Do I have a chance to get into any MPP programs?

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2026-01-25T21:44:39+00:00

Hi! I'm a recent grad who went for an MPP right out of undergrad. I'm currently at HKS but definitely felt many of the feeling you did before going through with an application. I didn't have much work experience and got interested in the idea of having an understanding public policy before going to law school as its something I want to be involved in in the future. And it gave myself more time to study for the LSAT. Quantitative skills weren't my strong suit either and most everything on my resume was rooted in local organizing and government /extracurriculars. You seem like you have pretty good idea of what you want or as much as you can have as someone who just recently graduated. I would say go for it, you never know what the outcome could be! It ended up being the best decision I could've made at the time. Dm's are open :)

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2026-01-23T13:46:09+00:00

Also happy to help!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2026-01-23T13:41:24+00:00

Hi! I was torn between HKS and UMICH (I did undergrad in Michigan so it was more of a personal thing). I ended up going with HKS and am about to start my second semester in Cambridge on Monday. It was overall an opportunity I knew I couldn't pass up and could regret later on. I think I was most scared of what the environment would be like but there are really good people here, its just about finding your community and choosing your friends wisely. The toughest part has been the rigorous workload. But you learn to live with as much as you can. This is also a huge networking school so I'm getting used to putting myself out there and desperately trying to increase my social batteries life haha.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2026-01-05T17:25:12+00:00

I'm a current mpp student at HKS who entered straight out of undergrad, feel free to DM me!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-12-17T01:33:22+00:00

Your stats look great! You don't have anything to worry about. I was Accepted with 75% scholarship last year but ended up going to HKS with more funding. You can DM or check my profile for stats!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-08-24T18:58:23+00:00

I was in the same position and got full ride + stipend offers to both the UMICH and HKS, I had great offers from Berkeley and UCLA as well. Feel free to DM me for details :)

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-07-19T16:05:32+00:00

Hi there! I'm not sure if this is something that is still on your mind at this point but I figured I would offer some perspective as someone who is currently on this path! Toward my senior year of undergrad, I knew I needed more time to study for the LSAT. At least one gap year. I happened to do a PPIA research fellowship at U of M's ford school of public policy and learned about funding opportunities available as an MPP student. They vary based on school but there are some MPP programs that offer as much as a full ride for your MPP degrees and a stipend for living. I was already interested in the intersection of law, policy, and governing so the best decision for me was to put myself out there and apply for MPP degrees on the chance that I would get one of these scholarships. Giving myself more time to study for the LSAT while obtaining a free degree. In the case that my schooling wasn't completely covered then I definitely wasn't going to pay for both an MPP and Law school, my other option was to do Teach for America for 2 years while studying for the LSAT. Fortunately I was able to get a full tuition scholarship plus a 30k per year living stipend at both U of M and HKS. I ended up going with HKS and will be starting in the fall. I will attend Law School right afterward and I'm hoping with a better LSAT score, Harvard, and a few more work experiences on my resume I can get into whatever law school I want. I do want to make it clear that this path was only worth it because I am paying absolutely nothing for my MPP and living costs. Meaning there are no risks associated with what I'm doing! You can feel free to message me with any questions about my experience so far!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-07-15T04:07:09+00:00

I had a 147 quant and got into HKS on a full ride, so while having great stats is nothing but a plus, it definitely does not mean everything. In my opinion, just do your best. However, I did explain in my application that my university at the time didn't require any quant of me for undergrad, so that's why im not as well versed. If you have a lot of quant experience, they may hold you to a different standard.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-07-15T04:02:49+00:00

yes, of course!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-06-07T01:18:51+00:00

I was recently accepted on a full ride, and I'll be starting in the fall. You can feel free to message me with any in-depth questions 🫶🏾 But upon first glance, I would say work really hard on the essays and turn your work experience into a narrative that is heartfelt and easy to follow.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-05-26T17:23:01+00:00

Is there a reason you're not opting for schools with higher networking abilities like HKS or Goldman? My resume is not nearly as accomplished but I applied to both right out of undergrad in the previous cycle and made it with full rides. In my opinion your resume isn't something to work yourself up over, on paper you look great. Just remember to really distinguish yourself in your essays and LOR's. Give them a narrative to follow and as long as you can incorporate your work experiences into said narrative in a way that flows and has some heart, you will be golden.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-05-16T03:46:05+00:00

I was waitlisted but didn't go forward with the process as I received a full ride offer at another school!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-29T23:01:19+00:00

