I’m currently a junior in college. I have a 3.2 gpa (yeah I know) but I’m heavily involved in extracurriculars. I volunteer etc but I guess most importantly, I started a business (I became an engineer at an early age, used my knowledge to create new technology in the last two years) which made me quite rich. Can I get into Harvard business school? Do I still need to take the gmat?
All that self-made money and you still can’t google?
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/application-process/Pages/default.aspx
Thanks. Yes, I saw that already. I read in a magazine that someone got in simply by merit. I was just just curious.
I imagine if your name is Donald Trump or Oprah Winfrey you can get in by merit, but it’s the exception not the rule. Unless you are willing to donate your millions to the school, you have to apply like everyone else and take the GMAT.
I figured. I guess I’ll need to do something about my inflated ego first and foremost. Anyhow, I’m a biology major; beyond leading my own company, I don’t have much experience. So, I’d like to learn and apply new knowledge to my business; Harvard supposedly has the best business school in the world. What do you think my chances are?
chances are 0 . HBS doesnt care if you are a self made millionaire unless you are willing to donate millions . It is an academic institution Also Harvard has lots of wealthy kids and wealthy parents
I see. I think you mean close to zero, but regardless I understand your point.
Just curious - you’re a junior in college and you “became and engineer at an early age”? What do you mean?
How were your SAT/ACT scores? How is your college GPA?
For the GMAT, consider the prep classes, the study guides, etc. There are many fine B-schools where you can learn management and finance. Since you are not going into consulting or banking, you don’t necessarily need the status of HBS–you already have a thriving business.
This [rather optimistic] piece was interesting: http://www.mbaapplicant.com/mba_class_profiles.html
@Barfly Like many others, I wrote my first computer program at an early age, but it wasn’t until age 14 that I developed an industrial HMI that, to this day, controls machines in 6 PCB plants. I guess people started considering me an engineer around that time (is an engineer someone with a degree or someone who invents/designs new things? :)). Anyway although I don’t have a CS degree, I acquired the position of Lead Engineer at a tech company, before eventually leaving to pursue my own dreams.
@fauve I still have 2 years of college left (although I’m technically a junior, I took semesters off to develop my product). I can probably get my GPA to ~3.3 realistically. Currently at 3.2. I didn’t think ACT scores mattered for graduate school?
If it matters, I’m 21 years old right now. The average age for HBS seems to be higher.
Elsewhere you talk about 3.65 gpa and having than the MCAT, are you wasting people’s time?
@fr0z3nst111 --I asked about ACT to find out how well you test. If you can make a 700 GMAT I would hope with your business success they might allow a GPA under 3.5 .
Another very expensive option is the HBS Executive Education certificate program–there is no MBA or other degree granted, but the classes which meet in three week sessions a few times a year are geared to those who already have established companies. (Tyra Banks did the program a few years back and she has no college experience or, I bet, test scores.) You learn the essence of business mangagement, however you can’t call yourself a Harvard grad.
A word we are not allowed to use on CC anymore comes to mind.
@BrownParent Sorry about that. I was wondering about my chances if I got a 3.65 for the latter of the two years—according to a GPA calculator, my average for four years would then be ~3.3. Anyway, sorry I didn’t phrase it like that, so shoot me.
@fauve Thanks! I’ll take a practice GMAT exam and see how I do. The HBS Executive Education certification sounds awesome.
@TomSrOfBoston That doesn’t sound good… 
If you’re already a self-made millionaire and founded a successful business, why would you even want or need to go to business school? If you’ve already learned enough to do both, you’re not going to learn much more in business school. You could try executive education programs for specific gaps in knowledge.
Harvard “supposedly” has the best business school in the world?
Why not ask this in the business school forum?
OP: tomofboston cites the fact that your posting history says you’re a frustrated college Jr who is inquiring about med school. Now you turn up here being a self made millionaire CS prodigy. What gives?
med school, business school-- how about law school?