Admissions Blog

Whichever degree program you choose to pursue, you’ll have the support and tools to succeed – and it’s not too early to start thinking about what your student experience will be like and what you can start doing over the summer to be ready on day one of class.

The AmeriCorps Pledge: “I will get things done for America - to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.”

Admitted Student Day has come and gone in the blink of an eye and I’m sure it was just as overwhelming and exciting for you as it was for me. In between chatting with all the newly admitted students, I found time to reflect on what it was like attending ASD again as a first-year student and a member of Team Harris.

The acceptance email from Harris changed everything. At the time I was working on developing a business model for a Chilean company. I was under a lot of pressure. And I wasn’t sure I was doing what I really wanted to do. The simple word “congratulations” on a maroon colored piece of paper magically healed me.   

My name is Andy Wolanski and I recently joined the Harris School of Public Policy as a Student Recruitment Specialist. I’m excited to be here and I’m looking forward to contributing to the recruitment team’s awesome efforts in attracting a wonderfully diverse and talented pool of students! Before I begin reading and evaluating applications, I wanted to briefly introduce myself.

Thanks to our Team Harris Ambassador, Tiffany Kwak (MPP'18) for this post! 

To celebrate the Institute of Politics’ five year anniversary, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the University of Chicago on Wednesday, February 7 for an in-depth discussion about public service and current issues in global politics.

On decision release day, Laurel Harnett was a bundle of excitement and nerves. Little did she know, so was the entire Admissions staff. There is a buzz in the atmosphere that you can feel. So much so that staff from other divisions will stop by the Admission’s offices and listen in on the calls, smiles on their faces, basking in the true joyfulness that envelopes the entire Harris community on that day.

We understand that finances are a major concern for most students. The Office of Admissions has gathered the below information to help you during your decision-making process. We will also continue to host webinars during the next few weeks to help answer your questions. Please review the important dates below concerning financial aid for admitted students and the FAQ specifically about funding your education at Harris.

It was late and I was at work, I think on a Thursday or a Friday. Busy season at work was picking up and spring was showing its first signs. I was thinking about what to eat for dinner, and I received a notification that my application status had changed. This is it, I thought. I took a deep breath, signed into my Harris admissions account, and clicked the link to view the posted letter. A few seconds passed and I saw the word - Accepted - and I read on.

My graduate school admissions journey had finally ended. I was relieved.

Evidence-Based Research & You

The Dean of the Harris School of Public Policy, Katherine Baicker sat down with Phil Ponce on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight to discuss the role that Evidence-Based Research plays in health care policy. During this talk, Dean Baicker laid out the framework for what Evidence-Based Research is, is not, and why policy analysts should care.

Evidence-Based Research is:

I’m often asked which school I prefer: Booth or Harris. My answer is usually elusive, narrowly avoiding clichés about apples and oranges. Well, it’s the combination of both degrees that has been so powerful. My experience as a dual degree student has been cohesive and uniquely enriching, drawing on assets at each school. In particular, the educational fit and community between the schools has shaped my experience...

Read the entire post on The Booth Experience.

When I decided to apply to grad school, I was conflicted about the choice.

One of the most interesting classes I have taken thus far is Analytical Politics I, taught by professor Ethan Bueno de Mesquita. From analyzing a simple game of chicken all the way to terrorist attacks on airports, I learned not only how to use quantitative models and game theory to determine how people make decisions in response to others, but also to analyze the resulting impacts on the greater good.

Hello! My name is Greta Ritzenthaler and I’m a first-year MPP student. I’d like to take a moment to reflect on my first quarter at Harris.

When I finished my undergraduate experience I knew that I eventually wanted to go back to graduate school, and specialize in an energy-related field, but I had always assumed that law school was the only option available for an individual with a more qualitative background like myself. A year in Washington, D.C. - and in particular the summer following graduation - exposed me to policy professionals on the Hill, and I became aware that an MPP, not a law degree, had become the new standard within their offices.

Thanks to our Team Harris ambassador, Tyler Barron, for sitting down and chatting with us about his Harris experience! 

Thanks to our Team Harris ambassador, Sally Park (MPP'18), for this post! Stay tuned on our website for Winter Quarter campus visits to sit in on classes like the ones below! 

Hi everyone! As our autumn quarter wraps up, I’d like to talk about the courses I took! 

Thanks to our Team Harris Student Ambassador, Sally Park (MPP'18), for this post! 

Hi everyone! Are you looking for teaching assistant positions at Harris School of Public Policy?

I am currently a teaching assistant for Statistics for Data Analysis I class for the professor Dan Black, and wanted to share my TA experiences.

Check out all the events we're planning for the fourth week of November 27th! Thanks to our Team Harris Senior Ambassador, Tyler Barron (MPP'18) for this post! 

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

2017 Paul Offner Lecture featuring Dean Katherine Baicker