Claudia Hill, Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2024
Age: 28
Hometown: London, England
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Oxford, Engineering Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 6 years: 4 years PhD (Biomedical Engineering) and 2 years Biotech/Digital Health
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I first started thinking about business school because I am interested at the intersection of biotech and business and hope to start my own biotech company in the future. Coming from a very technical background I knew that getting an MBA would help me achieve that! I applied to the 2+2 program at HBS back in 2016. I actually deferred the full number of years (4 years) and then took another 2 year deferral due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a long time coming and I am so excited to finally be here!
Why did you choose Harvard Business School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose HBS because of its reputation as a business school that is academically rigorous, the case method, and its location in Boston. Being interested in biotech I wanted to be in Boston, a renowned biotech/healthcare hub.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Harvard MBA Class of 2024?
This is hard!! I think probably my background in biotech and experience as a co-founder.
Post-MBA career interests:
Interested in entrepreneurship and early-stage venture investing within Life Sciences and biotech.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Take the time to really think about what I want to get out of going to business school and HBS. It really helped me frame my application and think deeply about my career and future.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Reach out to more current students or alumni! During my deferral years several students applying for the 2+2 reached out to me to talk through their application. I wish I had thought to do the same when I was applying!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I ended up only being able to get a GMAT appointment on the day that the application was due so it was a pretty high stakes first attempt!
What is your initial impression of the Harvard Business School students/culture/community?
Everyone here is so interesting and smart, there is never a dull conversation. It’s also one of the most diverse communities I have been part of and it has been very interesting stepping outside of my bubble back in the UK and hearing lots of different point of views.
What is one thing you have learned about Harvard Business School that has surprised you?
There are tunnels which connect the whole of campus, so in the winter you never have to go outside?! Wild!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Getting cold called and being unprepared!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Meeting all these new, amazing and interesting people.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Yes – I ended up deferring for 2 years because of the pandemic!
