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November 19, 2021

Harvard Kennedy School MPP and MPA2 Application Essay Tips [2021 – 2022]

The essays discussed below are for the  MPP and the two-year MPA  applications. (The MPA/ID and the MC/MPA and Mason’s program have different prompts.)

HKS seeks accomplished, well-rounded master’s students – people with proven academic success, strong leadership and career potential, and “commitment to advancing the public interest.” The school also wants the student body to be diverse. Your application overall will address these factors; the essays provide a valuable opportunity to underscore through specific detail how you meet these criteria and will be a significant contributor during the program and later in your career. Most important, use the essays to weave together these elements into a coherent story and presentation – one that clarifies your path to your public interest goals.

Further, HKS seeks students who embrace change. The website notes, “Our programs will change you. They are changing the world through the outstanding leaders and dynamic ideas that come out of HKS.” This “change” theme is echoed in the mandatory essay questions. Keep this emphasis on change on your radar as you work through your essays. Showing you can change and grow strengthens your credibility for goals that involve driving change externally – i.e., you are not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.

Harvard Kennedy School 2021-2022 MPP & MPA application essay questions

Mpp and mpa mandatory personal history essay.

Diversity of all kinds (race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, physical abilities, political philosophy, intellectual focus, socioeconomic status, geographic and many others) is important to enriching the educational experience at the Kennedy School. Please share with us anything in your background or life experience that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at HKS.  (250 word limit)

This essay is a lovely opportunity to round out your profile and to show unique and distinctive aspects of your life experience – approach this essay with pride and passion. It has potential to give deeper color to the whole application.

I’ll start with some don’ts: Don’t write a mini autobiography. Don’t talk about your love of travel. Don’t fear to present topics that are often considered no-no’s, like religion and politics (there is of course a right way and a wrong way to discuss such things). Don’t drench the discussion in buzz words and abstractions (the topic of “diversity” has a tendency to bring these out).

Select your topics – anywhere from one to three, as more than that will be too many for meaningful discussion – and root each one in anecdote and example. Consider topics that will  both   expand and enhance your profile  and   support (directly or indirectly) your “case” for admission delivered in the other essays. Add a brief reflection about the contribution, as it’s not the fact that you have a certain type of diversity; it’s the insight and perspective you’ve gained from it that ultimately make it meaningful to the adcom and future classmates.

MPP and MPA expectations essay

Describe a time when you did not meet expectations and elaborate on how the experience changed you. (250 word limit)

The adcom is clearly seeking out people who are able to grow and change – in this case, in response to a failure of some sort. That requires understanding one’s shortcomings related to not meeting expectations. Choose a specific example/story (if well in the past, make sure it’s weighty to justify the distance) and tell the story. And, whose expectations? It could be someone from any realm: a friend, a colleague or work superior, a professor, etc. – or you. “How it changed you” can be part of the story – ideally include some action taken as a result of the change, not just “realized” or “understood” or “broadened perspective.” 

MPP and MPA perspectives essay

Describe a time when interactions with others and/or an experience caused you to change your mind or expanded your point of view.  (250 Word limit)

There’s that word again – change. This time, it’s about a time you changed in response to an experience or interactions (expanding your point of view is also a form of change). And, again, approach the essay straightforwardly, as a story, narrating what happened and your growth as a result of it. If possible, include some action taken as a result of the change, beyond “merely” increasing your understanding in some way. 

MPP and MPA JFK essay

The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your public leadership and service.  (500 word limit)

This is essentially a vision-and-goals question. I suggest a professional focus, though in some cases it could also include non-work plans. Three keys to making this essay work:

• In describing your plans/goals, clarify what “positive change” means to you – it’s easy to forget that it means different things to different people. (I see a lot of drafts of these and other essays talking about making change without any clear idea of what constructive change means to that person.) And cite specific impacts you intend to deliver through your service.  Make it concrete.  These results need not be comprehensive, “save the world” level changes – it’s more realistic, more credible, and probably more interesting to the reader to discuss changes to a given corner of the world, or segment of population, or issue. Show your engagement with and knowledge of the region or issue by employing anecdote and detail.
• Discuss practical aspects – how you envision executing those plans in real terms, focusing on your anticipated leadership and sense of service. Of course, you needn’t have all the answers – that’s part of what the program will help you with.
• Since the question asks you to portray how you’ll do the above “through your public leadership and service,” root the plans in your experience to lend credibility to what you say you will do in the future. Weave in brief examples of public leadership and/or service as a basis for your future efforts.

Essay for MPP applicants

The MPP curriculum is designed to broaden students’ perspective and sharpen skills necessary for a successful career in public service through a rigorous set of courses that draw on the social sciences but are adapted for action. Please describe how the MPP curriculum at HKS would leverage your distinctive abilities and/or fill gaps in your skill set as you equip yourself to achieve your career goals. (500 word limit)  

You’ve delineated your career vision and plant in the JFK essay. Based on these goals, what are your relevant distinctive abilities and your skills gaps? Don’t just cite these facts; provide brief examples or anecdotes of at least some and make specific how they relate to your goals. It’s an opportunity to strategically showcase some of your experience. Finally, describe how the MPP program will enhance your existing abilities and fill in the gaps – always in the context of your goals, keeping in mind the practical nature of the program: how it will help you leverage your strengths and gain requisite skills/knowledge to effect desired change.

Essay for two-year MPA applicants

There are many pathways one can pursue in order to make a difference in the world. Why is the MPA Program at HKS an appropriate pathway to achieving your goals?  (500 word limit)

Here too, your goals cited in the JFK essay will be the starting point: they create the need to learn certain things and the conditions to benefit from certain opportunities. So, first, identify the gaps in learning that you must fill to realize your goals and also the opportunities that would be helpful in realizing your goals (such as access to certain types of people or challenge to move past reflexive thinking). Then  detail how the HKS program meets these needs and offers these opportunities . This “how” can include all manner of things about the program, depending on your needs: curriculum structure and/or content, professors, special programs, classmates, extracurricular clubs/programs, partner groups/programs, etc. The key is to be specific and to link the elements you cite to your goals, learning needs, and/or broader professional growth and development.

