<p>Do top public policy schools like KSG, Wilson, Harris and SIPA accept students directly from their undergraduate studies? Is it really rare for that to happen?</p>
<p>They do, but yes, not many are able to do it (without applying as usual).</p>
<p>The most prestigious public policy schools prefer students with at least a year of work experience.</p>
<p>The Philosopher, what type of credentials would these few success from undergraduate studies have? Would it largely be related to their internship experiences and related academic endeavors?</p>
<p>This is from the gradcafe.com, from a student fresh out of undergrad who was rejected at Tufts Fletcher:</p>
<p>“This is ridiculous! I was rejected with 4.0 GPA, GRE scores in 90th percentile and on top of that they said specifically that I did not have the professional experience they require. Also, I am fluent in 3 languages. Straight from undergrad but still…give me a break. Do they take 30-year-olds only? Mind you, I did have experience from abroad plus TA-ing and teaching.”</p>
<p>You can find notes on the site for SIPA too.</p>
<p>I think you need a couple of things to make up for the lack of work experience: 1) You need to be an academic stud; 2) You need to have high GRE scores; 3) You should have the necessary economics and quantitative experience; 4) You probably need to have some substantive international experience; 5) Relevant extracurricular and/or internship experience. </p>
<p>Having work experience helps, but as long as you can show how your current academic and extracurricular experience give you the tools necessary to succeed and you can give them a specific goal and endpoint, you should be fine. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Usually to be accepted into those types of programs directly from undergraduate studies, one must be near or at the top of their class. Of course, this is only true if this type of program is offered at any given institution.</p>
<p>^^^ When you say program, are you referring to an undergrad program or the grad one? Also, what qualifies as an academic stud? Does that vary by what school you go to (meaning that they evaluate you in comparison to past applicants from the same school)?</p>
<p>Also, I should probably not have included SIPA and Wilson in my initial question, as I’m much more interested in domestic policy, particularly urban education and development.</p>
<p>I mean something like a 5 year ba/mpp program at a particular institution. This only exists with some schools, and only those school who offer mpp/mpa programs. You need to look at the specific school. </p>
<p>The mpp programs do not usually require prior experience, but the mpa programs usually do. But again, this varies by institution.</p>
<p>Gotcha. Anyone else with thoughts?</p>
<p>For the top schools evidence overwhelmingly points to the need for at least a year, usually more, of work experience for your application to be taken seriously. Don’t despair though, because in reality an individual who graduates from a MPP program without any prior relevant work experience will be a significantly weaker candidate in the job market than his classmates who have some type of previous experience under their belt already.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks everyone.</p>
<p>As I said, I’m very interested in urban development and education, and I am in the process of gathering info on MPP/MPA vs. JD as a way of breaking into work regarding either. Looks like there is still more to get, but what you all have said is definitely a help in this process.</p>