By Will Bompey MPP 2027
When I first stepped on Harvard Kennedy School’s campus this past August as a first-year Master in Public Policy (MPP) student, I felt completely lost. Coming straight from undergraduate studies at McGill University, I knew I wanted to be at a public policy school, but I was worried that my lack of experience would set me back, make the student experience more challenging, and preclude me from accessing all that HKS has to offer. I could not have been more wrong.
Eight months later, I’ve met people who have genuinely changed my way of thinking, taken fascinating classes from luminaries, and truly felt the embrace of the Harvard community. Here are a few takeaways from my first year at HKS.
The classroom is not what you expect (it’s better)
Coming in, I was terrified of the case method and MPP core curriculum. Having these practitioners at the top of their profession teach first-years is intimidating at first. But as I got past the initial fear of getting called on, I realized that all the preparation I did for class actually pushed me to be a better student. Yes, there’s a lot of work—especially in the first semester (make sure to give yourself time to prepare for negotiation simulations)—but it’s all worthwhile. Despite the fast pace and abundance of readings, the classroom is motivating and, at times, even humbling.
Give each class respect. Preparing properly takes time and attention—don’t underestimate it.
Take time to digest information. HKS gives you so much to take in that you can get lost if you don’t slow down.
Lean into the Socratic Method and experiential learning. It might be intimidating at first (I know it was for me), but embracing it was the best decision I made.
“Eight months ago I walked into the HKS Courtyard not knowing a single person, convinced that I was in over my head. Today, I can’t imagine being anywhere else, especially when public policy is at such a transformative moment.”
The people make the place
I also didn’t know a soul within 20 miles of Boston or Cambridge before coming to HKS, so you can imagine the trepidation I felt on that first day. But within a week, I met people I knew would not only be lifelong friends, but also inspire me every day to be the best version of myself. From participating in student caucuses and policy journals to embracing all that the Cambridge area has to offer, I’ve been lucky to experience HKS in all of its glory.
Learn from your classmates’ previous experiences and perspectives and be ready to have challenging but fun conversations every day. This is the place for a policy “nerd” to thrive.
Explore Cambridge and Boston. This is your playground. Go explore the Charles River (The Head of the Charles Regatta is a blast, and your classmates will probably row in it), check out all the great food spots, and enjoy the abundance of interesting museums, historical sights, and so much more.
Engage with all that HKS has to offer! Whether through student organizations, research opportunities, or simply attending events, there are so many worthwhile ways to shape your experience.
Things I didn’t expect
To be fair, I didn’t have many expectations coming in, but HKS has exceeded the few I did have. If I knew the following before stepping foot inside the Sunshine Lobby, I’d have been much better off:
Network, network, network. You never know who someone knows, what job or research opportunity a conversation might lead to, and how much you can learn from one another.
Embrace the grind. The first-year curriculum can be challenging, but everyone around you is going through the same exact thing. That shared experience can create strong bonds.
Don’t mess with Cambridge’s weather. Get that pair of snow boots early; you never know when it’s going to start snowing (you know it’s serious when someone who went to college in Canada is saying this).
Ultimately, coming to HKS was the best decision professionally and personally that I’ve made. Eight months ago I walked into the HKS Courtyard not knowing a single person, convinced that I was in over my head. Today, I can’t imagine being anywhere else, especially when public policy is at such a transformative moment. If that’s not an endorsement, I don’t know what is.
