FAQ : What college should I go to if I want to get into HBS?

My ultimate goal is Harvard Business School.

What is the best track to reach this goal?

I have a few options that each have unique opportunity costs:

1] Go out-of-state to University of Illinois at Chicago.

This option is what I would like to do because it moves me into a setting where I am independant in my dream city. However this option also comes at great financial cost. I would most likely not be bringing in any additional revenue based on the strength of the courses and social life of this public university while maintaining a strong GPA.

2] Go in-state at Western Kentucky University or University of Kentucky.

This option allows me to enjoy the college experience (greek life, parties, etc) without paying the out-of-state tuition fees. However I would, most likely, not be working as the implications stated above with option 1.

3] Go to Owensboro Community College and then transferring to University of Kentucky after my associates degree.

Our community college has a 2+2 program that allows students to live at home and pay significantly lower tuition and then guarantees the same tuition of the community college at UK after obtaining your associates degree.

This option allows optimal financial gain with the low cost of tuition and allows me to maintain my current 30 hour work week that nets (after taxes) approximately $9.000 yearly (1 month sick/leave included).

As I have stated each of these options are viable but they all have unique rewards at varying degrees. You might notice that option 1 is based on want while option 3 is based on financial need. Option 2 seems to be a good middleground, however it seems as if I am more financial secure with option 3.

I am curious to your input, please do not be shy in your response!

Follow-up question:

If I decide on any of these options would I be eligible to transfer directly to Harvard after my associates degree with exemplary grades?

I have heard a ridiculously small amount have been accepted to Harvard as transfers (30 to 40 a year).

I was wondering if they would request prior ACT scores or my high school transcript.
If they did I’m pretty sure that’s not a viable option; I currently wouldn’t be accepted.

The Harvard MBA says:

An excellent (and detailed) question.  While it is definitely easier to get into HBS if you did your undergraduate work at Stanford/Harvard/MIT, many of my friends made it in despite going to less renowned schools.  Heck, many of those schools were less renowned than the University of Kentucky...

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Courtesy:- Asktheharvardmba.com