Harris Public Policy MAIDP Webinar

Hi everyone can you all let me know if you can hear me in the chat box?

Great I see a bunch of you have said that you can hear me which is awesome. If you experience any technical difficulties throughout the web and R. We are recording this so if we can always send it. You the recording. Afterwards, if you for some reason came here in the middle of the web and R but I want to thank you. All for joining me, this morning. My name is Samantha Ng. I'm the assistant director of student recruitment here at the University. Chicago's hair school public policy.

And I directly oversee the admissions process for our Masters of Arts in International Development policy program so today. I'm going to answer some questions that you might have regarding the degree program. I'll talk about the universe. University Chicago itself. Our faculty the curriculum. The application process and next steps, if you do have any questions throughout the presentation. Deathly food for you to type them in the chat box. I hope to answer most of your questions throughout the presentation and if there any questions that we didn't get to today.

Then um my colleague India will help me ask these questions at the very end. So feel free to type them throughout the presentation, but also you can also wait to see what questions I will answer throughout the presentation.

So let's get started so we are applied to the University. Chicago you're applying to be a part of 125 years of excellence at the University. We have 90 Noble Prize. Winners actually this should be changed to 90. One we had one faculty who was awarded Nobel Prize. This this past fall and then six hearted faculty within her school public policy in the booth Business School have Noble prizes. So when you're joining the University. Chicago you're going to be joining.

Excellence basically so our faculty are well known for their research around the world, including in Economics and political science and so as a student here at Harris you will definitely have a part of being part of this network as well.

You're also be joining a network of research and impact so these are some of the institutes that are most popular amongst her students so these research institutes. They conduct various research projects and that they are very well known so for example, some of you might be interested in the pierced Institute for the study and resolution of global conflict. So the faculty in this Institute are well known for their research in.

Poverty and violence around the world for example, the program director for the MAIDP program is Chris Blattman and he is a Pearson faculty member. He is well known for his research in Colombia and the violence is happening there. We also have other institutes, including epic, which is the energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. There are well known for their research and energy policy and I can talk a little bit more about that as well. But these are just some of the research institutes that.

Her students are very much part of and you can also be a part of as well. Weather is attending their events or being a research assistant.

I also want to talk about the city of Chicago, so within the University Chicago. The city very much plays a large part in the student experience so students are very much involved with the community. Whether it's volunteering in the classroom or you know, volunteering at a local election. Chicago is very much part of our classroom. So our students are also involved with different research positions and those go across various sectors, including.

Education urban policy and economics, so for those of you who are not familiar with Chicago. It's the 3rd largest city in the US. I moved here approximately about 5 years ago and I haven't left. I'm originally from the East Coast City of Boston and then I moved to Chicago. When I was living in Hong Kong, so if anyone has questions about moving here. I can tell you a little bit more about it, but my favorite parts of the city of Chicago is diversity.

There are different pockets of neighborhoods all throughout the city and it feels like you're in a totally different area. But you're still within the city of Chicago, so for example, my favorite area is to go to Chinatown to get some amazing Chinese food, which when I miss Hong Kong. So I think for those of you who haven't been to Chicago. You definitely will fall in love with it like I have.

And then why Harris public policy, so one of the reasons why I even chose to come to work for her school public policy are its students. The students are very diverse and they come from all different backgrounds and different experiences. But they all have one common goal of making an impact further community. So our students are coming from different majors, such as economics, political science English and journalism and music. They all come from different work experiences so some of them have worked for nonprofits.

Some of them have been consulted some of them have worked for their local government, but they all came to Harris because they wanted to gain the skills in order to make an impact in public policy, and so I think that's one of the many reasons why to choose Harris and also the community of students here that we have. We have approximately 500 students in total for all her students including all the programs and about half are international students. But it doesn't feel like a huge school so the classes are still small no more than 50 students in a classroom.

And it still feels like a small community, even though we have a larger student population and I think you will find that when you actually set into the Harris community.

Another thing that I think is great about Harris is the student organizations, as policy. Students are they are very much involved with different organizations. These are just some of the organizations that I thought MA IDP students might be interested in you'll see that they are based off of either identity or policy interest so for example, we have whip, which is woman in public policy or the minorities in public Policy Studies minutes, which is also very popular organization.

And then we have organizations are based on policy address, so for example, Latin America. Matters primarily focuses on policy in Latin America, the hairs. School Energean Environmental Association, which is HP. EA so these are different organizations that you can be a part of these organizations hosts different events and speakers on campus and it's just a great way for students to also meet students with.