Optional essay question (MPP & MPA)

If you have any concerns about your prior academic, professional, or personal background that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee, please provide an explanation.  (250 word limit)

This optional essay question specifically instructs you to write the essay only if there are concerns about your background. If you do need to use it, write a succinct, straightforward explanation. If you have evidence that academic under-performance does not reflect your true ability, add a sentence stating that point with the evidence (e.g., maybe you did poorly overall in college, but in your last semester earned straight A’s).

Harvard Kennedy School 2021-2022 MPP & MPA2 application deadline

Source: Harvard Kennedy School website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Grad School Statement of Purpose , a free guide
• Harvard Kennedy School: An Interview with Admissions Director Matt Clemons , a podcast episode
• Different Dimensions of Diversity , a podcast episode

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Look back first, then look ahead: Essay advice from our DIB Associates

We know that essays can be a daunting part of the application process. That’s why our Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Associates hosted a webinar to offer helpful tips for crafting your application essays. During the webinar, they discussed the various essays required for each program , answered questions, and provided valuable advice. Read below to learn what questions were asked during this information session and review some general tips offered by the DIB Associates.

How should I avoid repeating the information from my résumé in my essays?

Essays are an opportunity for you to highlight why you are interested in the program and your motivations for the activities you have included in your résumé. Essays allow you to shed light on who you are personally.

Should I use links to my work—research, papers, op-eds—in the essays?

We do not recommend including links to your work in essays, though you could potentially hyperlink these in your résumé instead.

How specific should I get about what I hope to do after graduating from HKS?

It helps to have a general idea of what you want to do post-graduation, but you do not have to be super specific in your essays. As long as you can showcase that you have thought about your career goals, you do not need to know exactly where you want to be or what you will be doing. HKS will help with that!

Should I submit an optional essay?

On the Essay section of the application, you will see an opportunity to upload an optional essay. If there is anything you would like the Admissions Committee to know about your academic, professional, or personal background that is not otherwise addressed in your application, you can use the optional essay to provide this context.

The optional essay is helpful to address:

• Gaps in your résumé or professional background
• Major changes in your career trajectory
• Inconsistent academic performance
• Perceived weaknesses in your application

If you are submitting an optional essay, be careful not to make excuses but instead provide context and focus on growth and learning. Most applicants do not submit an optional essay, so do not feel obligated to submit an optional essay if there is nothing you feel needs to be addressed.

General Tips from the DIB Associates

• There is no essay template. Each application essay should be unique. It’s up to you to style it.
• Essay questions can change year to year! Even if you have applied in the past, the essays may be different this year.
• Proofread your essays. 
• You are the main character in your essays. Craft a narrative that is personal to your experiences.
• You should reflect on your background and look introspectively about why you would like to apply to HKS. 
• Look back first, then look ahead. Each essay is meant to highlight different aspects of who you are, so take time to think about who you are and what you want to be. You should consider reflecting on your background and tying your experiences into a narrative that is personal to you. 

Students reflect on their summer internship experiences

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The Art of Applying®

MBA Admissions Consulting | MPP & MPA Admissions Consulting | Harvard Application Advice

Harvard Kennedy School Application Advice

posted on October 19, 2022

updated October 19, 2022 | originally written July 13, 2011

Hey there! I’m Kaneisha Grayson. I’m an MPA & MBA alumna of Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School. Since founding this business from my HBS on-campus apartment in 2010, I have spent 12+ years leading a consultant team that has helped 100+ paid clients successfully apply to Harvard Kennedy School.

Below is some clear, actionable advice to help guide you as you work on your 2022 Harvard Kennedy School application.

Looking for essay advice? Read our blog post: Harvard Kennedy School 2022 Essay Advice

Table of Contents:

What is the required gpa for harvard kennedy school.

• What is the required GMAT or GRE score for Harvard Kennedy School?

What are the prerequisites for applying to Harvard Kennedy School?

• Harvard Kennedy School letters of recommendation

What personal and professional qualities should I highlight in my Harvard Kennedy School application?

Which degree program should i apply to at harvard kennedy school.

• Quick Overview of Harvard Kennedy School degree programs
• Frame your story well.
• Writing about your career goals and career accomplishments in your Harvard Kennedy School essays

Show that you have researched Harvard Kennedy School well.

• Attend live and virtual Harvard Kennedy School admissions events.
• Apply by the 2022 Harvard Kennedy School application deadline
• Be sure to apply for Harvard Kennedy School scholarships and fellowships.
• Reach out to The Art of Applying® for help with your HKS application.

Harvard Kennedy School does not have a minimum required GPA for admission.

The most competitive applicants to Harvard Kennedy School have an undergraduate GPA of 3.6 or above.

If your undergraduate GPA is 3.4 or below, or if you have several C’s, D’s, F’s, or W’s, I suggest you write the optional essay to explain your low grades and reassure the Harvard Kennedy School admissions committee that you are prepared for the rigors of the Harvard Kennedy School classroom.

Among our paying clients who were admitted to Harvard Kennedy School, the lowest GPA of an admitted applicant was slightly below 2.5. That client worked with us for the 2021 application season.

Click here to read our articles on writing the Harvard Kennedy School optional essay:

Tips for Writing the Harvard Kennedy School Optional Essay

How to Structure the Optional Essay for Harvard Kennedy School

Go back to the Table of Contents.

What is the required GRE or GMAT score for Harvard Kennedy School?

There is no required GRE or GMAT score for Harvard Kennedy School.

The GRE nor the GMAT is required for the Mid-Career MPA program. However, the GRE or the GMAT is required for all of the two-year programs such as the MPP, MPA-ID, and two-year MPA program.

Read our post about GRE scores of some of our clients who were admitted to Harvard Kennedy School.

Check out our Reviews and Testimonials page. You can see the GRE and GMAT scores of our clients who were admitted to Harvard Kennedy School.

How we help if you are a client:

For each of our Application Accelerator® and Hourly Coaching clients, we give them a customized test score to aim for based on their particular demographic, academic, and professional profile. That way, they know the minimum score they should aim for and don’t waste time trying to get a sky-high score if they don’t need one.

