UT LBJ vs IU SPEA

[Wozezeka]

I've been admitted to both and, thanks to funding, the schools carry pretty similar price tags.

I currently live in Austin, TX and Austin is my dream city. I have everything I want here in ATX.

Mydream job would be one in which I work in agricultural or environmental policy to improve conditions for small farmers, prevent air and water pollution, and maybe do ag/enviro policy analysis or economic work.

I think if I just wanted a regular policy job, either would be great. However, to work in enviro affairs, I think SPEA has the lead. Yet to get a job in Austin, I couldn't beat LBJ.

I want to stay in Austin, but I don't want my love for Austin to hold me back from SPEA if SPEA is going to give me better content knowledge through their dual degree program. LBJ also has a dual degree program, but I don't know much about it.

Clearly I am torn. Any one have input on these programs?

[Sjn092]

Look, if your burning desire is to live in Austin, I have a really hard time imagining that SPEA is better equipped to place you there, even when it comes to their speciality of enviro policy. UT is just going to have the most connections there, regardless of specialization. I know you already know that, but if I knew exactly where I wanted to live my life, I would try to attend a nearby program, almost regardless of prestige. And UT is no slouch. It's a highly regarded, incredibly well known and well respected school, as far as I'm concerned. 

 

Maybe someone else disagrees.