<p>I don’t know if I’m really interested in the programme; I haven’t even started college as yet (currently on a deferral year), but it seems interesting to me because it levels the playing field for non-business types and actually creates a model that is appealing to someone like me who isn’t even interested in investment banking or the corporate world. I had certain questions though. Does getting into the 2+2 leverage your position in the job market? Also, are there any specific types of industries or areas HBS wants you to work in before entering the programme or are you free to do maybe something like volunteer/non-profit work in lieu of those two years of “work experience”?</p>
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<p>LMAO… dude its HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL and the mba that you get is no different than the one you get applying normally</p>
<p>is it too late for me to apply to 2+2 as a 6th semester electrical engineer at UF (i graduate after semester 9), with no internships or job experience?</p>
<p>bankthis, I’m not talking about the MBA you get, but the two years preceding one’s entry into the MBA programme. Usually college graduates have no idea if they’ll make it to HBS in junior year or for that matter, immediately after graduating from college. What makes the situation unique is that one has his/her acceptance much before one even enter the job market, and perhaps it’s too soon to tell what kind of influence that has, but I’m guessing it will leverage one’s position. Of course, it depends on the industry and the kinds of jobs one is interested in.</p>
<p>students with an HBS 2+2 acceptance in hand are basically a form of signalling to employers “well HARVARD thought I was good enough for them, so I’m probably good enough for you too”</p>
<p>Yeah, works well, ilovebagels. The entitlement would be enough to get you any job, I suppose. What Harvard has done is pretty revolutionary and should change a lot of things vis-a-vis the entire “business school track” one follows through college and thereafter; I wonder if any other top business schools are going to follow suit.</p>
<p>oh ok… well yea in that case it is going to be a plus (i guess you can say “leverage your job opportunities”) </p>
<p>and those students have good stats coming in anyway so with the resources that harvard provides it shouldn’t be too hard at finding a decent job… then you go to hbs</p>
<p>I’ve heard HBS is deliberately trying to make its classes younger and I’m guessing the 2+2 program is a big part of that. Already HBS has significant differences between it and Wharton et al. The average years of work experience at Wharton is 5.8, whereas at HBS it’s 3.5.</p>
<p>Let’s hope HBS likes my 2.0!</p>
<p>Has your 2.0 been entirely in Bombay, ilovebagels?</p>
<p>Not sure how relevant this is to your discussion, but as far as leveraging your position in the job market goes, I think 2plus2 himself has gone on record for saying that he’s almost found it difficult applying for some jobs having gotten into 2+2, because employers KNOW that you’ll only be there for 2 years, and although some jobs such as i-banking expect this turnover rate anyways, you have to think that not every English major who gets into 2+2 is on the IBD/S&T route (on the contrary, I’d probably argue it’s more likely that most students getting into 2+2 are NOT on the typical finance path), which could realistically affect your placement with some jobs looking for long term investments in new hires. </p>
<p>Just a thought to consider.</p>
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<p>No, the first year was in Bangalore, second year in Bombay. But yes, it’s all been in India. Internships were elsewhere, though…</p>
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<p>Yes, roneald, that is why I asked if HBS expects the people they accept to work only in finance/investment banking/consulting or explore other options as well. While the people accepted may be all top notch, their academic backgrounds maybe completely unrelated to business. They’re specifically looking for academic diversity, but a Classics/History major would perhaps find it hard to make a dent in the “numbers driven” industries. However, there are several areas that may not necessarily be considered conventional for a business school aspirant, that may welcome the same Classics/History major quite happily. Teach For America is an example. Even fits the two year bill, but I wonder if Harvard would accept that as work experience.</p>
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<p>Did you get placed through Penn? In any case, it’s great though that you came back to India to work. Most Penn graduates I know of, apart from the ones who have their father’s businesses to look after, don’t end up gaining significant work experience in India.</p>
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Yeah, or through their on-campus recruiting anyway.</p>
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Back to India? This job is the first time I ever went to India, haha. I’m a full-on gora.</p>
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<p>Oh. That must’ve been quite an experience then. Leading the expat life in India can be both exasperating and rewarding at the same time. Haha, I hope you had fun.</p>
<p>I’ve considered the TFA route as well, and I think it really just depends on the individual person. I would assume Harvard would be looking for more of a business based background than that though.</p>
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<p>True, true, and true. And I did :)</p>
<p>Well I still am, at least until my contract is up in July…</p>
<p>Oh, I somehow got the impression that you’d already left to deal with business school applications. I’m glad you’re still enjoying the relentless marvels of the Maximum City then. Good luck with everything that follows- from one Bombayite to another. :)</p>
<p>HBS doesnt expect accepted students to work in any particular field. You can work for TFA, be an RA in a lab or start a company. Thats the beauty of the program</p>
<p>Hope this clears your doubts.
(To ensure credibility, I was accepted to the 2+2 last year)</p>
<p>i got this from 2+2 FAQ site…</p>
<p>My undergraduate concentration is in a business-related field, and I have had a lot of business exposure. Is 2+2 the right program for me?
When the 2+2 Program was originally created it primarily targeted students who are not already on a business track (i.e. students studying the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, etc.). However, we are now encouraging students from all undergraduate majors to apply (that includes those with concentrations and experiences in business-related fields).</p>