Each degree program has its own list of prerequisites for admission. For example, for the MPP the pre-requisites are a Bachelor’s degree and some knowledge of college-level economics, statistics, and calculus is preferred. They also prefer 2-3 years of full-time professional work experience, but there’s no hard line saying that you absolutely must have full-time professional work experience.

If you are currently in college and think you may want to pursue a policy or business degree in the future, I suggest you take Statistics, Microeconomics, and Calculus while you are still in college.

If you have already finished college, you can take supplemental courses online or at your local community college before applying.

The prerequisites for the other degree programs are more detailed, so be sure to know what they are and give yourself enough time to meet them.

Click here for a list of prerequisites for Harvard Kennedy School degrees.

Even if you’ve met the official prerequisites for Harvard Kennedy School, there may still be specific actions you can take to strengthen your particular academic profile. Each client in our Application Accelerator® and Hourly Coaching programs has a Game Plan Call where we suggest specific supplemental courses they should take to strengthen their profile. We don’t just tell you which courses to take; we tell you when to take them as well, so that you can balance which courses to take before you apply, and which courses you can take after you apply.

Choose your Harvard Kennedy School recommenders wisely.

Choose your three recommenders wisely and make sure they are prepared to write you stellar recommendations.

For MPP applicants, I recommend you having 1-2 professional recommendations, an academic recommendation, and perhaps a recommendation from someone who has supervised you in a public service / volunteer / nonprofit capacity.

Make sure your recommenders know what your degree program is, what qualities HKS is looking for in a candidate, and that they are able to cite specific examples and stories to back up their recommendations of you.

We are available to edit letters of recommendation if your recommender wants their letter edited or if you have been put in the position of having to write your own letter of recommendation. We do not write letters of recommendation for clients.

During the Game Plan Call (first call after you are a paying client), your Game Plan Coach will help you choose the three best people to serve as recommenders for you. Application Accelerator® and Hourly Coaching clients have access to a recommender packet template and sample letters or recommendation.

You want your essays, resume, short answer responses, and letters of recommendation to highlight the personal, professional, and academic qualities that Harvard Kennedy School values in its applicants.

The qualities that Harvard Kennedy School would like to see highlighted in your application are the following:

• demonstrated leadership abilities (at work, school, and in community service)
• experience working on and leading teams
• experience living and/or working abroad
• a demonstrated commitment to public service (in your full-time job and/or extracurricular/out-of-work activities)
• openness to providing and receiving feedback
• ability to handle challenging coursework
• the ability to analyze a problem or situation and draw conclusions and make decisions
• a high degree of ethics and integrity

Potential Application Accelerator® and Hourly Coaching clients are invited to an hour-long Breakthrough Call after their Quick Call.

During the Breakthrough Call, our Breakthrough Coach team will ask you in-depth questions about your personal, academic, and professional background.

The Breakthrough Coach will then verbally summarize their understanding of your profile and your story in a 4-minute recap.

They then pass the recording of that recap on to your dedicated consultant so that your consultant has that context to help you highlight your strengths and your full personal, professional, and academic story throughout your application.

It can be a little confusing keeping all of HKS’ degree programs straight. There’s the MPP, MPA, MC/MPA, MC/MPA Mason Fellows, MPA-ID, and PhDs.

Then, there are all the joint degrees and concurrent degrees to keep track of as well!

While at Harvard Kennedy School, I had friends in every program, and while we are all students at the same school with access to almost all of the same courses, you can have very different academic experiences depending on your degree program.

Our clients usually know which degree at HKS they want to apply to. However, if there is any confusion about which degree you should apply to, you can ask your dedicated consultant for their advice, submit the question during a group coaching call, or submit it to our private clients-only Q&A Vault.

How to figure out if you should apply to the MPP, MPA, or MPA-ID program at Harvard Kennedy School:

Some helpful hints on figuring out if you should apply to the MPP or MPA progam at HKS:

• If you have 0-7 years of work experience, you should probably apply to the MPP.
• If you have 0-7 years of work experience and you’re applying to a joint degree at Harvard, you are likely an MPP applicant.
• If you have 0-7 years of work experience and you’re applying to a joint degree at another school, you might be an MPA applicant.
• If you have 7 or more years of work experience, you are eligible for the Mid-Career MPA program. However, you’ll be most competitive with around 14 years of full-time professional work experience.
• If you are an economics genius, look into the MPA-ID (I kid, I kid, but know that it is hard ).

Obviously, you should read up on each of the degree programs yourself, speak to current students, have informational interviews with recent alumni, attend admissions events, and decide which Harvard Kennedy School degree is the right for your profile and goals.

Quick Overview of Harvard Kennedy School Degree Programs

What is the harvard kennedy school mpp degree.

The Harvard Kennedy School MPP is the Master in Public Policy degree. The MPP is the most popular degree at Harvard Kennedy School. The HKS MPP has the largest graduating class size of all the degree programs. It is a two-year program with one full year of core classes (one elective each semester) and then all electives the second year.

What is the Harvard Kennedy School MPA degree?

The MPA (the HKS degree that I have) is the Master in Public Administration. It is also a 2-year program, but is all electives. The MPA is now primarily for non-Harvard concurrent degree students (such as Wharton MBAs, Tuck MBAs, and MIT MBAs) and/or established professionals who already have a Masters in a field that closely resembles MPP coursework.

What is the Harvard Kennedy School Mid-Career MPA?

The Harvard Kennedy School Mid-Career MPA is an all-elective one-year program for professionals with extensive work experience. You must have at least seven years of full-time work experience, but the most competitive applicants usually have 14 years or more of full-time work experience.

What is the Harvard Kennedy School Mid-Career MPA Mason Fellows program?

The Mid-Career MPA Mason Fellows program is for established professionals from developing and transitional economies.

You might be unsure if you should apply via the standard Mid-Career MPA or the Mason Fellows program. You aren’t alone!

Read our article “Which Countries Qualify for the Harvard Kennedy School Mid-Career MPA Mason Fellows Program?” to learn more.

