Decision conundrum: Ball St. vs UNO

[SWVA]

Ok, so I've pared down my decision on Grad School to Ball St and UNO and am having trouble choosing one over the other.

Ball State gave me a full assistantship, which waives tuition and gives me a ~$7000 stipend. UNO gave me two scholarships that would cover tuition and their assistantships are still pending.

I visited both schools during their open house and like the faculty at both schools, though I think the facilities at Ball State are nicer than than they are at UNO.

I would be focusing on preservation planning at Ball State; at UNO, I could focus on both preservation planning and transportation planning, which could benefit me in the long term.

Muncie's a real downer for Ball State, especially when compared to a place like New Orleans, though it is fairly close to Indy and not too far from Chicago and Cincy and is a cheaper place to live. And its not like New Orleans doesn't have its own problems to deal with (though some of those problems could lead to interesting planning discussions and projects).

Ball State seems to have the better internship program and actively help their students get one (an internship is required), while UNO didn't seem to focus very much on internships (though they do have their on site transportation institute, which could be an option).

Both programs are the only programs in their respective states, which should help in regards to employment. They're both similar in size, and both programs are most often completed in 2yrs.


Am I missing anything? Is one program more highly regarded than the other?

It just feels like I'm going to be splitting hairs to make this decision

[Hink]

You will find that many Ball State Alums frequent these forums. I think we would all vote Ball State. Good luck on your decision

[JNA]

You will find that many Ball State Alums frequent these forums. I think we would all vote Ball State. Good luck on your decision

That is true and they will.

[NHPlanner]

That is true and they will.

Yes, we will.

Seriously though, Muncie aside, BSU was a great experience and education, at a fraction of the cost I could have spent by staying in-state here in NH. Their community based projects and internship requirements led to the start of my career in the late 90's.

[Gedunker]

Another BSU alum here. I have nothing bad to say about UNO, but aside from Muncie, BSU has all the advantages you and others have mentioned. I would just add that the students in CAP seem to have a really good rapport, whether they be archies, planners, landscapers, or preservationists. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you choose.

[Whose Yur Planner]

An IU grad here. Muncie is a pit and in Central Indiana with all the crappy weather especially in the winter. Indianapolis does not compare to NOLA. NOLA, well, NOLA is NOLA. If you want to work in an urban environment, then NOLA will give you a jump start in the direction. It boils down what you ultimately want to do.

[SWVA]

Thanks all!

I'm still waiting to hear back about assistantships from UNO, but I need to make my decision there by Monday, so if they don't get back to me before then, I'll be Ball St. bound. If they do get back to me, then its back to square one.

[dandy_warhol]

UNO! UNO! UNO! I attended UNO from 2004-2006 and my life has never been the same. If the rest of my world wasn't in the Northeast then I easily would've stayed in NOLA. In fact Hubby and I were married there in 2011.

If you are interested at ALL in preservation planning you need to be in NOLA. UNO may not require an internship but a lot of the faculty work in planning in NOLA & Louisiana (and Papua New Guinea!) so have a huge network of which they are more than willing to share with you. Some of the adjunct offer paying positions as well. Planning in Louisiana is a very small world and if you are at all interested in staying and working in NOLA then the people you will meet and projects you will work on at UNO is the only way to go.

I had a GA at UNO and worked on some really interested environmental planning projects. Think zooming around the wetlands in an airboat. And they paid me to do it!

Life is short. Go out and enjoy it. And there is no better place to do that than UNO!

[SWVA]

Just heard back from UNO regarding assistantships, and apparently most of their assistantships take place in outside agencies and firms, which require an extended process involving phone interviews and other selection processes.

This sounds like it could be a great experience, but its not guaranteed.

Ball St.'s assistantship would likely involve me aiding a faculty member in his/her research, which also could be a great experience depending on what it is, and it is a guaranteed offer.

Decisions, decisions.

Do I follow the adage "one in the hand is worth two in the bush" or do I take the chance at getting something that could be more beneficial long term?

[dandy_warhol]

Just heard back from UNO regarding assistantships, and apparently most of their assistantships take place in outside agencies and firms, which require an extended process involving phone interviews and other selection processes.

This sounds like it could be a great experience, but its not guaranteed.

Ball St.'s assistantship would likely involve me aiding a faculty member in his/her research, which also could be a great experience depending on what it is, and it is a guaranteed offer.

Decisions, decisions.

Do I follow the adage "one in the hand is worth two in the bush" or do I take the chance at getting something that could be more beneficial long term?

If you're looking to work outside of academia then I would vote for UNO. Helping faculty with research can be very interesting and rewarding but when it comes time to get hired do you think an employer would prefer someone who has his/her name on a paper or someone who has some real world experience?

[Hink]

Ball State, Ball State, Ball State.


*Only because Dandy is pushing so hard for UNO. (which may I note is also a card game...)

[dandy_warhol]

Ball State, Ball State, Ball State.


*Only because Dandy is pushing so hard for UNO. (which may I note is also a card game...)

While I was down there I got a t-shirt that reads, "UNEAUX". It is fun watching people's faces as they try to figure that one out.

[DetroitPlanner]

Ball State. I hear that they are going to open up "The David Letterman College of Geography and Urban Studies" soon.

[nrschmid]

Ball State. I am very impressed with their planning program overall. If I would have done it all over again, I would have attended that program instead of UIUC (and probably a BLA instead of a BAUP).

[SWVA]

Thanks for all the input guys!

I committed to Ball State last week. And even though it was a very tough decision, I think I made the right one.