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Advice on Preparing for Masters Applications Next Year + Realistic Chances?

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ANLT

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So I'm planning on applying to master's programs in next year's cycle, but I wanted to ask anyone with experience about a sensible process to narrow down my options to a manageable amount, perhaps 5 to 7. I'd like any pointers on factors that I may be missing out on in terms of choosing where to apply. I am a resident of Washington State from Seattle and want to specialize in transportation planning and perhaps environmental health/justice as well. Here are my questions and preliminary results:
1) What program is the most affordable? (esp. likelihood of graduate funding or aid)
2) What program is located in a city that I'd like living in , and what region do I see myself working in after? (Unsurprisingly, I'd like to be in more "urbanist" areas)
3) Is the program well-known for my specific urban planning interest?
4) Are there generally positive job outcomes?
5) Are there any faculty that are well-known in my field of interest?
6) How realistic are my chances of admission and aid?

I've came up with a list of programs I'd like to consider and would appreciate any specific feedback. For context, PSU and CU Denver offer in-state tuition via the WRGP. I imagine I should adjust to have more safe options, but I would hope I can get admitted to any of these. Is my process for narrowing down options sensible? (BOLD = Priority, Italics = Reach, contingent on aid)
University of Washington
Portland State University
Rutgers University
University of Illinois at Chicago
CUNY Hunter College
Tufts University
University of Colorado Denver
(Maybe one more safe option?)

I understand nobody here can give a precise read on my chances, but if anyone would be willing to offer insights into how competitive I might be, I would appreciate it. Here's a summary of what my "resumé" will look like come next cycle.

University of Washington, 2027: BA in Geography and Public Policy (Current GPA: 3.98)
  • Officer of UW's ITE chapter, group member of winning transportation planning/design competitions and organizer of community events
  • Summer 2025: Community outreach and engagement-focused internship with county public transit agency
  • AY 2025-26: Public affairs and media-focused internship with major city Dept of Transportation
  • Summer 2026: Transportation planning internship with reputable private consulting firm (Kittelson)
  • AY 2026-27: Hopefully a relevant internship throughout the year

I know MUPs aren't the most competitive grad school programs, even the well-regarded ones, but I'm afraid going straight from undergrad and lacking full-time experience will be a major detriment, especially if I want to qualify for aid. Does anyone have any advice they'd give for strengthening my resumé? Would having undergrad research experience be a significant factor, even for non-PHDs? (I regret not applying for some undergrad opportunities, as I did not see them as useful at the time). I know this is a very long post, but any advice or help would be so very much appreciated! :)
 
ANLT said:
So I'm planning on applying to master's programs in next year's cycle, but I wanted to ask anyone with experience about a sensible process to narrow down my options to a manageable amount, perhaps 5 to 7. I'd like any pointers on factors that I may be missing out on in terms of choosing where to apply. I am a resident of Washington State from Seattle and want to specialize in transportation planning and perhaps environmental health/justice as well. Here are my questions and preliminary results:
1) What program is the most affordable? (esp. likelihood of graduate funding or aid)
2) What program is located in a city that I'd like living in , and what region do I see myself working in after? (Unsurprisingly, I'd like to be in more "urbanist" areas)
3) Is the program well-known for my specific urban planning interest?
4) Are there generally positive job outcomes?
5) Are there any faculty that are well-known in my field of interest?
6) How realistic are my chances of admission and aid?

I've came up with a list of programs I'd like to consider and would appreciate any specific feedback. For context, PSU and CU Denver offer in-state tuition via the WRGP. I imagine I should adjust to have more safe options, but I would hope I can get admitted to any of these. Is my process for narrowing down options sensible? (BOLD = Priority, Italics = Reach, contingent on aid)
University of Washington
Portland State University
Rutgers University
University of Illinois at Chicago
CUNY Hunter College
Tufts University
University of Colorado Denver
(Maybe one more safe option?)

I understand nobody here can give a precise read on my chances, but if anyone would be willing to offer insights into how competitive I might be, I would appreciate it. Here's a summary of what my "resumé" will look like come next cycle.

