Marc Berbari, Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2027
Age: 26
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Imperial College London, Biomedical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Senior Associate, Consulting, Strategy, 4 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Business school had been on my mind for years, but I chose to apply once I felt I had reached a meaningful inflection point. I had learned a lot from four years in consulting across the Middle East, yet I felt a growing need to deepen my strategic thinking, strengthen my leadership mindset, and build the professionalism and rigor needed to operate in high-stakes environments. Whether my path leads back to the region, to consulting, to our family business, or toward new ventures in the U.S., I see the MBA as a catalyst for long-term growth and a meaningful pause from the professional world to learn from and be inspired by extraordinary people. HBS felt like the right platform at the right moment to reset, grow, and rethink my next chapter.
Why did you choose HBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
HBS was the school the “little Marc” always dreamt of. When I visited campus for my interview (by accident I booked the “in-person” option thinking it was in Dubai, not Boston), that 72-hour visit confirmed the feeling I had for years. The humility of the students, the energy of the case method, and the sense of being part of something bigger resonated deeply. I also appreciated the global makeup of the class, the resources aligned with my interests, and the school’s strong culture of lifelong learning. I admired all four schools I applied to and spent nearly three weeks speaking daily with students and alumni from each program post-admission. I mapped out every pillar that mattered to me—from professional goals and geography to teaching method, community, network, brand, and resources. The decision ultimately came down to where I felt I would grow the most personally and professionally. For who I was—and the person I hoped to become—that place was HBS.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I aim to bring a diverse perspective shaped by growing up in Lebanon, attending a French-affiliated school, studying in London, and building my career across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This multicultural journey—marked by exposure to regions facing wars, instability, and economic crises, as well as by working on transformations that reshape entire economies—has fostered an ambitious and adaptable mindset. It has also reinforced my commitment to empathy, mentorship, and lifting others up, which I try to practice through coaching teammates, mentoring students, and supporting friends as they navigate their own life decisions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a citizen of a country I’ve never actually been to—Canada. I’m hoping to fix that before graduation and confirm whether I truly like maple syrup.
Post-MBA career interests:
If you arrive at HBS thinking you have your post-MBA plans perfectly figured out and unshakeable, trust me—you’re going to change your mind. I came in with a clear idea of the few paths I was considering, but the moment you step on campus, meet your section mates, and engage with the broader community, you start seeing possibilities you didn’t even know existed.
There are a few paths I was considering initially. One option is returning to our family business in the Middle East to help modernize operations and explore new avenues for expansion. Another is going back to consulting in a more senior capacity to sharpen my managerial skills before transitioning into an executive role. And honestly, being here at HBS opens doors I never even knew existed. You meet extraordinary professors, classmates from every corner of the world, and people who inspire you to think bigger. You join clubs, explore new interests, and suddenly an entirely new world of careers comes into view. I’ve even recently started supporting a friend on his tech startup, for example.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Stay true to yourself. There are so many opportunities to tweak your story or reshape your personality into what you think schools want. But the most powerful part of the journey is being genuine. Schools are not looking for a stereotype—they’re looking to understand who you really are, how you’ve grown, where you’ve stumbled, and what drives you forward. Staying authentic in such a competitive and high-pressure environment is difficult, but it’s ultimately the most rewarding.
What truly accelerated the process at the time was seeking support early and surrounding myself with a strong, encouraging circle—partner, family, and close friends. I want to thank each one of them, you know who you are. The self-reflection required in your application is meaningful but not always easy, and hearing from people who knew me well was incredibly grounding. I scheduled individual calls with my mom, dad, twin sister, and younger sister, asking each of them to remind me of who “young Marc” was. Those conversations brought clarity to my story and helped me articulate my motivations more authentically. I also reached out to two close friends—one from work and one from high school—who offered unique perspectives, along with advice from people who had been in my shoes before. That mix of introspection and external input made the entire process much more insightful and personal.
Looking back, the entire process overall can feel daunting at first, but it actually becomes a powerful eye-opening journey of introspection. It is fun, it’s real, it’s emotional, and it forces you to reflect, be vulnerable, and rediscover your story.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Potentially starting the process earlier. I initially hoped to apply in Round 1, but I didn’t feel prepared to present my best self and I hadn’t sat for the GMAT or GRE yet. It wasn’t until the last week of October that I decided to take November and December off from work to focus entirely on applications, targeting four schools: MIT Sloan, Wharton, Stanford, and HBS. My last attempt for the GRE was actually just a few hours before the HBS deadline. I went to the testing center, sat for the exam, uploaded my score, and submitted the application the very same day. Many people around me questioned the practicality of starting so late, especially since most applicants begin six months to a year earlier. But I believed that with the right mindset and discipline, starting the entire process in early November for four schools was still achievable somehow.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The waiting. Between preparation, interview invites, decision day, and uncertainty facing international students this year specifically. What helped was staying anchored by friends and family, and the right mindset (one quote that guided me throughout the process was “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right”). I was also incredibly impressed by how strongly Harvard supported us throughout the entire period post admission. We received proactive, transparent weekly updates, which made it clear that international students are essential to the institution. Every international student in my section ultimately made it to campus—a testament to the school’s commitment.
What is your initial impression of the HBS students/culture/community?
Humility. People arrive with incredible accomplishments, yet show up every day ready to learn from each other. The community feels grounded, warm, and genuinely invested in building meaningful relationships. Section H, especially, already feels like a family.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
In the first weeks, I signed up for many clubs—from Tech, VC/PE to the Family Business Club, MENA Club, and French Speaking Club. I wanted to explore broadly before going deeper next semester. These clubs help me stay connected to my roots, explore new interests, and meet people who share similar passions.
What is one thing you have learned about HBS that has surprised you?
How intense the environment is—in the best possible way. It’s the combination of academic rigor, professional exposure, and the social environment. One moment you’re deep in a case; the next you’re having a life-shaping conversation with a classmate who was a stranger three months ago. Everything is back-to-back and you barely have a moment to pause. But when you do, you realize you’re living something truly special during those two years. Taking a moment to appreciate that makes the journey even more meaningful.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about deepening lifelong relationships and learning from the incredibly ambitious students, faculty, and guests who make HBS so unique. Already, in just a few months, the conversations inside and outside the classroom have shifted the way I think about leadership, purpose, and ambition. There’s something special about being surrounded by people who push you to question assumptions, dream bigger, and grow in directions you never expected. I’m looking forward to leaning into that energy.
