Master of Public Policy Admissions Essay
Master of Public Policy Admissions Essay
Order Description
This is an essay for my application in" rel="nofollow">into the Master in" rel="nofollow">in Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Essay Prompt: The Harvard Kennedy School motto, evokin" rel="nofollow">ing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions
Committee your plans to create positive change through your leadership and service. (600 word limit)
Below is the in" rel="nofollow">introduction that I have prepared for your review on what I wish to elaborate on. I want this essay to communicate my leadership potential and explain" rel="nofollow">in
exactly how I came to this decision and how I will make the world better. Additionally it is important to communicate what I can brin" rel="nofollow">ing to the Kennedy School, what
track I want to follow, which Professor's I've read and watched, etc. I recently visited an in" rel="nofollow">information session for the Kennedy School where I had the opportunity to
collaborate with alumni who spoke glowin" rel="nofollow">ingly about the Master in" rel="nofollow">in Public Policy Program and how helped them throughout their careers in" rel="nofollow">in both the private and public
sector. The MPP Program at HKS is my top choice and I want to tailor this essay specifically for the school.
1) Where I would like to work (Bankruptcy Attorney/Policymaker on behalf of local and state governments).
2) Who do I want to help? Insolvent municipalities and states
3) How will I be able to contribute? (Advocatin" rel="nofollow">ing to congress to enact new legislation for states?)
4) The Kennedy School is lookin" rel="nofollow">ing for applicants that display:
A) Commitment to Public Service - People promotin" rel="nofollow">ing policies and wantin" rel="nofollow">ing to contribute to society in" rel="nofollow">in a meanin" rel="nofollow">ingful way.
B) Leadership Track Record - I served as the Captain" rel="nofollow">in and Startin" rel="nofollow">ing Quarterback on my college football team and can maybe tie this in" rel="nofollow">into the essay.
C) Quantitative Aptitude - Recently graduated with an MBA and have ability to analyze fin" rel="nofollow">inancial statements which will be helpful in" rel="nofollow">in a career in" rel="nofollow">in
bankruptcy.
D) Work Experience - Currently workin" rel="nofollow">ing in" rel="nofollow">in big law as a Corporate Legal Assistant helpin" rel="nofollow">ing attorneys in" rel="nofollow">in restructurin" rel="nofollow">ing cases, mostly Chapter 11 and
have seen some of the municipal side, but this is the area I am most in" rel="nofollow">interested in" rel="nofollow">in pursuin" rel="nofollow">ing and want to learn how to combin" rel="nofollow">ine the policy focus
with law to serve communities, cities, and towns.
Areas to Research for Essay:
- The concentration of Busin" rel="nofollow">iness and Government Policy (BGP) at the Kennedy School is in" rel="nofollow">inherently appealin" rel="nofollow">ing and this is the track I wish to pursue.
- Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership and the "Negotiation Project."
- I am in" rel="nofollow">interested in" rel="nofollow">in studyin" rel="nofollow">ing under Professor Bruce Mandell who teaches the "Advanced Workshop in" rel="nofollow">in Multiparty Negotiation and Conflict
Resolution." I feel that this is an in" rel="nofollow">invaluable skill to master as an attorney/policymaker as I will be negotiatin" rel="nofollow">ing with creditors. I have read the
material for his courses in" rel="nofollow">includin" rel="nofollow">ing "3-D Negotiation: Powerful Tools to Change the Game in" rel="nofollow">in Your Most Important Deals" by David Lax and James
Sebenius.
- Interested in" rel="nofollow">in startin" rel="nofollow">ing an association on campus specifically dealin" rel="nofollow">ing with municipal restructurin" rel="nofollow">ing to provide a forum for other students in" rel="nofollow">interested in" rel="nofollow">in
creditor rights, workout consultin" rel="nofollow">ing, and distressed in" rel="nofollow">investin" rel="nofollow">ing.
- Interested in" rel="nofollow">in join" rel="nofollow">inin" rel="nofollow">ing the Harvard Kennedy School Journal of Hispanic Policy. Bein" rel="nofollow">ing Puerto Rican/Cuban it is important to me to explore this area in" rel="nofollow">in
further depth.
Below is my draft of what I have begun writin" rel="nofollow">ing for this essay, please feel free to use as a startin" rel="nofollow">ing poin" rel="nofollow">int and edit/revise accordin" rel="nofollow">ingly:
After workin" rel="nofollow">ing in" rel="nofollow">in the private sector for three years, I wish to serve local governments facin" rel="nofollow">ing in" rel="nofollow">insolvency issues as a restructurin" rel="nofollow">ing attorney. My experience in" rel="nofollow">in the legal
profession has revealed the political, fiscal, and operational difficulties many municipalities encounter when distressed with multi-billion-dollar budget deficits.
However, local governments are not the only victims that are conflicted with mountin" rel="nofollow">ing deficits. The number of states movin" rel="nofollow">ing toward the brin" rel="nofollow">ink of in" rel="nofollow">insolvency contin" rel="nofollow">inues to
rise, yet they have not been given the opportunity to seek bankruptcy protection. I seek to advocate to expand the Bankruptcy Code to develop a new chapter extendin" rel="nofollow">ing
relief to states. With historic policy bein" rel="nofollow">ing enacted by Congress for in" rel="nofollow">indebted territories such as Puerto Rico, legislation for states must be addressed to avoid
placin" rel="nofollow">ing the burden on American taxpayers. Through my experience in" rel="nofollow">in law, I have witnessed the advantages municipal bankruptcies have had in" rel="nofollow">in grantin" rel="nofollow">ing cities a fresh
fin" rel="nofollow">inancial start. Havin" rel="nofollow">ing the opportunity to meet with debtors and trustees, and witness the ability lawyers have to forge entrepreneurial resolutions further cemented
my desire to pursue servin" rel="nofollow">ing state governments.