University of Washington, 2027: BA in Geography and Public Policy (Current GPA: 3.98)
  • Officer of UW's ITE chapter, group member of winning transportation planning/design competitions and organizer of community events
  • Summer 2025: Community outreach and engagement-focused internship with county public transit agency
  • AY 2025-26: Public affairs and media-focused internship with major city Dept of Transportation
  • Summer 2026: Transportation planning internship with reputable private consulting firm (Kittelson)
  • AY 2026-27: Hopefully a relevant internship throughout the year

I know MUPs aren't the most competitive grad school programs, even the well-regarded ones, but I'm afraid going straight from undergrad and lacking full-time experience will be a major detriment, especially if I want to qualify for aid. Does anyone have any advice they'd give for strengthening my resumé? Would having undergrad research experience be a significant factor, even for non-PHDs? (I regret not applying for some undergrad opportunities, as I did not see them as useful at the time). I know this is a very long post, but any advice or help would be so very much appreciated! :)
Click to expand...

Hello! I had many of the same questions when I was applying and am currently a first-year MURP student at Ball State. I applied to five programs last year and will try to answer your questions as best I can.

1. Affordability: The cheapest option will likely be an in-state program, and the advice I got from planners, this forum, and everywhere else was unanimous: go to the most affordable PAB-accredited program you can. That said, some schools are generous with out-of-state students. Ball State gave strong funding packages, and most people in my cohort received aid of some kind. Cleveland State, for example, charges in-state tuition regardless of residency for their MUPD program and has a solid GA package. From your list, Portland State is fairly reasonable for out-of-state students, and UW will obviously be strong as your in-state option. I'd recommend applying to all of them, comparing the packages, and choosing accordingly.

2. Location: Portland State has a great transportation program, but don't assume where you get your degree determines where you end up working. I'm at a school in rural Indiana and have been able to build a wide job network out of state through internships, including landing a placement in a major city. It's more important to find a program with faculty you connect with, a philosophy that aligns with your goals, and minimal debt.

3. Program Reputation: PSU is very well known for transportation planning. It hosts TREC, which is a major asset. I've heard strong things about Rutgers for community development. Friends at UIC tell me it's very policy-heavy. My program at Ball State leans heavily into design. It really depends on what you're looking for (I'm a transportation planning specialist myself).

A few flags I'd raise: I wouldn't recommend a private school for a planning degree, and I'd be cautious about any program exceeding 48 credit hours or requiring a thesis over a capstone. Planning is fundamentally a professional degree meant to get you into the field. PSU's program, for instance, is 72 credit hours. That would have been a dealbreaker for me. When I was evaluating programs, my priorities were finishing in two years full-time, securing funding, strong alumni connections, and a capstone studio or creative project rather than a thesis. A thesis is really only valuable if you're planning to pursue a PhD in urban studies later.

4. Job Market: In my experience, the job market right now is solid for entry level planning jobs and internships. As second-semester MURP students, everyone in my cohort has been setting up summer internships without major difficulty, both in Indiana and out of state. I applied to roughly 50 internships, heard back from five, and received two offers after interviews. Take this with a grain of salt though. I have heard the opposite from other Cyburbians, but I think it very much ranges depending on what stage in your career you are and how willing you are to relocate after graduation/during the summer.

5. Faculty: For your specific interests, I'd spend time reading through faculty pages on each program's website. I've been fortunate to study under Michael Burayidi (multicultural planning), and during my undergrad in Cleveland, I learned from impressive faculty in the equity planning tradition, people trained by Krumholz, who deepened my commitment to the field. Having marquee faculty is great, but it's not everything. For transportation planning specifically, Jennifer Dill at PSU stands out as the director of TREC. That said, I've had excellent transportation planning instruction at Ball State even without a headline name in that area. Our department also has standout faculty like Dr. Sanglim Yoo in environmental planning, Dr. Ruoran Liu in economic development, and Lohren Deeg in design (and I say that as someone who isn't a fan of the design side).

