“None of us have a problem with the classes and with having less experience in the job world than some of our classmates,” Thomas says, referring to his early-career peers. “We were all obviously a little apprehensive at first, but the school really made an effort to make us feel so welcome, so I’m just happy the way it’s been so far. I am definitely treated as an equal.”

Thomas adds that there is no sense of inferiority, either in the classroom or outside of it.

“We are in a position to contribute just as much as the rest of the class,” he says. “Everyone, no matter their background or working-world experiences, seems to universally have a wealth of leadership and life experiences. My classmates—some of whom are just arriving on campus from Iraq, some from McKinsey—are a truly fascinating group of people.”

Thomas says he hopes to go into consulting and plans to work for the London bid for the 2012 Olympic Games this summer.

Schwartz, who plans to go into government in the future, adds that she enjoys the challenge of HBS classes. “I love the style of learning at HBS. The case method combines an academic and practical focus that I find so engaging across all my classes,” she says, remarking on the collaborative nature of HBS classes. “Everyone wants to help each other as much as possible—we just went through our first round of midterms, and there was definitely a mind-set that everyone is in this together.”

Schwartz says the social life was also an easy transition—even for the younger crowd.

“Everyone at HBS has such different experiences that my coming straight from college is another unique background,” she says. “Of course, I stand out because I am younger—I have a lot of friends here who are 30, for example, so I went to my first 30th birthday party last week.”

—Staff Writer Lauren A. E. Schuker can be reached at schuker@fas.harvard.edu.