<p>I'm currently going to community college (unfortunately) and following a set path to try to get into University of Texas- Austin. However, my ultimate goal and dream is to go to Harvard Business School.</p>
<p>I've been talking with a few college counselors back and forth, and they informed my that the only way I'll have a chance at going to Harvard is if I do very well at a another school first, and go for Harvard for my masters. UT is the #5 undergraduate business school for management, and I'm fairly sure that I'll be going there, as I've discussed it with their admissions counselors.</p>
<p>However, here are my thoughts: I've been looking into the Harvard Extension School and thinking that maybe if I go there instead and do very, very well while getting a liberal arts bachelors, it will look more appealing in the eyes of an HBS graduate admissions officer than UT would.</p>
<p>Has anyone ever heard of a successful HES student going to HBS or any other Harvard graduate school for their masters degree?</p>
<p>Has anyone ever heard of a UT student who went to Harvard for their masters either?</p>
<p>You are pretty much bass ackward in all of your thinking here. Harvard Extension School is for older students whose education got interrupted. The University of Texas is a fine institution that offers tons of opportunity and is well-respected, I'm certain, at Harvard (assuming you do well and get enthusiastic recommendations). Harvard Business School takes very few students directly out of college -- your work experience after college (and what your bosses and co-workers say about you) is as important as your academic performance in college. Probably more important. Doing an undergraduate business program will not be a plus, though.</p>
<p>I don't know of specific Texas grads at HBS. But I can tell you that one of my best friends in law school -- not Harvard, but quite comparable -- was a Texas grad who was #1 in his class, President of the Law Review, and clerked for the Supreme Court. I also knew the Editor-In-Chief of the Texas Law Review in my year (who had also been a Texas undergrad), and she was very, very impressive.</p>
<p>Go to Texas. Work hard. Do well. Get some experience in the business world. Then -- and only then -- think about whether you want to invest the time and money necessary to get an MBA, research the differences among programs, and pick some to which to apply (just like college: reach, match, safety). Maybe Harvard will be on that list, maybe it won't; there are many fine business schools, some of which may be even better (or better for you) than Harvard.</p>
<p>JHS, thanks for clearing that up. You mentioned that doing an undergraduate business program will not be a plus. Will it be a negative? I've also highly considered engineering (electrical or mechanical) as a major, which UT is also amongst the top ranked. I have equal talent and passion in either subject. What would you suggest?</p>
<p>I think there's a certain amount of chauvinism at elite business schools, and the attitude about undergraduate business majors is "Ooof, we have to get them to unlearn all sorts of crap before we can teach them the good stuff." I don't think it's really a negative -- and I'm sure all the top b-schools have plenty of students who were business majors in college. But if you are really indifferent between business and engineering (hard to believe) and your goal is to go to an elite business school (which, as I tried to say above and below, is sort of a messed-up goal at this point in your life), I think the field that actually teaches you something substantive in meaningful depth -- engineering -- will make your application stronger. Engineering competency is a big plus in much of the business world.</p>
<p>That said, business school is a means to an end, not an end in and of itself. And that goes triple for any particular business school. You go to business school because there's something you want to achieve and an MBA will help you do it. You go to Harvard Business School because its program fits what you want/need.</p>
<p>jballentine, I am a grad student at Harvard, through the Extension School. Yes, there are students who go from HES to HBS and to all the other grad schools at Harvard. There is not an advantage in one school over the other in order to gain admission to HBS. Both are equal and viable options. The most important point to consider today is: What do you want from your undergraduate experience?</p>
<p>If you need to maintain an 8-5 day job in order to live and pay bills, then I am certain you greatly appreciate the flexibility Harvard Extension School offers. In addition, you will have access to use the Harvard Business School library and the opportunity to take classes from Harvard professors, including HBS. If you are able to fund undergraduate tuition via private money or student loans, UT is one amazing place. The undergraduate experience is something you will appreciate long after graduation. </p>
<p>For admission to HBS: No matter your school, get the best grades possible. That is your focus today. You will need to work a few years after graduation. If you are a traditional full-time at UT, be sure to do internships during your summers. This will give you the work experience and exposure to business that others may not have at graduation. You can quickly move up the ladder at that stage. If you attend HES, work hard at the job you have and try to gain as much exposure to the business and management as possible. Harvard Business School looks for leaders, try to be one today.</p>
<p>JHS is correct. You didn't make it very clear as to why you want an MBA or why HBS is the right program for you. When looking at undergrad institutions, you should be more concerned with how that program will help you land the type of job that you desire.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Just talk the classes that you enjoy because the higher grades will follow. Don't stress about it too much. Enjoy the time that you have as an undergraduate student. And it is true that you should get the best grades possible in all of your classes.</p>