Apply this Fall for MPP or wait for more experience?

<p>I am trying to decide whether I will be able to get into a top 25 school for a Master of Public Policy with my current credentials. I did my undergrad at a UC in Political Science. Here's my basic info:</p>

<p>1) 3.56 GPA - Undergraduate Honors
2) studied abroad in Italy
3) 3 month internship + 18 months full time employment at a top 25 Public Affairs Agency
4) volunteer for the World Affairs Council
5) senior year research paper on land use policy (benefits of transit-oriented development for public health/well being)
6) senior seminar on International Monetary Fund reform
7) re-taking macro-econ for a better grade at a community college
8) haven't taken GRE yet, but have a solid track record w/standardized tests and am confident I'll get a great score</p>

<p>Any help/tips? Ideally, I'd really like to gain more work experience in policy, but am wondering if I could get into a top tier school without it. Any input is appreciated!</p>

<p>I always suggest working for a few years first. You’ll take a lot more away from the graduate experience if you do.</p>

<p>I knew the response I’d get before I posted, but I still needed to hear it haha. I am impatient, and I am having a hard time finding policy-related jobs or internships in my area. It’s very frustrating! I just moved here a couple months ago, so I’m hesitant to uproot my life again and move somewhere else, but I might just have to.</p>

<p>I was in a similar boat - direct from undergrad, but with lots of relevant coursework and internships. I didn’t get into Duke or Michigan, but I got into all the DC schools, Carnegie Mellon, etc. Duke wants work experience, but Michigan was because of “low” gre scores (590V630Q). So if you DID want to go directly, had good rec letters and solid goals, than you’d be good!</p>

<p>That’s really helpful - thank you! I am not totally direct from undergrad, which might be sort of helpful. After I finished undergrad, I worked for a public affairs agency full time for more than a year and a half. I’m curious - what other DC schools were you able to get into? I’d really love to be in DC… for obvious reasons.</p>