gradjm

Do we get an online copy of the essays one writes in the writing section? When does the writing score become available?

Ok, so I took the real test recently. I got an experimental Q but not sure which one it was. The sequenence was Q-V-Q-V-Q. Not very pleased with the verbal, I may have missed a couple in the second verbal as I was just wanted to finish and didn't know there would be a 6th section.

So I just looked at the score sheet of the powerprep. V1: 2 missed Q1: 1 missed V2: 2 missed Q2: 1 missed So got 4 wrong on V and 2 wrong on Q, but still had higher V 168 than Q 166. Why is that? How does powerprep grade Writing? How does GRE grade writing? Powerprep may be recommended due to it being from ETS, but is it same or more difficulty as the real test?

PLEASE do not quote the post I didn't know a GRE/GMAT forum existed on this site, so posting a few questions I have about the test here... I just realized that my gmat score is over 5 years old and can't be used for the application to HKS in december. So I will have to take the gre or gmat test in the next couple of days, likely this weekend, in order to apply this year. I am not sure which one to take as it would make more sense to invest time/money into the test that helps the application most. If a high score in GMAT may be seen as more of a good thing than GRE than I would rather take GMAT. I just downloaded a software named powerprep and took a sample verbal/quant test and got 166 q, 168 v. I am not sure why it doesn't show the score relative to 800. I think I may be looking at the wrong software. Questions: Is the powerprep software same difficulty as the real test? It seemed easy, is there some other software that's close to the real? Does a very high score like 750 in gmat better than getting a very high score in GRE (750 gmat versus 700v, 800q GRE)? Someone who has only 2-3 hours to study for GRE before the test, what would be the best practice test he could take? (powerprep seemed too easy so may not be real) thanks

Is a strong score in one of these is better for the application than a strong score in the other? That is, does a very high score like 750 in gmat better than getting a very high score in GRE (750 gmat versus 700v, 800q GRE)? I am not sure which one to take as it would make more sense to invest time/money into the test that helps the application most. If a high score in GMAT may be seen as more of a good thing than GRE than I would rather take GMAT. GRE I think is much easier test. I just downloaded a software named powerprep and took a sample verbal/quant test and got 166 q, 168 v. I am not sure why it doesn't show the score relative to 800, but I think I may be looking at the wrong software. Is the powerprep software same difficulty as the real test? It seemed easy, is there some other software that's close to the real? Cost wise GRE is better but only by a little. GRE $195 GMAT $250 So, it probably comes down to a ) if the adcom prefers a high GMAT score over high GRE score b ) good result due to no study time available by the weekend Also have a valid LSAT score of 165. Can I use that for HKS and save odd $200 on gre/gmat? appreciate any informative comments

Thanks for the replies. The blog post is not wholly clear. http://hksadmissionblog.tumblr.com/post/101652545567/2014-essay-notes-post-6 Looking at the referenced blog post above, the optional question is reproduced here. The post says that applicants can include "other information helpful for the committee to consider." It makes one think any unusual background history that doesn't relate to academic performance, work gaps, low scores etc can be included here. This seems to mean that it can include some diversity explanation/essay/story. But the later part of the blog post says that this is not an essay, but more of clarity on something committee may have questions about or be confused about. See the bolded part in the post that says it can't be a supplemental essay of ANY sort. Isn't 750 word limit way too much if the space is meant for a simple clarification or even a few clarifications, as oppposed to just one? There is no question in the application for space to discuss unusual background. What about particular historical aspects that committee may not be confused about but are important? Can the aspects of one's history e.g. diversity information/unusual background that committee may not be confused or have questions about just because the application did have any information related to that aspect, be included in the optional answer?

This is not true at all. Computer programs cut off essays after set word limit? Not true. Tell me which school does that. 10% extra very noticeable? No. Just compare a couple of 550 word essay with 500 words. It's about 4 extra lines and when you account for the different types of writings, some 550 word essay may look shorter than 500 words. So how would it be a big strike if admissions has no way to tell it's 10% over. It's a great idea to write concisely regardless as it lets you fit more information in less words, but generalizing that going at most 10% over will somehow strike out an applicant is just misleading information.