What is the Harvard Kennedy School MPA-ID / MPA in International Development?

The Harvard Kennedy School MPA-ID is intense and highly focused on (you guessed it) international development and economics. Applicants should pay close attention that they fully meet all of the prerequisites for the HKS MPA-ID.

In my company’s experience helping people apply to various degrees, it can be more difficult for a highly competitive applicant to get into the HKS MPA-ID than to even be admitted to Harvard Business School.

S tory Time: On several occasions, I have advised joint degree applicants to apply to the MPP rather than the MPA-ID, and they have been admitted to the MBA at HBS but not to the MPA-ID at HKS. I don’t share this to discourage interested and eligible applicants from applying to the MPA-ID. I just urge you to not simply look at the phrase “international development,” and think, “I would love to spend two years focused on international development. That must be the degree for me,” and put yourself at a disadvantage if you are not a strong fit for the program.

How do I frame my story for the Harvard Kennedy School Admissions Committee?

In your essays and resume, make it very easy for the Adcom to understand why HKS is a great fit for you academically, personally, and professionally.

Connect your academic background to the specific coursework you’ll take at HKS.

Explain the preparation you’ve had thus far that will help you be successful at HKS, the gaps in your education that you plan to fill at HKS, and cite specific courses at HKS that you plan on taking to gain the knowledge you need to move forward in your career.

HKS has a collegial and tight-knit culture. Research the extracurricular activities of the school, and learn about some of the activities you plan to engage in (especially if you plan to be a leader in one of the clubs), and discuss how those will be an important part of your experience if admitted.

Most importantly, discuss your professional experiences thus far and how they have prepared you for making the most of your time at HKS.

Whether you are an Application Accelerator®, Hourly Coaching, or Editing Services client, our team will help you figure out which of your stories are the most compelling to the Admissions Committee. Then, once you have a first draft, we will help you polish that draft from good to great over several rounds of revision.

Application Accelerator® and Hourly Coaching clients have access to 100+ sample essays and resumes. They can also have their materials live edited during group coaching calls, and learn from the editing and coaching other clients receive during those group coaching calls.

How do I write about my career goals and career accomplishments in my Harvard Kennedy School application?

Harvard Kennedy School is a professional school. This means that its primary purpose is to prepare people to be leaders in their respective professional fields. The goal is not to pump out a bunch of academics (besides the PhD candidates). Therefore, you need to be able to articulate clearly why you need to attend HKS at this time to achieve your immediate, mid-term, and long-term professional goals. You need to have a clear vision for your career and a map for how HKS can help you achieve that vision. If the Adcom can’t figure out the specific, measurable impact you plan to achieve after leaving HKS, it’s hard for them to give you one of the spots in the class.

We stress test the stated career goals of all of our clients. We help make sure that our clients’ career goals are clearly articulated rather than vague and trite. We also make sure that our clients’ career paths are sufficiently ambitious while also being realistic and compelling to the Admissions Committee.

Read about the research centers, classes, extracurricular activities, leadership programs, and fellowship programs. SO FEW PEOPLE DO A GOOD JOB OF THIS. If you take the time to read about and understand the various research centers, career resources, courses, and extracurricular activities available at HKS, and then identify the ones that are good fits for you in your application, connecting them all together with your career vision, and your past experiences, you will present a compelling and cohesive case for why you should be admitted.

You often don’t know what you don’t know. Your dedicated consultant can give you insight into their own experience at Harvard Kennedy School, answer questions you have about what it’s like to be an HKS student and alum, and make suggestions of things you should research further. By having a dedicated consultant who went to Harvard Kennedy School and has helped other applicants such as yourself get into HKS, you can shortcut the extensive process of researching the school from scratch.

For example, below is a little information about my specific experience at HKS. Each HKS-specific resource is highlighted in bold. The excerpt written below is included to show how many resources there are at HKS to motivate you to do some research, and to demonstrate how specific you should be in your application essays in terms of the ways that the HKS degree will benefit you.

Sample Essay Excerpt about my time at Harvard Kennedy School

While at HKS, I was involved with a number of extracurricular activities and really loved my classes. Some of my favorite classes were Arts of Communication , Agribusiness , Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector , Public Narrative , and Followership. While I was not required to do a thesis to graduate, I did complete a Reading and Research project about Black women and digital entrepreneurship which also tied in nicely with my course Leadership for a Networked World . I was a Women in the Oval Office program participant, which was offered by the Women and Public Policy Program. I also learned a tremendous amount and really enjoyed being a George Leadership Fellow , which is a part of the Center for Public Leadership . I was active in the African and African Diaspora Collaborative (AADC) , and attended many of the speeches held in The Forum by the Institute of Politics.

That’s just a taste of the many, many resources at HKS. Show the Adcom that you really intend to go to HKS if admitted, and let them know about the kinds of things you’ll be involved in.

When editing your essays, our team will ask you lots of probing questions to make sure that you never waste an opportunity to show how strong of a fit for HKS you are. We remove extraneous information that eats up valuable word count of your essay, and help make sure that every word of your essay counts.

What courses can I take at Harvard Kennedy School?

Here is a list of HKS courses.

What are the research centers at Harvard Kennedy School?

Here is a link to the many centers and programs at HKS.

Attend the Harvard Kennedy School admissions events.

Throughout the year, HKS admissions officers will travel around the country providing information about the school and the application process. Now that we live in a post-pandemic world, there are a plethora of online admissions events as well.

Check to see when the Harvard Kennedy School admissions representatives are coming to your area and be sure to attend the events. The Adcom members do remember people that they meet and interact with at these events. Attending these events provides an opportunity to make an impression, get some great information, and meet other people in your area who are applying.

Attending virtual events are an excellent and convenient way to learn more, connect with the admissions committee, and ask your questions.

Here is the calendar for the admissions events.

Submit your application by the Harvard Kennedy School application deadline.

You can’t get into a school if you miss the deadline! Make sure that you are 100% clear on when the application for your degree program and any fellowships to which you are applying are due.

The HKS deadline is usually in early December, but it has been as early as late November in some years.

The Harvard Kennedy School application deadline is Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 3 pm Eastern Time .

