<p>D was accepted to both. Does anyone with experience have any insight on how difficult combining these two will be? I know when we visited PlanII last year they said they did have current students who were pursuing both. D likes the idea that she could pursue a practical degree/career without giving up the liberal arts courses that appeal to her as well.</p>
<p>I understand Plan II has a lot of writing. What type of engineering? Did she get into honors?</p>
<p>My D got into both last year but does not attend UT. Otherwise I might have had an answer! I do know a few students who are doing premed and Plan II.</p>
<p>There are current students that pursue both, and over 60% of Plan II students combine their Plan II degree with another program. Plan II is more than just a degree program though, it is really a deep rooted community that has the potential to serve her well over the years. Yes, there is writing, but I would see combining an Engineering major with a major that actually pushes students to the edge on how and why they think like they do, and then how to express that in the written word to be a huge asset versus a student that leaves college with just an engineering major in hand, no critical thinking skills (outside what was taught in their major), no deep knowledge of different cultures and languages, that could help problem solve issues that are just not simply numbers on a page.</p>
<p>As far as the Plan II curriculum is concerned, the majority of her writing will come from her Freshman signature course, and so will most of her long term friends. Her next major hurdle will be Sophomore Philosophy followed by the notorious Plan II Physics, which can hurt anyone’s brain. That course alone is a rite of passage. The bottom line is kids have been combining Plan II with engineering, Business Honors, Biological Sciences, etc since the program started.</p>
<p>IMO Plan II is the best education for the dollar across the United States, combine it with something else and that makes it even better.</p>
<p>The main issue with engineering and plan II will be the number of credits you need to graduate in both areas. Engineering is notorious for requiring 4 full years of course work.</p>
<p>Texaspg, she applied Petroleum Engineering, did not chose to apply for Engineering Honors because she really wanted Plan II (and we know Petroleum and Plan II seem a strange combo, but big oil could use some enlightened thinkers, right?) The engineering degree plan does look really rigid, which was my concern. She will come in with a ton of AP credit and doesn’t mind taking classes over the summer, so hopefully the workload will be OK.
Collegeshopping, knowing so many others are doing combined as well is very helpful. And that was a very eloquent endorsement for the program, thank you.</p>
<p>^ my suggestion is to have a plan before starting college in terms of which classes need to be taken when or else be prepared for 5 years despite the AP credits.</p>
<p>What usually happens is that engineers use AP credits to fulfill the liberal arts requirements. However Plan II will add a bunch more requirements which means there should be a plan starting with 1st semester. </p>
<p>I do hope your D finds some money. Based on what I heard, Plan II has no money to give out and engineering gives out money only for honors. If you find out otherwise, please come back and post.</p>
<p>People have said Plan II is called Ivy liberal arts of UT. Don’t know how far that is true. I know of at least one person who joined Plan II instead of Harvard.</p>
<p>beyond…If you daughter is really interested in doing both programs, might I suggest you make an appointment through Jennifer Scalora and have her sit down with you and your daugher (or she may have a counselor do that) to map out what would have to happen to make it all happen in 4 years.</p>
<p>Excellent suggestions, thank you. I had previously suggested to D that she contact Jennifer Scalora, but D seems to be in a bit of a mid-winter ‘pause’ while waiting to hear from her last RD ‘lottery’ schools. She will be attending a UT sponsored admitted student event for Women in Engineering the end of this month, so that should help it all feel more immediate. Based on this, I may have her try to set up a PlanII appointment for the same day, if I can nudge her into action.
Interesting that they may only give out money for engineering honors - wish I had known that earlier as I would have encouraged her to apply to that as well, but we are fortunate that dollars will not be the determining factor for her at UT.</p>
<p>My OOS state son with excellent stats got a little money - $1000. Not enough to do much, lol. </p>
<p>collegeshopping, do the Plan II / engineering kids take Plan II physics instead of engineering physics??</p>
<p>As a UT engineering graduate, I am in utter AWE of anyone who would try to go the Plan II /engineering route! I found the engineering classes to be very challenging and time-consuming. I graduated with high honors, but it was not easy. I was an architectural engineering major. Ha, if it hadn’t been for the two architectural design classes I had to take, I might have gotten highest honors! </p>
<p>beyondtx, my one suggestion would be to make it clear to your D that if this route is too hard for her, it’s not a disgrace to drop something! She’s got a daunting challenge in front of her, don’t forget.</p>
<p>My son’s frosh roommate was Plan II/ Engineering honors. I have been told that it will take him 5 years to graduate. My son is Plan II/ CS – it will take him 5 years also.<br>
There is scholarship money for liberal arts majors – see Dedman Scholarships. There is also a liberal arts scholarship for students with a 3.9+ after 30 hours. I’m sorry I can’t remember the name of that scholarship. There are also engineering scholarships, which I believe are tied to gpa and test scores.<br>
My CS son took Plan II physics. I’m not sure if the engineering students have enough science credit to avoid Plan II physics, but possibly they do.</p>
<p>btw-- Plan II has excellent advising. If you look on their website, you will see the names of the advisors. The CS advisors have been very good also. My son has had to meet with advisors from both departments at various times.</p>
<p>Mainelonghorn - Did your father also go to UT or just teaches/taught Engineering there? Isn’t $1000 OOS is worth a whole lot more? :p</p>
<p>beyondtx - Petroleum eng is quite hot right now and so she will do well. Plan II seems to work out quite well too. I know couple of kids in the neighborhood who did it and one went to a top law school and is currently practicing while the other did something for a couple of years and now is at med school.</p>
<p>beyond Tx…
my daughter is now a senior in engineering. She moved into engineering second semester freshman year and applied to honors…at that time, I believe if you had a 3.5 you were eligible. She hasn’t seen a difference in honors vs non-honors except that she did receive a bit of scholarship money. Just be sure your daughter fills out the “continuing student” scholarship applications each year. Plan II seems to be most strenuous during freshman year based on her two close friends’ experiences with it. If your daughter takes AP credits for physics and chemistry…math…especially differential equations will be the most challenging first year engineering course…based on D and S’s experiences! Congratulations to her!!</p>