Harvard 2+2 chances: should I apply?

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I've been lurking a bit in this forum after stumbling upon Harvard's 2+2 program. I've read a lot of the threads that deal with the topic, and believe I have a pretty good hold on what HBS is looking for - motivated leaders, non-business majors, etc. I was wondering if those more familiar with the program could give me some advice about the application process, my chances, as well as any additional comments.</p>

<p>My info:</p>

<p>Rising Senior at a top 25 public university</p>

<p>Majors: Philosophy-Politics, Urban Studies (Policy and Administration concentration)
Minor: History
GPA: 3.58 (3.8 since sophomore year - very strong upward trend/challenging course load including graduate classes and directed studies)</p>

<p>I have also worked two jobs simultaneously to put myself through school, one for the university and the other at a local cafe. I was recently promoted to a management position for the university job.</p>

<p>I have been very involved in the campus radio station (ranked top 10 by MTV - not USN&WR, but still...), participating as a 4 year music and news DJ, as well as having held a paid Engineering Director position during my sophomore year. I was recently hired as Station Manager for the coming year, a position that is paid and entails hiring and managing 10 directors to work day-to-day at a fully student run station with a fairly large operating budget and about 50 staff members/DJs.</p>

<p>Additionally, I am completing a "B.Phil" thesis through my school's honors college with an advisor. I should have stellar LORs, one coming from my former manager at the university job who oversaw my work for the 2 years before I was promoted to the management position, and the other from a professor. I have also done some writing for a student-founded non-profit that comments on campus and local news. Lastly, I am currently participating in an internship with a public sector consulting firm working with grant writing and strategy.</p>

<p>I was originally set on the law school route, but this seems like a really interesting alternative. I am trying to decide if it is worth eating, sleeping, and breathing GRE prep for the next 9 weeks to take the GRE in time to make the October round application deadline. My main concern is that my GPA isn't as high as it could be. Part of me thinks that I could apply for the January round to give myself a little GPA boost with next semester, but I dont know if this is necessarily worth it. </p>

<p>Let me know what you guys think!</p>

<p>My understanding is that the 2+2 program seeks three types of students:

  1. The engineering/hard sciences type interested in tech start-ups.
  2. Social sciences/humanities type interested in public interest and non-profit start-ups.
  3. Humanities type who have good shots at HYS for law school (3.85+ GPA). I actually know someone who got in 2+2 with an English major, 3.9+ GPA, 175 LSAT (which he mentioned in his application).</p>

<p>I think that you have a shot, but this program may not be the most appropriate one for you.</p>

<p>You should try to boost your GPA and found a start-up (or do something else that is going to make you stand out).</p>