Our dedicated consultants help our Application Accelerator® and Hourly Coaching clients stay on track with all the moving parts of the application process. Each client has a private client portal where they can assign themselves to-dos with deadlines and notes, and exchange messages with their consultant.

What materials are required for the Harvard Kennedy School application?

Having missing materials is not only annoying to the Adcom, it could mean the kiss of death for your application. Get organized and make sure you have all the necessary parts of the application. The requirements fall into the following categories (hyperlinked to the official Harvard Kennedy School admissions website with the exact information you need):

• a submitted online application,
• payment of the $100 application fee,
• resume and essays
• three letters of recommendation ,
• official academic transcripts , and
• standardized tests : GRE, GMAT, English Proficiency Tests (requirements vary; see online application instructions for details).

Research and apply for financial aid and fellowships.

Harvard Kennedy School has lots of fellowship money available, but lots of people get admitted with only loans as their financial aid. You can keep your student debt as low as possible by applying for as many fellowships as possible that you are a good fit for.

Here is the website for Harvard Kennedy School financial aid for incoming students.

The Center for Public Leadership has lots of full scholarships that are highly competitive and require a separate application.

We don’t search for scholarships and fellowships for our clients. However, we help our clients apply to the dozens of Harvard Kennedy School fellowships for which they are eligible by editing their essays to make sure they don’t give their scholarship applications less than their best effort. It can be exhausting to write and revise lots of scholarship essays after completing the entire HKS application, but it’s important to persist!

Let’s make your grad school dreams come true!

Get expert help with your application in The Art of Applying® Academy.

Reach out to The Art of Applying® for help with your Harvard Kennedy School application.

My team and I would love to help you with your Harvard Kennedy School application. Our Editing Services are available to help with:

• essay editing
• resume editing
• letters of recommendation editing
• short answer editing
• scholarship essay editing

If you sign up as an Application Accelerator® or Hourly Coaching client, we can help with all of the above and questions like:

• Should I apply for a joint degree? If so, which one and to which schools?
• Which supplemental courses should I take to strengthen my profile? When should I take the courses?
• Should I choose this recommender or this other one?
• Which of the following stories would be best to address this essay prompt?

Be sure to return to this post as you work on your Harvard Kennedy School application. My team and I will update this article with more tips, advice, and guidance as we approach the application deadline.

Reader Interactions

July 30, 2011 at 8:19 pm

This is excellent information, Kaneisha.

November 5, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Thanks for this excellent information…Kaneisha

May 13, 2015 at 1:41 pm

Thank you for your insight…

June 17, 2015 at 5:00 pm

You are welcome, Ahmad! Best of luck on your HKS application!

July 25, 2015 at 11:57 am

Thanks for this great advice! I’m looking to apply to HKS in the coming years and this will greatly guide my strategy in compiling the best application.

August 18, 2015 at 10:33 am

Hi Derek, you are welcome! Thanks for commenting!

September 21, 2015 at 10:43 pm

Hi Kaneisha, My husband is planning to apply to HKS’s MPP. I think you would be a great person to speak with. Is it possible for us to connect via phone sometime? My email address is noted in this form. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for all your help.

October 14, 2015 at 11:02 am

Hello! I don’t offer free consultations via phone, but he’s welcome to sign up for a consultation!

September 15, 2015 at 7:58 pm

Hi Kaneisha! This is great information! I was wondering if you would be so kind to assist me on a question I’ve been wrestling with. I am applying for the MPP program this year and had a question on the recommendation letter. I’m about 2.5 years out of school and my strongest letters of recommendation are from supervisors at the two jobs I’ve been in. The online application does state that at least 1 academic recommendation letter is desirable however I do not have strong relationships with my professors. I do, however have one strong letter from a graduate student instruction who I interacted with closely and who even helped provide advice for a student run course I ran. I’ve heard that it is a big no-no to use letters from graduate student instructors – but what are your thoughts here? Should I: 1. Opt to have 3 professional letters 2. Do 2 professional letters and 1 graduate student instructor letter? 3. Do 2 professional letters and reach out to a completely different professor for a decent but not stellar recommendation letter? Let me know- your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

October 14, 2015 at 11:04 am

Hi Kevin, Considering how recently you graduated from college, I highly recommend you submit an academic letter of reference. If you really think you can’t get a strong letter from at least ONE of your professors, then go ahead and do Option 2 and use the graduate student instructor. You may want to address why you didn’t get a letter from one of your professors in your optional essay. Best of luck!

October 14, 2015 at 10:08 pm

Hi Kaneisha, Would it be okay to get 3 letters from professional supervisors if I’ve been out of school for 5 years? I realize having an academic reference is helpful for the admissions committee, but since I’ve been out of school and working professionally for that long, I feel like having professional letters of recommendation would make more relevant sense. Please let me know–many thanks!

October 15, 2015 at 7:55 pm

Hi Sammy, I would not recommend three professional letters. Can you not get one of your letters from one of your community, volunteer, and/or leadership experiences? Three professional letters isn’t an application killer but it’s not ideal. Thanks for your question!

October 14, 2015 at 3:31 am

Wow! Thanks. This just puts everyone on a different level playing field altogether. Interesting!

October 14, 2015 at 11:01 am

You’re welcome, Sukirti!

October 14, 2015 at 8:05 am

Hi Kaneisha, Thank you for the wonderful source of information for the applicants. I had one question though – how important is prior public service work experience for getting into Mid-Career MPA program. I have 9 years of work exp but all of it has been in private sector (management consulting). Will my application still be considered?

Hi Nalin, you are welcome! It is totally fine for all of your work experience to be in the private sector. However, you will need to demonstrate a commitment to public service through your extracurricular activities and community work as well as make a compelling argument in your essays why you need a policy degree to move forward in your career. Thanks for your question!

November 4, 2015 at 11:31 pm

Hi Kaneisha, Thanks for the great source of information! I’m struggling with choosing between the MPA2 program and MPP program – I have a Master’s degree in a related field that fulfills the MPA2 core, and 27 months of directly-related professional experience, in addition to 7 months as a a full-time international ESL teacher scholarship, and about 8 months of full-time professional internship experience at state government. Any insight from your perspective would be invaluable! Thanks!

