jkt0319

Does anyone have a class profile for MPP students at HKS? Average GPA, GRE scores, etc. I found this (http://www.hks.harvard.edu/degrees/admissions/overview/class-profiles) which gives all the basic statistics but it does nothing for those of us sitting on pins and needles. I guess it really doesn't matter since I submitted my application on Wednesday...but I like torturing myself...

I actually have a different view - but take my advice with a grain of salt. I'm also applying to HKS for Fall 2012 admission so I have no idea whether my views have any truth behind them or not. I would actually recommend you to cut your essay down to 1000 words or less. While I don't know how much weight the Admissions Committee puts behind word limits, one of the qualities they are looking for in applicants is the ability to write concisely and that means putting your entire life story into 1000 words. Furthermore, I also think that the fewer chances you take the better but that could also depend on the content of your HKS essay. If you don't think you can cut 100 words, I would weigh whether the content of those 100 words is worth the risk of going over the limit. I'm a really risk adverse person so for my application, I'm trying my best to eliminate every opportunity the Admissions Committee has to reject me. There is always the option of making your essay a PDF and then it won't be so easy to count words exactly...

Woops! Thanks for the correction. As someone mentioned above, HKS doesn't have a page limit but most academic CVs for professional degrees I've seen are in the 3-4 page range. I've also kept mine in that range because another application limits it to 4 pages (I just can't remember which school). As for the spacing, I was personally taught throughout high school to always make it doubled-spaced. That being said, I saw a friend's application (she is now at student at HKS) and she single-spaced her essay. I don't think they'll reject you simply because of spacing, but I like taking wins wherever I can find them. And HKS has a word-limit rather than a page limit (like Goldman) so it doesn't hurt to double-space in my opinion.

I would try your best to get all your supporting materials in by 5pm if that's what they say...though you could always email Admissions and ask. They've been pretty responsive to my emails. As for the CV, the total length is not to exceed 1000 words, approximately 3 pages doubled spaced. I think the length requirement is in the online application, right underneath the prompt. I'm applying to HKS as well for Fall 2012, so this application has been stressing me out the last month or so. Good luck!

I'm in the process of filling out my online applications for graduate schools (MPP) and a lot of the applications ask what other schools you are applying to. Should you be truthful or selectively mention some schools ( am applying to 8 but they don't all fit in the blanks they provide)? I remember hearing (and granted, this was during my undergraduate application process) that you are better off not telling schools their competition just in case. So, is this question a trick question? Or am I just thinking too much? Is there a strategy to answering this question?

I'm applying to an MPP program at HKS and their directions in the application ask that your CV show interests and extracurriculars. How do I do this without looking dumb? I mean, I assume they are asking for interests outside of public policy but I don't know how to include my hobbies in a professional way. Should I include a separate "Interests" section? Or should I try to fold them into the rest of the CV? Problem is I don't really know how to include things like cooking, pilates (as examples) into a professional CV that talks mainly about public service or public policy. Can anyone help me? Or have examples? Thank you!!