Other students that have similar interests as them.

And then the curriculum for the MAIDP program so I think this is very unique as well. The program can be clipped can defeated in one academic here.

You'll see that there are 3 categories. The foundational skills and the International Development policy courses. These are all required for students so there are 4 required classes, which include microeconomics, analytical politics statement. Analytics, an economic development. Impala see these classes are a similar to the core classes for the MPP except that they're going to be a focus on international international examples, so for example, the NPP students are still taking microeconomics, analytical policy.

Data analytics, but all of your examples in this class will be an international policy issues.

And so on the first quarter will be all 3 required classes and then your 2nd and 3rd quarter. You'll have electives and one required class so students can take up to can take 5 electives across the University. Chicago and you can take a believe up to 3 classes outside of Harris so these are just some of the examples of electives that you can take. Obviously, this is a very, very limited list. There are much many, many more opportunities for you take other electives.

But for example, you can take us class within the Blue School of Business called the wealth of nations or within our law school. The international human rights and then within Harris order and violence. So you have a lot of flexibility to customize. The degree and focus on different policy areas that you're interested in.

Within the required classes you are going to be learning. You know, some of the hard data skills that you'll need in public policy, and then you'll have more flexibility in the electives. So is a cohort based program. And so the first corner you will be taking all classes with other MA. IDP students and not with the rest of her students.

And with that, you can also customize the degree by taking certificates certificates are completed by just taking the required electives within that certificate so it's kind of like when your major or minor. You are taking classes to fill fill that major and that's all you have to do for certificates here at Harris so for example, some of you might be interested. In energy environmental policy certificates. All you have to do to complete that certificate is to take 3 electives.

In those classes and you can find those lists of electives on on our website as well. So you'll graduate with a degree in International Development policy with the certificate in a specialty area and this just shows to employers that you have a certain specialty area special knowledge area that you can help more in.

Um these certificates are optional so is certainly not required so for students who are maybe not necessarily sure of what kind of policy area. They're interested in but they know they're interested in International Development Policy. Then they don't have to take a certificate, but for those who have a certain focus area know what they want to work on after they graduate certificates are great option for you to get that specialty area.

And these are some of the faculty members within the International Development policy program that are key faculty so I list. I talked earlier, about Chris Blattman. He is the program director. We also have an Julia Do Chia. Her work focuses on basic needs in India. She had a great research project that that realize that girls in India weren't going to school as often because they were not receiving the necessary sanitary.

Eats at them You did, in school, so her research realize that and then so more schools were implementing and adding more sanitary needs for girls and so that increased their attendance in schools, so these are just some of the faculty also James Robinson, who is very well known for his book. Why nations fail. Some of you have probably heard of this book and might have even read it. He teaches a number of classes with our popular monks International Development policy students as well.

And then outside of the classroom. We prepare you for the real world, so there are various leadership opportunities for you did partake in outside the classroom that adds to your student experience here in Harris. For example, we have the mentor program. The metric program pairs you with one on one with it. Uh a policy expert or an alumni from Harris and the mentor can really help you throughout your time here, not only talk about classes but then also your policy interest in ultimately help you find a job.

After you graduate.

And then we also have policy wax. Posse labs are in elective that you can take during your second or your third quarter. Here, an policy labs allow you to work with a real life client So what happens is that you'll register for Apolosi lab based on the different policy interest. So it could be a posse lab in working for non profits and you'll work with your classmates in your faculty member lead who an actual issue of an actual client so for example.

Previous policy labs clients included NATO or Navy pier, which is within the University or within the city of Chicago and at the very end of the academic year quarter. Actually, you will present to that client on your solution for their issue. So that only provides you additional experience and get get hands-on experiences within and outside of the classroom.

And then research centers, which I talked about earlier in which you can be a research assistant if that's something that you're interested in many of our institutes hire her students because of the skills that they have and then the leadership credentials so in the classroom. You're going to be gaining those hard data skills, but then outside the question, we have also have leadership credentials. And so that's where you can build on those soft action skills such as negotiation skills.

Grant writing things like that, and then internships archerd development office can help help you look for internships and apply for internships as well. Many students will use do internships. After in the summer after they graduate, but then many also will pursue while they're students or crew development office is here to help you with that.

