MBA Student Life

dmateer25 wrote:Hi Katharine, Puja, & Zack!

It's great to have you all answering questions on the forum.

I have a few questions.

What has surprised you the most thus far at HBS?
How is the internship hunt going? Is it better than you expected? Did you start preparing yourself for interviews as soon as you arrived on campus?

gkumar wrote:Thanks for all the great discussions. Where does one go to look for scholarships online and early?

zzackrison wrote:

gkumar wrote:Thanks for all the great discussions. Where does one go to look for scholarships online and early?

Great question! If you find out, let me know!!

On the topic of financing, it isn't easy. But so far, I haven't had any trouble getting the loan money that we have needed. As many people point out, going to business school for most people is not a sound financial decision. You give up salary, you take on massive amounts of debt, and when you get out, you are not guaranteed to make more than you did before (though hopefully you will).

It is really a personal decision that you make for a variety of reasons... not a get rich quick scheme!

fibbonnaci wrote:hey Zack/puja/ Katherine,
What is that one class and one professor that you would not like to miss?

money9111 wrote:You obviously get really close with the people in your study group... and your section... but what about the other 820 students? To me it seems like you'd be really close with the 80 or so, but not so much with the rest. Is this true?

gkumar wrote:Hello, I am interested in learning more about Harvard. I have several questions:

1) What attracted you to Harvard first over other top-tier schools? - I wanted to have an east coast experience and I loved the idea of the Case Study method. I've been extremely happy with both.

2) Does Harvard have any industry mentoring program to get real world exposure to various careers within your academic specializations? - I don't think there are any formal mentoring programs, but there is no shortage of ways to get insight into career options. You have access to thousands of Alumni and during your second year can take your own path and pursue an Independent Study project of your choice with a faculty adviser. The Career Services center also has excellent resources for getting insight into different industries, with panel discussions, visiting business leaders, Q&A sessions, etc.

3) What strategy and financial consulting initiatives exist where you can get hands-on experience? - There are several programs and opportunities. A few that come to mind are: 1.) Volunteer Consulting. You provide your strategy consulting services for free to a local non-profit organization. 2.) The New Orleans IXP. This is similar to the volunteer consulting, but you work with faculty and students to partner up with companies in New Orleans still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. 3.) Independent Student Research projects where you often develop a relationship with a company and help them with a strategic decision.

4) What's your favorite class so far and why? - It is hard to pick one, each has so much to offer!!

5) For those interested in a career in finance or even Wall Street, how do you deal with recruiting at a distance from Chicago or New York, the typical major financial hubs? - I'm not interested in that kind of career, but I know people are traveling ALL THE TIME, not just to NY and Chicago, but all over the country.

6) When is the best time to visit campus? Is the summer time before Round 1 applications a good time? - NOW! I think the fall is best but I would certainly recommend anytime when there are classes in session that you can visit. If you come soon, you might make it before the winter comes and freezes everything!

Thanks in advance!