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Seeking Insights and Connections: Prospective Hunter MUP Student

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Hello everyone,

I'm applying to the Master’s in Urban Planning program at Hunter College and would love to connect with both alumni and/or current students to gain a better understanding of the program. I'm particularly interested in hearing about your experiences with the application process, curriculum, faculty, and opportunities for practical application.

Could anyone share their experiences regarding:
  1. The overall academic and social environment at Hunter - I know the program is pretty flexible, what is it like to juggle the program with a full-time job?
  2. Key strengths and potential challenges of the MUP program
  3. Career opportunities and professional development support provided by the college.
  4. Any advice for someone considering applying to the program
I would greatly appreciate any insights you could provide. Additionally, if you’re open to a more detailed conversation, I’d be thrilled to arrange a virtual conversation.

Thank you for your time and looking forward to your valuable advice!
 
I'm a current student!

1. The academic environment is rigorous, but a lot of people are working full time. Be expected to devote time on nights and weekends to finish readings and assignments. Most people take ~2-3 classes per semester while working. I have received over 250 pages per week assigned in a single class. However, I do feel this content benefitted me and shaped my approach to the practice.

2. Key strengths: Hunter has an amazing Nyc network, and a lot of grads work in city agencies, so it's a pipeline to stable careers.

3. Career opportunities: see above. I think the students are the key to the network, over the current faculty. I believe they should do more to connect students. I do have an internship, but I found it on my own.

4. It depends on who you are and what you want to do. Hunter is amazingly affordable, great for housing focused people, for people wanting to work in and with the city, and for activist type planners. A lot of people are interested in/work in transportation and streets, but the program doesn't have a strong transportation professor. The social network is as busy as you want it to be. Some people are super outgoing, others less so. But I've made some great friends. DM me if you want to chat more.
 
midlevel_priest said:
I'm a current student!

1. The academic environment is rigorous, but a lot of people are working full time. Be expected to devote time on nights and weekends to finish readings and assignments. Most people take ~2-3 classes per semester while working. I have received over 250 pages per week assigned in a single class. However, I do feel this content benefitted me and shaped my approach to the practice.

2. Key strengths: Hunter has an amazing Nyc network, and a lot of grads work in city agencies, so it's a pipeline to stable careers.

3. Career opportunities: see above. I think the students are the key to the network, over the current faculty. I believe they should do more to connect students. I do have an internship, but I found it on my own.

4. It depends on who you are and what you want to do. Hunter is amazingly affordable, great for housing focused people, for people wanting to work in and with the city, and for activist type planners. A lot of people are interested in/work in transportation and streets, but the program doesn't have a strong transportation professor. The social network is as busy as you want it to be. Some people are super outgoing, others less so. But I've made some great friends. DM me if you want to chat more.
Click to expand...
I just got accepted to Hunter and am waiting to hear from other schools before deciding, but I have a few questions:

1. I know you found your internship on their own, but do they assist at all, either proactively or at the request of students, or is it simply a mass email of available internships to which people might consider applying?

2. With Gridlock Sam on staff now, do you see transportation getting stronger as an area they cover? How about historic preservation/preservation planning? Do you know if they have faculty in that area?

3. How the heck do you afford an apartment in NYC?
 
Notmynameanalias said:
I just got accepted to Hunter and am waiting to hear from other schools before deciding, but I have a few questions:

1. I know you found your internship on their own, but do they assist at all, either proactively or at the request of students, or is it simply a mass email of available internships to which people might consider applying?

2. With Gridlock Sam on staff now, do you see transportation getting stronger as an area they cover? How about historic preservation/preservation planning? Do you know if they have faculty in that area?

3. How the heck do you afford an apartment in NYC?
Click to expand...

1. The internship requirement was scrapped, but I still recommend doing one. Ask the Dept to put you in touch with Ms. Rocco, our internship coordinator. There is much chatter on the student google group as well as in general on City websites, APA, Planetizen etc., about internship opportunities. the Dept. chair (Prof. Bloom - who you should reach out to. He's meticulous, but a good guy!) also sends out many call-outs for agencies and firms that approach the Department seeking interns.

2. Absolutley! Sam's addition was strategic; he is now an octogenarian and wanted to cement his legacy pedagogically. The Transportation focus is going to get even stronger and use it to your advantage if you want to go into that field. Lots of Hunter alum end up at MTA and similar agencies.

3. The eternal conundrum! I lived with my parents in Westchester/flopped with my fav. uncle in the Bronx, so I got lucky as a native New Yorker. A lot of students who are transplants end up tripling up in 1 brs and/or having roommates in the outer boroughs (mostly Queens and Bklyn). Long Island is also your friend now that the East Side access is in place ;)

As for what the other Hunter person said about academic rigour, no it was not a cakewalk. That being said, I had a grand old time and came out of the challenges stronger and smarter. My undergrad degree is a joke, but I am very proud of my Hunter degree, to me it meant something.

Its a phenomenal program and school, if you can make the living situation work, I can't sing its praises enough in terms of cost, connections, and quality of learning. Our adjuncts are all working professionals, you will make so many new connections.
 
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