So you graduated after this one year. What's next? How will Harris. Find you a job so we will help you find a job we do not have job placements, but our current development office will help you and they have career coaches, so these career coaches are once who are meeting with you from day one. They can help you with your resume practice for interviews connected with alumni and things like that all to help you get that job.

And then we also have employer relation seem within the current development office. These are people who are out in the field building relationships with different organizations and bringing them on campus for interviews and connecting with connecting them with students in order to start that relationship and then the creative element office also has has a membership to Devex, which is an on line site specifically for individuals looking for International Development.

Jobs and so uh Harris has provided memberships for all International Development students and so you'll have access to that. Once you're a student and you'll be able to start looking specifically for International Development job through that site as well. You'll see on the side as well, just some of our statistics for job placement. This is from our 2018 career report. So you'll see 97% of a job of our students have accepted jobs after they?

Or employed within 6 months and then you, also see the salary rate for our students as well. The median for students in public and nonprofits and in private sectors.

So I'm your CI students are very successful in finding jobs after they graduate and our crew development office is very much here to help you with that, along with summer internships and they also host career tracks to Chicago, DC in New York. If that's something you're interested in especially I'm assuming many of you might be interested in working in large international organizations, which are primarily host in DC. You'll go with a career development team along with other students and will take you around DC meet different organizations set up interviews and.

Things like that, and that can only help build your network and help you find that job and then our alumni network, we have over a 60,000 alumni all over the world and they're very much.

Happy to connect with you and interested in connecting with other fellow U Chicago students so that can only help you build your network and also help find that job.

So moving on to the application and who we are looking for so who is this program designed for us. So we're looking for rising leaders from around the world who have a clear focus on a global issue and have significant work experience at least 3 years of relevant experience is required this coming year. That was the minimum of our students and we're also looking for diverse backgrounds and experiences so often times, I get.

Question I study this, I do this. I went to school here. am I good fit. We're looking for diverse backgrounds and experiences so we don't have one set cookie cutter student so we're looking for students who come from. You know the private sector. The public sector who have economics backgrounds who have worked in journalism have worked in nonprofits who worked as consultants, but we're looking for students who specifically how focus on that International Development issue.

If you don't meet these requirements or if you don't have enough work experience or if you're interested in international policy. But you're also interested in other local policy in the US. I'll talk a little bit more about the MPP and what is a good fit for you, but this is primarily what we're interested in for International Development students.

And then for the application so the application is fully on line in dynamic so that means that the more information that you fill out on the application. The more questions will ask for you so make you make sure that you're going through every section answering every question that is required of you. The application fee will automatically be waived for you as well. So you do not need to pay the $50 application fee. An only one application is needed. I do want to stress that we only want you to submit one application that but with that, you can also select.

A second program to be considered for it and you don't need to submit second application, so for example, if you are interested in our international Obama program but also interested in our MPP in the application. You should be able to select the MPP as your second option and we will automatically considering you for the MPP if we don't think that International Development program is the right fit for you.

I'ma do you wanna know that we do not look down upon students to have a second program selected so for example, the NPP committee will not look down on you if you put them as their second choice here in the mission seem. We are looking to find the best fit for you so definitely is not a detriment to you if you select a second program but do note that if you do select MPP or any of our other programs. You should check the requirements as they are different. They can be different from RNA IDP program so for example.

Um the MPP again if you're interested in that or any of other are degrees. The MA degree as well, or Ms cap. You do need to have the GRE whereas you can see on the requirements for the MAIDP that Jerry is not required. So if you would like to be considered for NPP or any other degree programs. I hear it. You do need to check the degree requirements in orange for you to be fully considered for that.

But you can see again the requirements on the side, so the online application. A resume be do not have a page limit on their resume and I get a lot of questions on that it could be one page. It can be 5 pages. But we do ask for it to be relevant, and concise so making sure that everything on your resume is relevant to this degree an it's very concise and easy for us to re. Oftentimes, the resume is one of the first things that I look at it and so it gives me a good idea since as soon.

What the experience this student has?

And so the more concise and clear it is the better then we will also ask for transcripts. So it should be transcripts from all higher degree higher degrees bird so from your undergraduate and your bachelors degree and then also, if you pursued a Masters. We will also ask for those transcripts, they must be translated in English. So oftentimes universities will not provide it in English, so you need to get it officially translated from an official translator.

So we will not accept transcripts translated by the student or by you know, someone random it needs to be an official translator with the transcript. We will also accept transcript evaluations, so such as companies as WWES or ECE. It's not required. But certainly can help us and if you already have it. That's great, but again, it's not required, but we will accept those transcription evaluations.