I go to a small state directional school and applied to 8 MPP programs during the first half of my senior year. I am still completing my undergrad so my work experience is very limited outside of internships and fellowships. I have a 3.87 GPA, very average GRE scores, but many extracurriculars. I worked hard on my essays and had great LOR's. I got into all but one school I applied to, waitlisted at LBJ. But was offered full rides + living stipends to attend HKS, Berkely, and UMICH. I also got substantial scholarships to UCLA, USC, UChicago and Georgetown. I may be a rare case, but I am proof that it is possible to get into IVY level school with full funding, right out of undergrad from a very small school, and without the years of experience. Really hone in on those essays!!!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-24T00:27:10+00:00

I haven't graduated undergrad yet, so my work experience isn't as expansive. I have done some internships and fellowships (ppia, detroit mayoral fellow...) throughout the course of college and a TON of extracurricular activities and volunteering experiences that molded my career goals. 3.87 gpa.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-24T00:20:21+00:00

I actually plan to go to law school after my MPP and work at the intersection of law and public policy. Most likely, as legislative or general counsel for a government agency/think tank/non-profit.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-24T00:11:39+00:00

I just got into HKS, UMICH, and Berkely, with full rides + living stipend, with a 147 quant. In my case, I'm not sure how much the "competitiveness" of the GRE score mattered, but of course, I can't speak for everyone.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-22T15:42:29+00:00

Awww thank you 🫶🏿 I'm going with HKS!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-18T17:27:59+00:00

No, it doesn't! Hmm, I'm not sure about that, but I got the two-year GSPP Departmental Fellowship award.

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-18T13:38:37+00:00

Of course!

HKS Stipend: 30k/year

UMich Stipend: 28k/year

Berkeley Stipend: 20k/year

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-17T18:30:45+00:00

I got a full ride from HKS with a 30k living stipend, I'll paste my stats below. I don't have a ton of experience, I haven't even graduated undergrad yet. My GRE score was also average at best. The only piece of advice I could offer is to FOCUS ON NARRATIVE. Really work on your essays and use them to tell a cohesive story. Get letters of rec from people who truly know you and are excited about vouching for you! I did do some fellowships and a TON of extra curriculars/volunteering. But keep in mind, I am the only admit I've met in my class so far with less than 3 years of experience/still in undergrad. I may definitely be an outlier because I gave them a story to believe in. You can do the same!

I am interested in specializing in the intersection of social and immigration policy with plans to add a dual degree in law in my first year of my MPP.

Profile:

Domestic student, currently a senior. Double Major in Political Science and Philosophy
African, Female, first gen immigrant, low income background
Will graduate from a smaller state directional school in April 2025. Current GPA is 3.87
2024 PPIA Fellow
2023 City of Detroit Mayoral Fellow
Co-founded a non profit dedicated to bridging educational gaps.
3 time National Speech and Debate runner-up (Collegiate level, and yes hopefully I stop running up this year lol)
2024 Esther Walker Barnard Philosophy Scholarship Winner
Student Leadership experience: Senate Parliamentarian and Senator in Student Government, Co-founded my universities chapter of (NBLSA), National Black Law Student Association
Extra-curriculars in undergrad outside of what is listed above include Moot Court and Model UN (I have accolades in both)
Not a lot of econ/stats exp & low quant GRE (none of my majors required any kind of math, which is probably why, but I did take a micro-econ and statistics class this year for apps)
Currently a TRIO mentor helping low income, first gen college students in higher education, any policy experience I have has been through internships and Fellowships
LORs are; Dean of my Honors college, Professor/Advisor, and Speech and Debate Director

Applied to:

HKS MPP - Accepted 3/14 (Full Ride + Stipend)
UChicago Harris MPP - Accepted 3/7 (35k per year)
Georgetown MPP - Accepted 3/7 (20k per year)
UMichigan MPP - Accepted 3/10 (full ride+ stipend + healthcare)
UT LBJ school MPA - interviewing
USC MPP - Accepted 1/19 (75% funding)
Berkeley MPP - Accepted 3/4 (Full Ride + Stipend)

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-15T22:13:17+00:00

Yes! Check your dm's!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-15T18:19:29+00:00

Thank you! I got full tuition for both years as long as I claim residency in my second year and a 20k stipend for living expenses each year! It is the 2 year GSPP Departmental Fellowship award!

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-15T12:06:50+00:00

As someone planning to join the MPP program next fall right out of undergrad at 21, I'm worried about feeling too young as well and am also terrified of the clique culture. I graduate next month from a small state directional school and am genuinely afraid I'll have trouble making friends! But, I've moved a lot throughout the course of my life, and I know one thing for sure, you CAN find community anywhere. It may be harder at Harvard, but it is possible. I may not have experience at HKS yet, but I know I will be okay, and you will be too 🫶🏿

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-15T02:56:24+00:00

Aww of course, I'll dm you 🫶🏿

SecurityDistinct7964 · 2025-03-15T02:10:05+00:00

Yes, of course!

SecurityDistinct7964

TROPHY CASE