LadyinWaiting Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 You guys are funny. I only applied to KSG, so it's KSG or bust for me. lol. Hope to find out soon. Yep, this process is definitely crazy-making. Obviously I know nothing about you, but that seems like a pretty bold move. What made you decide to apply only to HKS?
YLSnKSG Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Yep, this process is definitely crazy-making. Obviously I know nothing about you, but that seems like a pretty bold move. What made you decide to apply only to HKS? Mainly because I don't want to leave a degree off the table. I did a bunch of public policy fellowships and can go to Kennedy for free if accepted. Wanted to do Kennedy a long time ago, but decided to focus on law school. Done with law school, in my late 20s, so its now or never for the MPP.
mushroom288 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Thanks for the research Blingem! So being optimistic - shouldn't be more than 7 sleeps away. I realise that with all the anticipated will also come deep disappointment if its a negative result, so I guess worth preparing for that too. I just checked out when applicants have heard back in the past: 2010: March 18 & 19 (Thurs and Fri) 2009: March 22 (Sunday) 2008: March 14 & 16 (Fri and Mon) I would hate to be in the group that has to wait until Monday....I'm so sick of checking SPARKS that I set up an email filter. As soon as I receive an email containing the words Harvard, Kennedy to HKS, gmail will send me a text message. Wow...don't know if I should be proud of that.
abaabeel Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Totally panicking right now - I just realized that, on my MPP application, I listed Democracy, Politics and Institutions as my PAC (Policy Area of Concentration), yet my statement of purpose was devoted to educational leadership and its place as a broad area of discipline (which is supposed to be Social/Urban Policy). Did this just mess up my chances? How stringently do they look at what we chose for PAC? We are in the same boat:). My statement of purpose revolves around energy policy and I listed International and Global Affairs as my intended PAC. In my opinion, since there are enough electives to choose from to concentrate in an area, so it should not be a problem. Just a guess. May be someone else could give a more educated response
fso2k11 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I hear that your app is given to 2 people on the AdCom who would be in your concentration, and they give an initial review. But I bet it would be fine. We are in the same boat:). My statement of purpose revolves around energy policy and I listed International and Global Affairs as my intended PAC. In my opinion, since there are enough electives to choose from to concentrate in an area, so it should not be a problem. Just a guess. May be someone else could give a more educated response
magellan Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Good to know the process! Thanks, Blingem. I wouldn't be too discouraged if you mischecked the PAC box. My presumption is that if 2 ppl did on this forum, you aren't the only applicants for whom they'll see clearly defined goals and a different concentration. I hear that your app is given to 2 people on the AdCom who would be in your concentration, and they give an initial review. But I bet it would be fine.
devhopeful Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Hi, I'm kind of new to this... but as everybody here, the waiting is slowly killing me. My guess is that since next week is spring break, staff might use the extra free time to finalize decisions and (hopefully) send the notification near the end of the week. I'm particularly worried about my AW score in the GRE (although a near perfect writing section in the TOEFL). I have a nice story to tell (as probably much of the people applying) and I think I have the type of background they are looking for, but I'm worried that my score will shut me out of the school. Any insights on this? Also, are some of you applying to the joint Japan/World Bank scholarship? when did you apply?? Thanks!! and good luck everybody!!
