Frequently Asked Questions

Difference Between Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard University

The short answer: Harvard University is the overall institution, and Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) is one of its graduate professional schools focused on public policy, public administration, and public leadership. You apply to Harvard College for a typical bachelor’s degree, while HKS is an option later on for master’s or doctoral study after you’ve completed (or nearly completed) an undergraduate degree.

Harvard University vs. Harvard Kennedy School: The core difference

Think of Harvard University as the umbrella and Harvard Kennedy School as one specialized branch beneath it.

Harvard University includes:

Harvard College – the undergraduate school granting bachelor’s degrees
Graduate and professional schools – including the Kennedy School, Business School, Law School, Medical School, and others
Research centers and institutes – covering many academic and professional fields

Harvard Kennedy School, by contrast, is a graduate school within Harvard that offers:

Master’s degrees in public policy, public administration, and related areas
Mid-career programs for experienced professionals
Doctoral programs focused on public policy, political economy, and related topics

So when someone says they “go to Harvard,” they might be at any school within the university. When someone says they are “at Harvard Kennedy School,” that specifically means they’re in one of the public policy–focused graduate programs.

Here is the key point:

You cannot get a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree from Harvard Kennedy School. All standard undergraduate degrees at Harvard are granted by Harvard College, the liberal arts and sciences college within Harvard University.

What is Harvard University, exactly?

Harvard University is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with multiple schools and campuses. It is one of the world’s most well-known universities, offering degrees across disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, business, law, and public policy.

Within Harvard University, there are several main components:

Harvard College (undergraduate)
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
Harvard Business School (HBS)
Harvard Law School (HLS)
Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)
Harvard Medical School and other health-related schools

From a student perspective, “Harvard” is the institution that grants your degree and sets university-wide policies, but your daily academic life is centered in one specific school, such as Harvard College or HKS.

The bottom line:

Harvard University is the overall institution. Harvard Kennedy School is one specialized graduate school within that institution, focused on government, policy, and public leadership.

What is Harvard Kennedy School?

Harvard Kennedy School (often shortened to HKS) is Harvard’s graduate school of public policy and public administration.

Its stated mission is to train and support leaders who improve public policy and public leadership so that people can live in societies that are safer, freer, more just, and more prosperous.

Key features of HKS include:

Degree level: Primarily master’s and PhD programs, not bachelor’s degrees
Focus areas: Public policy, public administration, international development, political economy, social policy, and related fields
Typical students: People interested in careers in government, NGOs, international organizations, social enterprises, and policy-related roles in the private sector
Location: On Harvard’s campus in Cambridge, close to Harvard College but with its own buildings, faculty, and administration

Some of the main HKS degree programs include:

Master in Public Policy (MPP)
Master in Public Administration (MPA)
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA)
MPA in International Development (MPA/ID)
Joint degree programs with Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, and other Harvard schools

What does this mean for you?

If you are in high school or earlier, HKS is usually not your first step. You would first complete an undergraduate degree, then consider HKS for graduate study if public policy or public service aligns with your goals.

Can you go to Harvard Kennedy School for undergrad?

No. Harvard Kennedy School does not offer undergraduate degrees.

All traditional bachelor’s degrees at Harvard are awarded by Harvard College. If your goal is to study at Harvard right after high school, you apply to Harvard College, not to Harvard Kennedy School.

Here’s how the pathways typically work:

High school student → apply to Harvard College (or another college) for a bachelor’s degree.
College student or recent graduate → apply to Harvard Kennedy School (or similar) for a master’s degree in public policy or administration, if that matches your goals.
Experienced professional → apply to specific mid-career or executive programs at HKS.

So, if you see “Harvard Kennedy School” in program materials or online, know that it is a graduate-level option you might consider later on.

But there is an important nuance:

Undergraduates at Harvard College can still interact with HKS in meaningful ways, even though they are not HKS degree students.

How Harvard College students interact with HKS

Harvard College students may have opportunities to:

Take certain cross-registered courses at Harvard Kennedy School, when permitted
Attend lectures, events, and seminars led by HKS faculty and visiting leaders
Work or do research at HKS-affiliated centers and institutes
Network with HKS graduate students and alumni

These experiences can be especially valuable if you are interested in public service, policy, international relations, or social impact careers.

Admissions: Applying to Harvard vs. Harvard Kennedy

The application processes for Harvard College and Harvard Kennedy School are completely separate, with different requirements and timelines.

Admissions to Harvard College (undergraduate)

Harvard College admissions is what most high school students mean when they say they want to “apply to Harvard. ” It uses either the Common Application or the Coalition Application, plus the Harvard-specific supplement.

Key elements typically include:

High school transcript with strong academic performance
Standardized test scores if submitted (Harvard has used test-optional policies in recent years, but requirements can change)
Teacher and counselor recommendations
Extracurricular activities and leadership
Personal essays and short responses
Sometimes an alumni interview

Harvard College looks for academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, character, and potential contributions to the campus community.

Admissions to Harvard Kennedy School (graduate)

Harvard Kennedy School admissions is separate and geared toward college graduates and professionals.

