datik

Does anybody here know if Harvard students have access to any sort of gym facilities? If so, is there an extra fee to pay?
 
In unrelated notes, any affordable gym in the cambridge/brighton/boston area? I just want to lift some weights to stay fit in the cold winter months.

Ok, it wasn't really a funny story.. sorry all

Vet status will do shit for you in international government.
Daamn is Gandhi liberating India in this post? Because it sure is salty. You call it a depository, but the G-4 is worth ~20% of your annual salary plus avoiding the H1B bloodbath, on which the risk premium is punishingly low, especially in this administration.
Know before you go is all well and good, but what really grinds my gears is public servants who act like they're doing the world a huge fucking favor. The UN institutions and affiliated organizations have a lot of problems work environment-wise, and the least protected employee classes are treated abominably unless they have someone in power who is willing to advocate, but let's be real, working in international organizations has undeniable positives, which may not be so positive for one person as they are for another, but if they aren't, why stay in the field? Do something else. The world is your oyster.

If I read your post correctly your concern is not so much wheter or not you will be able to get in, but rather if it will actually be useful for your professional life.
And the answer to that is: It depends.
 
As stated above, the term policy is very foggy and could mean a bunch of different things. Do you have a clear idea of what you want to do? Do you have institutions in mind where you would like to work?
The thing is that for working in government, multilateral institutitons or NGOs, an MPP could actually be a useful thing to have. However, it won't guarantee by itself a sucessful career. You need to have at least a defined direction while you are doing the program, maybe looking at internship opportunities, or learning as much as you can about the field you are interested in.
What I would advise against is coming to these programs with a vague notion that you want to be in "policy" (whatever that means) and just flowing with the wind, hoping to catch a cool job whenever you finish your degree, by some cosmic coincidence.

From what little I can see of your intents, it seems like you lack focus. How did I arrive at this conclusion?
1. You mentioned that you were accepted into other programs of similar study, which indicates that you do have some background in public policy or some vested idea of what you want to do. In other words, your application's not completely out of left field.
2. Your acceptance to the Graduate School of Education as well as the Graduate School of Design indicate that you're not sure where to go, but you want to go to Harvard. In other words, you sound like you seek the external validation that Harvard Kennedy School can provide.
HKS values two things: impact and focus. You need to tell them, very specifically, what it is that you want to do and how you plan on doing that.

