<p>Hard time deciding to go to Plan II versus going to USC (Los Angeles). Flame me for referring to rankings, but USC is about 20 spots higher than UT and has a far more selective admit rate. Further, USC is much more diverse, as UT of course if full of about 90% Texans. I understand the cliche about Plan II offering a LAC experience within UT, but is it a LAC experience comparable to an Amherst or Williams, or is it more like a Kenyon or something. Also, UT is massive vs. a smaller USC. LA = Austin in my mind, so I don't question this difference. I just need a feel from the UT folk, many of whom may have actual Plan II experience, what's the big deal? Please give me rationale/arguments/perspective on why Plan II is hands-down a better academic and life-changing experience than the general mill coursework of the better-ranked USC. There has to be a reason why, for example, UT is ranked so much lower than UNC, Michigan, and UVA, even though those schools also admit vast numbers of in-state students.</p>
<p>In March of last year you came here asking basically the same question…why Plan II? You got many great, strong answers, and I assuming it was reason enough to apply. Plan II is not only a program, it is a community. You would be joined by approximately 160-180 other students with some of the highest stats in the country. I assure you will be challenged from the get go with your world literature class. You will write. You will write and then you will write. You read too…and read and read. So if you can’t handle the work load of Plan II go to USC. It is not all nose to the grindstone work. You will be challenged, you will grow as person and you will change for the better.</p>
<p>In Plan II you are a name, not a number. You are at UT, but its largeness fades fast inside this small group. You seem to care more about rank than quality of education, and no one here can change that perspective. You have to decide in the long run what matters to you. Plan II majors go on to Harvard & Georgetown Law (Average LSAT 166 for Plan II), Top Med Schools (Average MCAT 33 for Plan II), Top Grad Schools (Average 34 GRE for Plan II) I could go on and on…but it boils down to what you want in your education.</p>
<p>If rankings are a criteria, UT in general, ranks higher than USC, in terms of national and international reputation.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.timeshighereducation.co.u…h-america.html%5B/url%5D”>http://www.timeshighereducation.co.u…h-america.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/worlds-best-universities-rankings/top-400-universities-in-the-world?PageNr=1[/url]”>http://www.usnews.com/education/worlds-best-universities-rankings/top-400-universities-in-the-world?PageNr=1</a></p>
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<p>I did? Show me how to use the wayback machine and I will go back and re-read.</p>
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<p>I do? Seems I am asking the question I am asking precisely in order to change my perspective.</p>
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<p>Here you go…I’ll make it easy for you…</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-texas-austin/1110277-plan-ii-how-special.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-texas-austin/1110277-plan-ii-how-special.html</a></p>
<p>Then you posted here and asked what Plan II was…which is interesting because if you actually applied and got accepted you would have to know what it is. I am not saying you don’t have an acceptance in your hand, I just find this odd.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1315506-pomona-ut-plan-ii.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1315506-pomona-ut-plan-ii.html</a></p>
<p>I also find it more than interesting that in January of 2011 you came to CC to seek advice about the fact that you had maxed out the common applications 20 schools and were looking for advice on what to do to apply to additional schools. In that thread you said:</p>
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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/common-application/1062499-maxed-out-common-app-colleges1.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/common-application/1062499-maxed-out-common-app-colleges1.html</a></p>
<p>So Placido240 what’s your deal?</p>
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<p>When you enter the real world one day, it is not the ranking of your school that matters. The education, what you can contribute to this society and who you are that make a difference.</p>
<p>I would choose UT Plan II over anything short of an Ivy nine times out of ten. I have had two siblings graduate Plan II and can attest to the quality of the program - collegeshopping just touched on a few of the major benefits but there is much more to enjoy and benefit from. </p>
<p>What is your prospective major?</p>
<p>Placido240 - I think collegeshopping hit the nail on the head with you. I’d start worrying that how you come across anonymously on CC is also how you come across in person.</p>
<p>By the way, were you accepted into the Thematic Option at USC? That is the more direct comparison to Plan II.</p>
<p>RE: “Thematic Option” Not accepted. Going through complete re-application cycle.</p>
<p>RE collegeshopping. Sorry if I don’t have time or CC skills to re-animate all my old posts, but I am thankful that you did on my behalf so that I may re-read them. I note that last year you posted in respect of PlanII:
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<p>Thanks for that, as I needed to re-read. That’s the answer I was looking for.</p>
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I can assure you, those USNews National Rankings don’t mean a thing. USC and UT are peer schools in every sense, except that USC is a little more selective.
Yea, UT has slightly lower graduation and retention rates, and UT has a SLIGHTLY higer acceptance rate. If that is important to you, go to Michigan, UNC or UVA. Otherwise, UT is on par with all of the mentioned schools here.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to an Academic Power Ranking done by a Michigan board moderator. You’ll find that UT does much better than UNC, UVA and USC and performs among the elite of elite research universities.
[Academic</a> Power Ranking]( <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-michigan-ann-arbor/1241939-university-michigans-academic-power-rating.html]Academic”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-michigan-ann-arbor/1241939-university-michigans-academic-power-rating.html)</p>
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<p>No. I think last year, according to USNWR, UT has a 47.1% acceptance rate; USC has a 24.4% acceptance rate. That difference is by no means “SLIGHTLY.”</p>
<p>Placido240…you still refuse to enlighten this particular board on what your angle is. Your trend is to go from board to board, basically driving the point of rank, superiority, etc. I know from messages we have exchanged this is all really important to you, but frankly, you look ridiculous. Heck, I can’t even figure out if you are in school, applying to school, whatever. You seem to be an expert on more than a handful of Universities, prep schools, the list goes on. But knowledge is only superficial, I don’t think you speak from any real world experience. I am not sure why this rubs me the wrong way, but the people on the University of Texas Austin board are mostly confident in their choices, are thriving at UT or are truly seeking people who have experience here. You just seem to me to be someone who loves to stir the pot. What is your gain from that?</p>