Admissions Q&A

Thanks to our Assistant Director of Recruitment, Alyssa Szynal, for giving us her application tips! 

What are you looking for in an application?

I would say we’re looking for you to tell us your story. We want students at Harris who bring in a wide range of experiences academically and professionally. You don’t have to fit a particular profile to be a good fit for Harris; in fact, I would say that there isn’t one consistent profile to fit. What all of our students have in common is their drive and excitement about policy. So as you put together your application, tell us what sparked your interest in studying public policy – was it a class? A job? A volunteer experience? Additionally, what led you to apply to Harris specifically? As you tell your story, we want to hear about where you have been, as well as where you picture yourself being involved at Harris and the University of Chicago, and where you might go beyond.

How can applicants stand out?

You know your story best. Everyone has something in their profile that makes them unique, so identify what that is for you and be sure to highlight it. What are you bringing to the table that no one else will? We usually hear about how attending Harris will benefit the applicant – so as an applicant, flip the story and tell us how having you as a student will be great for Harris.

What else should an applicant know about Harris?

The culture at Harris is incredibly collaborative, and there is a strong sense of community among our students. I love to talk about our Harris Student Organizations. They represent such a wide variety of interests, and they’re always changing based on student interests – four new HSOs were added just last week. They host everything from networking events to autumn trips to the pumpkin patch, so there are plenty of ways to be part of the community both professionally and socially. Harris Student Government and Minorities in Public Policy Studies (MiPPS) are two great examples of very active HSOs.

What timeline do you suggest for applicants?

Start today! The sooner you begin the process, the less stressful it will be. Make sure you give your recommenders plenty of time to write and submit letters of recommendation for you. Give yourself enough time to write (and edit!) your essays as well; don’t leave that part until the last minute.

I also always suggest visiting our campus to get a sense of our community, and if you start the application process and visit early, you might be able to incorporate what you learn into your application. Even if you can’t make it to Chicago, you can still meet us virtually through a webinar and take our virtual tour of campus.