Ready to learn more about the admissions process?
Drafting admissions essays, updating your résumé, taking the GRE or GMAT—there’s a lot to prepare for your application to Harvard Kennedy School’s master’s degree programs.
The good news? You don’t have to navigate the process alone. Our Admissions & Financial Aid team has put together practical advice to help you make the most of the summer and get a head start on your application.
Prepare Intentionally
Leigh McLaren, Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Leigh McLaren, Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
The more intentional your preparation is now, the more compelling your application will be later. Clarify your goals and the story you want to tell with your application. Begin by reflecting on your motivations for pursuing public policy and why HKS is the right fit. What issues drive you? What kind of impact do you hope to make? The strongest applications clearly articulate a personal and professional journey that aligns with each program’s mission to train principled, effective public leaders.
Review what materials are needed for your program’s application, and start working on them now. Identify strong recommenders and reach out early. Find recommenders who can speak authentically to your leadership and drive toward public service.
Research Our Programs
Ruibi Wang, Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Ruibi Wang, Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
You can only apply to one program per application cycle, so take time exploring the blog and our website to understand the differences between each program and find the one that best fits your goals. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to us—we’re always happy to help!
GRE/GMAT Preparation
Brianna Gomez, Associate Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Brianna Gomez, Associate Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Summer is an ideal time to begin preparing for the GRE or GMAT. Take advantage of the many free study materials, online courses, and full-length practice tests available to help you get started. Take a practice GRE test early in your preparation—this can help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement before you register for the official exam in the fall. While we review applications holistically at HKS, your quantitative ability is one of the components we consider, and we encourage you to put your best foot forward across every part of the application, which includes the GRE Quant section.
Gareth Jones, Senior Coordinator of Admissions & Financial Aid
Gareth Jones, Senior Coordinator of Admissions & Financial Aid
Come up with a plan for the GRE/GMAT. If you believe you are eligible for a waiver, submit that request and supporting documentation by the August 29 deadline. If you are not eligible for a waiver, you should look into booking your test date sooner rather than later to ensure your scores get to us well before the application deadline.
Letters of Recommendation
Gareth Jones, Senior Coordinator of Admissions & Financial Aid
Gareth Jones, Senior Coordinator of Admissions & Financial Aid
Figure out who you want to ask for letters of recommendation and start reaching out to them so that you are not scrambling to find recommenders later in the process.
Preparing Financially for Graduate School
You must submit your master’s degree application before you can access our financial aid application. The financial aid application typically opens in November (approximately two months after the master's degree application opens), but there are steps you can take now to prepare.
Katie Kelsall, Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Katie Kelsall, Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Think about how you will contribute to the overall cost of your graduate education. A few good ways to financially prepare are contributing as much as you can to savings, paying off current debt, and deciding if student loans would be a comfortable option for you.
Rod Lembvem, Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Rod Lembvem, Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Don’t overlook external funding opportunities. Many have early deadlines, and starting the search now can give you a real advantage in planning for the year ahead.
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