And we will also require the toll Floor Isles. I'll talk a little bit more about that in the next slide, so from international students majority view. We will require that score again like, I say I'll talk about the next slide, but will move on. Then the motivation statement. So the motivation seem is asking you. Why Harris, an why public policy, so that's where you can really talk about Harris as a school and why and how you got interested in public policy, so tell us your story.

Tell us what are you interested in this field and the short essays also tell us about your accomplishments and what you hope to do after you graduate from this program and how this program degree program will help you accomplish those goals.

And so, yeah, so for the total or islands, so do I have to take the tool for items. I get this? Question quite often. the University of Chicago has a policy in which that the toll for eyelids can only be waived if you study at least 1 year at a University in the US, Canada UK Island. New Zealand or South Africa within the past 5 years.

So if you do not meet this requirement, Harris does not have authority to waive that for you so we at our office. We had, we cannot do anything about that and your application will automatically know if you are away from the total or Isles, so for example, if you did, in put in the application that you graduated with your bachelors within the past 5 years. At one of one of those countries. Then the application automatically wave that tool for Isles for you if you do not meet that requirement.

So for example, I also get questions about if your education was primarily taught in English and you primarily speak English in your country so for example, India or Nigeria or Hong Kong, where that is true. Unfortunately, that does not waive you from the tool for Ielts Score and the University will still require you to take that examines submit score. So you'll see the minimum requirements there at the bottom, but the tool for 106 in the aisle 7.0.

Um.

104 Oh so I actually should be 104 it within the minimum. Scores of 24 and each or 26 in each section. So you can look on our website. The International Affairs website to double check those scores and see the actual quite requirements. If you do not meet those minimum score requirements with still encourage you to apply just note that if you do not meet those score requirements. You may be asked to take an English class before the classes start.

So be aware of that and will let you know if admitted that if you need to take those English classes before you before your classes start and then do note that the scores do expire 2 years after the test date and we will accept unofficial score report so for example, if you have just taken the test and you have not received your official scores. You can still input your unofficial scores in the application and then we will accept the official scores.

If admitted.

And then I see some questions on often about when when you should apply so you'll see the deadlines here. If you looked into our application last year, we have. We had different deadlines. So our next coming deadline is the early action, which is October 1, so this is encouraged for a majority of students, especially if Harris, an that MAIDP is your Top choice. The early action is non binding, but you will hear back from a sooner so you'll hear back from us within.

I'm in November and that gives us more time to work with you and start working on the visa application earlier as well. So we have that as well. And just it just gives us more time and being strongly encourage students to apply early action if you cannot make early action, then we would encourage you to apply to the round. One deadline, which is December 3rd and you'll hear back from us mid February.

Um was also important about these 2 deadline deadlines is that there are more availability availability of seats and scholarships, so if you are looking to receive a scholarship from Harris then I was strongly encourage you to apply early or around one Round 2 and 3 are also available. But we have less availability of seats and scholarships as well so if possible, apply as early as possible.

OK, so I want to talk a little bit also about the different programs. I've got a lot of questions about the MPP versus that MA IDP so the MPP, which is our Masters of public policy. This is our flagship program is our most popular program. The main differences as you'll see the MPP is 2 years versus M. ADP is one with MPP. There are 6 core classes and 12 electives, which means that you have a lot more flexibility in that you have a lot more time to explore.

Different policy areas with the electives with you can take up to 6 electors outside of Paris. As I mentioned with MPMAIDP you can only take up to 3.

And you can really kind of you know it's more flexible in general and you could take a lot more certificates as well with MPP.

If you're like, I said earlier if you're not sure if you're interested. Um fully in International Development policy and working in that area after you graduate then the NPP might be a better fit for you.

Then he also focus is a little bit more on the quantitative and data analytical skills, whereas M ADP is ideal for mid career professionals who are looking to grow and the international policy field so that those are the main differences. I'm happy to talk more about that individually with people who are still deciding but like I said, you can select a secondary program to be considered for but note that the NPP does require the GRE so if that is your second choice. Please note that you need to have the giori score in order to be fully considered.

That program.

And then um next next question, I get often are there scholarships. Yes, so um as many of you know this program was is associated with the Obama Foundation Scholarship Program, the past years we've had a number of different number of scholars from around the world who received full funding. As of now, next year. We are not sure of how many or what the status of the scholarship program will look like we will have more information in the coming weeks.

