MPA/Work Experience

[Kaska]

Hey everyone, 

 

I recently graduated from a state university with a 3.8 GPA. I have not taken the GRE yet. During my undergraduate years, I worked in my university, volunteered abroad for a summer, interned at a County Attorney's Office, and worked for a student non-profit. I am currently working in the private sector for the last two months, but I was wondering if I should hold off applying for another year to obtain more work experience? I have been looking into Americorps and others jobs to get my foot in the door. I know this question has been asked before, but how many of you have been successful applying to MPA programs with only being out of school for a year? Thanks in advance! 

[fenderpete]

Which programs are you looking at?  Most of the top-tier schools require 3-5yrs of work experience for you to be in with a shot.

[Kaska]

Yeah, I noticed that when I was researching schools. I was looking at applying to American, GWU, Georgetown, Rutgers, CUNY Baruch, and University of Chicago to name a few. 

[tribesdude]

You do not necessarily need to have 3-5 years (If i am not mistaken you are recommended to have 2-3 years). Still you could get in straight out of undergrad (or in your case slightly afterwards),  if you have a strong resume, good grades (3.8 is very impressive), good LOR's, and good SOP (and if you do decently on your GRE, dont think GRE is that huge of a factor, do aim for Q160 V160 though). 

 

In terms of schools I would advice you too look into SAIS, SIPA, Fletcher and HKS as well. Although Columbia (from my own experience) are relatively strict on the work experience requirement. 

[Howie]

Alot of work experience might get you out of a otherwise mandatory internship. One girl in my cohort got into the program straight out of undergrad. The rest have several years of work experience (I had 5 at my time of admission).

[tribesdude]

Yeah howie is right. For example at NYU Wagner, if one does not meet the work experience requirement they can still get in, they just have to do like 300 hours of relevant work before the 2nd year (so  pretty much an internship). I am sure there are other schools that may have a similar requirement. Although NYU is the only one I know of. 

[fenderpete]

American definitely tends towards the lighter end of the spectrum of experience, so definitely apply there.