November 30, 2015 at 10:58 am

Hi Rob, this is a question best asked of HKS admissions as you are really on the edge of having enough full-time work experience for the program. If your 7 months of full-time ESL teaching was after you graduated from college, I would count those toward your 27 months of professional experience. If your 8 months of internship experience is BEFORE you graduated from college, I wouldn’t necessarily count that as full-time work experience. My best recommendation to you if you can’t get an answer from HKS this close to the deadline (if you’re applying this year), is to just wait a year to apply when you will be undoubtedly qualified for the MPA2! I did the MPA2 program and really enjoyed the flexibility.

November 17, 2015 at 9:31 pm

Hi, thanks for your information about HKS. i got 7.5 in IELTS . But I just got 6.5 in writing part, which does not meet the requirement of MPP this year. They require 7 in every subsection. I want to know whether they will still consider my admission based on my condition now. Thanks for your attention.

November 30, 2015 at 10:47 am

Hi Catherine, this is a question best asked directly to HKS admissions. My advice is that you wait until you have the minimum IELTS score on each section before submitting your application. It is better to wait and apply when your application is strongest than it is to submit an application that does not meet minimum stated requirements and then have to reapply. Remember, those are application requirements; not suggestions. Best of luck in making your decision!

November 28, 2015 at 5:10 pm

Thanks Kaneisha. I am submitting my application in a couple of days. Your website has been a really useful tool. So I just want to thank you for all the useful information. Best.

November 30, 2015 at 10:45 am

Hi Chun, I am so happy to hear that you’ve found my website such a useful tool! Best of luck on your application and please do let me know how it turns out!

September 6, 2016 at 3:04 pm

Hi Kaneisha, I am about to graduate from my university and would like to apply for the MPP program at the Kennedy school in the near future. It is clear to me that work experience is extremely important, but will someone be competitive if they apply with only one year of experience?

January 9, 2017 at 3:46 pm

Hi Juan, there are people admitted every year (including some of our clients) who have 0 or just 1 year of full-time work experience. You will be much more competitive for admission (and for fellowships) with more work experience, but you can still be admitted with only one year of experience. I recommend you wait until you have 2-4 years of work experience before applying.

April 25, 2017 at 3:37 pm

I am a qualified woman willing to apply to the Mason MPA program at HKS with ten year professional experience behind me in the non profit sector. Which financial aid could I apply for ? What is the process ?

July 15, 2017 at 8:22 pm

Loved your article. I was wondering if you offered any consultation services and strategies for getting in the joint MBA/MPP program?

October 30, 2020 at 6:22 am

Thanks for the support, Shelley! I am Noah, a consultant with The Art of Applying. Hopefully, this is still helpful for you and someone else in that situation.

Yes, we do offer consultation services and strategies for joint degree MBA/MPP programs! The following is a link to a recent Case Study of a former client who entered MBA/MPP program. When clients join our Application Accelerator, each person has an Assessment Call with our team. We listen to them to help create a list of potential schools that cater to their previous experiences and goals. In addition, we provide our clients with minimum, goal and target test scores to be sure they are competitive for their schools. We offer hourly coaching as well.

While we don’t provide free 1:1 advice via our blog, we’d love to chat more with you about your application process, and how we can help. Here is the link to continue the conversation.

January 25, 2018 at 2:59 am

Hello Kaneisha, I’m giving serious consideration to potentially persuing a degree from HKS (leaning towards MPD-ID). I have achieved a satisfactory position of where I want to be in life at this time from various aspects (social, economic, etc.) and want to create a pathway for a new journey. My motivation is now more so to give back and I believe HKS could be a good conduit in helping me to most leverage my desire as such. I prefer the Middle East/Asian Arenas – I could most effectively use my strengths in these parts of the world. Question, my GPA is almost non existent from a competive comparison. However, I can run circles around most in business. I can obtain REAL attested letters of Rec from a past Fed Senator, VP, and a Kennedy Family member (specifics giving details and examples – not a rubber stamp) of all my talents and accomplishments. Would this more than compensate for my GPA issue? Best Regards, Jeff

April 17, 2018 at 9:59 am

Hey Jeff! We apologize for the delay in our response. That’s great that you’re considering a MPD-ID from HKS! Unfortunately at this time we do not offer free advice through our blog. We do however suggest that you join our free Facebook group which has a community of individuals who are both applying to grad school as well as those who have already been accepted. We encourage you to ask your questions there and wish you the best of luck on your applications!

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Messages and replies, applicant notifications, global notifications, harvard kennedy school mpp & mpa2 application essay tips.

By accepted.com - Oct 11 , 09:30 AM Comments [0]

The essays discussed below are for the MPP and the two-year MPA applications.

HKS seeks well-rounded master’s students – people with proven academic success, strong leadership and career potential, and “commitment to advancing the public interest” (quoting the dean). The school also wants the student body to be diverse. Your application overall will address these factors; the essays provide a valuable opportunity to underscore through specific detail how you meet these criteria and will be a unique contributor. Most important, use the essays to weave together these elements into a coherent story and presentation – one that clarifies your path to your public interest goals.

Question 1 for both programs: The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your public leadership and service. (600 word limit)

This is essentially a future-focused goals question. I suggest a professional focus, though in some cases it could also include non-work plans. Three keys to making this essay work:

1. In describing your plans/goals, clarify what “positive change” means to you – it’s easy to forget that it means different things to different people. (I see a lot of drafts of these and other essays talking about making change without any specific idea of what that means to that person.) And cite specific changes (impacts) you intend to deliver through your service. Make it concrete. These changes need not be comprehensive, “save the world” level changes – it’s more realistic, more credible, and probably more interesting to the reader to discuss changes to a given corner of the world, or segment of population, or focused concern. Show your engagement with and knowledge of the region or issue by employing anecdote and detail.

2. Discuss practical aspects – how you envision executing those plans in real terms, focusing on your anticipated leadership and sense of service. Of course, you needn’t have all the answers – that’s part of what the program will help you with.

