The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

Best thing: It's not one-sided. You've got everything from rich conservative business students to boho super-liberals. And there's enough room for everyone's perspective. Change: I would love to see more of the money going towards sustaining qualified faculty instead of everything being poured into sports. Size: A lot of people would qualify UT as too large, but you usually end up in a specific area of buildings seeing the same familiar faces. Reaction: They're adequately impressed. It's a good school, but it's also a public school. Campus time: I spend all my time in the libarts six pack and at the Main library in the tower. Town: With four universities of varying types, it's very much a college town in some respects. But only in the sense that people are always aware of UT sporting events and showing their burnt orange pride. Otherwise, the city is more professional and adult as you move further out. Admin: Again, I wish more priority was given to faculty over sports. Controversy: Bill Clinton came to speak on campus. Pride: Oh god, yes. More than I can handle sometimes. They have Longhorn everything. Unusual: I can't think of anything that different from other schools. We all have our quirks. Experience: Anything I've done in the Russian department. Complaints: Rising costs of tuition.

The best thing about UT is the school pride. This is definitely NOT the choice for older students, whether it is undergraduate or graduate school you are seeking. If I were to change one thing about this school, I would make it more diverse in terms of race, ethnicity and age. People are impressed when I tell them that I go to UT or they immediately say, "the Longhorns". The most frequent student complaints are the lack of diversity. Though Austin may be different from the rest of Texas, it isn't THAT different. People of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, etc. continue to feel isolated here.

UT is an amazing place (as far as I’m concerned). I love the atmosphere. Things are always just a little different. Whether you’re walking down the street and see a guy dressed in Shakespearean garb (and no it wasn’t Halloween) or a large group of students (“The Flash Mob”) bowing in front of the Tower at the stroke of noon as streakers run by, UT and Austin are just a little bit out there. One thing I would change about University would be the large amount of e-mails that I get from the administration, departments, UT Police, etc. I often feel like I’m getting spammed by the University. E-mail (the official form of communication, no lie) often fills my inbox each day, somewhere between 5-7 from the University alone (not to mention professors, organizations, and other students). The University is large, but it really is as big or small as you make it (I know that’s what they all say, but it’s true). I see friends around campus on my way to pretty much every class (though it can make it hard to be on time when I have to stop and say hi). Getting involved in organizations and simply being more outgoing can really help. Be friendly with the other students in class. Strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you in class (Texans are known for being nice after all). Just be friendly and get involved and you’ll have no problem shrinking the size of the University considerably. UT (at least in Texas) is often regarded pretty highly. Unless the person went to UT or has a close relative who goes here, I get one of two reactions usually: 1. “I heard that is a good school. Do you like it?” OR 2. “I love your football team. What do you think your prospects are for next season” (they’re always good by the way). There are tons of places to hang out in and around campus. The south mall (a grassy area that looks up that the Tower) is a popular place for people to simply lay down in the sun, read a book, or play ultimate Frisbee. The turtle pond (it is really pretty I think) is a place where you’ll find those students reexamining their lives as they look enviously at the simply lives of the turtles swimming in circles. The “drag” (the street on the western border of campus) is another popular hangout place. The “drag” has several local restaurants and coffee shops (“KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD”, you’ll figure it out when you come to Austin) as well as some cool stores like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel. It’s fun to simply sit down in Metro coffee shop and simply watch people walking outside. Austin is what I would consider the PREMIER college town. It really is amazing. There are tons of things to do and downtown is a lot of fun for going out. There are tons of bars/clubs on 6th street and tons of live music all over (we’re the “Live Music Capital of the World”). Austin City Limits (ACL) is one of the largest music festivals in the nation (this year Bjork, The Killers, Muse, and 150+ others played, look at the list online) and South by Southwest is also amazing. The city seems “young.” The city it so much fun! The UT administration is pretty good. They do a descent job of listening to students, but the best way to get things done is to have some way to get a foot in with Student Government. The administration tries to listen, but if there is something they are dead set on doing (like how they’re about to institute a +/- grading system), they will do what they want no matter what the student body says. The school does have a lot of pride. We like being Longhorns and take pride in our academics, our city, and our sports (especially football). One of my favorite things on campus is the Tower. I don’t know what it is about this simple building, but it seems to evoke something in me, and many others, that few others understand. When the Tower is lit orange, I get a chill. The Tower seems to bring us all together, as Longhorns and as future leaders of the country.

