HarMaster in Public PolicyHarvard University · Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Program Overview

Dates and tuition are specific to the 2027 intake

Please check the official program website (link below) for specific writing guidelines

Application essays

JFK (750), Perspectives (250), and Personal History (250) essays.

CV or resume

Include employment history, academic honors, and extracurricular activities.

Recommendation letters x 3

Academic transcripts

Academic: Bachelor's degree; Strong academic record expected.
Prerequisites: Quantitative background; Evidence of quantitative proficiency (e.g., undergraduate economics, statistics, or calculus).
IELTS: 7.0 overall (7.0 each component preferred); Required if undergraduate degree was not conducted in English. New scale applies to tests from Jan 2026; old scale applies before that date. Most competitive applicants also meet the listed component thresholds. MyBest TOEFL and IELTS Single Skill Retake not accepted.
TOEFL: New scale: 5.0 overall (5.0 each component preferred) | Old scale: 100 overall (25 each component preferred); Required if undergraduate degree was not conducted in English. New scale applies to tests from Jan 2026; old scale applies before that date. Most competitive applicants also meet the listed component thresholds. MyBest TOEFL and IELTS Single Skill Retake not accepted.
GMAT: Required (no minimum published); GRE or GMAT required; waiver available with overall grade average of B or better and strong quantitative coursework (request by Aug 31, 2026).