Harvard Kennedy School Admissions

[soaps]

I know some of you are disappointed but if you really want HKS I would recommend that you reapply because it really does help to show them you like them and are committed. I was rejected and I reapplied and was accepted as well. School will always be there so don't feel like you have to start school again this year. And contrary to all my bashing of HKS, that sub 20% acceptance rate is real and the question is not "Why was I rejected" but "Why was I accepted".

 

Thanks! Best advice you've given yet.

 

[soaps]

Definitely not - every program is different!  Also, when evaluating an applicant's candidacy, I understand the WWS places less weight on GRE scores than HKS.  Don't give up hope!

 

I was scared away from WWS because of my quant score... didn't even bother applying. Is it not as quant heavy for their MPA?

[Noway82]

Congrats for people who got in and good luck on other ventures for others. Do any MC-MPA got a letter?  One of my school justed accepted me (Oxford) but fin aid is still pending ...my job offer still to be responded by next Monday. Hopefully by then i hear from HKG.

[rz922]

I'm out also (MPP). Disappointed but not surprised. Hopefully Columbia will soften the blow...

[bazinga]

Congrats to all those who got in and good luck to those really waitlisted. I am personally feeling terrible. I got waitlisted last year and straight up rejected this year. . I dont know what I did wrong or right, but really want to go to HKS, so much so I turned down SIPA to reapply and did'nt get through this year as well. What would you suggest I do. anyone has had any experience with interacting with matt clemons or anyone else in the admissions office on what specific concerns they may have that i can remedy. I would really appreciate all you advice and guidance. Thanks,

 

Basic stats, Q163 V 164 GPA3.22 Ivy league Econ. 2.5 years work solid with great reco's.

Edited March 13, 2013 by bazinga

[EnricoPallazo]

So...last year MC/MPA was day #3? Moreover, would anybody be able to rank the relevance of the different parts of the application for that program?

[JFactor]

Rejected. Congrats to all who got in! My first rejection this year but can't say I'm surprised. It was the only MPP degree I applied to; I'm focused on international trade/political economy so HKS wasn't really the best program for me, so I have to say they probably made a smart decision on their part.

 

Funny thing - I got an email from Tufts (Fletcher school) the exact same minute as I did from HKS! What are the odds for that? Got accepted there so not all bad news : )

[victoriage]

Congrats to all who got in. I am not surprised that I did not get in, considering I have no work experience at all....

[gatsby8724]

I was scared away from WWS because of my quant score... didn't even bother applying. Is it not as quant heavy for their MPA?

 

soapwater, I initially felt the same way!  (I'm a terrible standardized test taker, but I did relatively well in my undergraduate econ/stat in courses)  My previous post is a reflection of what was explained to me at the on-campus information session I attended at the WWS (sans the comparison to HKS).  I also understand from that session the WWS has three different quant tracks.

 

At a grad school fair this fall, I was told by a HKS admissions rep that they're generally looking for quant scores in the 80th percentile and above.  Of course, there are always exceptions, but this gave me the impression that HKS places more weight on the GRE.

 

I hope this clarifies things.  I wish you luck with your SIPA and Oxford applications!

[goodtogo]

Yeah I've heard nothing. So I think this is just the MPPs.

 

Thanks, hopefully by Friday....Good Luck!

[soaps]

soapwater, I initially felt the same way!  (I'm a terrible standardized test taker, but I did relatively well in my undergraduate econ/stat in courses)  My previous post is a reflection of what was explained to me at the on-campus information session I attended at the WWS (sans the comparison to HKS).  I also understand from that session the WWS has three different quant tracks.

 

At a grad school fair this fall, I was told by a HKS admissions rep that they're generally looking for quant scores in the 80th percentile and above.  Of course, there are always exceptions, but this gave me the impression that HKS places more weight on the GRE.

 

I hope this clarifies things.  I wish you luck with your SIPA and Oxford applications!

 

Wow, I wish I'd been given the same impression of WWS from others on this forum! Thanks for clarifying. I should have applied. 

And thanks re: SIPA and Oxford, although somehow I doubt it'll go well for me. Best of luck to you as well!

[zl1234567890]

Hi, Anyone heard from the MPAID program or was it just for the MPP today? HKS is my top choice, and ive got a scholarship on hold waiting for this result to come through so ive been going crazy checking my email at least twenty times a day! Ive gotten into NYU, Duke, Uchicago, Cornell and Georgetown so far but my hearts set on HKS. @decaf.....ive also applied to the mpp program at oxford, havent heard anything from them.surely not a good sign. Would u mind sharing ur profile?

