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<p>While I’d agree with the first part as minimizing undergrad debt is very important, the second sentence is a bit off IME.</p>
<p>Your undergrad school’s name does matter for academic and public policy grad programs from what I’ve heard from several friends and Profs who were on admissions committees for such programs. </p>
<p>However, considering the grad programs and schools you are targeting, this factor can be substantially mitigated if you are proactive in getting the professors to know you and your academic work well enough so they are able to write strong LORs, excelling academically at Albany, do well on the GRE, and join ECs/do internships which have a public policy focus. </p>
<p>Research/publications are helpful and always a plus, but not necessary…especially for a masters in poli-sci/public policy. They are, however, critical if you are thinking of applying to elite poli-sci PhD programs. </p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what do you want to do with a masters in poli-sci? </p>
<p>Most people who take a stand-alone masters in poli-sci IME are those who are trying to improve their academic/research credentials for applying to poli-sci PhD programs. If you’re interested in doing policy work, a Masters in public policy seems like a better bet from what I know of friends who are working in those areas in government and NGOs.</p>