Prospective #BUCPUA students flock to BU MET College Open House

Prof. Dutta-Koehler (L) and James Belmore (M) discuss Program benefits at the MET Open House
Prof. Dutta-Koehler (L) and James Belmore (M) discuss Program benefits at the MET Open House.

Prospective graduate students spent a dynamic Saturday morning engaging students, alumni, and faculty from the BU City Planning and Urban Affairs (BUCPUA) program. The BU Metropolitan College hosted a graduate-level open house on Saturday, July 30, providing an ideal forum to discover the vast opportunities afforded through a Master of City Planning or Urban Affairs degree.

Tim Corcoran, who received his business management degree from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, is seeking to further his current interests in real estate development through a master of city planning degree.

“Attending the open house greatly increased my interest in the Master of City Planning Program at Boston University.  I really enjoyed meeting and talking with the BU City Planning and Urban Affairs team, specifically Professor Dutta-Koehler.  I am eager to experience what this program has to offer, especially if I can pursue a Real Estate Certificate in connection with a masters degree,” shared Corcoran.

Prof. Dutta-Koehler, Tim Corcoran, Ruben Ceron, and Courtney Thraen discuss opportunities in various planning fields.
(L to R) Prof. Dutta-Koehler, Tim Corcoran, Ruben Ceron, and Courtney Thraen discuss different fields of city planning.

Alumni James Belmore offered advice to prospective students at the open house.  Belmore holds of Master of Urban Affairs degree and works in the City of Boston’s Transportation Department.  “Meeting with prospective students allows me to share my experience and help them focus on a course of study that aligns with their career aspirations,” said Belmore.

During the open house, prospective students described their academic and professional aspirations, along with the passions and stories underlying these ambitions.   Students also learned about the certificate programs offered alongside the masters degree programs, including the Applied Sustainability Certificate.   The BU City Planning and Urban Affairs Program team has maintained contact with these students through ongoing program updates and tailored academic advising.

“Attending MET’s Graduate Open House was a very nice experience to meet people interested in pursuing a degree in the urban planning field.  Personally, it was very satisfactory to provide information and tips to participants inquiring about the Program.  More specifically, it was great to tell them about our #BUCPUA student club: the Urban Planning Association, including its purpose and plans for the upcoming academic year. I even became a friend with an architect from Colombia, Ruben Ceron, who is now preparing to apply for admission to the Master of Urban Affairs Program. We have been in contact, and it has been very fulfilling to share my experiences in the program with him,” shared Luis Quintanilla (MET’17), President of the Urban Planning Association and a candidate in the Master of City Planning Program.

To learn more about the degree programs offered through the BU City Planning and Urban Affairs Program, visit www.bu.edu/cityplanning.

 

– Courtney Thraen (MET’17)