Admissions Blog

There are plenty of ways for Harris students to get involved and gain real-world experiences outside of the classroom. For example, we have more than thirty Harris Student Organizations (HSOs) in which students can build community and do meaningful work. We attended an HSO fair and stopped by a few tables for a glimpse into their work.

Incoming students at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy represent 49 countries, as well as various cultural backgrounds, languages, and experiences. International students applying to graduate school in the US may have many questions about our application process, and our admissions team is here to help. Director of International Partnerships and Executive Education Shilin Liu, MPP’17, shares some tips for international students applying to Harris.

Muaz Chaudhry, MPP Class of 2024, shares his application experience and tips ahead of our early action deadline on October 5.

One of the best ways to get to know the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy is to visit our beautiful campus. Below are some activities and restaurants in and around Hyde Park that no one should overlook.

Before the ivy at UChicago bursts into an autumn rainbow and we get into the full swing of the fall quarter, I wanted to share an appreciation post about my first summer in Chicago. From music festivals to food fairs and outdoor activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy. All season long, you can play beach volleyball on Lake Michigan, enjoy views of the iconic Chicago skyline, try new foods from a variety of cultures, and visit neighborhood celebrations all over the city. Here are some ideas I’ve gathered for making the most out of summer in Chicago.

The University of Chicago is home to avid readers from many walks of life. A brief stroll around campus and you will pass the Seminary Co-Op Bookstore, which houses a world-renowned collection of scholarly work; 57th St. Books, which caters to the vast literary interests of the community; Powell’s Books, Chicago’s largest independent dealer in quality used, bargain, antiquarian, and out of print books; as well as six on-campus libraries (not to mention student borrowing privileges at several local museums and archives). We asked Harris faculty and staff to give some of their top reading recommendations.

The M.S. in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP) is a rigorous, two-year program offered jointly by the Harris School of Public Policy and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago. Students of the program come from a variety of backgrounds, educational focus and geographies, but all have a passion for using data to bring about change in public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Harris Policy Labs are Harris elective courses in which small teams of second-year (or second-third quarter MA) Harris students apply their rigorous Core education and policy skills to real-time public policy challenges facing client organizations. Policy Labs students work under faculty guidance and earn course credit.

As you’re planning to apply to Harris, you may already be thinking about your outcomes after graduation. We’re happy to share the following benefits, experiences, and outcomes for the Master of Arts in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM) program.

While tips on applying to grad school from the Admissions team can be helpful to prospective students as they work through their application, we know many of you are also eager to hear more from current students.

We are excited for our upcoming event series in Washington, D.C. from July 13–14! Join us for coffee chats with the admissions team, a reception with students and alumni, and an information session to to learn how you can drive meaningful and measurable change with a graduate degree from Harris.

Sahila Kudalkar, MPP'23, shares some advice to incoming students on finding on-campus jobs.

Jonathan DaCosta, MPP Class of 2024, writes about his transition to graduate school directly from undergrad.

Carrie Collins, MPP Class of 2024, wrote about what a typical Tuesday looked like for her during spring quarter after completing the Core.

We regularly host Roundtables with alumni of the Data and Policy Summer Scholar (DPSS) Program who share their UChicago experience and advice for prospective students. We asked alumni how they applied their skills in the workplace. Below are pieces of their testimonies.

The Admissions team has rolled out a series of virtual sessions on application tips called Applying to Grad School. We have rounded up the recordings for your reference as you complete your application. Our next deadline to apply is, Thursday, April 20 at 11:59 p.m. CDT (UTC-5).

There are many fun and unique experiences to enjoy while living in Chicago. For example, Vitor Agrella da Silveira, MPP Class of 2024, writes about his experience watching his friend run in the Chicago Marathon last fall.

Muaz Chaudhry, MPP Class of 2024, shares how he managed to build a vibrant community at Harris as a queer, international student.

Connecting with current students is an important part of making your graduate school decision. From a short conversation or a few emails, you can learn more about where to live, what to expect from classes, internship opportunities, and life outside of the classroom.

Victor Hinardi, MPP Class of 2023 and DPSS'20, writes about the ways in which data can be used to tell stories that impact policy change.