Youngest Public Affairs Schools?

[MPAallday]

So, I'm getting the feeling (from a lot of admissions data, posts on the forums, and even statements by the schools themselves) that many of these programs are predominantly full of older students. Heck, the Kennedy School requires at least 3 years of full-time work experience to even be considered for their MPA program.

 

Now, I have absolutely nothing against older students. Many of my best friends in undergrad were older than me and I loved the insight they provided me with.

 

That being said, I'm interested in a school that will not discriminate against me based on the fact that I'm young or don't have a career behind me already. I'm going to be applying to MPA programs straight out of undergrad, and I won't have all-the-work-experience-in-the-world under my belt.

 

What schools tend to have younger students, especially those straight out of undergrad? I'm especially looking at LBJ. Any others?

[soaps]

I don't know why you think a minimum 3 years is somehow "all-the-work-experience-in-the-world," or why it's an unreasonable requirement. Rather than thinking you're being discriminated against, maybe you should consider that it's not really in your interest to get a public policy degree with no work experience and that these programs are specifically tailored to hone skills/interests developed in the (relatively) early stages of public policy careers (rather than requiring, as you said,"a career behind [you] already"). What is a degree from a program like LBJ (which I point out only because it's the one you mentioned) going to do for you with no full-time work experience? Without that work experience, what basis would you have to even answer that question? I think you should reconsider how you'll spend a mere 3 years of your life. It can be hard in this economy even for those with work experience and a PP degree to get a job. Just a thought. 

That said, many programs talked about here admit people straight from undergrad. There is, of course, the risk you are paying a ridiculous amount of money just to start at square one again once you graduate. That is why many students with master's degrees from these schools that admit straight from undergrad are competing with undergrads for entry-level jobs.

Edited June 3, 2013 by soaps

[Namash]

Soaps has raised some really important points.... the perspective gained through experience will really help you define what you want out of the program or atleast what you dont want which atleast for me would have been harder fresh out of college...  that being said i dont think the lack of post qualification experience makes you uncompetitive... i got in all the colleges i applied to with less than a year of experience...you can always highlight your volunteer or internship experience while doing your undergrad.... thats what i did since i had taken some leadership roles at college so i combined that with the work i had done in my current job to beef up my overall experience... unlike theoretical masters programs mpa is a professional degree so i think it is understandable that they expect some work either during your undergrad or after it so they have something to build on....best of luck with the application