Admissions Blog

Matt Shomo describes how he broadened his academic and professional horizons with Congressman Mike Quigley's Contemporary US Intelligence.

At Harris, we are looking forward to a lively and informative Diversity Day, where our community will have the opportunity to learn about diversity and inclusion efforts and connect with Harris alumni, students, and speakers. We asked some Harris community members who attended last year’s Diversity Day what they were hoping to come away with from this year’s event.

We are so glad you’re thinking of attending a campus visit at Harris Public Policy! This is a great first step in getting to know Harris culture, seeing what classes are like, and learning what the application process entails. Here are some helpful tips to make the most of your time here.

Harris Student Government leaders reflect on projects that will make an impact on future classes, and give advice to applicants.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Ta-Nehesi Coates, and Pete Buttigieg - though this sounds like the opening line of a promising joke, it’s also a list of three people I’ve had the chance to hear from since starting at Harris this fall.

Thanks to Alejandro D. González, Master of Arts in International Development and Policy (MAIDP) Class of '20, for writing this post on intentionally building community with his cohort.

As we look forward to welcoming prospective students to campus throughout the Fall, our Admissions team wanted to share their favorite spots around the University and our Hyde Park neighborhood. Check out some of our recommendations the next time you are in town!

Students who start a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree at Harris are challenged to hit the ground running—and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Only a week into the program, my classes are churning through material, my calendar is jam-packed with new opportunities, and each day I’m meeting more of the diverse group of students who I now call classmates.

Here’s a rundown of what I’ve done so far:

The Idealist Grad School Fair is a free and open event to anyone interested in learning about grad schools with a focus on social impact. Please stop by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy table to learn about our programs, requirements, deadlines, and application tips.

Summer is melting away and in just a few short weeks the fall 2019 Harris School of Public Policy class will be bustling through the halls of the Keller Center.

“[The Evening Master’s Program] has reignited my passion to drive change in this world.”
—Heather George, Director of Wealth Strategies, Bernstein Private Wealth Management

Sunday, June 30 marked the 50th Pride Parade in Chicago, during which celebrations took place throughout the city. Mayor Lori Lightfoot served as honorary grand marshal for the annual parade, walking the route with her wife Amy Eshleman.

When you come to Harris, you will be joining a supportive community of faculty, staff and students. We are thrilled to announce that our own Milvia Rodriguez is the recipient of the Marlene F. Richman Award for Excellence and Dedication in Service to Students.

Each year incoming students participate in the Common Read, reading a shared text before arriving at Harris. The main goal is simple – to have all incoming students collectively share in a single learning experience while gaining an appreciation for diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and individual stories that not only impacts how you work together as classmates, but how you view the world as future policymakers.

We sat down with our colleagues in Academic & Student Affairs to answer your questions on the algebra and calculus self-assessments. See below for the quick take!

On June 5, University of Chicago Public Policy Podcasts hosted a live episode of “Thank You for Your Service” (TYFYS), an exploration of American civil-military relations. The podcast featured David Axelrod, UChicago Institute of Politics director and former campaign strategist and advisor to President Barack Obama.

The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy excels in giving students an invaluable analytical toolkit for determining optimal public policy solutions.  The core classes at Harris are a critical component of that effort as they help students develop the analytical skills they need  to become better researchers and thinkers. However, data inquiry and evidence-based analysis must be paired with persuasive communication.  Communicating effectively is a major key to becoming an influential policy maker and advocate.

We are pleased to announce that our summer visit schedule is now live! Join us on Mondays and Thursdays from June 6 - September 26 to experience our beautiful and historic campus. 

Your day will include coffee with a current Harris student, a tour of the Keller Center, and a meeting with admissions. More information on scheduling your visit, accommodations, and university tours can be found here. 

M-o-v-i-n-g. Perhaps the most dreaded six letters in the English language, this torturous activity can be expensive, exhausting, and… enjoyable? That’s right!

Whether you’re loading your car with all of your possessions and driving down the road, flying in from halfway across the world and starting new, or somewhere in between, here are five tips to make your move to Chicago an enjoyable experience:

Last week, the Harris, UChicago, and greater Chicago community came together for our grand opening of our new home, the Keller Center. The day's events included flash talks with policy leaders, experts, and elected officials, as well as featured speakers such as: artist Theaster Gates; former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; Harris Dean Katherine Baicker; University of Chicago President Robert J. Zimmer; Provost Daniel Diermeier; and the building was dedicated by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.