DCA-John Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Hi, I'm kind of new to this... but as everybody here, the waiting is slowly killing me. My guess is that since next week is spring break, staff might use the extra free time to finalize decisions and (hopefully) send the notification near the end of the week. I'm particularly worried about my AW score in the GRE (although a near perfect writing section in the TOEFL). I have a nice story to tell (as probably much of the people applying) and I think I have the type of background they are looking for, but I'm worried that my score will shut me out of the school. Any insights on this? Also, are some of you applying to the joint Japan/World Bank scholarship? when did you apply?? Thanks!! and good luck everybody!! that would be consistent with the last couple of years - hopefully they'll get decisions out sooner, but I expect to see something around the end of next week as well. I didn't think anyone cared about AW scores - either way, at this point, there's no use worrying about it, since it's out of your hands at this point fso2k11 1
fso2k11 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 (edited) What is your AW score? Mine is a 4.0. (I actually took it twice and got a 3.5 the second time). I got into Cornell CIPA and Carnegie Mellon's MSPPM both with big fellowships. Accepted to Syracuse MPA/MA-IR as well, funding TBD. So I don't think this sinks anyone's application anywhere they apply. Maybe it will knock me out of consideration at HKS? I hope not. Hi, I'm kind of new to this... but as everybody here, the waiting is slowly killing me. My guess is that since next week is spring break, staff might use the extra free time to finalize decisions and (hopefully) send the notification near the end of the week. I'm particularly worried about my AW score in the GRE (although a near perfect writing section in the TOEFL). I have a nice story to tell (as probably much of the people applying) and I think I have the type of background they are looking for, but I'm worried that my score will shut me out of the school. Any insights on this? Also, are some of you applying to the joint Japan/World Bank scholarship? when did you apply?? Thanks!! and good luck everybody!! Edited March 10, 2011 by blingem
devhopeful Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Thanks DCA-John!! I know that at this point there is not point worrying about scores, but this is also the time when people start second guessing themselves the most....I do hope they don't care..... Blingem, mine was 3.5, I almost didn't practice before the test and ran out of time in one of the essays. But what matters now is the score, not the "why"...... Well, at this point I just hope we both get in!! Although your other choices are not bad either. Again, good luck!!
abogs78 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I don't think your AW score will be the only thing that will knock you out of a top school. A friend who had a 3.0 AW last year applied with solid work experience, good recommendations and SOP for his applications to HKS. In fact his verbal GRE scores were not even high but you know what....he applied anyways and he got in with a good amount of funding. AW score, GRE scores or GPAs are not the determining factors. They look at your application as whole and decide if you are good fit for the program and will ultimately contribute to program and your classmates experience. What am I saying? Relax folks, it is out of your hand at the moment, you have already submitted the application and there is nothing more you can do. It makes sense to wait for Harvard to tell you YES, you are in, NO, you are not and WE LIKE YOU BUT, chill on the waitlist. What is your AW score? Mine is a 4.0. (I actually took it twice and got a 3.5 the second time). I got into Cornell CIPA and Carnegie Mellon's MSPPM both with big fellowships. Accepted to Syracuse MPA/MA-IR as well, funding TBD. Maybe it will knock me out of consideration at HKS? I hope not. fso2k11 1
canesfan2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I'm also second guessing myself because even though I'm minoring in economics I took all the upper level econ classes last semester and had to submit my transcript to them before final grades came out so it looks like I only took two econ classes... thankfully I had one of those econ professors write me a recommendation, so that could help it. I've got a feeling about hearing something today or tomorrow! But I've also only slept 3 of the last 48 hours and could just be hoping for a self-fulfilling prophecy... YAY DELIRIUM.
thechairman Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I don't think your AW score will be the only thing that will knock you out of a top school. A friend who had a 3.0 AW last year applied with solid work experience, good recommendations and SOP for his applications to HKS. In fact his verbal GRE scores were not even high but you know what....he applied anyways and he got in with a good amount of funding. AW score, GRE scores or GPAs are not the determining factors. They look at your application as whole and decide if you are good fit for the program and will ultimately contribute to program and your classmates experience. What am I saying? Relax folks, it is out of your hand at the moment, you have already submitted the application and there is nothing more you can do. It makes sense to wait for Harvard to tell you YES, you are in, NO, you are not and WE LIKE YOU BUT, chill on the waitlist. Does anyone know what criteria they use for admissions? I can't recall where, but I think I may have read somewhere that they have a couple categories, like leadership and commitment to public service in addition to academics that they assign points for? Anyone know anything?
