Harvard 2+2 Program

<p>I just saw an ad for the Harvard 2+2 Program for college juniors in the NYTimes today, did some research, and now I'm determined to apply.</p>

<p>I've always wanted to go to Business School after I graduate, but I really haven't put much thought into it... I had always imagined that I would go along the traditional route of finding a job after graduation, working for a few years, finally taking the GMAT and applying to Business School, but this program is very appealing because it guarantees you admission to Business School (kind of like those 7 or 8 year med school programs that colleges cater to high schoolers)... I'm a very risk averse person, so I really like the thought of being assured entrance to one of the top business schools.</p>

<p>Anyways, my major concern right now is my GPA. I am currently a Junior at Yale University, GPA of ~3.5 (I'll probably be able to pull it up to ~3.6 by the time I apply this summer). I know this is on the low side, but I screwed up freshman year so I'm still trying to recover. Internship wise, I received a fellowship for language study my sophomore summer, and freshman summer, I interned at Microsoft doing marketing/consulting work. Leadership wise, I am the president of a very large cultural organization here at Yale, and I also helped found an undergraduate literary magazine - so I feel my extracurriculars are definitely a strong point for me (another reason why my GPA might be so low).</p>

<p>So what do you guys think? Is it worth a shot? If I do commit to applying, it'll require me to start studying for the GMAT, figuring out which professors will write me recs, complete the application full of essays (fun! ;)), and of course, do a lot more research on business schools and the Harvard MBA program. I really have NO clue how Business School admissions work (and especially since this Harvard 2+2 is a completely new program), so I would really appreciate your input.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I recommend starting with the essays as most people find the writing process very self revealing. </p>

<p>Plan a day trip to Cambridge to visit both HBS and Sloan - both of them offer two very distinct favors. Sit in the classes and talk to students and adcom - they are usually very open to questions.</p>