3. Since the question asks you to portray how you’ll do the above “through your public leadership and service,” root the plans in your experience to lend credibility to what you say you will do in the future. Weave in brief examples of public leadership and/or service as a basis for your future efforts.

Question 2 for the MPP program: Describe an event or episode that either gave you a chance to use personal strengths, and/or revealed personal weaknesses. Then explain specifically how the MPP curriculum at HKS would leverage your distinctive abilities and/or fill gaps in your skill set as you equip yourself for your career goals. (600 word limit)

This is a behavioral question (asking about past experience/behavior) blended with a why-HKS question. In addressing the latter element, be consistent with learning needs and other factors relating to your goals (discussed in essay 1).

In choosing an experience to present (the event or episode), be strategic: use a story that shows you in an interesting and relatively high stakes situation that is relevant to your goals and also reflects an aspect of your experience, character, skill sets, etc. not highlighted elsewhere in the application. Also, ideally it would be fairly recent.

I suggest a simple structure: tell the story without a “fanfare” introduction – just jump into the narrative. As you write it, include your thoughts, concerns, and decisions at pivotal points, not just I-did-this-I-did-that. Then identify the strength(s) and/or weakness(es) this experience revealed and discuss how the HKS program will either leverage this strength or fill gaps in skills in a way that will prepare you for the goals cited above in essay 1. In this part, refer to specific elements and components of the program, and relate them to specific learning needs or strengths you want to develop further. Show your familiarity with the details and the mission of the program.

Do not shortchange the second part. I suggest somewhere between fifty-fifty story and why-HKS to two-third story and one-third why-HKS.

Question 2 for MPA2 program: There are many pathways one can pursue in order to make a difference in the world. Why is the MPA Program at HKS an appropriate pathway to achieving your goals? (600 word limit)

This is a pure why-HKS-MPA question. Your goals will be the starting point: they create the need to learn certain things and the conditions to benefit from certain opportunities. So, first, identify the gaps in learning that you must fill to realize your goals and also the opportunities that would be helpful in realizing your goals (such as access to certain types of people or challenge to move past reflexive thinking). Then detail how the HKS program meets these needs and offers these opportunities. This “how” can include all manner of things about the program, depending on your needs: curriculum structure and/or content, professors, special programs, classmates, extracurricular clubs/programs, partner groups/programs, etc. The key is to be specific and to link the things you cite to your goals, learning needs, and/or broader professional growth and development.

Optional (for both programs): If you have any concerns about your prior academic, professional or personal background you would like to share with the Admissions Committee, please provide an explanation. (250 word limit)

This optional essay question specifically instructs you to write the optional essay only if there are concerns about your background. If you do need to use it, write a succinct, straightforward explanation. If you have evidence that academic under-performance does not reflect your true ability, add a sentence stating that point with the evidence (e.g., maybe you did poorly overall in college, but in your last semester earned straight A’s).

Personal History Essay (optional for both programs): Diversity of all kinds (geographic, ideological, race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and many others) is important to enriching the educational experience at the Kennedy School. Please share with us anything in your background or life experiences that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at HKS. (400 word limit)

It’s almost impossible to imagine how someone wouldn’t have something interesting and relevant to discuss in this essay, considering how broadly the question describes diversity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enliven the lens onto your candidacy. I suggest identifying one or at most two aspects of diversity you’ll bring, and discuss them through anecdote and example. Ground them in experience. Add a brief reflection; it’s not the fact that you have or bring a certain type of diversity; it’s the insight and perspective and perhaps growth you’ve gained from it that ultimately make it meaningful to the adcom and future classmates.

DEADLINE: December 4, 2017

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Grad School Statement of Purpose , a free guide • 3 Tips for Showing Strengths in Your Application Essays • Different Dimensions of Diversity , a podcast episode

The post Harvard Kennedy School MPP & MPA2 Application Essay Tips appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog .

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MBA/MPP & MBA/MPA-ID

Joint degrees with Harvard Kennedy School

The HBS/HKS joint degree programs serve a growing need of critical importance to global society: their mission is to develop leaders, skilled in management and the shaping of innovative public policy, who will assume positions of influence spanning business, government, and nonprofit organizations, through which they will contribute significantly to the well-being of society.

In 2007, Harvard Business School (HBS) and Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) created two joint degree programs in business and government: the Master in Business Administration/Master in Public Policy (MBA/MPP) and the Master in Business Administration/Master in Public Administration-International Development (MBA/MPA-ID). The first cohort accepted to these joint degree programs matriculated in fall 2008.

By participating in the HBS/HKS joint degree programs, structured to be completed in three years, candidates will have demonstrated exceptional aptitude in the complementary areas of policy expertise and cross-disciplinary management. Graduates will be prepared for complex issues that call for the collaboration of the public, nonprofit, and private sectors—and for leadership effective in each.

Download Fact Sheet (PDF)

The MBA/MPP and MBA/MPA-ID are three-year programs that combine the core curricula of the HBS MBA and HKS degrees with a wide range of elective options from both schools. The two joint degree programs are structurally similar but differ largely in the HKS courses required and in the elective options in the final year.

• Admissions & Financial Aid

Students interested in the MBA/MPP or MBA/MPA-ID joint degree programs apply to HBS and HKS separately and are selected independently within the same application cycle of a given year. When applying, students must identify their interest in the joint degree program in each school’s application and submit a joint degree program application essay to both schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i chat with current students that are in the joint degree program with hks, what is the mission of the program, why should i consider the program.

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Harvard Kennedy School MPP & MPA2 Application Essay Tips [2019 – 2020]

The essays discussed below are for the  MPP and the two-year MPA  applications.

HKS seeks well-rounded master’s students – people with proven academic success, strong leadership and career potential, and “commitment to advancing the public interest” (quoting the dean). The school also wants the student body to be diverse. Your application overall will address these factors; the essays provide a valuable opportunity to underscore through specific detail how you meet these criteria and will be a significant contributor during the program and later in your career. Most important, use the essays to weave together these elements into a coherent story and presentation – one that clarifies your path to your public interest goals.