To split the hair again, the benefit of one's academic pedigree will vary based upon the division and regional office in a company that's doing the hiring. The boss who hired me had an academic background and was more comfortable than other bosses hiring people who didn't have a background or experience in our division's core practices. She's since transferred to another part of the company and the sensibility has shifted considerably. 
As I work in the division of a consultancy that does a fair amount of policy work (municipal, county, state, federal, and international) and we've been doing a lot of hiring, I will add the following IME/YMMV-based observations.
Work ethic. If you want to get hired, you need to demonstrate a willingness to work long hours, to work smart, and to work hard. Be very tactful when you talk about work/life balance and ask questions about work schedule, vacation time, and so forth. If you're applying for a salaried exempt position,  you can be tasked to work more than forty hours a week for weeks at a time.If you start asking questions or make comments that give those doing the hiring to question your intensity, they will start looking elsewhere. At the same time, do not make the mistake of saying enthusiastically "I'll do what ever it takes." At best, the remark will be taken as an indication of your maturity. At worst, you will be taken up on the offer.
Quick learner. It is unlikely that you will receive as much training as you'd like. You may not receive any training at all. You will get more training than mentoring. To get the job and to keep the job you will need to demonstrate that you're an independent motivated, self-starting quick learning type. At the same time, you will also need to show that you're wise enough and have the humility to ask for help. Otherwise, you're going to make avoidable mistakes that blow budgets and deadlines, and antagonize the experienced hands who have to go back and clean up your mess.
Relationships. Demonstrate that you understand how relationships with external and internal clients are at least as important as the project work that you do. If you're not a "people person," or are generally shy and/or reserved, or if you prefer written communication over phone calls and face to face conversations, you have to figure out how to expand your comfort zone and your communication took kit. If you're exceptionally skilled, you will be cut a lot of slack but eventually, it will catch up to you. And remember, no matter how well you get along with a prospective boss, he or she is not your friend.
Situational awareness. If you belong to the Millennial generation (broadly defined) and are seeking employment at a firm run by a combination of Boomers and X-ers (also broadly defined), you're going to encounter different types of sensibilities and expectations. It is likely that many elements of your vision of The Way Things Should Be are technically correct. However, it's imperative that you pick your spots when it comes to cutting against the grain. Understand that employers want what you have to offer and that time is on your side. Find ways to demonstrate that you are persistent and determined but know how to drink a cup of STFU and ask for a refill.
Experience/Expertise. As noted in the OP, experience and expertise are valued. An applicant with 4-10 years experience will have an advantage over an applicant with <4 years. However, experience is a knife that cuts both ways if a prospective employer regularly makes "strategic hires" (BTDTs with 10-20+ years experience). Do what you can to determine if the company you want to join makes strategic hires and how you will fit into the mix. Find a way to strike a balance among expressing your preferences for the kind of work you want to do, your personal professional ambition, your desire to learn, and your willingness to be a team player. 
Transparency. Do not lie, fib, embellish, or exaggerate any information you deliver as part of the application process. When you apply for a job or accept an offer, you will authorize an open-ended background check. In the present, information will be vetted to the fourth decimal place. In the future, additional background checks will make sure that you've not screwed up in your personal life since you accepted the job. If there's something in your past that falls into the grey area, you need to figure out how you're going to describe/talk about it so that you fulfill your disclosure obligation without torpedoing your chances to get hired.
Parking. Make sure you have an acceptable method of payment for parking when you go to hand off application materials or attend an interview.
Typos. Some employers won't mind one or two too much; perfect work isn't necessarily great, or even good, work. For others, a single error is a deal breaker. Assume that every employer falls into the latter category.
Expect an examination. As much experience as you have in taking tests and exams in the Ivory Tower, the test you take as part of a job application will be different. Understand that your objective goes beyond figuring out the correct answer. The exam will also be about producing and delivering a product both on time and within the budget. It's likely that you will screw up on the exam (in the history of my division, only one or two people have nailed it). If you find yourself struggling, what choices will you make? (A hint. Which would you prefer? A perfect cup of coffee in an aesthetically pleasing mug that's not going to be ready when you absolutely need it, or a cup of instant coffee in a paper cup that's put into your hand, ready to drink, right on time? A second hint.  If you're going to work for a consultancy, the answer is "It depends.")

I wanted to thank you for this thread as it is always useful to hear a negative perspective to contrast your own desires (bath yourself with a bucket of reality), as well as hearing the excellents counter-points provided above. 
What I take from this discussion is that you cannot get an MPP and expect to get rich (even if Ivy League, etc.), so be very careful when taking on debt. Also, that there are opportunities but one should be very clear in the kind of jobs/direction you want to go (the more specific the better), and if not, you should take career counseling opportunities very seriously.
Cheers,

I wanted to thank you for this thread as it is always useful to hear a negative perspective to contrast your own desires (bath yourself with a bucket of reality), as well as hearing the excellents counter-points provided above. 
What I take from this discussion is that you cannot get an MPP and expect to get rich (even if Ivy League, etc.), so be very careful when taking on debt. Also, that there are opportunities but one should be very clear in the kind of jobs/direction you want to go (the more specific the better), and if not, you should take career counseling opportunities very seriously.
Cheers,

I wanted to thank you for this thread as it is always useful to hear a negative perspective to contrast your own desires (bath yourself with a bucket of reality), as well as hearing the excellents counter-points provided above. 
What I take from this discussion is that you cannot get an MPP and expect to get rich (even if Ivy League, etc.), so be very careful when taking on debt. Also, that there are opportunities but one should be very clear in the kind of jobs/direction you want to go (the more specific the better), and if not, you should take career counseling opportunities very seriously.
Cheers,

I wanted to thank you for this thread as it is always useful to hear a negative perspective to contrast your own desires (bath yourself with a bucket of reality), as well as hearing the excellents counter-points provided above. 
What I take from this discussion is that you cannot get an MPP and expect to get rich (even if Ivy League, etc.), so be very careful when taking on debt. Also, that there are opportunities but one should be very clear in the kind of jobs/direction you want to go (the more specific the better), and if not, you should take career counseling opportunities very seriously.
Cheers,

Exactly. Get creative.
Its alright to panic, sometimes panic is a good wake up call that we need to change things up. But don't let it freeze you. Use that energy to moving towards your goals

Exactly. Get creative.
Its alright to panic, sometimes panic is a good wake up call that we need to change things up. But don't let it freeze you. Use that energy to moving towards your goals

