<p>While viewing the Cornell ILR website, I think its pretty easy to get drawn to the school, even if you're only remotely interested. </p>
<p>I was wondering if I could get some feed back from those who have been through ILR, or are experiencing the school currently. </p>
<p>Is it everything it is hyped up to be? Are you worried about not having a job when coming out? Do you think you'll have a profitable job? Do you get a strong liberal arts education?</p>
<p>ILR is a really unique school; but unqiue also means different. Are these differences determental to what you view as your future goals?</p>
<p>Let me share my knowledge and personal experience as a recent ILR alum...</p>
<p>You asked about job prospects. When I graduated, ILR had the second-highest average starting salary among Cornell's undergraduate colleges (to Engineering), and the second-lowest unemployment rate (to Hotel). About a quarter went straight to law schools, and many others will end up with JDs or MBAs (also highly profitable). I have no reason to doubt this changed in the last couple of years. </p>
<p>Do ILRies get a strong liberal arts education? I think ILRies get well-rounded training in the social sciences (unmatched insofar as they apply to labor), but to get a strong liberal arts education in the classical sense of the natural sciences and humanities, you would be using your elective time and this would be largely separate from the structure of ILR's curriculum. If you're interested in the liberal arts, perhaps Arts and Sciences would be better suited to you. </p>
<p>Personally, ILR's uniqueness served me very well. Graduate programs were interested in the unique contributions I could bring, among individuals who generally received training in the disciplines. My friends in the workforce have benefited from ILR's unique reputation, networks, and training as well. </p>
<p>Hope this helps =)</p>
<p>Cayugared has some great information: I would pm him.</p>
<p>I think Ren has it pretty well covered. The education the school offers is an asset because it offers a one-of-a-kind perspective on the way in which individuals, businesses, and government all figure out the way the world is going to "work". And you can take it in a couple of different directions -- political economy, law, business relations, public policy, etc.</p>
<p>On the whole, the school tends towards pre-professionalism, but that's not to say it doesn't send a handful of kids on for PhD work every year (and the kids who do get PhDs place very well). As Ren says, you receive a decent education in the social sciences, and you can expand into the natural sciences or the humanities pretty regularly. I dabbled in both evolutionary behavior and political philosophy as a problem.</p>
<p>If you are in state and interested in political economy, ILR is a no brainer. If you are out of state, like Ren was, it might still serve you well due to the small class sizes and frequent faculty interaction.</p>
<p>yes the faculty are awesome...</p>
<p>ILR now has a mix of old and young professors (so you get to see two generational perspectives, including your own)</p>
<p>in ILR you learn how to read and how to write...</p>
<p>I interact a lot of with CAS Govt. majors and find I am a lot better at analysis of policy although they are a lot more knowledgeable of history and whatnot...</p>
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although they are a lot more knowledgeable of history and whatnot...
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<p>I don't know if that reflects any limitation of the ILR experience.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you who responded.</p>
<p>I am a political junkie of sorts, and have spent high school heavily involved in class cabinet, debate, mock trial, and the like. It seems ILR would be an ideal fit as it tailors to all of my interets. My only concern is that such a specialized school would ill-prepare me for my career goals, which are (bluntly) to be a lawyer and make money. </p>
<p>Once again, thanks for the feedback!</p>
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which are (bluntly) to be a lawyer and make money
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<p>No, the ILR school is unfortunately known for those types of students.</p>