<p>I'm a current undergraduate student from Holland and I would like to do a master program in the US. Now that I've done some research it seems that it is much more common on the US to first work for some time and then go for a master degree. My question is whether this is true because in Europe it is much more common to go get a master degree right after you get your bachelor degree. As my goal is to get a MBA or a Master in International Relations from a top university I hope you can enlighten my on this point.</p>
<p>If your goal is to get an MBA most of the business schools would like you to have some actual work experience before you go school. The experience you gain in the business world will help you to match the practical and the theoretical. In many other fields, however, it is not unusual for students to go directly for the master’s degree. You will not be penalized for taking time off between undergraduate and masters programs regardless of your major.</p>
<p>Ok thank you. I was aware of the fact that almost all MBA students have some work experience but I’ve checked some schools for information about International Relations/Politics programs and almost all stated that their average age was around 27 years, which means that they have had some work experience.</p>
<p>Many non MBA students go straight on to graduate school–there’s nothing preventing you. Some people want to take a break, and some need to make some money. Masters programs, unlike doctoral programs, are generally not supported with fellowships. So you need to come up with the tuition yourself or have it paid by your employer.</p>
<p>It’s really just MBA programs that want 4 or 5 years of experience. And that’s just the good ones, the more average ones take many right out of college.</p>