Hey OP,

I'm not in your area, but wanted to mention that I graduated undergrad in 2012 and didn't go back for my MA until 2015 (I was 25). I was underemployed the entire time I was out of school and not doing much that could go towards academia. The year before I returned to school, I participated as an independent scholar in a conference (co-wrote a paper with my friend) and began as a volunteer content creator/ "professor" for an online fantasy education-based MMORPG. I utilized these experiences in my letter of intent to show that, even though my work experience was lousy towards my grad school aspirations, I was still thinking academically and pursuing academic interests in my own time.
Rather than panicking about the work, if you want an academic masters, see if there are any ways you can participate in a conference, volunteer for work related to your interests, or even do something like start a blog about your research interests. Rather than panicking about the experience you lack, figure out how to leverage what you've done (and add what you can before you submit your apps).

A lot of people have made really good arguments in this thread so I just wanted to say that I empathize with your situation and I'm really sorry this happened. From your update above, it is clear that this is unfairly upsetting you.
I have known cases of sexual harassment by senior professors at Universities here, and it really pisses me off. They were worse than what you described because they didn't just "ask politely". What really peeves me is that in these cases the rest of the staff and even the University is complicit because they don't want to lose important professors or make a scandal that could affect the whole administration. So cases like this end up being normalized.
I am glad that you exteriorized this concern because it is likely that you are not the first or the last to be subject to this individual's harassment. Maybe I'm being a little extreme but I also feel that you had a moral obligation to fight this. (But as others have said, the world is not always fair so you need to be smart about how you go about it).
The supervisor is super guilty in this regard too.

If you are studying for a specific test such as the GRE, there are many sites that contain the most common "high-difficulty" words in these tests. Its a good habit to try to memorize a couple each day and then review how many you kept at the end of the week. There are flashcards apps that allow you to quickly study.
If you want to improve your vocabulary without any specific purpose in mind, the answer is simple and you've probably heard it before: You have to read a lot of good stuff. This can be literature, but it could also be non-fiction. Just make sure they have advanced vocabulary. I read a lot and I love learning new words. That's why I always quickly look the word up in my cellphone when I read one that I don't know. If I was purposedly learning vocab for a test, I would also write down the new words.
For those looking for reading material with advanced vocabulary, I always recommend The Economist. It has short, interesting, well researched and well written articles, with plenty of "GRE words".

I don't know what to tell you other than you should be confident and honest. You are doing everything by the books and pursuing a higher education. That is quite commendable. Just tell things straight, tell him about your plans and why you are excited. Also, be available to go out of your way to help out smooth things over for your last 2 weeks.
I was on a similar position, having to tell my boss, whom I owed a lot to, that I would be leaving for my Master's. I had the fortune of being able to tell with more time in advance, committing myself to help out for the transition period. She was so excited for me I couldn't believe I was nervous before. She was happy I was going to do my masters, and compunded me to do it no matter what.
Maybe the same will happen to you. Try not to be too nervous as it will botch your delivery.

Ended up accepting my admission to HKS, as I had a national scholarship

I would just break up at that point

And its not impossible to get funding (I got offered like 80% of tuition with some research responsibilities)

I would just break up at that point

Knock it out of the park with your GRE scores and you should be fine. Most schools will be more impressed with your essays/work experience and will only want a reason to be confident that you will not flunk classes. A great GRE score is perfect for that.
You have plenty of time, so you can easily shoot for a 320+ score if you are disciplined. I recommend Magoosh as it helped me to do an effective daily routine.
If you want GRE tips feel free to message me.

To add to the above, I would say that it ultimately comes down to how you tell your story. Spend a lot of time in your essays. I made the mistake of focusing more on studying for the GRE than on writing. Schedule appropriate times for thinking about your answers, writing, and re-writing (hopefully get some feedback).
Were there unique moments that helped shape your decision to apply to grad school? Is there a common thread that you followed between your different experiences? How do they help shape your perspective for the future?
 
 

Just to chip in, I will say that it is great that you come here looking for advice. Take my advice as a grain of salt, considering that I haven't started my MPP yet (but I do have several year of work experience and I've spent well over a year researching this).
 