6. Admissions: With your resume, I think you'll get into most if not all of the programs you're considering, provided you have strong letters of recommendation. Planning programs are competitive but not at the level of law or medical school. Your background puts you in strong contention for funding too. As for undergraduate research, it wouldn't hurt, but I don't think it's necessary. Your resume is already very strong.

Best of luck with your search, and enjoy the process!
 
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UrbanSprawlster said:
Hello! I had many of the same questions when I was applying and am currently a first-year MURP student at Ball State. I applied to five programs last year and will try to answer your questions as best I can.

1. Affordability: The cheapest option will likely be an in-state program, and the advice I got from planners, this forum, and everywhere else was unanimous: go to the most affordable PAB-accredited program you can. That said, some schools are generous with out-of-state students. Ball State gave strong funding packages, and most people in my cohort received aid of some kind. Cleveland State, for example, charges in-state tuition regardless of residency for their MUPD program and has a solid GA package. From your list, Portland State is fairly reasonable for out-of-state students, and UW will obviously be strong as your in-state option. I'd recommend applying to all of them, comparing the packages, and choosing accordingly.

2. Location: Portland State has a great transportation program, but don't assume where you get your degree determines where you end up working. I'm at a school in rural Indiana and have been able to build a wide job network out of state through internships, including landing a placement in a major city. It's more important to find a program with faculty you connect with, a philosophy that aligns with your goals, and minimal debt.

3. Program Reputation: PSU is very well known for transportation planning. It hosts TREC, which is a major asset. I've heard strong things about Rutgers for community development. Friends at UIC tell me it's very policy-heavy. My program at Ball State leans heavily into design. It really depends on what you're looking for (I'm a transportation planning specialist myself).

A few flags I'd raise: I wouldn't recommend a private school for a planning degree, and I'd be cautious about any program exceeding 48 credit hours or requiring a thesis over a capstone. Planning is fundamentally a professional degree meant to get you into the field. PSU's program, for instance, is 72 credit hours. That would have been a dealbreaker for me. When I was evaluating programs, my priorities were finishing in two years full-time, securing funding, strong alumni connections, and a capstone studio or creative project rather than a thesis. A thesis is really only valuable if you're planning to pursue a PhD in urban studies later.

4. Job Market: In my experience, the job market right now is solid for entry level planning jobs and internships. As second-semester MURP students, everyone in my cohort has been setting up summer internships without major difficulty, both in Indiana and out of state. I applied to roughly 50 internships, heard back from five, and received two offers after interviews. Take this with a grain of salt though. I have heard the opposite from other Cyburbians, but I think it very much ranges depending on what stage in your career you are and how willing you are to relocate after graduation/during the summer.

5. Faculty: For your specific interests, I'd spend time reading through faculty pages on each program's website. I've been fortunate to study under Michael Burayidi (multicultural planning), and during my undergrad in Cleveland, I learned from impressive faculty in the equity planning tradition, people trained by Krumholz, who deepened my commitment to the field. Having marquee faculty is great, but it's not everything. For transportation planning specifically, Jennifer Dill at PSU stands out as the director of TREC. That said, I've had excellent transportation planning instruction at Ball State even without a headline name in that area. Our department also has standout faculty like Dr. Sanglim Yoo in environmental planning, Dr. Ruoran Liu in economic development, and Lohren Deeg in design (and I say that as someone who isn't a fan of the design side).

6. Admissions: With your resume, I think you'll get into most if not all of the programs you're considering, provided you have strong letters of recommendation. Planning programs are competitive but not at the level of law or medical school. Your background puts you in strong contention for funding too. As for undergraduate research, it wouldn't hurt, but I don't think it's necessary. Your resume is already very strong.

Best of luck with your search, and enjoy the process!
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your insight, as it's very descriptive and helpful. Only thing I'm wondering about the credits. Pretty much all the programs I'm looking at are two years, with the credit counts appearing somewhat arbitrary. UW and PSU are on a quarter system, which requires 72 credits over six quarters. Many programs are on a semester system, requiring 48 credits over four semesters. I'm not certain that the actual number matters too much.

Though I do appreciate the point regarding thesis vs capstone. I don't expect to be entering academia so a more applied final product may be more up my alley!
 
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