drumroll

I don't know how frequent it is, I only know that such occurrences have happened in the past.

HKS loves movers and shakers. 10 years working (on projects of public interest, that is) and a startup will be so much more relevant than GPA and GRE. As the LoRs reinforce your entrepreneurship, character, intellectual capability, etc, you should be competitive. if they accept you and by any chance happen to offer you the 2-year MPA instead of the MPP, take it. MPP core classes are brutal and MPA is much more flexible and way more interesting for someone who would rather hone in their skills instead of slaving over regressions.

There are deadlines for admitted students to accept the offer as well as present the first batch of documents. For Masons it was in April, for MC/MPAs it is in May and for the remaining programs it will be in June. Not entirely sure how much hope one should get from this, though.

They say in pretty much EVERYWHERE to not rely solely on HKS funds. They are completely transparent about it. Harvard is an expensive private school. To learn at Kennedy School, to interact with the minds who teach there and who come to talk there and who come to study there, that is what matters. To see HKS as a... diminished business school? It is actually offensive for those of us who actually care about working in public service. It is disgusting. I'm out.

no funding. But I agree with the view that HKS probably does not have too much to offer to begin with. But I also think they have to reconcile many policies from the University, the Kennedy School, the Centers and from the endowments themselves. So I wouldn't take their decision as some sort of implication on how qualified you are. It does seem odd to me, though, that there are so many people from the private sector for a school so focused on public value.

yep

At some post at the admissions blog, they say that about 30% of the students get financial aid. The only interviews I am aware are the ones for CPL. According to them, all the invites for interviews to all of their fellowships have been already sent.

In!!!!!! (Mason)

Just out of curiosity: @Obecalp, is there a story behind your fake medicine nick?

I too applied only to HKS. I'm not checking my page for changes. I'll check only the final answer. It's clear the changes are related to their updating the system regarding the results, but I think we will be the ones to help next year applicants to figure out if there is any relation to the result itself. The previous change generated to much unnecessary stress to me. I love a logic puzzle, but this one is just too emotional. I think the Admissions team must be working insanely to get all this right, and to avoid you get a negative when you should be getting a positive, or worse yet, you get a positive when you should be getting a negative. And if there is a problem with the system, then they necessarily need more time. I never thought the whole process would be so transparent and so friendly. The blog is great, there is a wealth of advice so we don't lose points due to mistakes on form, since it is content they are looking for. Whatever happens, this was a very instructive process. Also, this forum here at grad cafe is good so we know we are normal in our anxieties and we can help each other. I like the community feel. Even the picky arguments are a good distraction from the wait. My original guess was the results would be out on the 15th (mid-march), but I have been convinced by y'all that they are more likely to be released today. Good luck (and strong nerves) to everyone!

According to what they tell us in the Admissions blog, we will all get an e-mail saying that our application status has been updated. In the application system there will be a letter with the three possible outcomes: rejected, waitlisted, accepted. No phone calls.

I guess congratulations are in order!

In my case, if it is positive, then my plan A for the next year, and the years after that, is set. First thing will be to tell those closest to me and who have put up with my anxiety... If it is negative, onto to plan B which is to figure out a plan B. Move to a different city, find a new job. Whatever happens, my life is changing paths this month. First thing will be to cry on the shoulders of those closest to me and have put up with my emotional distress until now anyway....

mine has just changed