-The best thing at UT is it's importance in the world. I truly believe that "what starts here changes the world." -If I could change anything about the school it would be to have more space and not be so interrupted by traffic flows -The school is just right in size; big enough that people know this is a place whee big things are happening. -Most people think it's great that I go to school here, unless they are A&M fans in which case I may get a negative comment. -I spend most of my time in the Main Mall and South Mall area. -College town, but with a metropolitan city to go with it. UT is by now means lost in the city. -I generally like the administration, and admire their goal of making UT the best public institution. -A big controversy is over increasing tuition. -There is a great deal of school pride. -I can't think of anything unusual about the school as I don't have another school to which it can be compared. -I'll never forget arriving on campus and feeling like I could do absolutely anything in life. -The most frequent complaints are about getting into classes during registration and long walking distances.

best thing - going to a school people are really excited about being a part of change - its large but i like it. respect. spend most time on campus - at the FAC college town for sure. UT's admn. - good. biggest controversy - hazing school pride - definitely unusual - its in the state capital, scene of a lot of important events i'll remember - winning the national championship in football my freshman year, hosting the democratic presidential debate. most frequent complaints - parking on campus

The best thing is that there are tons of opportunities and some awesome professors. If you have a special area that interests you the odds are that there are two or three people around that have spent decades studying it. The thing is you have to take the initiative and don't wuss out; Find these people and talk to them/work for them. The main thing I'd change is that I'd have more of a mentor system so that underclassmen wouldn't fall through the cracks. Its too easy to stay alone in the dorm and rarely venture out. Don't do this and Don't only go out to drink!!! On campus I'm in class, at work, or at the student union eating quickly before one of the two aforementioned tasks. UT's administration is not my favorite. DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON YOUR COUNSELOR. Ask around about professors, plan the classes you want and note what semester they are offered. My counselor let me take another semester of CALCULUS and then realized I had transfer credit for it already!!! Yes! UT bleeds orange! When I lived in the dorm I was literally woken up by the cheering crowd in the stadium. The streets fill with new and old students wearing burnt orange.

Best thing- All the different evetns and programs UT offers. School is big, but there are so many different events to go to everyday, almost all times of the day. I smile when I say I go to UT, so it's usually a good response. I spend time at the Nursing school, at they gym, the pool, the student service building, the Union, and walking on campus. College town- for sure right next to downtown. But I also think that as students we think that UT is bigger than it really is. Unusual- it's one of the only major colleges in the same city as the capitol. There is a lot of school pride- especially in athletics. But spirit organizations make sure they get their names and spirit out. I remember a lot of different experiences- the first day the new Gregory pool opened, the amazing events I've been too, the few concerts I've seen, the people I randomly met, the hard work I've put into something and seen it blossom, the funny encounters, the new things I've learned... Student complaints- parking, not enough food, TUITION is too High.

UT is a really really big school. It's too large in my opinion. People in Texas are always really interested when I tell them I go to Texas. I spend most of my time either in the Business School or in the FAC. Austin is a definite college town, with a big downtown club scene. I think the native Austinites can get really obnoxious and rude, and I would definitely not want to live in Austin past my schooling. The biggest controversies on campus in my opinion would have to deal with the increase in student deaths and suicides. It's getting to be a fairly major problem. There is a lot of school pride around, but I've never really been all about school spirit. I can get jazzed up about basketball games, but everything else, I'm very apathetic. One experience I'll always remember would be my times living in University Towers during my Freshman year. Having all of your friends living under one roof was really cool and fun.

UT is in a great city! Austin is amazing! If I had to change one thing, I would want the weather to not be as hot, more breezy days. Ut is very large and spread out, but it's so pretty to look at it doesnt matter. People are usually surprised or interested when I tell them I go to UT. They always want to know about it, and how I like it. Austin is really fun. Everyone is so laid back, and hippie. The hills make it so pretty, and there is so much more to discover. There are also good restuarants, shopping areas, fun parks, and live music! UT also has such a variety of people that makes it very open and welcoming. I had never been to a college football game so when I went to my first game, I was just amazed. I couldn't believe how many people were there cheering for the same team. It was such a cool experience. Football games are a lot of fun.

too large not enough intermixing of people from different backgrounds and appreciation across the dividing lines described in the first answer. In the first answer, I gave the big picture.