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MPP-2011

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Posts posted by MPP-2011

    Official HKS Thread

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    Im sorry you were rejected by the KSG....

    Policyposter,

    I think you are right to express a lot of concerns about the value of paying so much for an MPP, Harvard be damned. It's a decision I'm currently struggling with. However, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness and IBR are the only things that make the thought palatable. I'd encourage you to read up more on these programs. Read all the links that mmac helpfully posted.

    My best understanding, after reading up on the programs and talking to a friend who is currently relying on PSLF+IBR to pay off his law school debts, is that:

    - Interest seems to not really matter. You make the income-based repayment, which should always cover the interest payment at the very least, and is likely paying off some principal. Once you've made your 120 payments your principal and interest balance is forgiven.

    - Limiting your career options is certainly a concern. However, the key is that you make 120 qualifying payments, but they don't have to be consecutive. You can still jump into the private sector for a couple years and come back. This extends the amount of time you're paying off your loans but theoretically the increase in income is worth it. You could possibly find yourself in a situation where you'd like to leave your well-paying government job for a similarly paid consulting job, but your financial incentives wouldn't allow you, even if that private job provides services to governments.

    - You can't ever "stop qualifying" for IBR, as far as I understand it. Your payment just eventually reaches normal levels at higher incomes, at which point it doesn't matter.

    [Correct me if I'm wrong on any of these, guys!]

    I think your concerns about the Harvard MPP vs MPA vs MC/MPA are largely unfounded, though. The differences are mostly related to whether you're 22-27 years old, 30-35 years old, or older, and of course your previous studies and career experience. MPP is most certainly a terminal policy degree. You'd be really strange to get a HKS MPA degree if you already held an MPP... the MPA is basically the same experience, minus the core curriculum. Maybe you would get an MPP from a different school and one day get an MC/MPA to hone your executive skills, but I think even this would be strange.

    In sum: financial concerns, completely valid, but make sure you study IBR and PSLF to decide if it's worth it. Worries about which HKS degree you get, well.. if you want to go to grad school now, get the HKS degree that's appropriate for your stage in life and don't look back.

    Official HKS Thread

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    Ok... just got through.

    I told them about the situation, no email but an admitted student tab in my SPARKS account.

    They said that we should have received an email and that they cant confirm or deny that the tab means that you have been accepted. That you must have the official decision sent.

    They told me that we should send an email to appstatus@hks.harvard.edu , and let them know of your situation.

    Hope it helps!! Good luck!

    I have been trying to call for the past half hour and I nobody answers....

    Anybody else had any luck?

    But based on what they told you we should have already received the email....

    Official HKS Thread

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    I have been trying to call for the past half hour and I nobody answers....

    Anybody else had any luck?

    But based on what they told you we should have already received the email....

    I called them and asked them what the new admits tab was about. first they seemed a bit clueless. then they asked me to check my spam. and then they took my name and email id. basically, they do not know that this has happened. they said nothing about WHEN i will receive the mail..or the result.

    I think people should call them and let them know....

    Official HKS Thread

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    Ok.. this is weird! Same situation as you Elsa. No email, but I also have access to the admitted students page. I have no idea what to make of this.

    If somebody that was rejected could please please just check to see if they have access to this tab I would really appreciate if they could tell us so we dont get our hopes up!

    Thanks!1

    GLT

    Okay, weird question : I haven't gotten any email (neither an acceptance nor a rejection) and on my sparks account I have access to the new admits page. Anyone in the same situation???????

    Official HKS Thread

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    Same situation, I dont fulfill the graduate study requirement. International. Bachelor in Law. GRE 690 Q, 520 V. Partner at a government consulting firm for 2 years. Head Legal/legislative advisior to Speaker of the House in my country 1 year, Legal consultant for the Federal Senate. Campagined for a seat in the House of Representatives Work experience in economic development policy - no academic background in economy

    Official HKS Thread

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    Damn... I dont feel qualified on the academic side either, so I dont know what to think. But after reading that other people that checked the box and were not deemed qualified were moved back to the MPP application, I really dont believe that when they make their MPA decision they can argue that we were not qualified enough for the program.

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