undergrad to grad

[rileypep]

i understand undergrad to grad is not recommended but i am going to atleast apply and see where i get in. Anyone else in here apply to grad school straight out of undergrad and get in? i only have about a year of internship/volunteer experience, 3.7, decent gre, but i feel that i have a strong sense of direction on what i want to do.

[pizzatime]

Good attitude, especially in this economy. Be sure to apply to at least one safety. I'm sure it can be done. I know all the programs I applied to said that "while there are a few of recent graduates admitted, most have 2-5 years experience" so that means they do take a few recent grads.

Also since I'm guessing you are a college junior applying for fall 2010, this summer and the next 2 semesters gives you good opportunities to take advantage of internships to compensate for lack of professional experience.

[rileypep]

Good attitude, especially in this economy. Be sure to apply to at least one safety. I'm sure it can be done. I know all the programs I applied to said that "while there are a few of recent graduates admitted, most have 2-5 years experience" so that means they do take a few recent grads.

Also since I'm guessing you are a college junior applying for fall 2010, this summer and the next 2 semesters gives you good opportunities to take advantage of internships to compensate for lack of professional experience.

well since i'll be sending in the bulk of my applications in oct-nov, would getting an internship during my last senior year affect my admissions chances? or should i just do it for experience. Also, since my transcripts won't include my last two semesters are the grades i receive my senior year irelevant when it comes to admissions?

[pizzatime]

What about getting an internship or a relevant job this summer, or next fall? I held a 10 hour a week internship at my local Fish and Wildlife Service office during the semester. Yes an internship would help either semester because it's another thing you can point to for funding or wait list decisions.

As for grades, grad school is a totally different game than undergrad admissions grades matter, even more for you. I think schools need your first semester grades if you are fresh out. The schools I was admitted to needed my final transcript if I had not graduated yet. Not to mention your grades are really important when it comes to funding. I successfully appealed my funding offer at one school by pointing out, among other things that I had excelled at a couple of grad level courses.

[bbq555]

ill be applying straight from undergrad if it makes you feel any better lol

[113]

I was under the impression that a good number of people went straight from undergrad to graduate school. I've always planned on going straight through undergrad to grad and it's basically the path I think is most useful for me because I pay for my education from federal student loans which you must start paying back after six months of leaving school. If i go straight to graduate school I can defer the loan repayments until after I get my MPA/MPP....and once i get my masters I can expect at least a 45-55k job in my field to start paying back those loans as opposed to a 30-40k job with just a BA.

So getting full-time work experience between my undergraduate degree and grad school is just not an option for me personally. I did intern at a non-profit for two summers in a row though, so I think that would count for something in the graduate application process.

*I am probably going to apply to 3-4 safety schools to make sure I get into a program.

[RyeGuy5555]

Yeah, isn't it something like 20-25% of new MPP students have had no work experience? These are probably almost entirely students going right from undergrad so don't let those "Most students have had 2-5 years of work experience" statements discourage you. I was accepted this year right out of undergrad to 5 out of 6 schools I applied to with only a 3.6 GPA and a couple policy-related internships, so if you can put together a good statement of purpose and have decent GRE scores you have a really good chance of getting in where you want to. But yeah, don't forget a safety school or 2.

[bbq555]

good to know that we have a chance

[OD09]

It's very much possible. I applied as an undergrad and got into both Chicago and Harvard Kennedy with scholarships. You should definitely apply. Your stats are certainly good enough.

[younglions]

A few years ago I applied straight out of undergrad and went 3/3. The only caveat is that I didn't receive funding. Taking a relevant position for a couple years could really help you out financially in the long-term. That said, if the terrible job market precludes this as a possibility, grad school might not be a bad decision. I say apply, judge the financial aid offers, and then make a decision. (haha what obvious advice). Good luck.

[MissMolly77]

What are some of the best MPA schools that are known for accepting a fair amount straight from undergrad??

thats me too