I received the same Letter. I was going to ask the question because the most recently electronic email from Jennifer Choy states that the Letter will notify applicants whether or not you were nominated for merit-based awards. I am assuming that it means I was not awarded any merit-based grants.
It's still a great program to consider. I'm more concerned about living in LA.
Originally posted by tanpard
Hi guys! I am at undergrad at Rutgers, and I'm considering graduate study, which is why I browsed this forum. And now I can't get over this negativity towards New Brunswick!! I have been living in the city for the past four years, and I love living here! I don't think you should base your decision about whether or not to move to NB on whether or not it fits some new urbanist vision of what cities should look like. There are a lot of great things going on in this city, especially from a community development perspective. Elijah's Promise began as a soup kitchen and has evolved into a full scale social enterprise (http://www.elijahspromise.org/) with a lot of opportunities to volunteer and get involved. The New Brunswick Bike Exchange ( https://www.facebook.com/NewBrunswickBikeExchange ), created by Bloustein students, is working with people in the community to increase access of affordable bikes in the area. Better World Cafe (http://www.betterworldcafe.org/) in nearby Highland Park provides healthy food to people no matter what they can afford. Plus, we have a ton of great food, and the nightlife isn't bad either. There are a lot of bars/restaurants/places to eat from super trendy cocktails at Clydz (http://www.clydz.com/) to really upscale (http://www.frogandpeach.com/ has an excellent affordable happy hour) to your standard bar (http://www.tumultys.com/). Because the city is 50% Hispanic, with high populations of Oaxacan Mexican people, there are a lot of divey BYOB restaurants with amazing and inexpensive food (cinco de mayo and costa chica are my faves).
There is a big stock of historic housing in NB and Highland Park (HP), but most of this housing exists in single family houses which have been converted into multi-family homes. They tend to take the same shape inside as a lot of row houses. Some are kind of crappy, some have really solid construction and a lot of great details. But overall, they are SO MUCH CHEAPER than what it costs to live in many of the cities other top programs are located in. If you split an apartment with a few people and make a thorough search, you will find a good place for less than $500/month per person.
Plus, New Brunswick's history is absolutely fascinating. From its beginnings during the Revolutionary War, its time in the 19th century as a transportation hub, connecting the stagecoach from NYC to the ferry on the Delaware & Raritan Canal to its more recent history, where the city and Johnson & Johnson pioneered that kind of neoliberal public-private partnership development corporation which is so ubiquitous today (http://devco.org/).
Also, you have a ton of great connections by being associated with Rutgers. The train might cost $26 round trip, but you can buy discounted Coach USA bus tickets for $15 round trip at the Student Activity Center. What up! Plus, there is an extensive intracampus bus system, which makes it really easy to get from place to place. On campus outside the Bloustein school, there are a lot of amenities and events you have access to!
But if all else fails you can live in Brooklyn and commute like half of the Bloustein grad students I come across!!
I just received an email from Virginia Tech saying the admissions committee recommended my acceptance. Anyone else get this email? It was was addressed "Dear student" and didn't include any information about financial support or an open house. I will probably call and ask when/if they will award financial assistance.
I got the same thing and called UCLA. This means that you didn't get any merit aid or fellowships. I thought it was odd that they didn't say "sorry, you didn't receive any" either.
While I did want to go to UCLA (I'm a NJ resident and kind of wanted a change of pace), I was also given some pretty generous aid from Rutgers, so I will be attending Rutgers in the fall! Both are great schools, so I'm not too bummed about UCLA's lack of aid.
hey argunaw, can I ask what your generous aid was from Rutgers? I got some as well and trying to figure out if its good. Thanks!
Just sent you a contact request so I can message you that info.
dont see a contact request, new to this site, my email is
lizbieber (at) gmail.com
Moderator note:
(dan) Edited to prevent spambots.
I got the same email, probably at the same time. I interpret that to mean that we are both tentatively in, so any funding decision wouldn't come until it's a formal offer. At least that is my take on things. Still great news though!
Another new member here, but I've been reading the forums for quite a while now.
I'm deciding between Cornell and Columbia. I'm interested both in Urban Design as I am an architect and international planning because I'm from the Philippines.
I know that Cornell is a National Resource Center for South East Asian studies (does anyone know how significant that is?) and I've been reading that they have a great international planning program. I'm not really sure about their urban design strength, but I know that their undergrad architecture program is highly regarded. Columbia, however, I know is strong when it comes to design, and their location in new york city makes it more accessible to internship opportunities. The setback there is the cost of both studying and living in NYC.
