How to Get into a Good Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program
If you are interested in serving the public in an administrative capacity, then a Master of Public Administration or Master of Public Policy may be the degree for you. These programs are usually not as competitive as MBA programs or law school, but you will still have to work hard to gain admission to a top program. If you follow a certain game plan, you will improve your chances of getting into the MPA program of your choice.
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Instructions
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Get good grades and score well in standardized test scores. Both are primary factors in admission. However, if you have already graduated and your GPA, grade point average, is low, this does not immediately disqualify you. It only means you will have to work harder in other ways. If your GPA is less than 2.9, you will have to take additional action. You may want to do a second bachelor's degree to demonstrate you are serious about an MPA. You can usually acquire a second degree in social sciences (political science or economics) in one year or less. Some schools also offer post-baccalaureate certifications that only require 12 to 18 semester hours of online coursework.
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Score well on the GRE, Graduate Record Examination. The GRE is a great place to compensate for a low GPA. Thus, it is vital to begin GRE preparation several months in advance. Buy a decent study guide to learn the ins and outs of the test. If you are currently in college, your school library should have GRE books with practice tests. Take as many of these tests as you can while simulating a real test environment. If you follow these steps and your GRE score is still not satisfactory, keep testing. Sometimes it is worth postponing your application if it means getting into a better school.
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Acquire volunteer experience and start early. Since this degree is a public service orientation, volunteer experience is an important part of admissions consideration. If all you have is a weekend of recent volunteer work, it will not look good. If you already volunteer, try diversifying your experience. One of the dirty little secrets of admissions and scholarship programs is that having volunteered at many different places is generally better received than doing considerable volunteer work at one place.
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Work an internship or an actual job in the field. This shows the recruiter you are serious about completing the degree and working. This will differentiate you from the others in your graduating class while helping you with your ultimate career goals.
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Create a narrative for the recruiter in your application cover letter. Do not state you are on a crusade to save the world nor name drop prominent people you know. Instead, it is important to state where you would like to work after the program and what you have already done so far to get to that position. For example, you may want to explain how you want to work in public health and how you have already volunteered and interned at a hospital.
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