (V:164 + Q:164)
• Competitive score: 325+

HKS target scores:

• Median: 324
• Competitive score: 320+

Recommended preparation

Recommended resources

For GMAT:

• Official Guide GMAT
• Manhattan Prep
• Target Test Prep (Quant)
• Liwaza (preparation adapted for francophones)

For GRE:

• ETS Official Guide
• Manhattan Prep
• Magoosh
• Liwaza

TOEFL/IELTS

• Minimum TOEFL: 109+ iBT
• Minimum IELTS: 7.5+
• Possible exception for native English speakers or graduates from English-speaking universities

Essays are the most important element of your Harvard application. It's your opportunity to stand out.

HBS Essay (MBA)

HBS asks for a single open essay:

"As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?"

HBS essay strategy:

• No word limit (recommended: 750-1000 words)
• Tell what doesn't appear in CV
• Show your personality, values
• Connect your past to future aspirations
• Be authentic, not what you think they want to hear

HKS Essays

HKS asks for several essays depending on program:

Essay 1: Policy area of interest

• What public policy area interests you?
• Why this area?
• What impact do you want to have?

Essay 2: Leadership and impact

• Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership
• Measurable impact
• Learnings

Essay 3: Career goals

• Post-HKS objectives
• How HKS will help you
• Return/impact plan

General Harvard essay tips

✅ Do:

• Be specific and concrete
• Quantify impact when possible
• Show logical progression
• Connect past-present-future
• Be authentic

❌ Avoid:

• Generalities and clichés
• Repeating CV
• Being too humble or too arrogant
• Generic essays applicable to any school
• Lies or exaggerations

Harvard is committed to making its programs accessible through a generous scholarship system.

HBS Scholarships

HBS Fellowship

• 50% of HBS students receive a scholarship
• Average amount: $40,000/year
• 100% need-based (no merit scholarships)
• Automatic application with admission

HKS Scholarships

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

• Coverage: 100% fees + living + travel
• Eligibility: African citizens
• Criteria: Leadership, community impact, financial need
• Commitment: Return to Africa after studies
• Very competitive: ~200 scholars/year for all Harvard

Other funding sources

Government scholarships:

• Fulbright (by country)
• Bilateral scholarships
• National scholarship programs

Loans:

• Harvard Student Loans (for eligible)
• Prodigy Finance
• Local loans

Estimated total Harvard budget

African candidates have unique assets for Harvard, but also specific challenges to overcome.

Your assets as an African candidate

✅ Geographic diversity

• Harvard actively seeks diversity
• African candidates are relatively rare
• Your unique perspective is valued

✅ Challenging context

• Leadership in difficult contexts is highly valued
• Impact with limited resources impresses
• Resilience is a sought-after trait

✅ Impact potential

• Planned return to Africa demonstrates clear mission
• Harvard values candidates who want to "make a difference"

Challenges to anticipate

⚠️ Standardized tests

• Less access to preparation resources
• Solution: Structured preparation with Liwaza

⚠️ Recommendation letters

• Recommenders sometimes less familiar with US format
• Solution: Detailed brief for your recommenders

⚠️ Financing

• Very high cost
• Solution: Apply to all available scholarships

Recommended strategy

1. Ideal timeline (18 months before)

• Months 1-4: Test preparation (GRE/GMAT)
• Months 5-6: Take tests
• Months 7-10: Essays and application
• Months 11-12: Submission and interview preparation
• Months 13+: Interviews and decisions

1. Apply to multiple schools

• Harvard is not the only option
• Diversify your applications
• Aim for 5-8 programs total

1. Get support

• Coaching for essays and strategy
• Structured test preparation
• Feedback on positioning