Typical HKS admissions components include:

Undergraduate transcript (and, if applicable, prior graduate work)
Standardized tests where required (such as the GRE, GMAT, or others, depending on program and current policy)
Professional resume or CV
Letters of recommendation, often from professors and supervisors
A statement of purpose or essays focused on policy and professional goals
Evidence of leadership, impact, and commitment to public service

In other words, you are evaluated at HKS primarily as an emerging or established policy professional, not as a high school applicant.

Here is why this distinction matters:

If you are still in high school, your energy should go into building a strong academic and extracurricular profile for your undergraduate applications. HKS becomes relevant later, once you have college-level and early-career experience.

Academics: What you study at Harvard vs. Harvard Kennedy

Another major difference is the type and range of academic programs available at each level.

At Harvard College (undergraduate)

At Harvard College, you pursue a broad liberal arts and sciences education.

You choose a concentration (major) such as:

Government
Social Studies
Economics
History
Computer Science
Engineering Sciences
Psychology
Many other fields in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences

You also complete general education, writing, and distribution requirements, with room to explore different subjects before committing to a concentration.

At Harvard Kennedy School (graduate)

HKS degrees are more specialized and professionally oriented.

Example areas of study within HKS include:

Public policy analysis and program evaluation
Public finance and budgeting
International development and global governance
Democracy, politics, and institutions
Social and urban policy
Negotiation, leadership, and management in public organizations

Many HKS courses use real-world case studies, simulations, and quantitative policy analysis tools designed to prepare you for work in government, international organizations, and policy-focused roles.

The bottom line for academics:

Harvard College emphasizes broad intellectual development and foundational knowledge. HKS emphasizes applying advanced skills to real-world public problems.

Campus life and community differences

Even though Harvard College and Harvard Kennedy School are part of the same university, student life looks quite different.

At Harvard College

Undergraduates live in a residential system, with first-years in the Yard and most upper-level students in Houses.

Typical features include:

Hundreds of student clubs and organizations
Varsity, club, and intramural sports
On-campus dining halls and student centers
Advising and residential staff focused on supporting college-aged students

Much of the experience centers on growth, exploration, and community during your late teens and early twenties.

At Harvard Kennedy School

HKS students are usually older—often in their 20s, 30s, or beyond—and many have several years of work or government experience.

The community and activities tend to focus on:

Policy discussions and speaker events with global and national leaders
Professional networking and career treks
Student-led policy groups and conferences
Balancing academic work with families, jobs, and professional commitments

So while both are part of “Harvard,” the day-to-day student experience reflects different life stages and professional goals.

Which one should you focus on?

If you are asking about the difference between Harvard and Harvard Kennedy, you may be deciding where to apply or what to aim for.

Here is a simple way to decide where your focus belongs right now:

In high school? Focus on Harvard College (or similar undergraduate options). HKS is a future graduate-school possibility.
Currently in college and love public policy? Learn about HKS and other public policy programs as potential graduate options.
Already working in public service or policy? HKS could be a strong fit if you want advanced training, networks, and credentials.

What does this mean in practice?

Your immediate application strategy depends on your current educational stage and your long-term goals in public service or other fields.

Planning a path from high school to Harvard Kennedy

If your long-term dream is to study public policy at HKS, the first step is still a strong undergraduate education.

Here is a typical path many students follow:

Build a strong high school profile with rigorous courses, solid grades, and meaningful extracurriculars, especially in leadership, debate, student government, community service, or policy-related activities.
Apply to selective undergraduate programs (including Harvard College, if it is a fit) where you can study government, economics, international relations, or related fields.
Engage deeply in college through research, internships, and campus leadership that connect to public service or policy.
Gain work experience in government agencies, NGOs, think tanks, or policy-focused roles.
Then apply to HKS or similar graduate programs once you have a clear sense of your policy interests and impact.

Along the way, you may attend public lectures, conferences, or summer opportunities connected to schools like HKS to test your interests and build your network.

Key takeaways about Harvard vs. Harvard Kennedy

To wrap up, here are the essential differences at a glance:

Harvard University = the full university, including Harvard College (undergrad) and many graduate schools (HKS, HBS, HLS, and others).
Harvard College = the undergraduate college where you earn a bachelor’s degree.
Harvard Kennedy School = a graduate school within Harvard focused on public policy and public administration.
Undergrads apply to Harvard College, not HKS; HKS applications come after you already have (or are finishing) a bachelor’s degree.
Campus life, academics, and admissions are all tailored to different stages of a student’s academic and professional journey.

The bottom line for your planning:

Use “Harvard” when you are talking about the entire university or the undergraduate college you would apply to from high school. Use “Harvard Kennedy School” when you are talking about graduate study in public policy or public administration within Harvard.

If you would like help mapping out a step-by-step path—from high school activities through competitive college admissions and, eventually, graduate programs like HKS—consider booking an Empowerly consultation. Our team can help you align your academic choices, extracurriculars, and application strategy with your long-term public service goals.