Does anyone have thoughts on this? I'm trying to read up as much as I can in this forum and on grad cafe (and virtually the rest of the internet) about the two schools because I can't attend any of the open houses. So far I'm leaning towards Cornell, but any thoughs would be greatly appreciated.
I also got an email from Vatech and responded immediately asking about information on funding. They informed me that I could email Dr. Yang Zhang to discuss assistantship opportunities (there are a limited number) but that no one would find out what they would receive until sometime in April. The kicker is... they want your decision about enrollment by April 1st. I am devastated (...sarcasm) that I will have to chose between Cornell and UT Austin instead.
Now the real question... What does one wear to an open house at UT Austin?
I don't know anything about their planning program, but Cornell's Southeast Asian studies department is well-regarded. A lot of people say it's the best SEA studies dept in the US. Most top Indonesia experts were trained there.Another new member here, but I've been reading the forums for quite a while now.
I'm deciding between Cornell and Columbia. I'm interested both in Urban Design as I am an architect and international planning because I'm from the Philippines.
I know that Cornell is a National Resource Center for South East Asian studies (does anyone know how significant that is?) and I've been reading that they have a great international planning program. I'm not really sure about their urban design strength, but I know that their undergrad architecture program is highly regarded. Columbia, however, I know is strong when it comes to design, and their location in new york city makes it more accessible to internship opportunities. The setback there is the cost of both studying and living in NYC.
Does anyone have thoughts on this? I'm trying to read up as much as I can in this forum and on grad cafe (and virtually the rest of the internet) about the two schools because I can't attend any of the open houses. So far I'm leaning towards Cornell, but any thoughs would be greatly appreciated.
@Coin: I called Va Tech (Alexandria campus) after I received the acceptance email and asked when they will let us know whether or not they will provide financial support.The person (I'm not sure who it was) said they will contact anyone who receives an assistantship in the next few weeks but there are only a few available. Where did you hear about the April 1 deadline for accepting/declining? My email doesn't mention any deadline at all.
I have a decent offer from Rutgers so I'm not sweating it too much but, since I live in VA and VA Tech's tuition is so reasonably priced, it wouldn't take much to make VA Tech the most affordable option.
I replied to the graduate student coordinator and she told me all of that....
Hi everyone,
I hate to be that guy, but if any of you received an offer from Maryland with a GA position and have no intention of accepting, could you kindly decline? I realize its still early on, but I've learned that I'm on a very short waitlist for an assistantship. If I get it, I could easily turn down more expensive offers from other schools and free up that $ for others.
Thanks!
I did that last week. Best of luck in getting the position!Hi everyone,
I hate to be that guy, but if any of you received an offer from Maryland with a GA position and have no intention of accepting, could you kindly decline? I realize its still early on, but I've learned that I'm on a very short waitlist for an assistantship. If I get it, I could easily turn down more expensive offers from other schools and free up that $ for others.
Thanks!
Another point for Cornell right there, thanks! I was glad that one of the professors in the international planning concentration who emailed me has done a lot of work about and in Indonesia.
Anyone else considering Portland State? I won't be able to make it to Welcome Day which is a bummer
No but seriously. What is the dress code for open houses? I don't want to be unprofessional but I also don't want to overdress and look like a pretentious asshole.
I'd say that biz casual is appropriate.
Thanks! Good luck in the fall!
Well I just got formally accepted into Georgia Tech (although I knew I was admitted for some time), and plan on attending the open house April 5th. Anyone else doing the same? Congratulations in advance on acceptance.
Did anyone apply or is planning to apply to the Atkinson-Tetreault scholarship at Cornell? I know a few of you were invited to (or does everyone get invited?)
I just sent mine in.
I'm considering Portland State, and am going to their Open House from DC. Deciding between Georgia Tech and PSU.
I am also admitted to IDG, DUSP!! Hopefully meet you guys this fall.
I'm a first-year transportation student at Rutgers now and love the school. Some thoughts:
1) Strong alum program, especially in DC-NYC corridor
2) Great career services
3) New Brunswick is actually a cool place. Plenty of bars, restaurants, 2 theaters, a nice downtown supermarket, reasonable living cost, walkable...
4) Pucher is teaching two courses next semester. Definitely take his seminar on walking and cycling.
5) The value of a Rutgers planning degree, especially for what you pay, is tough to beat.
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