GWU or Work

[Waffle]

Hi guys,

I am in the middle of a little freak-out. I was accepted at Elliott's International Trade and Investment Policy program straight out of undergrad (I am an international student).

Given the fact that I did not receive any funding aid, I've been debating if I should enrol this fall or defer for a year and gain more work experience (and potentially re-apply for grants, etc.).

I do know that working between undergrad and graduate school is a common thing in the US. However, it is not so much in Europe. Therefore, I fear that with only a bachelor, I won't be able to find any interesting internship/entry-level position.

So what's your take: defer and go for work (but also uncertainty and potentially, very low level jobs) or attend this fall and pay the full price (but potentially open interesting "working opportunities"?

Thank you in advance.

[sengpatt]

Have you considered working in DC and going to GW part-time?

The people at GW that I've talked to have said that it's very easy administratively to shift between being a full-time and a part-time student. Given GW's flexibility, it might be worthwhile to try to study at GW and then pursue jobs in DC, as opposed to in Europe, where you say it's hard to find a job with just a bachelor's. The downside of going part-time is that you would graduate in 3 years instead of 2, which means extra tuition, but you would presmably be making some of it up with your work income. There would be some additional concerns about financial aid, as you can only receive fellowships if you're full-time, but it seems like you don't have to take those into consideration.

Edited April 25, 2012 by sengpatt

[Waffle]

Thank you for your advice. However, I feel that taking a year off would be more profitable than studying part-time in DC in the sense that the latter limits certain opportunities.

No other opinions?

[JAubrey]

Depends. Where do you want to work, where are you from, where do you want to end up?

[OregonGal]

I'd say it depends on where you're trying to find work. You know best if it's difficult to find work in the field in Europe, so if you feel you won't be able to find meaningful work in that year which would make a significant difference in your candidate profile for re-applying, just go for the masters program. GWU is one of the more affordable name-brand programs in DC, and you might be able to find paid work while in DC to help cover expenses (language tutoring, paid internship, etc). Keeping your academics up your first year can also help you find second-year funding.

[Waffle]

I'm from Belgium. I want to work for the private sector (consulting industry) with a focus on international finance and more specifically financial inclusion, financial development, private sector growth, etc. within emerging markets. I guess global strategy companies (like BCG, etc.) appears as logical choice in the short term and then maybe move to more "emerging markets oriented" firms like Dalberg.

[JAubrey]

I'm from Belgium. I want to work for the private sector (consulting industry) with a focus on international finance and more specifically financial inclusion, financial development, private sector growth, etc. within emerging markets. I guess global strategy companies (like BCG, etc.) appears as logical choice in the short term and then maybe move to more "emerging markets oriented" firms like Dalberg.

Where did you go to undergrad? Because while some rockstars from GW undergrad may get into strat management consulting (MC), GW grad school plus average European university and no work experience WILL NOT even get you an interview let alone a job at MBB or even the 2nd tier MCs. It doesn't seem like you've considered the short term that in-depth and how difficult it is to secure employment in MC without an elite education or elite WE to get you in the door. Now if you attended say EP, IEP, etc in France or similar elite universities in Germany or the Netherlands, then you could have a shot.

Without further information, I would say you may want to change your short term goals...

[Waffle]

Let's just say I've received offers for the interview rounds for internships at some top tier MCs (and without an elite education or whatsoever... please stop being so elitist, etc.)

Edited April 28, 2012 by Waffle

[JAubrey]

Let's just say I've received offers for the interview rounds for internships at some top tier MCs (and without an elite education or whatsoever... please stop being so elitist, etc.)

Having worked for one of these firms, I was giving you some perspective. Additionally, if you are really keen on MC or even emerging markets in general, why aren't you applying to MBAs? The MPP/MPA route makes no sense.

[Waffle]

I've been accepted to the international trade and investment policy program, which is quite different from an MPP/MPA. I do appreciate your perspective and taking a year off also means making sure this is the good route for my career prospects.

[Helpplease123]

I do know that working between undergrad and graduate school is a common thing in the US. However, it is not so much in Europe. Therefore, I fear that with only a bachelor, I won't be able to find any interesting internship/entry-level position.

If you're worried about finding work on the continent come to the UK, where it is very normal to take time off between undergrad and masters... Work for a year/couple of years and try again (if you still want to).