Contact a Current Student
Below are the names of some Plan II student recruiters who are available to answer any questions you may have about life in Plan II, and other “insider information” you seek. These current students will be happy to share their personal impressions of Plan II, their decision process when they chose Plan II over other schools, their classroom and dorm experiences, their “extra-curricular” experiences, etc.
For instructions on how to apply to Plan II, please browse through our Admission pages, which direct you to official application information.
Feel free to ask them questions you may have about the Program, your decision to attend Plan II Honors, if they combine Plan II with another major or degree, or any other concerns you might anticipate as a applicant. Each student's double-major and/or dual-degree information (including pre-med and pre-law) is noted. If you do not see another major you are interested in pairing Plan II Honors with, please contact Plan II Admissions. We will try to put you in contact with a current student.
Please note: These volunteers are available to share their personal experiences as Plan II Honors majors at the University of Texas at Austin. They cannot assist future students in the application process or with any kind of registration advising. We want to be very sure every Plan II student gets solid information from our trained, professional admissions and advising staff.
- Double-Majors in Liberal Arts
Noelle Hannan, Plan II/Philosophy major - noellehannan@utexas.edu Hello!! I'm a junior doubling in Plan II and Philosophy with a BDP Museum Studies certificate and an English minor. I'm hoping to pursue archival work that combines my academic interests with my creative passions, especially focusing on intersections between autobiography, material culture, and music history. I'm currently a classroom instruction intern at the Harry Ransom Center (which I fell in love with through my Plan II World Lit class!), and last summer I worked with Texas Performing Arts' Hollywood Backdrops Collection to build an archive from the ground up. I'm also a technician for the Broccoli Project, a student-run avant-garde guerilla theatre troupe; in Spring 2025, I directed an autobiographical sci-fi western play I wrote called To Be a Stranger. Plan II has allowed me to explore how I can translate all of my interdisciplinary passions into fulfilling research and writing, which serves as an incredible foundation for archival work, graduate school, and beyond. If you have any questions about anything to do with Plan II, the Broccoli Project, or anything UT, feel free to email me any time, I would absolutely love to talk!!
Tisha Chaudhuri, Plan II and Economics with a minor in Business; tanisha@utexas.edu Hello! I'm a junior Plan II and economics student with a passion for research, policy, and business. I am currently the President of the Global Macro Team, UT's premier student-run think tank. Additionally, I work for the Annette Strauss Institute, write for The Daily Texan, have conducted research through the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program, and interned at the Library of Congress! Plan II has truly made me capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. In my free time, I enjoy baking cookies, reading romance novels, and watching Turkish shows. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to get involved on campus!
Thierry Chu, Plan II and English (thierrychu@my.utexas.edu) Hey y’all!! I am a freshman Plan II and English major on a premedical track deciding on either a Spanish minor, Spanish certificate, or Spanish BDP program. I am in the P2 pre-med society and working my way through getting involved in a spirit org, campus ministry, campus magazine publication, and study abroad experience. I haven’t been here long, but I look forward to getting very involved in the Austin community through volunteering and internships. In my free time, I love to read, hang out with friends, listen to music, work out, and go on adventures. I am super willing to answer any questions about P2, pre-med, what it’s like as a freshman, or anything else! I love making friends and know exactly what you guys are experiencing (because it was literally just months ago), so please reach out!
Bailey Raymond, Plan II, pre-law and Psychology major with a Business Minor. (bmraymond05@gmail.com) I am from Houston, Texas. Currently, I am a member of Delta Gamma and the University Catholic Center. I have worked in Dr. Telch's Lab for Anxiety Studies under a graduate student studying PTSD. As the year begins, I am looking for more ways to get involved on campus. I enjoy working out, long walks around Ladybird lake, coloring at the Plan II office, getting lunch with my favorite professors, and UT FOOTBALL! I love people reaching out to me to review their papers or resumes because I get to learn so much about them. If you have any questions about juggling clubs, sorority or fraternity life, Plan II, and another major, please reach out.
Keerthi Chalamalasetty, Plan II Honors/Government/Economics (keerthichalamalasetty@utexas.edu) Hi, everyone! I am a junior majoring in Government, Economics, and Plan II Honors. I am passionate about academic writing and currently serve as the Head Online Writer for the Texas Undergraduate Law Journal, Managing Editor for the Texas Journal of International Affairs, Copy Editor for The Texas Orator, and Founder and Chief Writer of The Courtroom Chronicler. I am also a member of the Texas Debate team, where I actively competed on the national circuit my freshman year. I absolutely love being a part of the Plan II Honors Program, as it has been the community that has pushed me to grow not only as a student but also as a person. Plan II has given me some of my closest friends and inspired me to pursue opportunities I never would have imagined before coming to UT. The interdisciplinary focus of the program has shaped my thinking and even led me to publish a reflection on my Plan II signature course with the American Philosophical Association, as well as an op-ed in the Austin-American Statesman. Ultimately, Plan II has been one of my most transformative experiences at UT and has significantly expanded my reading and writing capabilities. In my free time, I love reading! My favorite books of all time are Frankenstein, The Count of Monte Cristo, Macbeth, Oedipus Rex, Inferno, On the Genealogy of Morals, and Civilization and Its Discontents. If you have any questions about Plan II or student life at UT, please do not hesitate to reach out!
