While reputation is far from the be-all and end-all when it comes to selecting a college course, there are few universities that draw eyes to your resume, like Harvard.
The university is well known for its high-quality finance courses that attract high-achieving students from across the country and beyond.
The aim of this article is to break down everything you need to know about getting a finance degree from Harvard so that you can steer yourself towards a successful career in finance.
By the time you finish your reading, you’ll see exactly why having a finance degree from the institution is so sought after by employers in the contemporary job market, and you'll be able to make a more informed decision on whether or not it’s the right fit for you.
How to Get into Harvard
Usually, when you think about the pinnacle of an academic pursuit, you imagine yourself in your graduation gown, tossing your hat in the air after years of dedication and study.
Well, given how competitive it is to secure a place at Harvard, even getting a letter of acceptance is worthy of a pat on the back.
Given that the university’s finance courses have students from across the globe competing for a select number of spots, the criteria for entry is substantial.
While grades are certainly a focal point of the process, Harvard’s admissions process also leans on applicants who demonstrate community engagement, leadership in extracurriculars and personal qualities
Entry Requirements for Harvard's Finance Degree
If you are eager to find out whether or not you qualify to study finance at the prestigious university, then reviewing the grade requirement will give you an idea of where you are and help you manage your expectations.
If you are looking at undergraduate admission for Harvard’s finance course, then your work will be cut out for you.
As mentioned, academic performance isn’t the only thing that’s taken into consideration, so if your grades fall a little bit short of this standard, you may not be ruled out just yet!
Out of the students who make it through the admission process to Harvard, 75.76% have at least a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher.
So, if you read between the lines, that’s a little shy of 25% who were accepted with a GPA south of this figure!
If you didn’t achieve the necessary results in high school, there is plenty of opportunities to make up for it if you achieve it in a qualifying undergraduate course.
In order to qualify for an application to the university, you’ll also need to have earned at least a B in related modules from your undergraduate course. This shows that you have the necessary foundation in the topic to keep up with the pace of a masters class.
The modules that you’ll need to knuckle down and attain these grades in are microeconomics or managerial economics, principles of managerial finance, and statistics.
Getting Accepted into Harvard
If you’re looking for some next steps in how you can get the ball rolling with your application process,
You’ll want to submit your official application to the program during the second semester of your third year of study in your college course. The appropriate application that you’ll need to complete is available on the Harvard website.
Adding to your already mounting checklist, you’re going to need to include a personal essay, a list of extracurricular activities, your undergraduate grades, and answer specific questions from Harvard.
Given that the university offers a master's degree in finance, you must possess a 4-year regionally accredited US bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent.
To round off the entry requirements needed to earn your spot on a finance course at Harvard, you’ll need a copy of your university reports and a glowing reference from two lecturers at your college.
One of the attractive things about the university is that it makes education accessible for all accepted students. Offering subsidies for students where the family’s annual earnings are below a particular threshold.
Overview of Harvard's Finance Degree Program
Given the more refined lens that comes with studying a subject at the masters level, Harvard’s Master of Liberal Arts (A.L.M.) provides an adaptable way for aspiring finance professionals to learn about their future career paths in an inclusive and engaging way.
Now, given that the course is a masters, you can expect it to come with with the associated workload and a continuous stream of assessments.
Throughout your time learning in the course, its curriculum will help you establish an understanding of finance fundamentals with modules focusing on financial planning, execution, assessment and investing.
Your path to working in the financial industry success begins with choosing among the best finance schools in the US, where academic excellence meets real-world opportunity.
Program Structure
Given the prevalence of online learning and how it has evolved over the past decade, the provision of the university portal is something that students particularly value.
This can make working part-time alongside your studies a bit more attainable, or the absence of commuting to your classes could lend some more time back to your study schedule.
There are, however, some components of the course that require you to be on campus, but the university offers weekend options for this which makes matters a little easier for those who are juggling their studies with other commitments.
One of the greatest facets of studying for the masters degree offered at Harvard is the opportunity for customization it presents students, allowing them to adapt their learning according to the career path they are aiming towards.
After completing critical foundation courses, such as investment theory, corporate finance, and business evaluation, you choose the finance electives that meet your learning goals.
Core Curriculum
👩💼 Business Analysis
💵 Financial Accounting
📈 Microeconomic Theory
When it comes to the core curriculum that all students who take on the challenge of a masters in finance from none other than Harvard, there is a substantial focus on financial principles and frameworks.
Some of the core modules that feature in the masters course are business analysis, financial accounting principles, microeconomic theory .
Finance students are also invited to delve into a broad range of electives throughout their time studying the master's course; they can really take charge of the direction in which they choose to steer their careers.
There is also a series of online courses that you can enroll in outside of your undergraduate or master's education at the university. These courses provide a great opportunity to learn more about many of the topics that underpin the modern financial landscape.
Some of the electives that are offered in the course are behavioral economics and decision-making, fundamentals of sustainable investing, and venture capital, so if you feel that any of these could help you in applying for your dream career in finance, you can add them to your list of modules.
Additionally, if you feel that sharpening your understanding of risk and return analysis, portfolio management, cost of capital evaluation and mergers & acquisitions will help you reach new heights in your desired career path, then this is the course for you!
You can rest assured that by the time you make it out the other end of the tunnel and graduate with a master's degree from Harvard, you’ll be more than equipped for any of the challenges that come with working in the contemporary business world.
Harvard's finance program covers four key areas of study: financial theory, investment management, corporate finance, and risk management.
A key area of focus will be finance, which will delve into subjects such as capital structure theory, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. This segment will cover the operations within corporations, including capital budgeting, capital structure decisions and managing working capital with the aim of enhancing shareholder value.
Risk management is another aspect you'll explore. This involves studying types of risks along with strategies for their mitigation while understanding the importance and benefits associated with risk management in settings. Additionally, you'll gain insights into instruments and hedging tactics.
Why Study Finance at Harvard
If you still find yourself on the fence regarding whether or not the university is the right option for you, then let’s look at some of the reasons for studying at Harvard.
The holistic curriculum it offers on the subject, coupled with the high regard the institution holds, could significantly impact your career trajectory.
By choosing to study finance here, you’ll be equipped to add value across roles in a multitude of industries, such as accounting, banking, biotechnology and financial management consulting.
The ability to manage your studies alongside any other responsibilities or commitments you might have is a massive factor that helps sway students off that fence.
Not only will you be studying alongside some of the world’s brightest throughout your time in the finance masters course, but these connections could lead to lasting friendships and valuable professional connections.
The icing on the cake and one resource that often gets overlooked is The Mignone Center for Career Success, which provides valuable guidance on careers, job opportunities, and connections with alumni mentors. It also hosts events like the Finance and FinTech Fair!
This support is incredibly valuable as you plan your career journey in the finance industry and gives Harvard an edge over some of the other leading finance courses in the country.
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