Do you dream of getting your policy degree from Harvard Kennedy School, but worry about your GRE score and test anxiety? Are you asking yourself, “What GRE score do I need to get into HKS?” We are here to tell you that you are not alone, and remind you that you are more than your test score.
A great GRE score is important, but it is not the most important thing.
Yes, a great GRE score is important for getting in, but even Harvard Kennedy School says it isn’t the most important aspect of your application.
“Standardized tests are just one component of our holistic evaluation process, but we have found GRE or GMAT scores to be an effective way for applicants to document their preparation for the quantitative elements of the MPP core curriculum.” – Harvard Kennedy School
It helps to have a competitive GRE score, but there’s more to you and your application than one number. HKS is open about what they’re looking for in future policy students. Your holistic, compelling story tied together by your essays, recommendations, test scores, resume, and GPA is what will separate you from every other applicant.
How The Art of Applying® can help you get into HKS.
Do you think of yourself as a wild card applicant with a lower score but a great work ethic and powerful, unique story? So was our Founder and CEO Kaneisha Grayson! She earned both an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School and an MBA from Harvard Business School despite a lower test score. We’ve helped countless other wild card applicants through our Application Accelerator® program take the next steps in their journeys by helping them get into policy school.
In the Application Accelerator® program, we don’t just help you overcome testing anxiety and get the test scores you need. From start to finish, we provide the coaching, curriculum, and community to help you get into your dream schools and get money to pay for them in the forms of scholarships and fellowships.
Here are our clients’ real GRE scores, and what they have to say about working with us to get into Harvard Kennedy School.
Harman – GRE: 328 (161 Quant, 157 Verbal)
“We all have our stories. The crux lies in presenting them in the right ways to these schools… So, that’s something I needed help with from The Art of Applying®.”
Gina – GRE: 320 (165 Quant, 155 Verbal)
“I wasn’t really expecting too much from HKS to begin with because I am a younger applicant and I didn’t have much confidence in my application… and my GRE score… At first, I didn’t feel much because I didn’t expect much, and then I told my parents and they were super excited. It was my last day in Japan when I saw my email. So, I called my parents right away and they were overjoyed. They couldn’t believe that I was going to Harvard! Harvard means a lot to them.”
Henry – GRE: 318 (163 Quant, 155 Verbal)
“One of the first feelings I had was, ‘Am I good enough? Is my story good enough? Am I a good fit for the program?’ I would say investigate the program. Read about the program, read about the professors, and think about your own story. What do you bring to the program? What does the program bring to you? [The answer] is a match between what you want and what they want to get out of it.”
Boris – GRE: 315 (158 Quant, 157 Verbal)
“Scores are great. But they don’t represent the whole story. You’re more than numbers and that’s really something that The Art of Applying® will help you showcase wherever you are applying.”
Nina – GRE: 327
“To women out there who sometimes might have Imposter Syndrome about whether they should apply to a certain school, I think that you should never feel like you can’t apply to a certain degree program if you don’t have certain experiences or backgrounds.”
| Client Name | Quant | Verbal | GPA | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | ||||
| Boris | 158 | 157 | 3.75 | International |
| 2019-2020 | ||||
| Harman | 161 | 167 | ~3.5 | International |
| Gina | 165 | 155 | 3.69 | International |
| Henry | 163 | 155 | 3.6 | International |
| Adriana | 159 | 164 | 3.35 | International |
| Gopal | 170 | 167 | Above 3.8 | International |
| 2020-2021 | ||||
| Ashley | 169 | 164 | 3.7 | International |
| Malcolm | 160 | 160 | 3.6 | Domestic (U.S.) |
| Anthony | 158 | 163 | 3.5 | Domestic (U.S.) |
We’ve got even more amazing testimonials of our clients getting into Harvard Kennedy School, but if you’re ready to get started in our Application Accelerator® program and get amazing results too, don’t lose any more time reading and let’s get started. Remember, it’s the full application that gets you in — not just the GRE score!
Ready to start the next chapter of your journey to Harvard Kennedy School and beyond?
Whether you’ve just decided to apply or are further along in your application process, the time to ask for help and accelerate your application is now, not later when you’re stressed out by quickly-approaching deadlines.
Let’s help you get into Harvard Kennedy School, or any other degree we work with. Sign up for a 15-minute, no-strings-attached Quick Call with our team so we can get you sorted!
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