A few questions to ask regarding the GRE - Cyburbia Forums

mckinnonn08 · 2010-07-29, 10:01 PM

I'm a rising junior at East Carolina University majoring in Urban and Regional Planning with a minor in economics. I have a GPA of 3.3, with a planning GPA of 3.75

I have a few questions to ask.

When Should I take the GRE?
I have been contemplating when to take it, and I'm not sure to in November, or wait until January.

Would a minor in economics help?
I am currently minoring in economics, and have a GPA of 3.5 in this subject area. Would this help or hurt my chances of getting a job?

What kind of experience should I have at this point?
I have a few classes under my belt, environmental planning, planning theory, and GIS, also an introduction class. I got 3 A's, and a B in enviromental planning, what kind of experience can I get with few classes under my belt?

When should I apply to graduate school, is it worth it, and in the south, what schools are the best?
Should I apply to graduate school during the summer between junior and senior year, like I did for college? Is it really worth it to pursue a masters degree in this field, I have heard some conflcting opinions on this...I might get a joint degree with an MBA, or MPA, or maybe even law. What schools in the south are good? UNC, Ga Tech, Clemson are the three I'm looking at now.

Thanks for the help.

nrschmid · 2010-07-29, 10:06 PM

Do you have any planning internships or similar experience?

Hink_Planner · 2010-07-30, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mckinnonn08

When Should I take the GRE?
I have been contemplating when to take it, and I'm not sure to in November, or wait until January.

Why are you taking the GRE? Do you know which schools you want to attend? Many schools do not require this if you have the grades. I took it just to see how I would do, my MCRP program did not require it. Extremely pointless test.

Quote:

Originally posted by mckinnonn08

Would a minor in economics help?
I am currently minoring in economics, and have a GPA of 3.5 in this subject area. Would this help or hurt my chances of getting a job?

Sure. So would a minor in political science, a minor in GIS, and a minor in english. Planners use all kinds of knowledge. Do what you like. If you like economics, go for it. It isn't going to make you less marketable.

Quote:

Originally posted by mckinnonn08

What kind of experience should I have at this point?
I have a few classes under my belt, environmental planning, planning theory, and GIS, also an introduction class. I got 3 A's, and a B in enviromental planning, what kind of experience can I get with few classes under my belt?

Honestly, experience is more important to me than grades. I obviously want to see that you aren't just skidding by, but if you can show me you have produced I would much rather see that. Like nrschmid said I would be looking to get real world experience as soon as you can with internships, volunteer work, and shadowing.

Quote:

Originally posted by mckinnonn08

When should I apply to graduate school, is it worth it, and in the south, what schools are the best?
Should I apply to graduate school during the summer between junior and senior year, like I did for college? Is it really worth it to pursue a masters degree in this field, I have heard some conflcting opinions on this...I might get a joint degree with an MBA, or MPA, or maybe even law. What schools in the south are good? UNC, Ga Tech, Clemson are the three I'm looking at now.

This has been argued ad nauseum here, and many will fight for both sides. I continue to believe that more education makes you more marketable.

In terms of what is worth it, that is only for you to decide. What do you want to do with your life? I know that I am considering getting an MPA even though I already have an MCRP. If for no other reason than my employer will pay for a large portion of it, and it will help me make myself more marketable in the future. All schools are good - it just depends on your criteria. Good luck!!

mckinnonn08 · 2010-07-30, 05:50 PM

I am taking the GRE because all of the schools I will consider applying to in the future (Clemson, GT, UNC are the most likely)...require the GRE to my knowledge. I think it's important to have a masters degree in planning because many employers I would seem to know would be requiring at least the masters degree.

I might try specializing in something different than a planning degree, considering a dual degree program, such as an MBA or MPA.

I do have some connections, more than likely as slow city town near where I live and I can talk to him (he is the mayor pro-tem of a town not far from me).

2010-07-29, 10:01 PM	#1
mckinnonn08 Member Registered: Jul 2010 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 2	A few questions to ask regarding the GRE I'm a rising junior at East Carolina University majoring in Urban and Regional Planning with a minor in economics. I have a GPA of 3.3, with a planning GPA of 3.75 I have a few questions to ask. When Should I take the GRE? I have been contemplating when to take it, and I'm not sure to in November, or wait until January. Would a minor in economics help? I am currently minoring in economics, and have a GPA of 3.5 in this subject area. Would this help or hurt my chances of getting a job? What kind of experience should I have at this point? I have a few classes under my belt, environmental planning, planning theory, and GIS, also an introduction class. I got 3 A's, and a B in enviromental planning, what kind of experience can I get with few classes under my belt? When should I apply to graduate school, is it worth it, and in the south, what schools are the best? Should I apply to graduate school during the summer between junior and senior year, like I did for college? Is it really worth it to pursue a masters degree in this field, I have heard some conflcting opinions on this...I might get a joint degree with an MBA, or MPA, or maybe even law. What schools in the south are good? UNC, Ga Tech, Clemson are the three I'm looking at now. Thanks for the help.

2010-07-29, 10:06 PM	#2
nrschmid Cyburbian Registered: Dec 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 2,025	Do you have any planning internships or similar experience? __________________ "This is great, honey. What's the crunchy stuff?" "M&Ms. I ran out of paprika." Family Guy

2010-07-30, 05:50 PM	#4
mckinnonn08 Member Registered: Jul 2010 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 2	I am taking the GRE because all of the schools I will consider applying to in the future (Clemson, GT, UNC are the most likely)...require the GRE to my knowledge. I think it's important to have a masters degree in planning because many employers I would seem to know would be requiring at least the masters degree. I might try specializing in something different than a planning degree, considering a dual degree program, such as an MBA or MPA. I do have some connections, more than likely as slow city town near where I live and I can talk to him (he is the mayor pro-tem of a town not far from me).

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