Graduate School

The Best Reasons to Go to Grad School in Planning
As the 2016 admission season winds down, thoughts turn to the 2017 application process. For students considering the idea, there are several good reasons to attend graduate school in 2017, and a few that may cause problems later.
Summer Reading for Graduate Students: 2013 Edition
What should graduate students read the summer before entering planning school? For those with some time on their hands the following suggestions can help provide direction.

Graduating Into the Workplace: Perspectives from Recent Planning Grads
As a new cohort of young planners prepares to enter the field, more than a dozen recent graduates share their insights on how to make the most of a planning education and navigate one of the most challenging job environments in recent memory.

How Much do GREs Matter for Graduate School in Planning?
If you are applying to graduate school in planning, how much do GREs matter? Like many things in planning the answer varies with the person and program. Below I provide some general advice.

Breadth and Depth in Planning Education
A frequent query I receive from students is whether they should focus on gaining a broad understanding of many aspects of planning and places or if they should focus on one topic in depth. This is an important question.
Obtaining Letters of Reference for Graduate School in Planning
<p> <span><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">I’ve had a lot of students ask me recently about who should write a letter of reference as they apply to graduate school. I have a policy on my own web site stating when I will <a href="http://www.annforsyth.net/forstudents.html#ReferenceLetters" target="_blank">write a letter</a> but there are more general principles that hold across many faculty members and programs.</span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small"> </span></span> </p>
Applying to Graduate School in Planning: Writing a Good Statement of Purpose
<p class="MsoNormal"> Summer is the time to start thinking about graduate school applications typically due in the late fall and early spring. Previous blogs have looked at how to investigate<a href="/node/38163" target="_blank"> if planning is for you</a>, find the <a href="/27243" target="_blank">right</a> program, <a href="/26388" target="_blank">apply</a>, and <a href="/22992" target="_blank">decide</a> which offer to take up. This blog looks in more detail at the statement of purpose or letter of intent, an important part of the application packet. The following tips will help you craft a compelling statement: </p>
City of Mt Shasta
McKenna
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
Cohousing Association of the US
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Rail~Volution
Sun City Center Community Association, Inc
City of Mesa
Town of Gilbert, Arizona
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.