Here are my pro's/con's for each:
For/against placement year:
> Earn a bit of money - around 15-20k is pretty good for great experience
> Get lots of experience, helps you stand out and puts you closer to career path
> Could be boring and less fun than year abroad
> Won't be able to experience a different culture abroad
For/against year abroad:
> Get to go to another top university abroad like Columbia, UCLA or Pennsylvannia
> Experience culture and enjoy yourself
> Can be more costly than placement year and won't earn anywhere near as much
> Good experience for CV?????? (this I don't know)
What would be better to do?
1 year work experience at a top firm (stay in UK) or 1 year (year abroad) at a top US university?