Can I get into an MA/ MPP program with this? Please help!

[priorwalter]

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!

[OregonGal]

MPP/MPAs are professional degrees; the best programs really stress professional experience. The students who come in straight out of college have to be stellar candidates in everything from LORs/SOPs to GPA/GREs, and usually with relevant internship/research experience.

I don't know how colleges consider taking an extra term, but it might be worth your while if you can get that internship. Personally, I'd advocate getting some professional experience for a year at least once you graduate--you mentioned doing part-time Americorps in school, so you might look into a full-time Americorps position to get experience in the issue area you want to study the policy for.

[Stringfellow]

This is outside my discipline, but I have not encountered a graduate school that would look down on someone for taking more than four years to complete an undergraduate degree, especially since they can look at your transcript and see that you weren't failing out of classes or withdrawing in the middle of a semester or... any of the red flag things that might indicate a lack of commitment or seriousness. A lot of students go outside the traditional time frame for a lot of good reasons, and I think graduate admissions folks tend to understand that. That said, OregonGal is quite right to note that programs in public policy prefer students with relevant paid experience. Internships are nice. But it would be even better, both in terms of admissions and in terms of education more broadly conceived, to enter the professional world after you graduate and gain some job experience.

[priorwalter]

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?

[Helpplease123]

I'm just down about taking an extra year in school, since things didn't exactly turn out according to plan

I wish i'd spent an extra year in my undergrad...in fact, I wish i'd spent 10 more years. Life will probably never be as fun once you leave, so don't be down about the opportunity!

[cptdelorean]

Apply for some full-time AmeriCorps positions