SPH

Thanks for the reply! This is exactly the kind of response I was looking for. I guess I was a bit too eager to get a masters degree early on directly after I completed undergrad. This seems more like MBA programs where work experience matters quite a bit. I really want to keep my career choices open however. I just figured that getting into a grad program directly after undergrad would get me a full time position I would want. I can wait however after I get some experience in Finance/International Trade. I am very interested in these areas and hopefully once I land a position, I'll be able to study for the GRE at the same time. So the idea is to get work experience after I graduate, and then see how I like it and then apply to these grad programs. Sounds good. How strong does the work experience have to be though? Would anyone else like to offer their input as well?

Hello everyone, I am new here. I am a 4th year graduating in December. I am new to this field so I don't know much about it. I am just being VERY open to possible career choices not relating much to my majors. My goals are very diverse: I would like to join the Foreign Service or work in Economic Consulting or even for organizations like the IMF. I am really thinking about graduate programs such as the International Trade and Investment Policy program at George Washington. Would you advise me on what I need to do as far as work experience, GRE, etc. are concerned for what I want to do as mentioned above? Please be brutally honest, I don't want to waste my time with this if I am just *dreaming* about the goals I mentioned above. Undergraduate School: SEC school (US) Undergraduate GPA: 3.5 Undergraduate Majors: Accounting, Finance, and Business Economics Graduating: December 2011 GRE: Have not taken yet. What would I need here? Quantitative Background: (not sure if I was suppose to include this) Calculus, Statistics, Intermediate Microecon, Intermediate Macroecon, Labor Econ, All Accounting/Finance classes, Operations Management, Work experience: 2 local small-firm finance internships, 1 Fortune 500 internship in Financial Services, Analyst at the student run investment fund, Income Tax Preparer Volunteer services Extra-curriculars: Beta Alpha Psi, World Affairs Council, Investment Association, Finance Club, Indian club Languages: Hindi (Beginner), German (Beginner) -(not impressive I know) IF there is anything else I need to include, please let me know. Basically I want to know if I still have a chance at grad programs in International Trade/Public Policy/Econ or if I am just wasting my time. I am desperate for answers. If there are any other programs I should be looking at in particular, please let me know too. Thank you.