priorwalter

Sorry for all the questions and the fact that this is probably a stupid question, but would going into TFA for two years (instead of spending an extra year in college, provided that this actually works out) help my chances of admission in an MPA/ MPP program?

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Right now I'm leaning towards doing the extra time and getting at least one, but hopefully two or three government/ public sector internships while simultaneously earning a minor in Public Policy and taking the extra time to polish up my application and GREs/ GPA. The thing about graduating and working before applying for an MPP/ MPA program...is that I doubt I'll find a job, or even one with the prestige/ relevance to get into a really good program. I think that if I took the extra time I could compile a stellar application. I'm just down about taking an extra year in school, since things didn't exactly turn out according to plan. Thoughts?

Hello, so I'm currently a senior in college double-majoring in Poli Sci/ WGS and just decided to finally ditch the law school idea and pursue an MA/ MPP. I've been studying for the GRE non-stop this summer, but here's what I have so far. Please let me know if I stand a chance. Overal GPA: 3.54 Accomplishments (I guess?): Studied abroad for a semester Academic Honor Society Part of the honors program at my school Dean's List Americorp Scholar--completed 300 hours of community service yeah wohoo! Presented a paper at a small academic celebration in my small liberal arts college (well ranked school) Community award for an event I organized Internships and EC's Interned for a grant-making foundation Currently interning for a Poli Sci professor President/ Vice President of three major clubs, where I've done a lot of community outreach and event organization Hold a part-time job on campus; I work for the admission's office and show prospective students and parents around Involved in one or two other clubs where I've had leadership positions as well Random volunteering at food banks, health clinics, etc. What I'm afraid will hurt me is the fact that I haven't interned with any public policy maker or government official. I MIGHT be able to do so in fall, but by then I'm afraid it will be too late. I'd also like my GPA to be a little higher. So, what I'm considering doing is that since I already have to make up one missed class due to my semester abroad, I was considering staying an extra semester in college not only to finish a class, but also pick up a minor in Public Policy Analysis, which would allow me to specialize in a concentration. At the same time, I would also be able to find a pretty good internship that I could do on a steady basis with a legislator in the state capital, or a public interest group. I could even study more for the GRE, as I'm uncertain as to how well I'll do on it. Do grad schools look unfavorably on spending an extra year in school? I wouldn't just be doing it for shits and giggles. I really do have to make up that one class, and I'm be studying something that I like and I'm pretty serious about. Plus, I could finish up my requirements for the honors program. Let me know what ya'll think, and if you have any suggestions for where I should apply. Thanks!

Hello, so I'm currently a senior in college double-majoring in Poli Sci/ WGS and just decided to finally ditch the law school idea and pursue an MA/ MPP. I've been studying for the GRE non-stop this summer, but here's what I have so far. Please let me know if I stand a chance. Overal GPA: 3.54 Accomplishments (I guess?): Studied abroad for a semester Academic Honor Society Part of the honors program at my school Dean's List Americorp Scholar--completed 300 hours of community service yeah wohoo! Presented a paper at a small academic celebration in my small liberal arts college (well ranked school) Community award for an event I organized Internships and EC's Interned for a grant-making foundation Currently interning for a Poli Sci professor President/ Vice President of three major clubs, where I've done a lot of community outreach and event organization Hold a part-time job on campus; I work for the admission's office and show prospective students and parents around Involved in one or two other clubs where I've had leadership positions as well Random volunteering at food banks, health clinics, etc. What I'm afraid will hurt me is the fact that I haven't interned with any public policy maker or government official. I MIGHT be able to do so in fall, but by then I'm afraid it will be too late. I'd also like my GPA to be a little higher. So, what I'm considering doing is that since I already have to make up one missed class due to my semester abroad, I was considering staying an extra semester in college not only to finish a class, but also pick up a minor in Public Policy Analysis, which would allow me to specialize in a concentration. At the same time, I would also be able to find a pretty good internship that I could do on a steady basis with a legislator in the state capital, or a public interest group. I could even study more for the GRE, as I'm uncertain as to how well I'll do on it. Do grad schools look unfavorably on spending an extra year in school? I wouldn't just be doing it for shits and giggles. I really do have to make up that one class, and I'm be studying something that I like and I'm pretty serious about. Plus, I could finish up my requirements for the honors program. Let me know what ya'll think, and if you have any suggestions for where I should apply. Thanks!