HKS MPP vs MC/MPA

[breezyisaa]

Just wanted to get general feedback about the benefits and drawbacks of HKS MPP vs MC/MPA.  Not quite sure where I might be a better fit.  Besides the obvious, what kind of applicant profile would you attribute to each?

[Kaneisha]

Hey Breezy Isaa! You'd be a great fit for the MC/MPA if you have more than 7 years of work experience with substantial accomplishments during that time. With 7-8 years of work experience, you'd be a baby among the Mid-careers, though. Some benefits to the Mid-Career program is that it's all electives (though there are course distribution requirements) whereas the MPP has lots of required core courses. Another option (if you have another Masters) is the MPA2, which I'm a big fan of for people who feel inbetween the MPP and the MPA/MC.

 

Hope that helps!

Edited April 30, 2014 by Kaneisha

[breezyisaa]

Hey Kaneisha~ thanks so much.  I've been in my career for about 10 yrs now.  I don't know what would be considered significant accomplishments, but I doubt any of mine qualify.  I have had an upward career trajectory, gaining more responsibility.  I spent 6 years as a univesity Program Manager of a research project and managed federal and state grants.  But I was PI on only one state grant, the rest I was administrator on and cruched the data and wrote the findings reports.  Then I was a Signing Offical with UC for med. programs.  I've been consientious and received perfect evaluations every year, but no, I haven't been lobbying congress, had multiple community organization campaigns, or won major awards.  I mean, my office was in an abandoned housing project for two years and then an old morgue so I could work where the underserved could get to us easily...not exactly glamorous or high-powered!  Funny, yes, but anyhow I don't mind because that's the population I want to work with.  Frankly I spent a lot of time keeping the program running, which meant applying for grants that fit our program well and getting data that showed we were effective and lobbying anyone with a voice or a little bit of clout to keep our doors open so that kids who had nowhere else could count on this place for an education and  a safe haven.  That kind of took up all my time and I guess in the process I forgot to do something impressive.  Oops.  Oh well, I wouldn't take it back and if HKS isn't the right fit some other place will be.  Thanks again!

[mysticimage15]

Hello Kaneish,

 

Im not sure if this is the right forum to post my query. I have visited the HKS campus and met with the acad counsellor in Jun 2012, however was not in a position to apply for my MC MPA then due to personal exigencies. Now, i believe is a good time for me to apply. However, i have interacted with alumni in the past couple years and understand applicants essentially come from a political sciences or diplomatic background. a snapshot of my profile is below:

 

Education: Mechanical engineer and MBA

Professional Profile: Business and IT Strategy consultant for international clients including IT strategy for 2 government institutions

Total experience: 11 years

Reason for studies: Looking at moving into government affairs

 

Does this remotely seem to even be a fit for candidature for the MC MPA course.

 

I plan to work on my SOPs and LORs and bring to closure in the next 30 days so i can apply by 2nd Dec.

 

Will be helpful if you can PM on this. Appreciate your advise.

 

Regards,

Mysticimage15

[Kaneisha]

Hi MysticImage,

 

Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I recommend you ask this question (if you haven't already) over in the "Am I competitive?" forum. 

 

But...yes. You could apply to the MC/MPA as long as you have a compelling reason for why attending HKS is a crucial part of your (very clear, specific, thought out) career goals.