The Art of Applying® is an admission consulting firm that specializes in Wild Card graduate school applicants who may be imperfect, unusual, first-generation, underrepresented, or nontraditional get into the graduate school of their dreams and get money to pay for it.
Since 2010, we’ve helped more than 1,000 clients get admitted to and earn more than $20,000,000 in merit-based scholarships and fellowships for masters and doctorate-level degree programs in business (MBA), policy (MPA, MPP), law (JD), education (M.Ed.), social work (MSW), urban planning (MUP), and joint degree programs.
The company was founded by Kaneisha Grayson, a Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School graduate, author, essayist, avid traveler, and self-made entrepreneur.
If you’re ready to take your application to the next level, we’re ready to help. Book a free, 15-minute Quick Call to speak with our admissions experts about your application’s competitiveness: theartofapplying.com/quick-call/
Hi, iam an international student and i have 6 years of experience in engineering but not in public policy. So do i stand any chance in securing a MPP seat from HKS?
Hey, Kaneisha! I couldn't get into the best college for my undergrad, but made sure that I used the most out of it. I currently started my first job as a strategist in a digital/creative agency and I'm preparing to apply for HBS(my dream uni, no cap) I'm planning to apply for the 2025 intake. Do you think it's too early?
Congratulations on the engagement! In Papua New Guinea, a women with 2 masters degrees will be worth a bridprice of around K100,000 ,along with countless pigs, cassowary, cows etc. I know it's very tribal.
Hi Enoch! Thanks for watching and commenting! Yes, there are policy schools that will accept applications for candidates without postgraduate full-time work experience. I myself got my MPA from Harvard Kennedy School and was accepted without any full-time work experience. The rules for the MPA at HKS have changed since then, so you couldn't apply to the MPA at HKS without work experience, but you could apply for the MPP. However, you will be most competitive once you have 2+ years of full-time work experience. Please subscribe to our channel, watch plenty of videos, and tell someone who our videos could help about our channel. That's how I know that you all want me and the team to keep making more content like this! - Kaneisha
Hey where’s the link to the application. There is no info in the description on how to apply and I checked your LinkedIn page and there doesn’t seem to be any jobs posted. I wonder if I should just reach out using the contact us form on your website but I don’t want to clog your inbox.
You captured it perfectly! I also asked myself those questions: Am I good enough? Am I worth it? Do I belong there? TAOA empowered me (also a first-gen high-school graduate) to apply despite my doubts and I got into HKS with my first application. Believe in yourself and get help if you're doubting. Everyone is worth it!
Hi Derick! I'm so happy that you are interested in our program and services! I don't want to give you information that will be outdated if someone sees this comment a few years from now, so I'll direct you to the pages where you can find our prices. If you don't see the price immediately, just scroll on the page until you find it. 🔹 Application Accelerator: theartofapplying.com/accelerator 🔹 The Art of Applying Academy: theartofapplying.com/academy We'd love to have you book a call with our team to see if working together is a great fit. The link is in the video description or you can just come visit us at our website.
Hey, Can you please let me know about which course out of MPP and MPA/ID has more and great employment opportunities? Also is it mandatory to have a degree in economics to apply for MPA/ID at HKS?
Hey there Jadhav! Your employment opportunities after an HKS degree are going to depend on the strength of your work experience BEFORE going to school, your summer internship while at HKS, your coursework while at HKS, as well as how effectively you recruit for full-time positions. There is no guarantee that studying a certain degree will give you better employment opportunities. That said, the MPA/ID is much more competitive to get into than the MPP at HKS. You don't have to major in Economics to get into the HKS MPA/ID. However, you do need to have a relatively strong Economics and Quantitative background to be competitive and prepared for the MPA/ID. Visit the HKS admissions website for the exact requirements. Thanks for commenting! Please visit us at theartofapplying.com if you'd like to book a call to explore working with our team on your grad school applications. We have our signature program Application Accelerator® that gives comprehensive end-to-end guidance, as well as our super-affordable monthly membership called The Art of Applying Academy, which is a better fit for self-driven, mostly DIY applicants who want to be able to tap into our team's expert help as needed.
Yes, there are lots of scholarships for the Mid-Career MPA! We have clients every year who receive full scholarships to Harvard Kennedy School as Mid-Career MPA (MC/MPA) applicants. The scholarships are primarily from the Center for Public Leadership (CPL) at Harvard Kennedy School.
Hi Andrea, thanks for your question. No, you do not have to be working in government or nonprofit to successfully apply to the MPA program at Harvard Kennedy School. Many successful applicants to Harvard Kennedy School (including our many clients we help successfully apply to HKS every year) work in the private sector. Your work experience can be in any industry. You need to show a demonstrated commitment to advancing the public good, whether that is in your full-time job, volunteer work, and/or community service. If you're interested in exploring working with our team on your applications, I invite you to book a Quick Call with our team at the link in the description of this video. We'd love to chat with you and help you get clear if you are competitive for Harvard Kennedy School and your other target schools!
