Zoe Bhargava, an MBA candidate at Harvard Business School for the class of 2025, shares her enriching journey during her 2+2 deferral years. After completing her undergraduate studies in business at UC Berkeley, Zoe gained admission to HBS via the 2+2 deferred admissions process, designed for students to gain practical work experience before starting their MBA.
During her deferral, Zoe returned to Twitter, where she had interned during her college years, working on the Strategic Finance team. Eager for new challenges, she later joined a sports tech startup, advancing from a Product Analyst to a Product Manager. Although the startup eventually ceased operations, the experience profoundly shaped her understanding of business dynamics. Before starting her MBA, Zoe also interned at Andreessen Horowitz, gaining insights into venture capital.
Zoe’s story exemplifies how the 2+2 program allowed her to explore diverse professional avenues without the immediate pressure of postgraduate studies, enriching her skills and perspective for her future career, particularly in entrepreneurship. Her advice to prospective 2+2 applicants emphasizes the program’s flexibility and the value of diverse experiences in shaping a well-rounded business leader.
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