MPA/MPP programs that recruit students straight out of undergrad

[dr.cowmaster]

I'm currently a 2nd year student who's graduating in the Spring of 2011. I'm hoping to attend graduate school starting in the Fall of 2011. As an international student and a political science/philosophy double major who wants to work in the US, I'm having a fairly difficult time envisioning what type of work I'm qualified for and would really enjoy at the same time.

My request is basically for recommendations to grad programs that don't put as much of an emphasis on work experience than their counterparts. For example, I think I remember reading that the Harris school only has 10% of its students straight out of undergrad and I've heard that KSG and Woodrow Wilson both place a strong emphasis on work experience.

I'm able to graduate a year early from my school because I managed to get a semester and one class transferred through AP/IB credits and I've managed to overload on my schedule to finish early. By the time I graduate I will have had an internship experience with a legal assistance organization, an internship with a cultural society, and an internship with a non-partisan think tank. I know that compared to the type of work experience that other applicants may have, however, that my experiences will probably look like peanuts. I have demonstrated a bit of interest in domestic violence and sexual assault, mostly through a student organization on campus but we've partnered with various non-profits extensively and one of my recs will come from somebody who can testify to that. I also received a grant from the political science department to perform research while I interned at the aforementioned legal assistance agency regarding the impact of the recession on legal aid agencies. My internship was in the family law unit so I particularly focused on how people seeking legal aid in that area of the law might suffer as a result of the recession.

As for stats, there isn't really much to disclose. My GPA is a 3.79-3.82. I realize that it might be quite hard to recommend programs based on the limited information I can provide you but I would appreciate any feedback.

[SAISDC]

For what its worth - I would go get 2-3 yrs work experience regardless whether or not you find a program. It gives you a much broader perspective on work/study, give you some real world experience, and will likely help you decide what you really want to do. I've been working for 2.5 yrs and am about to start a Masters - and can't believe how much more I know now than i did with only 2 or 3 internships/TA/research jobs under my belt. Am confident it will add exponentially to what I get out of further study.

[dr.cowmaster]

For what its worth - I would go get 2-3 yrs work experience regardless whether or not you find a program. It gives you a much broader perspective on work/study, give you some real world experience, and will likely help you decide what you really want to do. I've been working for 2.5 yrs and am about to start a Masters - and can't believe how much more I know now than i did with only 2 or 3 internships/TA/research jobs under my belt. Am confident it will add exponentially to what I get out of further study.

I guess I'll reply to your post as a sort of footnote to my OP : ) It's a good point you bring up. I refrained from adding it because I haven't done too much job searching yet. As an international student I can only work for a year before I have to find an employer to sponsor an H-1B visa for me. I just figured that given my academic background (poli sci/philosophy) and the type of work that I want to do (nonprofit or government sector) it'll be hard for me to find an employer willing to go through the trouble of sponsoring me for a visa. Again, I saay this with reservations as I haven't done too much job searching by myself, only attending some career fairs and looking on our career services network.

I will definiteely consider your advice though. If I could I would really prefer following your suggestion over going straight to grad school.

[bestfootforward]

nonprofit orgs aren't on the same H1-B quota like for profit orgs are, and if you're willing to pay for the costs (around 5k, i believe), then you could swing sponsorship. a friend of mine did it...

[fadeindreams]

I guess I'll reply to your post as a sort of footnote to my OP : ) It's a good point you bring up. I refrained from adding it because I haven't done too much job searching yet. As an international student I can only work for a year before I have to find an employer to sponsor an H-1B visa for me. I just figured that given my academic background (poli sci/philosophy) and the type of work that I want to do (nonprofit or government sector) it'll be hard for me to find an employer willing to go through the trouble of sponsoring me for a visa. Again, I saay this with reservations as I haven't done too much job searching by myself, only attending some career fairs and looking on our career services network.

I will definiteely consider your advice though. If I could I would really prefer following your suggestion over going straight to grad school.

Have you already started OPT? I'd exhaust OPT and then worry about applying for schools. At least that would be one year of work experience. Try to make it relevant!