Hi Farheen, good question! David shares his GPA at the 10:28 mark in the video. Watch here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PoBuy8US-nE.htmlfeature=shared&t=628 His undergraduate GPA was a 3.6.
Hi Big Mike! Great question. FORTUNE Magazine actually wrote a whole article on this topic, and our founder Kaneisha Grayson and one of our clients who we helped was featured in it! Here is the article titled "What is an MBA admissions consultant, and should you hire one?" fortune.com/education/articles/what-is-an-mba-admissions-consultant-and-should-you-hire-one/
I want to opt for an MBA from top business school. I am currently working as a manufacturing finance manager in a multinational company. I want to shift my career to consulting. I am also starting CFA journey this year. Would you be able to assist me in first assessing if I’ll even have a good shot and eventually preparing the application components?
Hey Sylvia! Yes, that's exactly what happens on the free 15-minute Quick Call. You can book the call at this link or any of the other links in the description area of our RU-vid videos: swiy.co/PoBuy8US-nE. We look forward to meeting you, and helping you understand if you are a competitive candidate.
Hi Charles! Kaneisha, founder of The Art of Applying, here. I only went to Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. The other schools are places our clients were accepted to. Thank you for the congratulations!
Hey Charles! 👋 Our comprehensive program Application Accelerator has 4 key areas: ✅ coaching ✅ curriculum ✅ content ✅ community We cover the details of our Application Accelerator program as a part of our enrollment process. Our enrollment process is as follows: 1⃣ Free 15-minute Quick Call: taoa.co/yt-call 2⃣ 90-minute Breakthrough Call 3⃣ Enroll in Application Accelerator ☎ The first step is to book a free Quick Call with our team: taoa.co/yt-call
Hi there, I'm sorry to hear that you can't take advantage of the benefits of Consortium nor MLT. I hope the graduate school that you are choosing to attend is a great fit for you otherwise. If we can be of assistance, please reach out to us at theartofapplying.com. - Kaneisha
Are you saying that any type of rejection counts against your 3 chances? So, even if Harvard Kennedy knows you applied to the wrong program, such as when you have 9 years of experience, that still counts again you?
You can apply to a particular degree program at HKS 3 times. Therefore, if you applied to the wrong degree program, simply apply to the correct degree program in a following application year. Read more about the three applications limit at this link: www.hks.harvard.edu/admissions-aid/masters-program-admissions/how-apply/reapplying-hks#:~:text=You%20may%20apply%20to%20a,Academic%20transcripts
Nice video. I am a paralegal who worked in private equity, nonprofit, and M&A law firm. Would i have a shot at a top business as a paralegal? My GRE score is a 330.
Hey Mike! Your work experience sounds impressive. We would need to learn more about your personal and academic background and have a more in-depth conversation to determine if you have a shot at a top business school. Please book a free 15-minute Quick Call with our team so we can start the conversation: theartofapplying.com/calls
Hi, I'd appreciate your input on whether MIT Sloan MBA offers full scholarships to international students upon acceptance, as I just applied and am eager to find out. For the record, they waived my GMAT and application fee. Thank you.
Hello! Congrats on submitting your MIT Sloan application. To give yourself the best chance of getting a scholarship, you must make sure you fill out any and all financial aid applications and forms MIT requires, and submit applications for any individual scholarships and fellowships they offer. Please subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any other videos. Subscribing helps us create more great videos for you!
Hey, it’s quite expensive to join to your coaching class as an international student from developing countries I only got $50 but i want you to help me with stellar apps 😢
Hello there! While we can appreciate that our services are above your $50 budget, our services are priced according to the immense value we provide to our clients. Our signature comprehensive coaching program is Application Accelerator. In addition to Application Accelerator, we have a monthly membership called The Art of Applying Academy. Check it out and see if it might fit into your budget and meet your needs: theartofapplying.com/academy
Hi there! Thanks for your question. Our clients invest in our services upfront, acknowledging that admission outcomes depend on various factors. It's important to understand that even the most qualified applicants may face rejections or waitlists due to the highly competitive nature of top graduate program admissions. Our team provides expert guidance and support, but we aren't in control of whether applicants get in or not, as this also depends on the applicants' dedication to the process. We're proud to offer our unique Green Light Guarantee for clients who sign up for the Gold level of our signature program, Application Accelerator®. If an Application Accelerator® Gold client fully engages with the program, completing all assigned tasks and yet doesn’t gain admission to one of their target schools, they're eligible to work with us for the following application season at no additional cost. This guarantee is a testament to our confidence in our methodology, as the majority of our clients not only gain admission but often receive funding offers from multiple schools. We appreciate your interest and invite you to subscribe to our channel for more insights and tips on navigating the graduate school application journey successfully. Thanks for supporting our mission to create valuable content for ambitious applicants like you!
