Harvard Business School has announced its MBA application deadlines for the Class of 2027, a full month later than usual. Despite speculation about potential changes to the essay prompt under new managing director of admissions and financial aid, Rupal Gadhia, Harvard decided to stick with the same prompt that has been used for over a decade, asking applicants to share more about themselves in 900 words.
The application deadlines were posted without a formal announcement or blog post from Gadhia. Leading up to the release of the deadlines, rumors had been circulating about potential changes to the application process. However, these were not officially confirmed.
For round one applicants, the deadline is set for September 4th with final decisions being released on December 10. Round two candidates have until January 6 to submit their applications, with final decisions expected by March 26. The announcement also stated that the application dates for the 2025 2+2 deferred admission process would be updated in late summer of 2024.
Harvard Business School’s MBA program is known for being highly competitive and selective, with an admission rate of just 13.2% last year. Application volume at HBS has decreased for the second consecutive year in 2023, with a decline of 1,624 candidates over the past three years. This trend has also been observed at MIT Sloan during this period.
Overall, prospective students should begin preparing their applications well in advance of these deadlines to increase their chances of getting into this highly competitive program at Harvard Business School.
It is important to note that despite changes in leadership and management at HBS’s admissions department, some aspects of their application process remain consistent over time. This includes their use of essays and other written components as a way for applicants to demonstrate their skills and experiences.
If you are interested in applying to Harvard Business School’s MBA program for the Class of 2027 or any future class, it’s recommended that you start your preparation early and work on honing your skills and experiences through various extracurricular activities and work experience opportunities.
