Applying to programs with virtually no work experience

[vdade88]

So I'm a rising college senior and I need a little help planning out my life. I have no work experience at the moment, although this summer I will most likely be taking part in a government internship. I have a 3.9 GPA and various academic awards such as the Critical Language Scholarship and the Boren Scholarship. Because of those scholarships I have some experience studying abroad in China. I haven't taken the GRE yet. My dream schools would be Georgetown's Security Studies program or Asian Studies program, Yale's Global Studies program, and other programs of that caliber. 

 

Do you guys think I need to work for a few years, and then apply? Is it worth applying just to see if I can get in, and how much financial aid they would give me (if any)?

 

Thanks in advance!

[alloy]

The question that really matters is whether you need this degree right now? If yes, then there is certainly a reason for applying. 

[WinterSolstice]

There's nothing wrong with applying from undergrad if you're 100% sure it is what you want to do. The only thing that gives me pause is that you stated you "need a little help planning out your life". A lot can change in just a couple of years, especially fresh out of college. What you think you want to do can change very easily, and the last thing you want is to get locked in to a career and a large amount of debt and realize a couple years in that you actually wanted to do something a little bit different.  

I originally applied straight from undergrad, and realized I needed more time. I worked for two years, and then re-applied after having a better perspective on what I wanted to do. I have a much clearer picture of what I want to do, and I think having the additional experience made me a more attractive candidate. 

Edited June 14, 2014 by WinterSolstice

[samiam]

Regardless of whether you could get into a good school and get funding, my advice is to wait. You are likely to get way more value out of a professional Masters program if you have a couple of years of real-world experience under your belt to give context to what you learn. There's a reason the top programs prefer people to have experience first. Presuming you'll only go back to school once (most people do), it will be a much better use of your time and money to do it in a couple of years.  And as WinterSolstice said, it's entirely possible you may change your mind about what you want to do anyway, once you've actually spent some time in the workforce.

Also, writing applications takes a lot of time and effort - you'd be better off putting that time into finding a relevant job.  

Do take the GRE this year though if you can - the scores last for five years, and I suspect it's easier to do that now while you're in the habit of studying and test-taking, rather than after you graduate.

Edited June 15, 2014 by samiam

[albuhhh]

^This. I had no idea that 90% of the jobs my friends hold right now even existed. I've pivoted myself several times since graduation. I think your worldview and goals in life can dramatically shift in the first couple years after college, and even if they don't, progression in your career will help you hone in on what exactly you want to get out of grad school, instead of just paying for another fancy piece of paper and letters after your name.

[WinterSolstice]

^This. I had no idea that 90% of the jobs my friends hold right now even existed. I've pivoted myself several times since graduation. I think your worldview and goals in life can dramatically shift in the first couple years after college, and even if they don't, progression in your career will help you hone in on what exactly you want to get out of grad school, instead of just paying for another fancy piece of paper and letters after your name.

 

Exactly. @vdad88, just to echo this, the schools you mentioned can be incredibly expensive. Don't take the debt without knowing at least a specific focus area you're interested in, not only in terms of school, but in terms of career. Judging from your post, you still seem unsure about whether you would focus in strategic studies or asian studies. I would caution against pursuing your master's until you truly knew what you wanted, and what kind of career you envision yourself in afterwards.