grehell

Hi Axay, I just got accepted onto the Harvard mid-career mpa. I have a mostly private background (consulting for one of the big 4) but most of my clients were public sector/government. I think that those from a private background can still earn a place - you just have to really stress your interest in public service and why you want to do it i.e. relate it to your future career and aspirations. You just about have enough experience for it (similar to me) so you have to show the depth of your experience also. Also unfortunately the Harvard MPA does require the GRE/GMAT. Don't worry about the scores too much. If you get a good quant score maybe it can make up for your previous quant/econ scores etc.

ah - thanks for the heads up on Virgin. Davis is a cute town - I lived in Sacramento/SF for 4 years and had a couple nights out there. Lots of bikes!

I am also going to Cambridge from the UK. I am probably going to go with Virgin mobile for a cell contract as I want unlimited data and texts without signing a 24 month contract: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ With regards to luggage I am only going for a year so I am renting a furnished apartment on campus and I am only allowing myself to take 2 extra bags so I have 3 in total. The US is cheaper for winter clothes etc so will buy some out there. Any tips welcome!

Hi - does anyone know how many of us will be going to summer school? My offer was conditional on my attending, but just wondering what proportion have to attend also? I registered online for it but have heard nothing since!

I am not shipping. I am renting a furnished apartment so I don't have to buy any bulky items. I am going to just pay for extra luggage. Virgin and British Airways only charge 50 dollars (32 pounds) for an extra case. So I am taking 1 or 2 free cases(depending who I fly) and i will pay for 2 or 3 cases. The F1/F2 visa process seems quite straightforward (compared to the L1 which I had before) but yes there are so many forms!

Hi! I am there for a year doing a mid career Masters. My actual course starts in August but I am attending summer school beforehand which starts in July. I move there at the end of June! I have sorted accommodation . As I am there for just a year I wanted to stay on campus in Harvard accommodation and save the hassle etc. It is slightly more pricey but location and convenience always win for me! I am going to live in a building called 10 Akron Street. Anyhoo - if you are up for meeting for a coffee or emailing etc send me a PM. Have you sorted visa etc? I am just doing all that stuff now. So many forms and such little time!

Hello, I am going to Harvard Kennedy School this fall and I am moving to Boston/Cambridge in late June/early July (for summer school). Just wondering if there are any other Brits/Londoners who are also making the move there? i.e. Harvard, MIT or BU students? Thanks!

Hi Policy_Wonk_18 For me, the main reason I want to go to HKS is for the network. As you mentioned there will be many highly accomplished individuals on the program and I would love to learn from them and have them in my network. The program has graduated folks like Ban Ki Moon and Presidents. Plus the Harvard name and faculty is a big plus. I love the HKS ethos and I do think they genuinely look for people who want to do good in the world. I have zero political / government connections etc but I still got in. There are so many other great schools in the US, some arguably better than HKS, but as a British citizen Harvard is one of the few institutions that is universally heard of and regarded. The British are somewhat ignorant of American schools and vice-versa. I want to go somewhere that is internationally and universally recognized as I tend to work abroad a lot and I am not from the USA. They are just some of my personal reasons. Opportunities are what you make them. Harvard may not be the best school for everyone but I think it is for me.

Yep I also received notification and got nada. Oh well I was expecting it!

I agree with New Direction - do not give up and try again next year. A lot of the selection process comes down to luck etc If you are determined to get in - don't let this initial hurdle stop you! New Direction, I have set up a separate forum

Hello All, I just it would be nice to establish a forum for the incoming HKS MC/MPA students to exchange tips, questions thoughts etc I was just wondering if anyone has their Harvard user name / password etc to log into email and submit their ID card photo? I am really looking forward to meeting you all! I will be coming from London so I am frantically trying to pack and relocate my life up in 6-8 weeks!

Have any admitted MC/MPA students received their HUID yet? i.e. the log in credentials you need to submit photos etc? Thanks

Just got my acceptance ... and I am taking it!

Yes Alyson I am! I can't make any life plans for the next few years until I know. Yikes. I really do hope we find out soon. I am all the way in London so it seems that there is no news for the international MC/MPA applicants either.

Any indication/updates of the regular MC/MPA program? I am losing hope

Nope not yet! I have literally been staring at my email all day (really sad I know!).

Anyone else heard anything? I have not yet - and I am going crazy! I am an international applicant of the MC/MPA (not Mason's). Patience is a virtue that I definitely do not have Good luck everyone!

Indeed it has. I am so nervous. I was absolutely fine until I knew that decisions are out next week! Now I will be taking a deep breath every time I open my email. Good luck everyone!

Very true - I check my email like a mad woman! Good to know that they need quick decisions. Means they will communicate early ... at least to the people they really want Thanks for the update. Good luck on getting in. The more time goes by the more I am thinking that I won't!

Thanks for the update Aoteroa. I wonder how long it will take to communicate all results to everyone. Think that it will be starting next week and will be rolling all the way up till end of April grr Did they say that they would be telling most people next week? Thanks!

Yep same. It is probably a good thing as I would check SPARKS everyday for no reason

Nope. Nor the financial aid password. just wondering if it was just me. Think they will send these out soon after the mad application dust has settled.

By the way has everyone received their SPARKS passwords?

I got around the 680 mark for the GRE. My friend who graduated from the program last year said that many people get into the program with lower scores than that (some get in with really bad scores) and there are obviously those who get higher scores. Those who get low scores have to compensate with the depth of their experience and their essays. I have 8 years of relevant experience- 7 years working for a large global consulting firm serving federal government clients in the UK and USA. Over the last year I have been operating as an independent consultant working with public clients & charity CEOs. I am currently undertaking an international development assignment to get closer to my career aspirations. I have no idea about my changes - I also wouldn't be surprised either way. I REALLY want to get in though so fingers crossed!

Hey guys. I managed to submit my application as well - it was really hellish! I am a bit worried about my verbal GRE score but I got a decent quant score. I just hope I did enough! I wonder how many people applied this year and what the admittance rate was last year - anyone know? Good luck to everyone, I hope we all get in Seems like none of us had it easy with our personal statements! ps -Anyone else international? I am applying from London.