I’m 18 still in high school and I’m convinced I may not be able to get into Harvard for undergrad but I am certain I have a shot to get into HBS for graduate
Hi Eduardo! It's fantastic to see how you are planning so far ahead in regards to going to your dream grad school. While your undergraduate school and major are important, what's even more important is how you use your time during college to build a strong profile for top MBA programs like HBS. As you're thinking ahead to graduate studies, The Art of Applying Academy could be an incredibly beneficial resource for you. Our Academy is specially tailored to help ambitious students like you learn what it takes to be competitive for top MBA programs. By becoming a member, you'll gain insights into essential aspects such as academic excellence, leadership experiences, and extracurricular involvement that make a standout application. The advice you'll receive as a member of The Art of Applying Academy is particularly helpful for college students who want to apply to business school while still in college through programs such as HBS 2+2, Stanford's Deferred Admission, and other deferred MBA programs such as Wharton Moelis Advance Access, Chicago Booth Scholars, Kellogg Future Leaders, MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission, Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment, Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access, Yale Silver Scholars, Darden Future Year Scholars, Emory Goizueta MBA Early Admission, and IESE - Young Talent Path. Our company founder, Kaneisha Grayson, was part of the inaugural class of HBS 2+2 and played a role in naming the program. Inside of the Academy, she teaches 35 short lessons that comprise our Application Roadmap. Joining The Art of Applying Academy now can be a game-changer, enabling you to make strategic decisions during your undergraduate studies that align with these elite MBA programs. To learn more and sign up, visit theartofapplying.com/academy. Joining could be the first step towards shaping your future at HBS or another prestigious business school. Subscribe to our channel for more insightful advice and tips. We’re here to support your journey to achieving your educational and career goals!
I'm in the process of applying Mid-Career MPA but I get a problem in preparation of Essays(Career Goals Essay, Professional Contribution Essay, Professional History Essay, Adversity Essay, and Perspectives Essay) How can I do this? Please tell me early as much as possible.
Hello! We'd be happy to help you with editing your essays as well as making sure you are choosing the right topics to write about. Since we are so close to the deadline, enrollment for our comprehensive coaching program Application Accelerator® is closed. However, enrollment in our monthly membership The Art of Applying Academy is open. Inside of The Art of Applying Academy, you have access to 35+ short, recorded lessons taught by Kaneisha as well as the ability to purchase a la carte coaching calls and editing. You can learn more and sign up at this link: theartofapplying.com/academy
Kaneisha- Great Vdeo! What percentage of Consortium applicants who earn admission to a member school receive FULL SCHOLARSHIPS? And, if not a FULL RIDE WHAT PERCENTAGE GIVES PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS?
Hi Lawanda! Of our BIPOC clients who apply via Consortium, I’d say 90% receive a full scholarship. Of our White Consortium clients, about 40% receive a full scholarship, 40% a partial scholarship, and 20% receive Consortium membership but no scholarship.
Yes! We are so thrilled to have been able to help Mauro - and now several of his colleagues that he has referred to work with us - get accepted to their dream schools.
You're so welcome, Anantika! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I can see that you were able to sign up for a call after all. But let's figure out what was holding you back. I'll email you to see if we can figure out where the problem was happening.
I’m so glad I came across this video. It just made me realise and understand my goal and the reason why I’m so keen on being a Knight Hennessy Scholar. It might sound too much but, this was really motivating.
Yes, you absolutely want to address any W's (Withdrawn) or I's (Incomplete) on your transcript as well. Use the same strategies we shared in the video. Great question. Thank you! Please remember to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss any updates!
Congratulations, @wasifabintepasha8416 on passing HBS CORe with High Honors. If you are applying to business school, policy school, or other programs that value the skills you learned in HBS CORe, then, YES, it will help your application. You should include HBS CORe on your resume under the heading "Certifications & Training" (or something similar to that) as well as on your LinkedIn. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at theartofapplying.com if you'd like to explore working together on your applications. We'd love for you to be our next success story!
Hi Ms Grayson and team, thanks for creating this channel and uploading your insights on the processes of applying to graduate schools. I plan to pursue my Masters in the following 2 to 3 years and these videos will certainly alleviate the stress and apprehension along my journey. Do continue to post and stay safe all!
Hi Elsa, we're so happy that you find the videos helpful. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at theartofapplying.com if you'd like to explore working together on your applications. We'd love for you to be our next success story!
You're welcome! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at theartofapplying.com if you'd like to explore working together on your applications. We'd love for you to be our next success story!
