extravaganzta

The rankings you listed are for the undergraduate programs -- those are not to be confused with the RED programs. Undergraduate ranking should not matter for a graduate degree.

Hello. I was recently admitted to both the USC Price (MUP)with a Full Tuition Dean's Merit Scholarship and to MIT DUSP (MCP) with a very generous package that would cover about $80k over the duration of the program. I'm not quite sure WHERE I want to practice at this point after my degree, but I was wondering if anyone had any insights to the programs, their strengths, any anecdotes about the programs, or simply about the experience after the program is over? Also, are either of these degrees relegated to particular regions of the country in terms of hiring prospects? The rule of thumb is to NOT take out debt for a brand name, but I'm hesitant to classify MIT's MCP program as simply a "brand name." Any help that you could offer would sincerely be helpful.

Perhaps. That would make sense. By private sector, do you mean non-profit or otherwise? I'm currently working for a public-private partnership in the city, which is where my perspective is coming from. I hear - primarily online and on forums - that having an Ivy name helps with going into, say CRE/RED. But, to be fair, when I think CRE/RED, I think Penn/MIT/Cornell. FWIW, my SO and everyone else that I work with with Columbia degrees (3 people, albeit not in planning) told me that Columbia is NOT worth sticker price, especially if you're going into public interest work. Private sector work in RED but want to study in the city? I'd still say NYU personally.

Right - as far as I can tell, NYU has more of a policy focus. NYU houses also the Furman Center and various other labs that work with the city directly regarding social public policy. I'm not really to familiar with either program. All that's to say, if I were to stay in NYC this coming year for a program with the hopes of obtaining a job in the NYC area, based on what I've gathered and advice I've been explicitly given, I would go to the following schools (in order of preference): 1) NYU 2) Rutgers 3.) CUNY - Hunter College/City College 4) Pratt Institute 5) Columbia 6) New School Again, that's just what I would do based on my own experience and anecdotes. This is not at all an informed or substantiated ranking or list that is representative of anything beyond myself or those around me.

That's a great slew of schools! The advice I've been given regarding any option is take out the least amount of debt as possible. However, I'm from the south, currently working in NYC -- incidentally under a manager who went to Georgia Tech for her MCRP. She advised that I do NOT go to Georgia Tech, and that it was really hard to find a job coming out of the program. She mentioned that UNC was the best option for the Southeast in general. I read recently that the state of Washington has the best market for Urban Planners, with the average rate being $30/hr? Perhaps UW is a really great option, again depending on how much it would cost to go. Are any of these schools in-state for you?

I currently live in NYC (and work for a City Agency) and have spoken with planners in the area, and they said that if you want to work in planning in NYC, your best bet is to go to NYU. Anecdotally, I would say that CUNY - Hunter College is also a great option. I haven't met anyone that has gone to Columbia and currently works in planning.

Hey Mike, My advice - don't go into debt to go to school in a city. If you are tired of being stuck in a college town, I'd vote for UNC -- you are super close to Raleigh-Durham, and you could theoretically commute to class each day (as you will be going against traffic). Also, $5k off of in-state tuition means you would be paying $6k per year for a top program? Meaning at most you would come out of debt with is 12k for a Masters? If so, that's a stellar deal, given that UNC is one of the best planning schools in the country.

Have you received any information regarding funding for Georgia Tech?

Right on! Will you be at the open house for USC? To the poster who asked - I applied for the CDD group. I received my letter today with funding information.

Hello! I applied to 7 programs (for future lurkers, 7 programs is A LOT -- try to whittle down the list a bit): - MIT: Accepted -- waiting on mail for financial info (was called on Thursday of last week.. been 3 business days so far and nothing in my mailbox) - UNC: Accepted - no funding - UCLA: Under Review/Awaiting response - Harvard: Rejected - Georgia Tech: Accepted - awaiting financial information - USC(Southern California): Accepted: Dean's Merit Full Tuition Scholarship - Cornell: Accepted: TAship and 1/3rd tuition merit scholarship With a full ride to USC, I don't know how much money I'd be willing to pay for anywhere else. Anyone know anything about the USC program in relation to the rest I listed above? I'm eagerly awaiting the MIT letter that has potential financial award information. Please, Mr. Postman...