Giz

I was also accepted to Buffalo and Albany (planned on applying to Hunter as a back up), and I AM STUMPED!!! BUT, I am originally from Brooklyn so I hope my perspective helps! I visited UB's Planning (UBP)program and although their facilities are impressive, I was not taken with the city. It was very reminiscent of Long Island with a very large part of it looking more like Hempstead. Buffalo is a place that has struggled economically and its shows... It was nothing like I have ever experienced, and I have been to a variety of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Although there is a large push to 'improve' the city, it may come at the expense of its less affluent citizens... AND as a football fan, T.O.'s presence is more like an OMEN than a blessing... Although my focus is not international planning, I am very interested in the studying abroad. UBP's main concept of international research is Toronto and a sustainability program in hills of Costa Rica :?:, anything outside of that you are pretty much on your own. They are very proud of being a 'border town', but I was kinda hoping that my international experience was more than a two hour ride across the border. I have also heard of their research 'fame' and I think it ONLY matters if you see yourself as a professor in 5-10 years. If not, you may get bored behind the books and yearn to 'hit the streets.' I have been trying to get more information about their Graduate student org (their only website is from 2006) and I have received NO RESPONSE from the 3 students I emailed. I won't call any names, but I am disappointed SO UNTO U ALBANY (which is where I am leaning, can you tell?!?) Although their program has no international planning concentration, they do encourage students to gain an international understanding in their concentration Their study abroad choices are pretty extensive, and there is even a program with a school in my home country !!! Although their main planning website is under repair, their graduate student organization has a great website with a wealth of information, they even give you info on how to get business cards printed :!: . ALBANY is also in a better location, within 2 hours of major MA, CT, NJ and NY cities, so there will be a better chance of interacting with planning students from different states. For international travel Albany also wins because EWR, LGA and JFK are accessible. I would honestly suggest HUNTER because their program is in a great location, and as a student you will be in a position to interact with the other NYC planning students. As far as international planning, the diversity in NYC is unmatched and you'll get a true international perspective there, plus most of Hunter's faculty are COLUMBIA grads, so you'll get the IVY education on a budget!!! Also NY is one of the foolish states to have two APA chapters, a NYC chapter and an UPSTATE chapter. There should be very little doubt on which chapter is better for an international planner (quiet as its kept, Upstate NY is NOT diverse.) At Albany, I will attend into a few of the NYC chapter events!!!! And checking out the Giants is a great trade off... If are a proud NYCer like me, trust me, there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!! Its is a COMPLETELY different world upstate... Happy choosing!!!!