Political Economy/ Public Policy (MA or PhD)

[Choatie]

Political Economy/ Public Policy?
Hi,
I have some general questions about programs in Political Economy / Public Policy....

What are the programs like?

What sort of jobs are available upon graduation (with a Masters or PhD) ?

What should one, as an undergraduate approaching junior year, do in order to best prepare herself for admission into these programs? I am already an international econ and finance b.s.ba with a math and politics minor (What classes should one take? Internships? How to stand out on an application or get into the top schools?)

Do internships matter and if so, which ones?

What part of the application (GRE, GPA, letters of rec, essays, etc.) matters most in the admissions process?

Any other advice/information for someone who does not know very much about PhDs/Masters in this field?

Also, during my first three semesters at university, my grades were less than ideal. Since then my GPA has changed considerably, but seeing as though my cumulative GPA will still be affected and that I did take some rather important classes during this period (Micreconomics Theory and a couple of introductory level politics classes) in which I received C's, it may affect me negatively in the end.....Should I be worried? Is there anyway to redeem myself? I did take higher level politics and economics classes and got A's....


I appreciate any and all feedback provided.

[cantabrigian]

Originally Posted by Choatie

Political Economy/ Public Policy?
Hi,
I have some general questions about programs in Political Economy / Public Policy....

What are the programs like?

I'll take a crack at this, since I applied for MPP programs. (For those curious, I got into Chicago with $, turned down at Kennedy School).

Public policy and political economy are very, very different! With either you could teach or do research, but policy programs are more practical-oriented, while political economy would be more "academic," with more theory and research.

What are the programs like? It really depends on the program. Some, like George Washington University for example, are part-time and very practical. Many of their students enroll part-time while working in DC. Others, such as the University of Chicago's Harris School, place an emphasis on quantitative skills and research.

Originally Posted by Choatie

What sort of jobs are available upon graduation (with a Masters or PhD) ?

Could do anything. People I know with MPA/MPP/policy PhD degrees work for non-profits, in business, in the government, and in journalism. PhD opens the door to more serious research and teaching, but a master's is also valuable.

Originally Posted by Choatie

What should one, as an undergraduate approaching junior year, do in order to best prepare herself for admission into these programs? I am already an international econ and finance b.s.ba with a math and politics minor (What classes should one take? Internships? How to stand out on an application or get into the top schools?)

Please think about taking some time off, and not going straight into the program. Make sure this is what you want to do. Most people in policy programs will have practical experience, and adcoms also look for people with real-world experience. I think the program will also be more valuable to you if you can see how what is learned in the classroom applies to the real world.

Originally Posted by Choatie

Do internships matter and if so, which ones?

Everyone has their own path, and schools will respect that not everyone can afford to work for free every summer in Congress. However, of course something that is related to politics or policy/research would certainly help, or anything that demonstrates your commitment to public service.

Originally Posted by Choatie

What part of the application (GRE, GPA, letters of rec, essays, etc.) matters most in the admissions process?

Everything.... Though essays and LORs probably matter much more than in, say, hard sciences or economics.

Originally Posted by Choatie

Any other advice/information for someone who does not know very much about PhDs/Masters in this field?

Take time off! Get some experience outside the Ivory Tower. Talk to people with those degrees. And also talk to people whose jobs you might someday want to have, and ask them how they got where they are.