- Dual Degree in Communication
Judge Baskin Plan II and Journalism judgejbaskin@gmail.com
Hi there! My name is Judge and I am a second year student pursuing Plan II, Journalism, additional minors in History and French, and a Bridging Disciplines certificate in Ethics and Leadership in Law, Policy, and Government. I aspire to be an environmental lawyer and, eventually, a policymaker to shape our planet and political will in a way that will benefit future generations. Though I have my eyes set on law school, I am taking and savoring my time in Plan II and Moody as they are truly special programs. On campus, I work as a desk attendant at the Joynes Reading room, clerk for the Student Government Supreme Court, and volunteer at the UT Microfarm. Outside of school, I am a research intern at a non-profit called We Defend Truth, an avid Formula One fan, and a (very) amature op/ed writer. My other interests are running, cooking, guitar, and sewing. Ask me anything! I am happy to be a resource for you! - Dual Degree in Natural Sciences
Crystal Lerner, Plan II and Public Health crystallerner@utexas.edu Hi! I'm a sophomore here at UT Austin and I'm from Keller, Texas (part of the DFW area). Currently, I'm a project lead in the health advocacy organization Partners in Health Engage, and I do ice skating and aerial silks in my free time. Besides the field of health, I'm really passionate about education and I'm in the PlanTutoring program where I get to work with local high school students on their college applications. I also love reading and writing, and this semester I'm involved in a research project about the science of language learning! I've really enjoyed being a part of Plan II and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.
Vaughn Vandegrift, Plan II and Biochemistry vv8657@my.utexas.edu Hi! My name is Vaughn Vandegrift and I'm a junior in Plan II and Biochemistry major with a minor in cultural anthropology on the premed track. I'm from Austin and love to share my favorite local spots! On campus, I'm a peer mentor in the Freshman Research Initiative and I work as a tutor for Texas Athletics. I'm also involved in Texas HOSA, a premed organization that does national competitions, and Longhorn Hellraisers, a spirit organization. In my spare time, I like to run, go to concerts, and try out new spots to eat. I have had an amazing experience in Plan II and I'm excited to hear from you!
Jaidin Upadhyaya, Plan II & Neuroscience | Minor in Healthcare Reform and Innovation, McCombs School of Business jaidinyaya@gmail.com Hi y’all! My name is Jaidin, and I’m currently a sophomore at UT Austin from Houston, Texas (Sugar Land area). At UT, I serve as the Plan II Student Association Social Chair, Public Relations Director for the Texas Business Law Association, and a Texas Business Healthcare Consultant. I’m also part of the Health Leadership Apprentice Program at Dell Medical School, a member of the Plan II Premedical Society, and previously served as Outreach Chair for UT Student Government’s Community Advocacy and Engagement Committee. In high school, I was President of Speech and Debate, National Honor Society President, Founder and President of a Tutoring Club, and a Graduation Ceremony Planner/Commencement Speaker. I was honored to receive the National Honor Society Scholarship, awarded to only 25 students nationwide out of 17,000 applicants. While I began on the premed track, I’ve since transitioned my focus to healthcare consulting, with a particular interest in healthcare administration and management. Outside of academics, I love spending time with friends and family, exploring new coffee shops, running, and discovering new music. Being part of Plan II has been an incredible experience, and I’m always happy to connect- please feel free to reach out with any questions!
Adithi Rallapalli, Plan II, Biology, & Economics with a minor in Russian; adithi.rallapalli@utexas.edu; Hello! I'm a third-year Plan II, biology, and economics major with a minor in Russian and certificate in Security Studies. I'm interested in microbiology research, national security, and the intersection of global policy and science. I hope to work in the foreign policy space in the future, focusing on global health security and emerging technology. I am currently an Undergraduate Fellow with the Clements Center for National Security and mentor in the Microbe Hackers FRI lab. I'm also the Events Chair for TX Votes, Academics Co-Chair for International Affairs Society, and research with the Innovations for Peace and Development and Annette Strauss Institute. I also studied abroad in London last year with support from Plan II, which was one of the best experiences I've had at UT! In my free time, I love to bake, swim, and go on walks around Austin. Please reach out if you have any questions or for anything at all!
- Dual Degree in Engineering
Seva Joshi, Plan II & Mechanical Engineering sevajoshi@utexas.edu Hey y'all! My name is Seva Joshi and I'm a junior majoring in Plan II Honors and Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Sustainable Energy. On campus, I conduct research in a geosystems engineering faculty lab and with the Texas Spacecraft Laboratory. I'm also editor-in-chief of Vector Engineering Magazine and I'm in Absolute Pitch, a treble a cappella group! In my free time, I love to rock climb, play intramural sports, learn new instruments, and explore Austin with friends. I've loved my experience in Plan II so far and would be happy to answer any questions about Plan II and engineering, research, clubs, or anything else!
- Dual Degree in Business
Updated contacts coming soon
- Dual Degree in School of Information
Aakanksha Mahajan,Plan II and Informatics: Human-Centered Data Science with a minor in Business! aakankshamahajan@utexas.edu I’m really interested in the intersection of people and technology, and I’m also passionate about South Asian American history. On campus, I’m involved with the Texas Cybersecurity Institute, Women in Informatics, and Texas Product Catalyst—and I also dance with Hook ’Em Bhangra, UT’s competitive Bhangra team. In my free time, I love dancing, trying new restaurants, going to concerts, and baking!
Plan II has been such a fantastic way for me to explore passions outside of my other major—I’ve gotten to take so many unique classes that I absolutely love talking about. Feel free to reach out about anything, from balancing Plan II and Informatics to finding the best coffee shops in Austin! - Dual Degree in Civic Leadership
Updated contacts coming soon
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