Where should I apply? *MPA*

[USF_Rockstar]

I'm graduating this summer so I'm doing research now on graduate schools. I haven't taken the GRE yet (studying) but I took a diagnostic exam and scored 400/610. Hopefully I can improve quite a bit but I'm not too optimistic that I'll be able to score above 1100. My UGPA is 3.13 with an upward curve, and I have no relevant work experience. I'm graduating a year ahead of my class so perhaps that will work in my favor but to the best of my knowledge that isn't something that an admissions office typically looks for.

So, based on what I've mentioned above what schools should I consider applying to?

Thank you.

[unknownscholar]

Your numbers are similar to mine, and I was accepted into pretty good institutions (see signature below). I do, however, have two years of relevant work experience. I think this was the sell point for my app because I had some trouble getting into NYU and GU. I think the work experience is what most programs are looking for, but for students who are coming straight out of undergrad (which I'm not--I graduated in '06), I think you would need a pretty stellar record to get into the programs with funding (which I'm assuming you'd want). My suggestion would be to use the summer to land a related job just to be able to put it on your resume and at the end of the year, just before the apps are due, ask your employer for a recommendation.

You should also look into what area of the MPA most appeals to you. For example, the MPP at Vanderbilt isn't nationally ranked at all, probably because it's pretty new and only has the Educational Policy concentration, but their Peabody School (education in particular) is ranked 2nd or 3rd in the country. And their avg GREs for the program are one of the lowest I've seen for such a high caliber school. Look for these little clues when you do your research.

And continue to study for the GREs. Odds are with even a month's worth of studying, you'll improve significantly. I had only studied a month before I took the test for the first time. If I decide to do a Ph.D. I'll devote probably 2.

[USF_Rockstar]

Thanks a lot for the thorough reply and congrats on all the premier schools you've been accepted to. I'd love to go to somewhere like Georgetown but I can't imagine being accepted there. I'm taking every word of your advice; I actually spoke with a very prominent person in local politics today and it seems like I have a reasonable chance of getting a job or an internship. I

[unknownscholar]

No problem.

And don't be discouraged. I never thought I could get in either. It takes a lot of hard work, but definitely not impossible. I only took the test once, and scored slightly better than your diagnostic. My diagnostic was around the same as yours. I know with devoted studying for just a little while, those numbers can skyrocket. That's not just talk either. I suck, to say the least, at standardized testing and this was the only one exam I've thought to be doable.

You're definitely on the right track. Keep us posted on your progress. :-)