Alert!

Harvard Business School - Campus Life & Culture


About a third of the student body lives in on-campus dorms – this option meant for students living alone and is assigned through a lottery. Many other students live in University-affiliated apartments, located throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. These are open to all students, and are popular among students with families. The Housing office will also help students find other off-campus options not affiliated with Harvard.

The Spangler Center on the HBS campus is a place to unwind, meet with project team members, and grab a bite to eat. It houses 29 project rooms (with white boards and high-speed Internet connections), two dining options, a post office, a copy center, student lounges, and various MBA administrative offices. Students also have access to a large fitness center on the HBS campus. It includes an indoor track, workout equipment, various classes, and basketball, racquetball and tennis courts.

Culture

Students at Harvard Business School are part of a storied institution with a dense network of connections and resources. The volume of cases, research and publications which the school puts out each year is part of what makes Harvard unique. Ideas are exchanged at nearly 20 conferences each year, and at speaking engagements which take place regularly.

Since the campus truly is self-contained, there is a sense of community among students within the business school. Diversity in each incoming class adds richness to the ideas exchanged in class and the experience of being a student there.

A number of extra-curricular events take place each year that offer a break from intense academic work. Events include the Newport Ball, Holidazzle, Section Olympics, First-Year Thanksgiving Dinners, Movie Nights, and the HBS Show - a musical theater production, written, produced, directed and performed by members of the HBS student body.

On top of the $41,900 tuition, room, board and expenses bring the estimated cost of the 9-month academic year to $73,300. About two-thirds of students receive some form of financial aid, including loans and fellowships.

With one of the largest and most influential alumni networks around, Harvard Business School is very well-connected. It is backed by an endowment that dwarfs those of other business schools in the U.S.

Student Clubs and Activities

Student organizations are responsible for bringing many distinguished speakers to campus each year. They host conferences, trips, career fairs, and social events that enrich the MBA experience. Conference topics in 2007-2008 include: Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital & Private Equity, Business in Africa, and Hispanic Leadership.

More than 70 clubs offer opportunities to make professional connections, serve in leadership roles, become involved in the community, and have fun. Options include supportive cultural clubs, sports groups, topical career interest organizations and clubs for partners and families. The following is a partial list:

Exploring Boston and Cambridge

Boston has something for everyone: a wealth of history, a robust cultural scene and energetic night life. Boston’s public transit system is quite extensive, making it relatively easy to get across town with or without a car. The campus is in Cambridge, about 5 miles west of Boston. Cambridge is home to Harvard Square, numerous ethnic dining options, pubs and boutiques.

Whether it’s a walk along the harbor’s edge, a tour of historic homes, or shopping on Newbury Street, there are plenty of fun areas of the city to check out. On days when the Boston climate is best enjoyed from the indoors, head over to the Museum of Fine Arts, listen to the Boston Symphony, or visit the Museum of Science. The city’s various neighborhoods warrant exploration, each has a unique personality. And you’ll find a Dunkin’ Donuts in each and every one.

When it’s time to get out of the city, Cape Cod’s beaches, the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont, and charming New England coastal towns are all within easy reach.