ok so i am currently a freshman at a uc majoring in sociology. I plan on going to grad school for urban and regional planning. I know that Cal Poly Pomona has one of the best URP programs, where you can even become accredited with a bachelor’s degree. I really would like to go there, but because im at a uc and the classes i have already taken don’t really match up with csu classes, i was thinking about going to cc then applying. Is that too risky? or should i apply while in uc?
Not sure how far along you are but, I’d be shocked if you can’t find a parallel major at your UC. If not, ask around about designing your own major.
No offense to Urban Planning majors, but it is a more rare major because that is abnormally specific. You are only a freshman. You do not want to corner yourself into a field that severely this early one. Major in sociology, political science, etc. A double major would be beneficial as well. People think that having the same title on your bachelors as your future masters degree gives you an edge, but it doesn’t. Political science, Communications, even Theatre majors beat Business majors every year for spots in MBA programs.
Masters programs care about two things:
- Do you have a solid academic background to prepare you for this masters program?
- Do you have a competitive GPA?
They couldn’t care less what the title of your bachelors degree is. Any social science major will prepare you for an urban planning masters program. Please don’t jump schools for that reason.