Harvard Kennedy School Admissions 2022
- Programs: HKS offers 4 master’s programs and more than 35 open-enrollment programs. Health Policy and Management, International Global Policy and Administration, and Best Public Affairs Programs are the top three listed programs at HKS, with rankings of #1, #2, and #3, respectively.
- Enrollment: Every academic year over 1,100 students get enrolled in a master's program at Harvard Kennedy School. In addition, nearly 4,000 professionals from all industries and more than 150 countries enroll in the university's executive education programs.
- Application Deadline: Admission applications at Harvard Kennedy School for 2022-2023 have been closed. However, The application for the 2023-2024 academic year will be available in September 2022.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online portal |
| Application Fee (International Applicants) | 100 USD |
| Acceptance rate | 20% |
| Minimum GPA | B |
| Mode of Payment | Credit card or check |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-based |
| Intake Seasons | Fall |
| Work Experience | Required for Graduate Programs |
| Financial Aid | Work study, Loans, Fellowship and Scholarships available |
Harvard Kennedy School International Students Admission
Harvard Kennedy School has mandated that the students must have completed secondary education with a college preparatory curriculum, fulfilled the minimum grade point equivalency, provided required official academic records, met the appropriate deadlines, and verified financial support for one academic year. The application process is similar for both international and domestic applicants. However, international applicants need to meet some additional entrance requirements:
How to apply?
Application Portal: Master program | Executive Education | PhD programs
Application Fee: 100 USD
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts
- Official GRE and GMAT scores
- Essay, which varies by programs
- Additional analytic resume or statement, which varies by program
- Three strong letters of recommendation
- English proficiency test scores
- Applicants who want admission in Law programs need to submit LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) for admission in Medical Programs
Also Check:
English Proficiency Test Scores
International applicants are required to present TOEFL, IELTS Test scores to demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum required scores by the university are:
Visa Process for International Students
Students can apply for a student visa to study in the USA after acceptance. Generally, students are issued with an F-1 visa after the completion of all the requirements. Therefore, Aspirants will be required the following documents for a visa interview:
- Copy of a valid Passport
- Completed visa application
- Receipt of visa application fee
- Passport size photographs
- I-20 form issued by the university
- Acceptance letter from the university
- Scholarship/ Sponsorship Letter(if applicable)
- Immunization Form
- Health Examination Form
Also Check:
The school offers four master’s programs in the field of public policy and administration. The university provides similar deadlines and application procedures for domestic undergraduate applicants as well as international applicants. Even the application fee and the admission requirements are also similar.
The international applicants can visit the respective online portals to apply for the courses at their desired degree level. However, the program-specific requirements are mentioned below:
| Requirements | Master in Public Policy | Master in Public Administration in International Development | Master in Public Administration | Mid-Career Master in Public Administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| GMAT/GRE | GRE/GMAT required | GRE/ MAT required | GRE/GMAT required | GRE/GMAT required |
| Essay | Required (1 Page) | Required (250-750 Words) | Required (3 Essay of 250-500 words) | Required (250- 500 Words) |
| Work Experience | Required (2 years) | Required (3 years) | Required (3 years) | Required (7 years) |
| Professional CV/Resume | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Recommendations | Required (3 letters) | Required (3 letters) | Required (3 letters) | Required (3 letters) |
| Admission Interview | By invitation only | By invitation only | By invitation only | By invitation only |
Harvard Kennedy School Doctoral Admissions
Harvard Kennedy School offers four full-time doctoral programs under Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Science. The students are directed to submit their admissions materials directly to the GSAS Office of Admissions. Therefore, the students are required to submit the following documents while applying for the admissions:
- Completed application form
- Payment of application fee
- Academic transcripts
- Resume/ CV
- One writing sample
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- GRE scores
English Language Proficiency
| Test | Minimum score required |
|---|---|
| TOEFL-iBT | 103 |
| IELTS | 7 |
Harvard Kennedy School Executive Programs Admissions
Harvard Kennedy School offers more than 35 open-enrollment programs led by Harvard faculty, Executive Education along with the Executive Certificates in four concentrations areas:
- Economic Development
- Nonprofit Leadership
- Public Leadership
- Public policy
It becomes mandatory for students to complete 3 programs in 6 years to earn an Executive Certificate from HKS. Students are also required to fulfill the general admission requirements such as:
- Experience – A minimum of 5 years of professional experience
- Education – HKS do not require any formal educational requirements.
- Language – Candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English.
Applicants are recommended to check the official website of the university for the admission deadlines of graduate programs. Applicants are required to expect the arrival of the decision in March. Students are notified about the application status through an email notification with the confirmation which includes information about the application review process of the university and instructions laid down by it to check the status of the application online.
The curriculum at the institute is very demanding and the applicants should be equally competitive, merely meeting the general requirements does not guarantee an applicant a place. It is observed that the college looks for leadership qualities and students who demonstrate public service.
The Harvard Kennedy School, one of the top colleges in the USA, also seeks applicants who can demonstrate good writing and speaking skills. Even after meeting the general admission requirements, it might so happen that an applicant is not selected because the applications received are far more than the numbers that can be admitted. Therefore, early applications are advised with all the required admission documents.
FAQs
Ques. What is the Letter of Recommendation requirement for admission to Harvard Kennedy School?
Ans. You need to submit 3 letters of recommendation written by an academic professor or professional person (must not by friend or co-worker). It should also be noted that all 3 LORs should not academic specific. Other colors can be experience and profession-specific so you increase your chances to get shortlisted.
Ques. Do we need to face an interview round for getting admission to Harvard Kennedy School?
Ans. The interview is not required for admission to Harvard Kennedy School.
Ques. What are some main factors for shortlisting for Harvard Kennedy School Admissions?
Ans. Strong writing and communication skills, leadership experience, professional experience, volunteer participation, extra-curricular activities, relevant skills for programs, and work experience are some main factors interviewer shortlist candidates for final admission.
Ques. I am interested to study in two programs at a time offered by Harvard Kennedy School. Can I do so?
Ans. No. Harvard Kennedy School offers only one program at a time.
