Advice on picking schools: Georgia Tech v. Portland State

[TransPlannerHopeful]

Hey Cyburbians -

I've used this forum as a great learning tool and advice column for grad school apps and now I have to make decisions. I got into Georgia Tech and PSU, and want to do transportation planning (focusing on Smart Growth, bike/ped, livability issues) with a dual degree in Transportation Engineering (to have a leg-up on technical skills and another angle to view the planning field).

I am originally from Philadelphia, and did my undergrad at Emory with majors in History and Political Science... so I am pretty familiar with the Atlanta area. I think both programs are really strong, but I know that GTech's engineering school is pretty unbeatable. I visited Tech and was really impressed with the faculty and program. My only hesitation with picking GTech is that I'd like to experience a new city. I am impressed with PDX's faculty, their progressive research, and the urban test bed that is Portland. Neither school has given me funding, though I hear that both programs have co-op structures and opportunities to work for tuition/stipend once I am enrolled. Money isn't too big a factor for me. I am doing my research on various jobs and projects in PDX that interest me, and what the market may look like in the Pacific Northwest once I graduate. I will be going to the Open House in a couple weeks to get more of a feel.

I know that where you go matters in terms of the network you build in that area, and I don't want to be limited to the Southeast were I to go to GTech. So in the end... is location over "prestige" an unwise decision? Could anyone give me advice on the pros/cons of picking either school? I really appreciate it! I have some key questions:

1. Does "prestige"/rankings matter for planning school, or for engineering school (given that I do not have a Bachelors in engineering?)
2. Does location determine where you may be employed after graduation?
3. Does either school have a national and international scope?
4. All things comparable, what is the deciding factor in picking a grad school, and what legacy does it give you for the span of your career?

Thank you!!

[mike gurnee]

A degree from GT will not limit you geographically. Hopefully you can get in-state tuition. My first jobs after leaving Tech were in the SE, out of personal choice. I have had interviews everywhere except the west, again a personal preference.

[anthrus]

For what it is worth, my planning friend runs his own planning shop, and his business partner lives in Portland. He strongly advised me against going anywhere near the Pacific Northwest. In his view, the Pacific Northwest was such a well planned region, and so popular with planning students that the area is saturated with unemployed planners.

That said, this is only a secondhand opinion. I have nothing other than anecdotal evidence to back this up, and indeed, I know nothing about the Pacific Northwest. But I trust my friend, and have stayed away from that region on my own search.

[kjel]

If transportation engineering is going to be an emphasis that you want to focus on then GTech is your better option. I believe you would probably qualify for in state tuition-you say that money doesn't matter....but it will someday

Take rankings and prestige with a grain of salt, they might do you some favors initially but then again they might not. What's important is that you are in a program that will provide you with what you want to get out of it.

I'm originally from Portland, did spend some time at PSU as an undergrad but ultimately graduated from a university in South Carolina and came to grad school in New Jersey. I wouldn't say that either school is geographically too limiting but job opportunities are increasingly reliant upon one's professional and personal network which may or may not be geographically limiting.

Oregon has always had unemployment/underemployment that's slightly above the national averages. Given that it's turned into a mecca for young, educated professionals much like Austin, TX...I am sure that it's probably experiencing a bit of a glut at the moment.

[TransPlannerHopeful]

Thanks so much for the insight! Would you say that ranking or "prestige" of the school counts for more than the research and work done by faculty, and how that aligns with interest? I am trying to gauge "best fit", especially when I go to visit schools and want to know what to look for in a future program. Thanks!

[nkobel]

I came to Portland seeking "planning experience" to better inform my graduate studies. I moved here in August 2012 (had been searching for jobs since March 2012), and have had very bad luck. I got a job at Chipotle for a month, but they fired me for taking an interview with another company. I had four interviews for cool jobs in Portland (GIS Analyst, Infographic Designer, Data Analyst, Engineering Intern). None of them worked out. I decided that I couldn't wait any longer to go to grad school, since there were no opportunities to better inform my studies, so I applied to UW, PSU, and UMich. I finally became employed at Starbucks in February, then at a CPA office shredding paper, and finally last week I secured two positions where I will actually use my skills, experience, and degree! (Patting self on back...)

I heard back and was accepted to all three schools, so I'll be seeing you at PSU's Open House!

Greg Schrock replied to an email I sent, and he said almost 90% of PSU graduates (2007-2011) work in the planning field (also, look here http://www.pdx.edu/usp/basic-facts-a...e-murp-program). 400 hours of internship work is required, and PSU works with local and regional organizations to help students find internships. To me, this seems to suggest that you would be well-connected (read networked) to professionals in the Pacific Northwest. I also spoke with a PSU graduate in person, and she works for the Portland Development Commission (PDC) as an urban planner, but not doing the typical things you might expect. TL;DR I have been told to go to school in the area you want to live in, because that's where you'll make the needed planning connections, learn the laws of that state or area, etc.

As for "prestige," I feel you kind of. I'm not sure what to think, but I know that PSU has a generally highly regarded MURP program - I can't speak for any of their other graduate or undergraduate programs.

For international programs, Prof Schrock pointed me here, btw: http://oregonabroad.ous.edu/index.html

PS - You probably know PSU has a grad cert in Transportation, right? http://www.cts.pdx.edu/gradcert.php

[Dharmster]

I finished the dual degree program in transporation engineering back in 1997. It was and still is one of the top dual degree programs in transporation in the country (the others being Berkeley and MIT). I don't think GT degree will restrict you geographically because while PSU is well known in planning, GT has a worldwide reputation. Sure most alumni stay in Georgia, but that's because GT was until recently the only planning program in Georgia so the opportunities to advance are greatest in Georgia. As a datapoint, I had no problems getting a job offer in the Washington DC area before graduation and there are many GT planning grads in the DC/MD/VA (more than anywhere but GA and FL).

[TransPlannerHopeful]

Thanks so much for the advice! I've heard people say that a CE isn't so necessary to be involved with transpo. Would you say getting the dual was helpful for you?

[Dharmster]

Without a doubt, the dual degree was helpful.

Would you say getting the dual was helpful for you?

[kjel]

Thanks so much for the insight! Would you say that ranking or "prestige" of the school counts for more than the research and work done by faculty, and how that aligns with interest? I am trying to gauge "best fit", especially when I go to visit schools and want to know what to look for in a future program. Thanks!

No. The research and work done by faculty and your ability to learn or participate as a part of that research is more valuable than just a ranking.

Pretend that rankings don't exist, which program would be a better fit for you and your end goal? Go there.