[soaps]

Congrats to all those who got in and good luck to those really waitlisted. I am personally feeling terrible. I got waitlisted last year and straight up rejected this year. . I dont know what I did wrong or right, but really want to go to HKS, so much so I turned down SIPA to reapply and did'nt get through this year as well. What would you suggest I do. anyone has had any experience with interacting with matt clemons or anyone else in the admissions office on what specific concerns they may have that i can remedy. I would really appreciate all you advice and guidance. Thanks,

 

Basic stats, Q163 V 164 GPA3.22 Ivy league Econ. 2.5 years work solid with great reco's.

 

Those stats sound pretty solid. This was my first year applying, but your situation is my worst nightmare. Sorry I can't provide more consolation, but hopefully others can. Is your work experience not public sector? That and the personal statement may have been what it came down to.

[campussartorialist]

Congrats to all those who got in and good luck to those really waitlisted. I am personally feeling terrible. I got waitlisted last year and straight up rejected this year. . I dont know what I did wrong or right, but really want to go to HKS, so much so I turned down SIPA to reapply and did'nt get through this year as well. What would you suggest I do. anyone has had any experience with interacting with matt clemons or anyone else in the admissions office on what specific concerns they may have that i can remedy. I would really appreciate all you advice and guidance. Thanks,

 

Basic stats, Q163 V 164 GPA3.22 Ivy league Econ. 2.5 years work solid with great reco's.

 

So sorry to hear--- this is tough and my heart is breaking for you Unsure if you are a minority or international student, but if so it could be worth reaching out to the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion. They are very warm and the director, Alexandra Martinez, is a former admissions director. 

Edited March 13, 2013 by campussartorialist

[bazinga]

Thanks so much soapwater and campussartorialist. Whats confusing me is that I get waitlisted last year, and got dinged this year . Now I dont know if last year was lucky or was this year unlucly. I will try speaking to Alexandra Martinez, perhaps ill speak to hear end of this month when she has recovered from the admissions cycle. 

[Kadisha]

Boooooo... Didn't get in. Congratulations to all who did. Can't say I'm not bummed out, but Harvard was never a first choice. It's going back to Boston that attracted me to it. Keeping my fingers crossed for Georgetown.

[Noway82]

Hey I am from the private sector  (7 years) with solid NGO experience on the side. I did present my GRE scores: V 164 Q162 Awa 4.5. Non native speaker.

grad school in econ GPA 4.0.

[Kitten]

Welp, time to go teach English in Korea

It's not a bad idea! I teach English in Korea now. I was sent an acceptance email this morning for the MPP program.

Just don't teach 6th graders!

[bazinga]

Your success rate has been amazing @kitten, could you possible sharw with us your stats and the theme of your app. 

[Kitten]

Your success rate has been amazing @kitten, could you possible sharw with us your stats and the theme of your app. 

Thanks and sure. Is it normal for someone to do this in a post or a private message? I'm not sure, but I don't feel the need to be secretive so I'll just do it this way.

GPA (public, 4-year university): 3.91

GRE: 167 V, 164 Q, 5.5 AW

Experience: Advocacy work in college, teaching English abroad for 3 years.

SOP: I mentioned JFK's speech and how I disagree with a part of what he said based on what I've observed in my community (growing up) and abroad. But I left it on a positive note for what I want to do in the future. I focused on showing the reasons for my commitment to public service.

I applied to grad school not assuming that any school is a 'safe school.' Thus you can see that I applied to a total of 20 schools. I did not want to delay school another year and my boyfriend also applied to 20 programs (in a different field) to increase our chance of ending up at the same school in the fall. It was SO very expensive to do this, but we feel like it has paid off so far.

Now that I've gone through the application process, I realize that I'm less concerned with which school accepts me and more with how much funding I am offered. From those funding offers, I will choose the best fit. I got a great financial offer at another school and if Harvard doesn't come through with an equal amount (which it won't), I will humbly decline the offer. Don't give up hope if you think that this is THE program for you.

Good luck to every one, no matter what your next step is!

[Rugger]

Very excited to have this acceptance!  Still not sure where I'll end up as I plan on going to the various admitted students days and taking another look at the financials... but coming into this Harvard was my top choice.

 

First week of April will be a big one.

[soaps]

Very excited to have this acceptance!  Still not sure where I'll end up as I plan on going to the various admitted students days and taking another look at the financials... but coming into this Harvard was my top choice.

 

First week of April will be a big one.

 

Congrats! Do you mind providing your stats and background?

[pete-mc]

Do the admitted/waitlisted/denied candidates mind posting their general admissions text here so that we who are still awaiting know a bit about what to expect?

[pete-mc]

I find it strange that the MC/MPAs, especially Masons, havent been notified first, given the fact that the summer program is only 3 months or so away.

 

Funding, visa, relocation, job resignation, etc. and all that still have to be tackled in this short time frame.

 

And I honestly dont know how those who require a visa can get it until admit day which is only 2-3 weeks from now. It's a logistical nightmare.

[Noway82]

I was exactly expecting the same as time is tight for the mason...hopefully by Friday It will be out.