City & Regional Planning Frequently Asked Questions

Browse the questions below and click the plus sign or the question to see the answer.

For more information, contact : crp@coa.gatech.edu

Application Questions

How do I apply online?

You can access the online application from the Institute Graduate Studies website at http://www.grad.gatech.edu/ 

Where do I send my biography and letters of recommendation?

Graduate Admissions
631 Cherry Street
318 Savant Building
Atlanta, GA 30332-0321

Where do I send my transcript(s), application fee and residency form?

Graduate Admissions
631 Cherry Street
318 Savant Building
Atlanta, GA 30332-0321

What is your admission deadline?

We review files in batches as they become complete throughout the spring. To be competitive for a graduate research assistantship, you should have your materials complete by March 1st.

Test Score (GRE/TOEFL) Questions

What is the City & Regional Planning Program’s minimum GRE requirement?

There is no strict minimum requirements. Generally, we are looking for scores above 500 on each of the first two components of the general GRE (verbal and quantitative) and a minimum of 4.5 on the analytic section. Students with higher scores (600+) are more competitive for graduate research assistantships.

Where do I report the GRE score?

When you register for the exam, choose the department code 4402 for City and Regional Planning and 5248 for Georgia Tech. This should ensure that the score is accessible online in the Program Office and doesn’t get misrouted to Architecture, Civil Engineering, or some other department; thus, delaying the completion of review of your file.

Where do I report the TOEFL score?

When you register for the exam, choose the department code 97 for City and Regional Planning and 5248 for Georgia Tech. This should ensure that the score report is accessible online in the Program Office and doesn’t get misrouted to Architecture, Civil Engineering, or some other department; thus, delaying the completion of review of your file.

What is the minimum TOEFL requirement for City & Regional Planning?

The minimum TOEFL score is 600 on the paper-based exam or 250 on the computer-based exam. Applicants with a minimum score of 630 (or 265 computer-based exam) will be more competitive for Graduate Research Assistantships.

Financial Aid Questions

Is there any need-based financial aid available to me through the City & Regional Planning Program?

For need-based aid, we encourage you to contact the Financial Aid Office at http://www.enrollment.gatech.edu/finaid/. All of the resources our program has available to it are allocated based on merit, not need.

I’m a minority U.S. Citizen. Is there another source of aid for me?

The American Planning Association offers Planning Fellowship awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for African-American, Hispanic, or Native American students who are citizens of the United States and enrolled in an approved Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) graduate planning program. For further information and an application, see  http://www.planning.org/institutions/scholarship.htm

Graduate Assistantship Questions

What is the deadline for  graduate assistantship consideration?

To maximize your Graduate Research Assistantship opportunities, your file should be complete by March 1st.

How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?

There is no separate application. On the regular application (question 14.f), all you need to do is indicate that you wish to be considered for financial assistance and we will consider you for a graduate  assistantship. All decisions for graduate assistantship support are based on merit, not need.

When will I be notified that I have received a graduate assistantship?

We award Program-funded  graduate assistantships as we review files for admission. Therefore, you will receive an offer letter along with your admission letter. In some instances, additional funds may become available to award at a later date. In this case, selected students would receive a separate offer letter.

How long will I have to accept or decline a  graduate assistantship offer?

You will generally have until April 15th (as required by the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Trainees and Assistants) or three weeks after the date of your offer letter, whichever is later. It is possible to get an extension of this time, under unusual circumstances.

What types of  graduate assistantships are available?

There are essentially three types of graduate assistantships: (1) Program-funded  graduate assistantships, which are funded by the City & Regional Planning Program; (2) Sponsored Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA’s), which are funded through research projects with faculty; and (3) GRA/Co-ops, which are funded by outside planning organizations.

What is the graduate assistantship  stipend?

The 2006-2007 GRA stipend is $2479.72 per semester or $4,959.45 for the Academic Year.

If I’m awarded a graduate assistantship, how will I be paid?

For a full year award, you will be paid in 10 installments (1/2 check + 8 full check + ½ check). A full check is $551.05.  You will be  paid at the end of each month of the semester.

I’m a resident of Georgia. What tuition break does the  graduate assistantship provide for me?

With a graduate assistantship, the student is only responsible for the fees plus $25 of the tuition per semester. For AY 2006-2007, the fee amount is $517 per semester or $1034 for the year.  Adding in the $50 for tuition for the year, your total owed would be $542 per semester or $1084 for the year.  The remainder of your tuition, $2268 per semester or $4536 for the academic year, is covered by your assistantship.

I’m a non-Georgia resident, what tuition break does the graduate assistantship provide for me?

Whether you are a Georgia resident or not, with a graduate assistantship you pay the same tuition rate. With a graduate assistantship, the student is only responsible for the fees plus $25 of the tuition per semester. For AY 2006-2007, the fee amount is $517 per semester or $1034 for the year.  Adding in the $50 for tuition for the year, your total owed would be $542 per semester or $1084 for the year.  For out of state students, this tuition coverage amounts to a savings of $9,580 in tuition per semester or $19,160 for the academic year (see amounts above).

Are International students eligible for graduate assistantships?

Yes, they are eligible for all types of graduate assistantships, including GRA/Co-ops. 

International Student I-20 Form Questions

What are your financial requirements for international students for their I-20 forms?

All International applicants must show that they are able to fund their first year of study. Our graduate office estimates that a minimal budget for year of study (including housing, living expenses, transportation, books, incidental expenses, etc.) is $33,112.

How do I show financial support for my international student I-20 form?

Before we can issue an I-20, you must send an official sealed statement indicating that you have $33,112 USD ($13,954  USDfor students awarded a GRA) available from your bank. If you are being supported by a sponsor (family member, government entity, etc.), the sponsor must provide a letter indicating a willingness to use these funds toward your education.  Please mail these documents to:
Graduate Admissions
631 Cherry Street
318 Savant Building
Atlanta, GA 30332-0321

Other Questions

Is the City & Regional Planning Program accredited?

Yes, we are accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), the specialized accrediting organization for a professional planning education.

How can I compare this program to other accredited programs in the United States?

You can order a publication called the Guide to Undergraduate and Graduate Education in Urban and Regional Planning published by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) from the Planners‘ Bookstore on the American Planning Association Website under APA Store; Planners’ Book Service. You can also go directly to the ACSP website listing of accredited schools. 

I am unsure whether I want to pursue a planning career. Where can I go to learn more about what that entails?

There is information on the APA website (http://www.planning.org/careers/  ) and in the ACSP Guide mentioned above.