<p>Hello everybody, I could use a great deal of advice for graduate school. I am a third year Linguistics major at a local state university in CA looking to enter my graduate studies in public policy. I have a 3.735 overall gpa. My Ecs: volunteer assistant coach for a hs speech & debate program for 3 years now. I have done theatre, college forensics, and a political science club for my first two years. I am looking to join Model UN for the last 2 years of my undergrad. Im going to study abroad this summer and will do a semester in dc. As for the gres I cant really comment on them because I have not taken them, dont know the routine in terms of when to start or take it, Id like some advice on that. Im interested in Pepperdine & USCs masters programs because they are close to home, but am open to suggestions and not easily rattled by distance from sunny cali. What kind of stats do I need to meet so to speak? Thanks all and hope you all have a merry Christmas.</p>
<p>My experience with MPP programs is that they're mostly looking for people with at least a few years of substantive work experience. Something like 3+ years for most. It's not necessary, but it's highly sought after by most programs. Other than the two programs you mentioned (which are definitely good), look at Cal (Goldman), KSG, and Wilson (but only if you have some work experience first.) UCLA's program is relatively new and doesn't strike me as a real heavy hitter yet. In LA, USC is clearly superior for the MPP/public policy degree (in my opinion.)</p>
<p>Are you looking to do domestic work, or do you have any interest in international relations?</p>
<p>I could definitely see why they would recommend some years of experience, they want to know their research interests. I?m trying to find fellowships for college graduates in public policy but I don?t want that to be my only option. What kind of jobs could I get as a college graduate that is in the field of policymaking? Would it matter that I have a humanities major? That?s why I?m trying to find out my niche prior to entering graduate school, for example, I will have a reasonable amount of exposure to environmental policy while studying abroad. The following summer I will try intern overseas dealing with international policymaking. At the present I see myself more interested in domestic work, environmental and national security policy. Do I begin to look for schools from my present interests?</p>
<p>Have you considered looking into working for government agencies? Good to great pay (depends on the agency), applicable work experience, and a plethora of benefits in the long-run. Plus, many are not terribly concerned with major.</p>
<p>I would look at schools after you have a year or so of work experience to let you sort of gel your interests. Mine didn't really emerge until after I graduated and got the grad school fever bug under control.</p>
<p>Maybe look into internships with the UN?</p>
<p>Also nonprofit agencies - internships and regular employment.</p>
<p>Internships on Capitol Hill, as well, open a lot of doors. Just watch out for those IMs.</p>
<p>The UN is good, but many are unpaid. No sense in doing unpaid work if you can get paid instead. ;)</p>