HKS Mid-Career MPA

[tkdgva]

DITTO, I never thought I would ever say this but HKS and MC/MPA suck!

Folks I don't mean to turn this into a Ding rant but it seems a lot of people on this forum who applied onto the program have some amazing profiles out there!!

I have looked at some profiles who have been accepted from previous years from my country (South Africa) and they are very unimpressive old school politics people who will likely never return to my country to do anything meaningful for the struggling people over there, ugh , just cause they were associated with big names in politics in their work history etc.

Again Im sorry for the rant but it seems if you don't have a big title with some big name head of state or some minister associated with , you may not get onto the mid career program, no matter how sincere or passionate you are about the public good ..

Let's go out there and make a change we are all going to do great things for the public, Harvard or not!

ugh

[Suzette100]

For the Mason applicants who did get in, pls share your background/work experience. I am curious.

[trotamundos]

For non-Mason MC/MPA applicants, I just called and they still stuck to the April 30th line, but they also said that the decisions may come out earlier. I asked them if it's worth waiting another day before paying my deposit on another program, and they said "yea". Not much info there, but that's what I got

[Aoteroa]

For non-Mason MC/MPA applicants, I just called and they still stuck to the April 30th line, but they also said that the decisions may come out earlier. I asked them if it's worth waiting another day before paying my deposit on another program, and they said "yea". Not much info there, but that's what I got

Thanks trotamundos. I was about to send off acceptance to another school....but maybe I'll wait one more day. Not that it helps much if the financial aid decisions are still separate and not for another few weeks. Argh.

[cbyerschile]

Seems that the extra day wait for those with April 15th deadlines elsewhere has come and gone without any news... Anyone heard anything new?

[Aoteroa]

Seems that the extra day wait for those with April 15th deadlines elsewhere has come and gone without any news... Anyone heard anything new?

Complete silence. I tried phoning on Friday but was just put on hold and then not answered. Hopeless!

[trotamundos]

I too have heard nothing new to date... the wait continues... perhaps all the way to Apr 30

[Ayn'Align]

Suzette100,

I am one of the lucky new admits to HKS MC/MPA Mason program. I have over 14 years of civil service experience in international relations field. During my professional career I was assigned to different positions as head of political section of the Embassy, Spokesperson for the Ministry, head of Information department, etc.

Apart from professional experience / background their decision also depends greatly on how you managed to present yourself in your essays and show your vast experience, commitment to public service, personal input to the public interest and leadership potential.

I also think that regional representation did matter. I mean the Admissions Office is keen to keep fair regional representation.

Since I presume there are many applicants from China and India (just because of the size of their population) competition amongst them far too severe than amongst applicants from underrepresented regions (for example South Caucasus, Central Asia). Hope this clarifies a bit.

For the Mason applicants who did get in, pls share your background/work experience. I am curious.

[Suzette100]

Suzette100,

I am one of the lucky new admits to HKS MC/MPA Mason program. I have over 14 years of civil service experience in international relations field. During my professional career I was assigned to different positions as head of political section of the Embassy, Spokesperson for the Ministry, head of Information department, etc.

Apart from professional experience / background their decision also depends greatly on how you managed to present yourself in your essays and show your vast experience, commitment to public service, personal input to the public interest and leadership potential.

I also think that regional representation did matter. I mean the Admissions Office is keen to keep fair regional representation.

Since I presume there are many applicants from China and India (just because of the size of their population) competition amongst them far too severe than amongst applicants from underrepresented regions (for example South Caucasus, Central Asia). Hope this clarifies a bit.

Thank you very much. I agree with your assessment. I know last year's China MC/MPA Mason admit was the Deputy Mayor of Qinghai Provincee, and he did had to leave mid-year to attend to important provincial matters.

[Alyson_gr]

Is everyone else finding this waiting impossible???

[grehell]

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.

Is everyone else finding this waiting impossible???

[whirlybird]

I applied to the non-Mason MC/MPA and have not heard anything yet. If it makes anyone feel better, I talked to a colleague who is a full professor at Harvard and he was appalled to hear how long it's taking. He runs admissions for his department and they got everything done weeks ago even though he's really busy. I did hear that HKS took a big hit to their endowment so maybe they had to cut staff.

[policy_wonk_18]

The wait for results has been atrocious. The program begins in 90 days, and still no word. Many will have to transition lives to Cambridge by July 1 - thus, each passing day compresses the timeframe further and increases stress.

While I presume the wait is almost over, I can't help but find the process ludicrous - and frankly, a bit rude.

Nevertheless, it will be good to get resolution soon, either way. Good luck to all as the final days and hours tick away.

[Aoteroa]

The wait for results has been atrocious. The program begins in 90 days, and still no word. Many will have to transition lives to Cambridge by July 1 - thus, each passing day compresses the timeframe further and increases stress.

While I presume the wait is almost over, I can't help but find the process ludicrous - and frankly, a bit rude.

Nevertheless, it will be good to get resolution soon, either way. Good luck to all as the final days and hours tick away.

I think policy wonk has articulated my frustrations exactly. The whole process was made more annoying given they initially told us decisions would be on 1 April. Many of us mid-careers are working so we need to resign our jobs, and in many cases shift countries, to start this program on time. I've found HKS are making a poor impression in the way that they value their potential students. I've almost given up checking my emails!

[trotamundos]

I agree with the above sentiments completely. I get more information from this online forum than I do from HKS.

[sam7]

I agree with the above sentiments completely. I get more information from this online forum than I do from HKS.

An anonymous applicant did post his/her acceptance to the MC/MPA program earlier today (I'm assuming this is Non-Mason since the decision came today via email). Personally, I still have not received any decision update but am hoping for tomorrow. Good Luck to you all

[trotamundos]

quote name='sam7' timestamp='1303427911' post='248394']

An anonymous applicant did post his/her acceptance to the MC/MPA program earlier today (I'm assuming this is Non-Mason since the decision came today via email). Personally, I still have not received any decision update but am hoping for tomorrow. Good Luck to you all

[sam7]

Really?? Where was it posted? I just checked my email and still have not received any news.

[Alyson_gr]

On the upside, with only 6 days to go before the 30th (not including weekend days), that gives us a 16.67% chance that today is the day...

[policy_wonk_18]

*crickets chirping*

[trotamundos]

lol

*crickets chirping*

[Aoteroa]

I received my acceptance 17 minutes ago to my gmail account!! YAY! Good luck everyone :-)

[HKSMPA12]

Got my acceptance email at 1:59pm EDT. Very excited...and relieved!! What a wait!!

[whirlybird]

Looks like a whole batch went out 1:59 pm. Got my acceptance at that time to.

Background: 13 years at consulting firm, last 5 years as partner. Then senior role at non-profit started by Harvard, Princeton, MIT professors. GRE 800 Math, 660 Verbal, 5 AWA. Penn/Wharton undergrad

[grehell]

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