The deadline to apply to our master’s programs for the 2025-2026 cycle is Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. ET.
By Leigh McLaren
Where I went
My travels began in early September in Washington, D.C. with the Congressional Black Leadership Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. After that, I went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference.
Towards the end of September, I visited two HBCUs close to one another: Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and Kentucky State University in Frankfurt, Kentucky.
After that, I visited Boise, Idaho for the Boise State College and Career Fair, followed up by a political science class visit and information session.
For my final trip in mid-November, I flew to Minnesota to visit St. Olaf College, the alma mater of some of our Black Alumni Association members, and to present an information session at a political science class at University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
How the idea to visit these places came about
In the past, we have received feedback that HKS only recruits on the coasts of the United States. So, this year, I made it my goal to do more recruitment at universities that admissions representatives from HKS may not have visited before.
A majority of what I do in my role is build partnerships with HBCUs to reach students who do not always consider Harvard as an option for graduate school. Considering there are 107 HBCUs in the country, I wanted to push our expansion across the country.
Because the majority of my professional experience in higher education has been in Boston and much of my previous recruitment experience has concentrated on the coasts, I have not spoken with as many applicants from the middle of the country outside of major metropolitan cities. Hearing prospective students’ goals and questions about HKS provided good insight about what is important to them.
“A majority of what I do in my role is build partnerships with HBCUs to reach students who do not always consider Harvard as an option for graduate school. Considering there are 107 HBCUs in the country, I wanted to push our expansion across the country."
Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Leigh McLaren
Questions I received
I received many questions about our joint and concurrent degree programs. Additionally, I was asked about our application prerequisites, what program might be best for prospective students’ specific interests, and scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
My favorite parts of the trips
I loved speaking with prospective students in every place I visited. By discussing HKS master’s programs with them, I learned that many people from Middle America would like to be able to earn a graduate degree then bring back their learnings to effect change in their local communities. Many students explained that they would like to build a stronger policy foundation for society, whether that is in education, housing, agriculture, or urban/rural policies.
I also really enjoyed networking at the Congressional Black Leadership event. There were various Black authors, artists, and professors who hope to diversify different policy areas, which is something that is really important to me, both on a personal and professional level.
Advice to prospective students
Make sure you’re checking the website for all the important dates and deadlines and really think about the program for which you would like to apply. Think about why you want to attend Harvard Kennedy School, and let that shine in your application.
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