Are HKS results not going to be released till April?

[2010Applicant]

'06: Mar 14

'07: Mar 9

'08: Mar 14

'09: Mar 26

The above were the notification dates for MPP/MPA (there's sometimes a day's difference between the two) in the past few years. This year HKS' webpage says it's going to be April. I just wonder if it's been saying 'April' for all these years (but then notified earlier) or if this is a new thing this year. Anyone have an idea?

Last year the economic situation was the worst and the number of applications skyrocketed, hence the delay until the 26th, as far as I understand. This year should be better though, so why April?

[mpp_applicant]

'06: Mar 14

'07: Mar 9

'08: Mar 14

'09: Mar 26

The above were the notification dates for MPP/MPA (there's sometimes a day's difference between the two) in the past few years. This year HKS' webpage says it's going to be April. I just wonder if it's been saying 'April' for all these years (but then notified earlier) or if this is a new thing this year. Anyone have an idea?

Last year the economic situation was the worst and the number of applications skyrocketed, hence the delay until the 26th, as far as I understand. This year should be better though, so why April?

This is concerning. Would we only have until April 15 to make decisions? I was hoping to visit week of my school's spring break Mar. 15-19 (I'm a teacher) if I get in. Is it possible to ask for my decision early if it's not out by Mar. 15?

Also, what makes you think applications will be down this year? Unemployment is still increasing.

[jndaven]

Don't they always say April? They just don't want to overpromise and then not deliver.

[zourah]

Don't they always say April? They just don't want to overpromise and then not deliver.

They always say April.

Is it possible to ask for my decision early if it's not out by Mar. 15?

You can call and ask, but the decision will come when the admissions folks are ready. I sincerely doubt anything you do will change when they release it.

[2010Applicant]

mpp_applicant: yes, unemployment is still increasing, but it's the prospect that counts most. It was Oct-Nov 2008 when the last batch of people had to decide whether or not to apply for grad school, and we all know what was happening then. Institutions from banks to NGOs were seeing nothing but doomsday scenarios. It's very different now. Not that I think the economy is really better, but it's doubtless that people are seeing a brighter future. So I think the number of applications would be less than that of last year.

zourah: thanks.

[le_neocon]

mpp_applicant: yes, unemployment is still increasing, but it's the prospect that counts most. It was Oct-Nov 2008 when the last batch of people had to decide whether or not to apply for grad school, and we all know what was happening then. Institutions from banks to NGOs were seeing nothing but doomsday scenarios. It's very different now. Not that I think the economy is really better, but it's doubtless that people are seeing a brighter future. So I think the number of applications would be less than that of last year.

zourah: thanks.

I sure hope the number of applicants comes down. Although when it comes to HKS, I do see it as a big lottery of sorts. Does anyone know the acceptance to applicants ratio for HKS ?

[mpp_applicant]

I sure hope the number of applicants comes down. Although when it comes to HKS, I do see it as a big lottery of sorts. Does anyone know the acceptance to applicants ratio for HKS ?

2010, that makes sense. I sure hope you're right. As far as admit rates, I think I remember seeing HKS around 20-25%. WWS I think is lower around 12-13%.

[spottedtoad]

2010, that makes sense. I sure hope you're right. As far as admit rates, I think I remember seeing HKS around 20-25%. WWS I think is lower around 12-13%.

The director of graduate admissions at Princeton told me that, due to a large number of deferrals from last year and possibly a desire for a slightly smaller class, they are expecting an admit rate as low as 7-8% this year, assuming application numbers are the same as last year. That's pretty tough.