Harvard Kennedy School Deadline
What is the deadline for Harvard Kennedy School’s 2020-2021 admission season to start school in Fall 2021?
December 8, 2020 at 5 pm Eastern Time
Be sure to check the HKS Admissions blog to double-check that you are responding to the correct essay prompts for your degree.
Optional Statement
(optional for all degrees)
Optional for: MPP, MPA2 (Two-Year MPA), MC/MPA, MC/MPA Mason Fellows, MPA/ID
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.
word limit: 250 words
Personal History Essay
(required for all degrees)
Required for: MPP, MPA2 (Two-Year MPA), MC/MPA, MC/MPA Mason Fellows, MPA/ID
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.
word limit: 250 words
Expectations Essay
(required for most degrees)
Required for: MPP, MPA2 (Two-Year MPA), MC/MPA, MC/MPA Mason Fellows
Not applicable to: MPA/ID
Describe a time when you did not meet expectations and elaborate on how the experience changed you.
word limit: 250 words
Perspectives Essay
(required for most degrees)
Required for: MPP, MPA2 (Two-Year MPA), MC/MPA, MC/MPA Mason Fellows
Not applicable to: MPA/ID
Describe a time when interactions with others and/or an experience caused you to change your mind or expanded your point of view.
word limit: 250 words
MPP Essay Prompts
Required for: MPP
Essay #1: JFK Essay (required)
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.
word limit: 500 words
Essay #2: MPP Curriculum Essay (required)
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.
word limit: 500 words
MPA2 Essay Prompts
Required for: MPA2 / Two-Year MPA
Essay #1: JFK Essay (required)
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.
word limit: 500 words
Essay #2: Two-Year MPA (MPA2) Essay (required)
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?
word limit: 500 words
MPA/ID Essay Prompts
Required for: MPA/ID
Essay #1: International Development Essay (required)
Discuss your decision to choose international development as your professional career. Also, explain how developing your analytic skills relates to your career in development.
word limit: 750 words
Essay #2: Leadership Experience Essay (required)
Describe an event or experience in which you exercised a significant decision-making, management, or leadership role.
word limit: 750 words
Essay #3: Public Policy Essay (required)
Describe a public policy or public management problem related to international development and analyze a range of solutions.
word limit: 750 words
MC/MPA and MC/MPA Mason Essay Prompts
Required for: MPA/MC (Mid-Career MPA) and MPA/MC Mason Fellows (Mid-Career Mason Fellows)
Essay #1: Career Goals Essay (required)
Submit a statement that discusses your career goals, as well as the factors that led you to select the Mid-Career MPA program as a means of furthering your personal and professional goals. Be as specific as possible in describing how your expected course of study will enable you to build on your prior professional experience and achieve those goals.
word limit: 500 words
Essay #2: Professional Contribution Essay (required)
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 how you have created positive change thus far in your most substantial professional leadership and/or public service role.
word limit: 500 words
Joint Degree and Concurrent Degree Essay Prompt
Required for: applicants to a joint or combined degree program
Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership across the United States and around the world, so people can lead safer, freer, and more prosperous lives. How will a joint/concurrent degree enhance your pursuit of this mission?
word limit: 400 words
Yes! We are accepting HKS application materials for Rush Editing.
Review Deadlines & Turnaround Times: Click Here
Good News! We’re still accepting materials for editing with a quick turnaround for December 1–15 deadlines.
Important: The final deadline to submit materials is Tuesday, November 29, at 9 PM CT.
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