<p>Seems like a funny question, I know. I'm currently attended UT-Austin and am on the path to graduate with two degrees, a BA in Plan II Honors and a BS in Marketing. Many people probably haven't heard of Plan II, but it's a great honors major that I love and UT's undergrad marketing program is ranked third in the country (or at least it was last year, I haven't checked recently).</p>
<p>I have a guaranteed transfer option to Cornell, where I'd major in Industrial and Labor Relations. I absolutely love this major, but I've had several people tell me (from both schools) that Plan II is probably more academically enriching and prestigious. </p>
<p>What would you do? Can anyone offer insight on which is a better program (ILR or Plan II)?</p>
<p>Why are you so interested in ILR? Additionally, what would your finances be like, and do you intend to reside in Texas after graduating or do you want to explore living in other areas of the country?</p>
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Besides, there's the weather thing and Austin v. Ithaca......
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<p>There are very compelling reasons to explore other areas of the country, not the least of which is learning to love the beauty of four seasons. And Austin is a larger city than Ithaca, but Ithaca can more than stand on its own merits.</p>
<p>^^ Look, I like Cornell! I just don't see a good reason to leave UT. He's not making a choice of where to apply or where to go as a freshman. UT and Austin have a lot to offer and there's no real reason to pick up and go to Cornell.</p>
<p>If you're happy where you are there's little reason to get up and leave, if you ask me. I don't know anything about Plan II but would love a link (I'm lazy) to read about it.</p>
<p>This depends on where you want to go post-graduation. I am sure that UT enjoys name recognition and a strong alumni network in the south, but Cornell will open up doors in other parts of the country that UT would not.</p>
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UT and Austin have a lot to offer and there's no real reason to pick up and go to Cornell.
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<p>If you noticed, I didn't exactly come to this conclusion. In fact, my opinion is still out until my questions are answered. If finances are not a consideration, and, for instance, the OP has a burning desire to take classes in organizational behavior and wants to work as a consultant in NYC, then the GT should probably be seriously considered.</p>
<p>Both Austin and Ithaca are fantastic places.</p>
<p>When do you have to decide? It would probably be worth a trip to Ithaca to see. In April colleges will be having accepted student dog-and-pony shows for potential Freshman in which you could partake.</p>
<p>Since you are undecided, the decision undoubtedly hinges upon how pulchritudinous are the students in comparison to UT, which is best evaluated in person, and doesn't augur well for Cornell.</p>
<p>Austin is a lot more interesting of a city than Ithaca. It's the state capitol, it has a vibrant music scene and incredible support of UT's athletics. It's also a better climate.
I think Cornell as a school has some advantages over UT for sure, but cold Ithaca in the middle of nowhere v. Austin is no contest.</p>
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Austin is a lot more interesting of a city than Ithaca. It's the state capitol, it has a vibrant music scene and incredible support of UT's athletics. It's also a better climate.
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<p>Great. And that's your opinion. Not the truth. </p>
<p>In my opinion, Ithaca is a more interesting place than Austin, which quickly devolves into an exurban dystopia once you get more than a mile away from the UT campus. You need a car to get anywhere away from campus away from downtown.</p>
<p>I'm not certain what your definition is of a "better climate", but it's certainly not mine. I wanted to attend a school where I would be able to ski and snowshoe with ease during the winter, and enjoy the change of all four seasons. I don't think Austin can offer that.</p>
<p>And Cornell can't compete in terms of Big 12 football, but our hockey team makes a lot of excitement on campus from November through March (and April, if we are so lucky.)</p>
<p>While Austin may have better Mexican food, Ithaca has a better all-around food scene with fantastic locally sourced restaurants, a great farmer's market, and lots of cool wineries and breweries cropping up around Ithaca. </p>
<p>Ithaca doesn't have Austin City Limits , SxSW, or Sixth Street, true. But that does not automatically make Austin more "interesting" than Ithaca.</p>
<p>Cornell. Austin is a heck of a lot more interesting. Cornell is a top school. UT is at best a top 10 public school. And while Plan II is great, if you aren't going to law or med school, what does the "liberal arts education" teach you to do? That's NOT a knock on liberal arts degrees, because a degree in german studies implies that you took 12 or more classes in german studies, while plan II is like high school all over again, where you don't actually specialize in anything.</p>
<p>Plan II is prestigious within Texas, but if you ever want to work in nyc then cornell is much better. really, if you want to live anywhere in the northeast after graduation, then cornell will serve you better.</p>
<p>Ithaca is by far more beautiful in landscape, and yea omg it snows, get over it. UT is not a top ten public school either. If you are happy where you are, then stay, but set aside stuff like climate and setting. There is a lot to do in Ithaca, just different stuff than Austin</p>
<p>ILR has a rather specific curricular focus. </p>
<p>I would think it would be a rather straightforward matter to review the catalog, curriculum & course descriptions, and decide whether you want that curriculum or the other one. They are different, undoubtedly.</p>
<p>If what ILR has is what you really are after, I would go to ILR.</p>
<p>Otherwise, if it were me, I would stay at UT. Plan II has an awesome reputation.</p>
<p>I have an opinion on Ithaca vs. Austin, but frankly it's beside the point.</p>
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UT is not a top ten public school either.
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<p>You must have impossible standards then, since by all measures the composite quality of its academic programs places it solidly in the top 10 of public schools.</p>