UrbanWonk Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I know the professor recommendations include a form to rate the student, where one of the categories is humor (my prof mentioned it to me because he thought it was so amusing). I got top marks in that...wonder if HKS will be impressed? =)
EconSpengler Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Does anyone know what criteria they use for admissions? I can't recall where, but I think I may have read somewhere that they have a couple categories, like leadership and commitment to public service in addition to academics that they assign points for? Anyone know anything? I think I remember reading somewhere (most likely somewhere on this forum) that they rank each candidate on a scale of 1 to 4 in each of these categories: Leadership, Commitment to Public Service, Academics, Special Talent / Extraordinary Backgroud / Diversity. I could be way off base though. Anyone please feel free to show me the error of my ways.
abogs78 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Guys, speculation does not ease the tension, it makes it worse. Just hope for the best. I wish you all good luck and great news from HKS! name='EconSpengler' timestamp='1299788105' post='218817'] I think I remember reading somewhere (most likely somewhere on this forum) that they rank each candidate on a scale of 1 to 4 in each of these categories: Leadership, Commitment to Public Service, Academics, Special Talent / Extraordinary Backgroud / Diversity. I could be way off base though. Anyone please feel free to show me the error of my ways.
IdealThinker Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Completely agree! We really need to push our doubts aside. And just try to relax. Some of us are going to be well happy when we get the results, others filled with disappointment. So we really just need to put things in perspective and be like, if I get in then great, and if not, yes it's upsetting, but there's more to life then Harvard and there's plenty more dreams! LadyinWaiting 1
DCA-John Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I think I remember reading somewhere (most likely somewhere on this forum) that they rank each candidate on a scale of 1 to 4 in each of these categories: Leadership, Commitment to Public Service, Academics, Special Talent / Extraordinary Backgroud / Diversity. I could be way off base though. Anyone please feel free to show me the error of my ways. Also dancing ability - they asked you to submit a video, right? zourah and fso2k11 2
intlpolicy10 Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 Also dancing ability - they asked you to submit a video, right? DCA-John, you got it wrong! Baton twirling, not dancing.
Status Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 From my past experience the admission office try as much as possible to avoid ppl calling their office so they send out admission results on Friday. Admitted student are usually the first to receive the e-mail and if you're rejected, you probably receive an e-mail around 5:00pm EST on Friday. DCA-John, you got it wrong! Baton twirling, not dancing.
abaabeel Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Guys what on earth are you talking about? Dont worry . They are talking about special talent
tigereyes25 Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Hmm..looking back at what someone posted before, looks like you might be right. I guess the main question is do we really think they will start sending out decisions as early as March 11th? 2010: March 18 & 19 (Thurs and Fri) 2009: March 22 (Sunday) 2008: March 14 & 16 (Fri and Mon) From my past experience the admission office try as much as possible to avoid ppl calling their office so they send out admission results on Friday. Admitted student are usually the first to receive the e-mail and if you're rejected, you probably receive an e-mail around 5:00pm EST on Friday.
LadyinWaiting Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 I'm guessing a week from today. (Again, managing expectations) Odd that they would send them on a Sunday, right? Maybe the admissions office was working straight through the weekend, evaluating all those policy-oriented baton twirling vids. Hmm..looking back at what someone posted before, looks like you might be right. I guess the main question is do we really think they will start sending out decisions as early as March 11th? 2010: March 18 & 19 (Thurs and Fri) 2009: March 22 (Sunday) 2008: March 14 & 16 (Fri and Mon)
tigereyes25 Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 yea I agree, March 11th just sounds too early (although they DID push up the deadline up by a month and eliminate an essay!) in any case, I agree, earliest will prob be next Friday. one more week! I'm guessing a week from today. (Again, managing expectations) Odd that they would send them on a Sunday, right? Maybe the admissions office was working straight through the weekend, evaluating all those policy-oriented baton twirling vids.
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