Within 10% over word limit should be fine. So for a 500 word essay even if you get to 550 words, it should not cause concern. Admission committees don't count words in your essays.

There is no information in HKS application about the following: - Font, line spacing, margins for essays - Any word limit/font/spacing information about rec letter length. All it says is 1 page which can be anywhere between 1-3 pages depending on how one chooses font, spacing, margins - Rec repeats the question about interaction with the applicant in the rec form and then again in the 1-page rec letter. So the rec length is even more debatable. Any applicants or successful candidates have ideas?

How would you compare and rate HKS programs with Columbia's? Your background when you applied? Why chose MPA over MPP? Would you critique my essay/statement? Thanks.

The phrasing of optional essay question suggests that it be used only to explain the acadmic issues. I think there is a blog post by admissions office HKS that says that this spacee can be used to explain "anything" not covered in the other parts of the app. Anyone else unsure about this? The HKS app actually has no essay that is exclusively a "personal statement." There are 2 required essays for MPP, one asking specifically about future plans and the second asking specifically about how the program helps achieve the plans. So no space dedicated specifically to "personal" statement. I have used a significant part of these 2 req essays to talk about personal things, but still much is left out. So I want to use the optional essay to talk about some personal stories. Any current HKS student/admit/applicant who is running into the same issues? If there is any accepted HKS admit or HKS student who can look over my essays/goals, then can you please pm? *please do'nt quote post

In the HKS MPP/MPA application can the only optional essay be about diversity/personal story/addendum not related to academic matters? (Optional) If you have any concerns about your prior academic background, or if you believe the Admissions Committee may have concerns, please give a brief explanation of your performance in college, or your standardized test scores (750 word limit). The essay wording is confusing as it only seems to refer to "concerns about prior academic background" and word limit is pretty generous (750 words) for such an addendum. There is no essay in the application that deals with personal/diversity story. How are other applicants doing this? Also, is it possible to make a switch from MPP to MPA program after acceptance or enrollment?

I have followed the blog, but haven't seen specific information about what the recommendation questionaire asks. Is the link sent to recommenders asks them to upload a 1-2 page text document written as a letter to the committee, or does it ask specific questions ("tell me about a time when the applicant showed leadership" etc..) like many B school rec letters ask? Does it ask recommenders to fill up an evaluation grid?

I'm considering applying to HKS for MPP/MPA this cycle. I couldn't find the following informtion at the HKS site. What type of questions are asked of recommenders by HKS? It seems that HKS sends recommenders an automated email with link and instuctions to upload the recommendation. Where can one view the recommendation questionaire that's sent to recommenders? Are they asked to answer specific questions or evaluate on a grid for several criteria or simply asked to upload a generic letter? If generic letter, what's the typical length of such letter? thanks in advance.

Are you a URM? Congrats. I am in a somewhat similar position as you even though with much longer work ex. My LSAT is 165 and i was aiming for HLS but thought that it was too low. As far as I know from other forums specifically targeted for Law/JD, something above LSAT 25%/median (170/173) is needed for good chances at HLS. Can you say if anything other than your work-ex was the reason for HLS acceptance? I didn't apply because I thought my LSAT was too low for HLS. I also feel i may not be able to significantly improve my LSAT. I posted here during last year's admission cycle with my profile but did not apply due to my score.

thanks bsharpe kenbesonders Sending a second mail saying sorry-please-ignore may bring more attention to the mistake Just not sure what can undo this. Pretty sure that if any admissions staff looks at it, it can come off as bad

*PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE THIS POST* I was discussing a few admissions things with a friend over email. It was informal where things such as "should i do this" for application type of things that can be frowned upon by admissions were being chatted. I was sending this to a friend but stupidly there was the admissions email address that was included in one of the Address fields and I didn't notice it!! It must have gotten copied as I was browsing through my emails. All this got sent to the admissions email address that is for admissions related questions. What should I do? I am in a panic for doing something so stupid!!!?!! :( I got an automated reply from the email address and the admissions staff will look at the email. Have I doomed my chance before applying!!? edit: it has all my identifying info, name, address etc. I know it's stupid but panic is because there is some content that can be seen as inappropriate about the program and comparing the program unfavorably to another program *PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE*