Hi, I am an aspiring planner and I would really appreciate any insight into how to choose a masters program.

I've been accepted at Cal Poly, UCLA, Cornell, PSU, and UIChicago. I'd like to do environmental planning (hopefully specifically related to water resource management). UIC has offered me a great deal (are they generally more generous?) so that is a big factor to consider. I'm from Portland originally and would like to live on the West Coast in the future. Suggestions?

Any environmental planners out there with tips?
Any current or former UIC grads-- what's with the classes being offered in the evenings? Also, did you have room with the core reqs to pursue your interests? (I'd like to take a couple classes outside the dept in stats and hydrology if possible)

Thanks for any help you can give. This is going to be a stressful week with decisions due on the 15th..eek!