And months so we will let everyone knows especially since you've all indicate that you're interested in this program what that will look like but besides Obama Foundation scholarship. We will also have scholarships through Harris so.

Overall for Harris about 70% of our students received some sort of scholarship from us an an average is approximately $12,000. So it could be more obviously be less, but that gives you some context and certainly students who apply to this program definitely are considered for scholarships through Harris and there's no additional information that you need to provide you will automatically consider you for these scholarships when you submit your application for the MAIDP program.

But we also like soccer students about considering all other funding opportunities as obviously is very rare for a Harris to provide full funding to students so we encouraged him to look at 3rd party scholarships. You can find a whole list on our website under funding details. You can find a list of different private scholarships that you can apply for it.

And we encourage you to do that as soon as possible start looking many of them will have deadlines coming up. Many will wait till you actually receive your mission decision to in order to open the application for you so take a look at those and there are a number of different that you can apply to their also local government funding, so some countries will provide local government funding to students pursuing higher education so take a look at that and explore those opportunities.

And then loans and savings so there are instantly international student loan so you could apply for and then taking a look into savings seeing if any family can help support this process, but start looking at that now definitely want to socialize this earlier than later, so that you have your very aware of the costs of computer Graduate School tuition hasn't been announced for next year, but it's approximately $53,000 per year.

Um so deftly take a look at that is certainly going to be an investment for everyone. So we want to make sure that we can help make it affordable, and work for everyone that is coming.

And then different resources for your application so we have an FA. Q on our website definitely explore that we have an awesome blog as well in the blogs. We have different tips on how to write your motivation statement how to ask for your letters of recommendation what to do to get your transcript things like that. So definitely check out the blog, oftentimes are written by current students as well, and they can talk about.

Their experiences about moving to Chicago or getting a research position and then we'll have additional webinars in live chat coming up as well. So you know take a look at your emails and make sure that you're connected with us in that way, and stay on Top of that and then me and members of my team in the recruitment team are open to taking phone and Skype appointments. If you have additional questions about the application about the program and everything else.

So happy to continue with those as well. So yeah, I think this is our contact information. So you can always send us an email or call us and if you have any additional questions happy to connect you with some lip as well, but are there any questions Andy that I could help answer?

Yes, we do have one question as it relates to the career exploration and the help from the cradle in the office. But it's also connected to the schedule. The question is would the class schedule allow us to take internships during the school term. Yes, definitely so you will be taking 3 classes per quarter. Students typically it depends on the student of course, so some students who are coming straight after undergrad typically.

I have only a few years of experience can manage it. Some who have been out of class. The classroom for a long time take their time and maybe not taken intership right away. But maybe in your 2nd and 3rd quarter. You like to take an internship and so certainly there are there is time for you to do that. Harris specifically you know schedules classes so that students can still have a life outside of the classroom. So certainly you can take on an internship research position, a part time job yes.

Another question along that same topic is you talked about some of those statistics of queer outcomes. Where can we learn more information about those clear outcomes? Yeah. So is on our website we can also send a link quickly through this chat box of the career outcomes report. I think I have that flagged as well. You can take a look, but yeah, everything is on our website.

I have it right here off I'll send it right now, I have another question as it relates to total scores. You talked about being able to submit those unofficial scores first so does that mean someone who takes the exam. A few days before the deadline. They're able to report those scores, but then later submit the PDF version. Yes, definitely so.

Yeah, definitely if you take the exam a few days before the deadline certainly you can include the scores. The unofficial scores and then with ETS, especially you can send your scores to school so make sure you have our school code and ETS will automatically send us your total scores. But yeah, we will accept the unofficial student reported scores and then will wait for your official scores later.

Another question that is a bit early in this process, but a question about visas. Students who are admitted in this program. Will they receive resport supported that? Yes, definitely so we have the office of international affairs. They help support students throughout the visa application process and we will support F1 or J1 students so depending on the scholarship that you receive but yes. We will help you through that process and get you going for sure.

And how can students access the recording of this web and R sure so I can send a an email with the recording after so not a problem.

OK.

Great no other questions handy.

Think so, no more alright great well. Thank you all for joining us today. It was great chatting about the program and happy to talk more about it as well. Like I said, I will send an email with the recording so you can watch this on your own time also but any other questions. Please let us know, but we look forward to seeing your application soon. Bye.