Harvard Kennedy School : ask for a pre-application ITW?

[FrenchMess]

Hello,

I've read many topics on the pre-ITW issue and it appears to me that it greatly depends on where you're applying to. I'm applying to HKS MPP, SIPA MPA etc. I'm an international student so there is a huge cultural gap when it comes to ask for a pre-application ITW. In my country, it would seriously harm your application as it would seem arrogant, pushy and childish.

So I'm wondering :

- is there anything to gain going on campus on their visiting session? I mean, I don't need to be convinced that their program is good for me, I already know that believe me, I wanna convince them that I would fit well there. Do they give you real opportunities to talk with people involved in the admission process?

- is it worth to get in touch with teachers and what to ask them? In my case, I know their program meets my interests, what I don't know is if mines meets theirs. So I don't picture myself asking a teacher "would you accept me" right?

- Can I directly ask the Admission Office if getting an ITW is possible?

I'm sorry if my questions look stupid, but believe me, again HUGE cultural gap, I really don't know how to handle this and I don't want to make a bad impression...

Thank you very much, I'm litterally lost in translation here...

[DrFaustus666]

Hello,

I've read many topics on the pre-ITW issue and it appears to me that it greatly depends on where you're applying to. I'm applying to HKS MPP, SIPA MPA etc. I'm an international student so there is a huge cultural gap when it comes to ask for a pre-application ITW. In my country, it would seriously harm your application as it would seem arrogant, pushy and childish.

So I'm wondering :

- is there anything to gain going on campus on their visiting session? I mean, I don't need to be convinced that their program is good for me, I already know that believe me, I wanna convince them that I would fit well there. Do they give you real opportunities to talk with people involved in the admission process?

- is it worth to get in touch with teachers and what to ask them? In my case, I know their program meets my interests, what I don't know is if mines meets theirs. So I don't picture myself asking a teacher "would you accept me" right?

- Can I directly ask the Admission Office if getting an ITW is possible?

I'm sorry if my questions look stupid, but believe me, again HUGE cultural gap, I really don't know how to handle this and I don't want to make a bad impression...

Thank you very much, I'm litterally lost in translation here...

Hi F.M.,

(I'm a native born American). I think you can ask the Admissions Office at JFK School but I doubt they'd grant your request . . . not because you're pushy or rude or anything ... MOST schools probably would grant it .... But JKS is such an elite place, there are literally 30 or 40 applicants for every single opening, they simply don't have time for it.

I could be totally wrong.

You MIGHT try it at a lesser-known university first, just to "test the water" so to speak.

If you KNOW somebody at HJKS that would be helpful, or if your father or uncle or mother or aunt is the Ambassador of France to the USA, etc., that would be helpful.

I see nobody's replied, and that's the only reason I'm replying to this. I really don't know anything about it.

When I applied to the Univ of Maryland, they were happy to talk to me, on the phone and in person, but that's a far less competitive environment.

So the short answer is: NO, it's not rude, but I rather doubt they'll interview you until they've reviewed your application ... and it's NOTHING against you personally.

Does that help?

John