The HBS 2+2 program is a deferred admission process for current students in their final year of study, either in college or a full-time master’s degree program. If you are admitted through 2+2, you work for two to four years in a field of your choice before enrolling in the regular HBS MBA Program. We sat down with Carol Wright (MBA 2025) to hear more about how she spent her deferral years.
Why did you decide to apply to HBS via the 2+2 deferred admissions process?
I attended the Summer Venture in Management Program in 2019. Experiencing the case study method firsthand, I became certain that the only graduate school I wanted to attend was HBS. After that, it became a matter of deciding when to apply, and once I heard about the 2+2 process, I knew that was the correct path for me. I loved that as a 2+2 admit I had the freedom to work and explore my interests while also knowing that graduate school was in my future. It helped guide my decision process regarding my job and other activities I pursued in the deferral years.
What job(s) did you work during your deferral?
I deferred for three years, and during that time I worked at the Lede Company, a full-service strategy, communications, and social impact consulting firm specializing in corporate, entertainment, brand, and nonprofit sectors. When I was first hired, I was an assistant to one of the company's founders and CEOs, and a senior publicist in the strategic communications division. At Lede, I did PR for clients such as Higher Ground Productions, Live Nation, Hello Sunshine, QCODE, and The Honest Company. Outside of my full-time job, I also worked on my online magazine, NYOTA, a quarterly online publication focusing on discovering and promoting rising stars in music, fashion, and culture. I started NYOTA as a senior in high school and have been working on it ever since.
Did 2+2 change your path or alter your post-undergraduate plans?
After undergrad, I knew that the industry I wanted to enter was entertainment and media, and that did not change my decision to apply to 2+2. However, it did cause me to be very intentional about which jobs I was applying for. I wanted to ensure that I spent time at a company that would allow me to gain new skills, grow, and create an impact before starting my studies at HBS.
What advice do you have for prospects considering the 2+2 program?
If you’re considering the 2+2 program, you’re likely someone who likes to plan and have a sense of what their future looks like. Being admitted to 2+2 means that you have an incredible graduate school experience waiting for you down the line and the opportunity to explore from a career perspective during the deferral years. My main advice would be to go for it and submit that application! You will not regret it!