Hey Guys,
I am going into my senior year at a top liberal arts program and I am going to be graduating with a degree in Political Philosophy. I look to apply to top MPP programs straight from undergrad. I also intend on going to law school either in conjunction with/ or after the MPP. My GPA is a 3.55 and I intend on taking the GRE in August. My primary concern is that I will have no post-undergraduate when I apply and I know these programs strongly emphasize (though don't require) these experiences. However, I do have a pretty strong undergraduate resume.
-Work in the University Development Department and raised thousands of dollars for the University endowment (one of the largest in the world)
-Did independent research with one of my professors in Urban Development and Economic Policy
-Serve as President of my pre-law Fraternity
-Served as a Chief of Staff intern for the Student Government
-Worked under a Health Care Lobbyist for a large health care corporation
-Worked as an intern one of America's largest hospitals legal affairs and Corporate Human resources department
-Did a Judicial Clerkship under a Circuit Court Justice
-Was a Legislative Aide/Intern for a US Congressman
-Worked as a Youth Volunteer with Troubled Youths + Did volunteer work in downtown Detroit
-Inducted into both Phi Sigma Theta and Sigma Alpha Phi Honors Societies
Should I even apply or wait and work? My Dream Schools would be either Ford (Michigan) or Harris (Chicago). I also intend on applying to Maryland, Duke, Penn, Syracuse, Lehigh (They've been emailing me a lot). I know I have little chance at Kennedy but that would be amazing as well.
Thanks for your opinions and sorry for the long-winded post,
Joe