Harvard Kennedy School 2019-2020 MPP & MPA2 application essay questions

For both mpp and mpa applicants.

The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your public leadership and service.  (600 word limit)

This is essentially a vision-and-goals question. I suggest a professional focus, though in some cases it could also include non-work plans. Three keys to making this essay work:

• In describing your plans/goals, clarify what “positive change” means to you – it’s easy to forget that it means different things to different people. (I see a lot of drafts of these and other essays talking about making change without any clear idea of what constructive change means to that person.) And cite specific impacts you intend to deliver through your service.  Make it concrete.  These results need not be comprehensive, “save the world” level changes – it’s more realistic, more credible, and probably more interesting to the reader to discuss changes to a given corner of the world, or segment of population, or issue. Show your engagement with and knowledge of the region or issue by employing anecdote and detail.
• Discuss practical aspects – how you envision executing those plans in real terms, focusing on your anticipated leadership and sense of service. Of course, you needn’t have all the answers – that’s part of what the program will help you with.
• Since the question asks you to portray how you’ll do the above “through your public leadership and service,” root the plans in your experience to lend credibility to what you say you will do in the future. Weave in brief examples of public leadership and/or service as a basis for your future efforts.

For MPP applicants

Describe a professional or academic episode that gave you a chance to use your personal strengths, revealed your personal weaknesses, or both. Then explain specifically how the MPP curriculum at HKS would leverage your distinctive abilities and/or fill gaps in your skill set as you equip yourself for your career goals.  (600 word limit)

This is a behavioral question (asking about past experience, what you did) blended with a why-HKS question. In addressing the latter element, be consistent with learning needs and other factors relating to your goals (discussed in the JFK essay).

In choosing an experience to present (the event or episode), be strategic: use a story that shows you in an interesting and relatively high stakes situation that is relevant to your goals and also  reflects an aspect of your experience, character, skill sets, etc . not highlighted elsewhere in the application. Also, ideally it would be fairly recent.

I suggest a simple structure: tell the story without a “fanfare” introduction – just jump into the narrative. As you write it, include your thoughts, concerns, and decisions at pivotal points, not just I-did-this-I-did-that. Then identify the strength(s) and/or weakness(es) this experience revealed and discuss how the HKS program will either leverage the strength or fill gaps in skills in a way that will prepare you for the goals cited in the preceding essay. In this part, refer to specific elements and components of the program, and relate them to specific learning needs or strengths you want to develop further. Show your familiarity with the details and the mission of the program.

Do not shortchange the second part. I suggest somewhere between fifty-fifty story and why-HKS to two-third story and one-third why-HKS.

For MPA applicants

There are many pathways one can pursue in order to make a difference in the world. Why is the MPA Program at HKS an appropriate pathway to achieving your goals?  (600 word limit)

This is a pure why-HKS-MPA question. Your goals will be the starting point: they create the need to learn certain things and the conditions to benefit from certain opportunities. So, first, identify the gaps in learning that you must fill to realize your goals and also the opportunities that would be helpful in realizing your goals (such as access to certain types of people or challenge to move past reflexive thinking). Then  detail how the HKS program meets these needs and offers these opportunities . This “how” can include all manner of things about the program, depending on your needs: curriculum structure and/or content, professors, special programs, classmates, extracurricular clubs/programs, partner groups/programs, etc. The key is to be specific and to link the elements you cite to your goals, learning needs, and/or broader professional growth and development.

For insight into what HKS is looking for in applicants, check out this video clip from our recent  podcast interview  with Director of Admissions, Matt Clemons:

Harvard Kennedy School optional essay questions

Optional personal history essay.

Diversity of all kinds  (race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, physical abilities, political philosophy, intellectual focus, socioeconomic status, geographic and many others) is important to enriching the educational experience at the Kennedy School. Please share with us anything in your background or life experience that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at HKS.  (400 word limit)

Well, this doesn’t seem so optional to me…! Seriously, I can’t imagine not doing this essay, it is such a lovely opportunity to round out your profile, show unique and distinctive aspects of your life experience – approach this essay with pride and passion. It will give a shot of energy and deeper color to the whole application.

I’ll start with some don’ts: Don’t write a mini autobiography. Don’t talk about your love of travel. Don’t fear to present topics that are often considered no-no’s, like religion and politics (there is of course a right way and a wrong way to discuss such things). Don’t drench the discussion in buzz words and abstractions.

Select your topics – anywhere from one to three, as more than that will be too many for meaningful discussion of each – and root each one in anecdote and example. Consider topics that will  both   expand and enhance your profile  and   align with and support your “case” for admission delivered in the required essays. Don’t shortchange the reflection about the contribution: after all, it’s not the fact that you have or bring a certain type of diversity; it’s the insight and perspective and perhaps growth you’ve gained from it that ultimately make it meaningful to the adcom and future classmates.

Optional statement

If you have any concerns about your prior academic, professional, or personal background that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee, please provide an explanation.  (250 word limit)

This optional essay question specifically instructs you to write the essay only if there are concerns about your background. If you do need to use it, write a succinct, straightforward explanation. If you have evidence that academic under-performance does not reflect your true ability, add a sentence stating that point with the evidence (e.g., maybe you did poorly overall in college, but in your last semester earned straight A’s).

For expert guidance with your Harvard Kennedy School application, check out Accepted’s  Grad School Admissions Consulting services , which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top programs and look forward to helping you too!

Harvard Kennedy School 2019-2020 MPP & MPA2 application deadline

Deadline for both programs:  December 3, 2019 at 5 p.m. EST.

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

After a successful career in business publishing, Cindy Tokumitsu has worked for the past 15+ years with Accepted, every year helping clients get accepted to top MBA, law, and med programs. She is a pioneer in the niche of EMBA application consulting.  Want Cindy to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch with Cindy Tokumitsu.

Related Resources:

•  5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Grad School Statement of Purpose , a free guide •  Harvard Kennedy School: An Interview with Admissions Director Matt Clemons , a podcast episode •  Different Dimensions of Diversity , a podcast episode

This article  originally appeared on  blog.accepted.com .

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.

Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will  help you get accepted !

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