<p>How is the public planning major at USC? seems very interesting to me with the different tracks you can choose (real estate development, urban planning, etc...) anybody know anything about it such as classes, instructors, competitiveness, job placement...?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Hey, I’m an incoming Spring Admit for Spring 2010 for SPPD and from what I can gather so far, it is AMAZING.
In terms of competitiveness of admission, it seems somewhat more competitive than the other schools from what they’ve told us. Anywhere from about 15-30 new students enter the school each year with many more internal transfers coming in throughout the year.
I like the school in that it has such a broad range of topics you can study and there are core classes that allow you to kind of test the waters so to speak.
They are also the only (correct me if I’m wrong) school on campus that has their own internal career services center and they have tonssss of internship opportunities.
In summary, if this is what you want to study, this is definitely the school to go to!</p>
<p>thanks for the response. any ideas about the actual classes competitiveness? i like the major, and the tracks themselves, but im worried about getting the job i want. i want to end up in the private sector, not public sector</p>
<p>There are a lot of options, career wise so don’t worry about that.
In terms of class competitiveness, I’m not sure, but I do know that class sizes are very small ranging anywhere from 15 to 30, with most classes around 20.</p>
<p>I’m a current PPD student. The major is pretty versatile, but note that it does concentrate on the public sector. Most PPD graduates end up working for real estate developers, non-profits, directors of hospitals and all branches of the government. </p>
<p>The admissions process still confuses me. It seems less competitive compared to Marshall and Annenberg. However, everyone who is admitted has a strong passion for the major. </p>
<p>The classes are almost always small. The course work is tedious, but manageable. The professors will know everyone’s names and provide EXCELLENT internship opportunities. </p>
<p>The program is growing and is acquiring leading professionals and researchers. If admitted, PLEASE get to know them. They will be a great benefit in this current job market.</p>
<p>thanks for the information the two of you. DJS3CA you said many work for real estate developers, wouldnt that be considered private, not public sector, jobs?</p>
<p>Yes, the real estate development track is an exception. My main complaint is that they don’t teach finance. Which is why I applied to Marshall as an internal transfer.</p>
<p>Oh another benefit, is that you can get your masters in one year with the progressive degree program. The PPD masters programs are highly ranked. </p>
<p>The school as a whole is ranked #7, above many top schools: Carnegie Mellon, Duke, U Chicago, Columbia, UCLA (of course), Cornell, Johns Hopkins, UPenn and Brown to name a few :)</p>
<p><a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/rankings/[/url]”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/rankings/</a></p>
<p>thanks for the info dj. i will be applying this time around as a transfer, and hopefully i get in</p>