Diversity Mentor Program

The Masters of Urban and Regional Planning Program at Portland State University is committed to increasing the ethnic, cultural and economic diversity of each admitted class.

With the support of faculty, current and former graduate students volunteer to provide assistance with the application process to prospective students of color and students who represent communities underrepresented in the field of planning. This network of student volunteers provide support by:

• Providing individual application advising
• Proofreading final drafts of applicant's Statements of Intent
• Answering questions about the curriculum and MURP degree program

Current Students & Alumni:

http://www.pdx.edu/usp/studentexperience.html

Scholarships for Minorities in Planning

http://www.planning.org/institutions/scholarship.htm

MURP Student Groups: http://www.pdx.edu/usp/clubs.html

PSU Student Groups: http://web.pdx.edu/~salp/groups_display.php?group_type=4

PSU's Diversity Initiative: http://diversity.pdx.edu/students.php

College of Urban and Public Affairs Social Equity and Opportunity Forum: http://www.pdx.edu/cupa/seof.html

Community Planning Resources

American Planning Association

Application Instructions:

1. E-mail mvanzerr@pdx.com with the following information about yourself:
(Note: Please put Diversity Mentor Program in the subject line of the email.)

Name

E-mail address

Phone number

City and State of Residence

Specialization(s) your considering

A brief paragraph explaining your relevant professional background/ work experience

Cultural/racial background preferences for a peer advisor (i.e. similar interests, similar geographic region, similar background)

2. If you have specific questions or concerns about the application process, the curriculum, or the MURP degree, you are welcome to include them in the body of your email. Diversity Mentor Program volunteers are happy to answer general questions about careers in planning or the graduate program at PSU.

3. If you have a draft of your Statement of Intent that you would like to be reviewed for feedback, please attach it to your email as a Word document. If you have not yet completed a Statement of Intent, volunteers are happy to provide general guidance for getting started.
A current graduate student volunteer will contact you within a week of receiving your request. Please keep in mind that this service is being offered by students on a voluntary basis, and that you are also encouraged to seek assistance in your own personal or professional or networks. Though we want to extend our support to you in the application process, participation in the Diversity Mentor Program is not a guarantee of admission to Portland State University. We also encourage you to share this resource with friends and colleagues, and invite them to contact us.

Below are some helpful links for a head start on the application process:

Statement of Purpose Writing Tips: http://www.statementofpurpose.com/
Professional Writing Tips: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Best of luck!