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Harvard Business School Online's Business Insights Blog provides the career insights you need to achieve your goals and gain confidence in your business skills.

 
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How HBS Online Helped Me Succeed at Harvard Business School

HBS Classroom
  • 29 Aug 2017
Chris Hutchens Author
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Having just been accepted to Harvard Business School, I knew I would soon be surrounded by a sea of people who were masters of disciplines completely foreign to me. And the languages they would speak were economics, finance, and accounting. Interest coverage ratio? Cross-price elasticity? EBITDA?

This made me nervous. And knowing full well I would be expected to keep up with the demanding course load despite my non-business background motivated me to do something about it. So when I was introduced to HBS Online's CORe program as a structured way to prepare for the MBA curriculum, it was an easy decision to enroll.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but HBS Online blew me away. It was crystal clear how every concept being taught applied to tangible business situations because that’s how it was presented—through real examples. In fact, this aspect of HBS Online was a nice introduction to how material is taught at HBS using the case method.

The structure of the online platform was also central to why HBS Online was so effective for me. I had never before seen a group of people so engaged in not only learning the material themselves but also ensuring no question posed by the group was left unanswered. This atmosphere made it comfortable to ask questions and motivated me to help answer others’ when I could.

Credential of Readiness (CORe) - Master the fundamentals of business. Learn more.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but the MBA courses at HBS effectively assume students already know most of what’s covered in HBS Online's CORe program. So without HBS Online, there’s no doubt I would have struggled. I even used my Financial Accounting notes during a few HBS final exams. And I still recall Ace Ticket when thinking of creative ways to capture a customer’s full willingness to pay.

Finally, HBS Online has continued to pay dividends even after completing my first year at HBS. I recently launched a startup-focused podcast and have found myself utilizing many of the tools I learned through HBS Online, like assessing market demand for a new product and executing effective A/B tests.

If you’re considering completing CORe prior to beginning an MBA program and you don’t have a background in economics, finance, accounting, and statistics, I strongly recommend it. It was certainly worthwhile for me.

Are you interested in developing a foundation in business? Explore how our CORe program can prepare you for an MBA.

About the Author

Chris is pursuing an MBA at Harvard Business School and is the creator of Founders Unfiltered, a podcast that interviews founders to expose the fears, mistakes, and vulnerabilities associated with starting a company.

Prior to HBS, Chris was an engineer designing medical devices for Johnson & Johnson. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and is motivated to help people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

 
All FAQs

Top FAQs

How are HBS Online courses delivered?

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We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

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No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

How do I enroll in a course?

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All programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly from program to program, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation from HBS Online. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk email folders and double-check your account to make sure the application was successfully submitted.

Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your Dashboard. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

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No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

What are my payment options?

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We accept payments via credit card, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

We also allow you to split your payment across 2 separate credit card transactions or send a payment link email to another person on your behalf. If splitting your payment into 2 transactions, a minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

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After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

 

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