First of all, 1 year may seem like a lot to wait if your situation is shitty right now, but in the long run it will be nothing if it ultimately helps you make a better choice. You do not want to take your graduate studies lightly. I know that Pakistan can be a suffocating place, but I think you can have it in you to just lay low for twelve more months. 
Regarding GRE, the quant section is actually the easiest to improve, specially if you have several weeks. Just do Magoosh for 30 minutes every day and correct your wrong answers and you will see your score get much higher. (In contrast the verbal section is greatly limited if your english is not up to par or if you weren't an avid reader before-hand). However, also keep in mind that GRE is a very small part of the application, and the one extra year of work (if relevant and you stand out) can do much more difference).
Regarding MBAs, money and positions may not seem like a factor now, but in 2 years they will be, trust me on this. If you go to grad school your primary focus should be on what you want to project your career. That doesn't mean that MBA is the only correct answer here, but you should take into consideration what you want to do. For example, most big non-profits value MBAs more than MPPs. But an MPA may be more valuable for public sector work. Never forget the huge financial undertaking that this choice signifies! Personally, if I could start again and money wasn't an issue I would consider a joint MBA/MPP, but that's just me, given my own preferences and outlook.
Are you competitive for other schools in one more year? Depends. The GRE is not as relevant as you think, as I said above. You say you are passionate, but can you tell a coherent story through your work experiences and volunteer work? Can you get relevant work experience in an extra year?
Best of luck
 

Just to chip in, I will say that it is great that you come here looking for advice. Take my advice as a grain of salt, considering that I haven't started my MPP yet (but I do have several year of work experience and I've spent well over a year researching this).
 
First of all, 1 year may seem like a lot to wait if your situation is shitty right now, but in the long run it will be nothing if it ultimately helps you make a better choice. You do not want to take your graduate studies lightly. I know that Pakistan can be a suffocating place, but I think you can have it in you to just lay low for twelve more months. 
Regarding GRE, the quant section is actually the easiest to improve, specially if you have several weeks. Just do Magoosh for 30 minutes every day and correct your wrong answers and you will see your score get much higher. (In contrast the verbal section is greatly limited if your english is not up to par or if you weren't an avid reader before-hand). However, also keep in mind that GRE is a very small part of the application, and the one extra year of work (if relevant and you stand out) can do much more difference).
Regarding MBAs, money and positions may not seem like a factor now, but in 2 years they will be, trust me on this. If you go to grad school your primary focus should be on what you want to project your career. That doesn't mean that MBA is the only correct answer here, but you should take into consideration what you want to do. For example, most big non-profits value MBAs more than MPPs. But an MPA may be more valuable for public sector work. Never forget the huge financial undertaking that this choice signifies! Personally, if I could start again and money wasn't an issue I would consider a joint MBA/MPP, but that's just me, given my own preferences and outlook.
Are you competitive for other schools in one more year? Depends. The GRE is not as relevant as you think, as I said above. You say you are passionate, but can you tell a coherent story through your work experiences and volunteer work? Can you get relevant work experience in an extra year?
Best of luck
 

Just to chip in, I will say that it is great that you come here looking for advice. Take my advice as a grain of salt, considering that I haven't started my MPP yet (but I do have several year of work experience and I've spent well over a year researching this).
 
First of all, 1 year may seem like a lot to wait if your situation is shitty right now, but in the long run it will be nothing if it ultimately helps you make a better choice. You do not want to take your graduate studies lightly. I know that Pakistan can be a suffocating place, but I think you can have it in you to just lay low for twelve more months. 
Regarding GRE, the quant section is actually the easiest to improve, specially if you have several weeks. Just do Magoosh for 30 minutes every day and correct your wrong answers and you will see your score get much higher. (In contrast the verbal section is greatly limited if your english is not up to par or if you weren't an avid reader before-hand). However, also keep in mind that GRE is a very small part of the application, and the one extra year of work (if relevant and you stand out) can do much more difference).
Regarding MBAs, money and positions may not seem like a factor now, but in 2 years they will be, trust me on this. If you go to grad school your primary focus should be on what you want to project your career. That doesn't mean that MBA is the only correct answer here, but you should take into consideration what you want to do. For example, most big non-profits value MBAs more than MPPs. But an MPA may be more valuable for public sector work. Never forget the huge financial undertaking that this choice signifies! Personally, if I could start again and money wasn't an issue I would consider a joint MBA/MPP, but that's just me, given my own preferences and outlook.
Are you competitive for other schools in one more year? Depends. The GRE is not as relevant as you think, as I said above. You say you are passionate, but can you tell a coherent story through your work experiences and volunteer work? Can you get relevant work experience in an extra year?
Best of luck