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UCI vs UCLA

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lugee

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I know for most of you it would be a no brainer. I am having a hard time deciding on the two graduate schools.

I graduated from UCI with an Environmental Design and Urban Planning major. I have spoke with all the staff at UCI and they are very welcoming and offer assistance and help if needed. To me, this is fairly important.

Rankings aren't really a big deal to me, but I know UCI isn't top ranked as opposed to UCLA.

Anybody care to share some advice on which program would prepare myself for a career in planning?

Sorry if this is a repost or anything.
 
I'll discuss why I didn't apply to Portland State's MURP program even though I do my undergraduate there. I feel it may be informative to your decision:

Essentially, Portland State is a poor school. Even though the MURP program is highly rated; PSU has poor facilities. The student groups are underfunded; student government is completely dysfunctional; our transit pass program is an afterthought even in comparison with other large, urban, non-flagship state schools such as UW-Milwaukee or Sac State. The university is consistently replacing experienced faculty with part-time professors; classes required for graduation are occasionally canceled; classroom space on campus is severely limited; funding for the university as a whole is always insufficient.

A Flagship school, such as UCLA, tend not to have these issues to the same degree as smaller state schools. There is more to your planning education than your time in the classroom - if you are frustrated with your university experience that can't be good for your achievement. So make sure to take those into consideration when comparing UCLA and Irvine.
 
manzell said:
I'll discuss why I didn't apply to Portland State's MURP program even though I do my undergraduate there. I feel it may be informative to your decision:

Essentially, Portland State is a poor school. Even though the MURP program is highly rated; PSU has poor facilities. The student groups are underfunded; student government is completely dysfunctional; our transit pass program is an afterthought even in comparison with other large, urban, non-flagship state schools such as UW-Milwaukee or Sac State. The university is consistently replacing experienced faculty with part-time professors; classes required for graduation are occasionally canceled; classroom space on campus is severely limited; funding for the university as a whole is always insufficient.

A Flagship school, such as UCLA, tend not to have these issues to the same degree as smaller state schools. There is more to your planning education than your time in the classroom - if you are frustrated with your university experience that can't be good for your achievement. So make sure to take those into consideration when comparing UCLA and Irvine.
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Manzell, Thanks for the reply. This is exactly the problem I am worried about, whether it be because of ignorance of out of fear, I want to know what opportunities are offered at the university, specifically Faculty support and campus life.
 
I went to the UCI open house. I was very impressed with the program. They talked a lot about the alumni network, which seems very strong - especially if you want to work in Orange County. The students were happy, although some complained that the urban design component was lacking. In the end, it really depends on where you want to work and what concentration you want to do.
 
Seamus said:
I went to the UCI open house. I was very impressed with the program. They talked a lot about the alumni network, which seems very strong - especially if you want to work in Orange County. The students were happy, although some complained that the urban design component was lacking. In the end, it really depends on where you want to work and what concentration you want to do.
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I was there too, it was last monday right? UCLA's in April 9th, I am going to hold off until their open house to make a complete decision.

Anymore advice would be truly helpful.
 
Yeah - perhaps we met. Like I said, it seemed like a great program. The students didn't have any trouble lining up internships and the classes seemed interesting (although a bit weighted to the professional side rather than theory, which I think I would like).

It's a good idea to wait until after UCLA's open house. I'm waiting until after Harvard's to make any final decisions.

Let me know if you have any epiphanies relating to UCI in the meantime.
 
Seamus said:
Yeah - perhaps we met. Like I said, it seemed like a great program. The students didn't have any trouble lining up internships and the classes seemed interesting (although a bit weighted to the professional side rather than theory, which I think I would like).

It's a good idea to wait until after UCLA's open house. I'm waiting until after Harvard's to make any final decisions.

Let me know if you have any epiphanies relating to UCI in the meantime.
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I know a lot of current students from UCI's program and a few alumni. My current Supervisor is a UCLA alumni. I have a vast alumni base I can speak to about these things. I am talking to them as of now. A few will accompany me to visits to the campus. - I'll let you know.
 
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