The University of Texas - Austin

Date: Feb 23 2004
Major: Mechanical Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
Academically, UT has its strong and weak parts. The College of Engineering has some exceptionally qualified and effective professors as well as the occasional painfully boring drone. I'm assuming it's the same way across the board. The opportunities to take classes being taught by the best teachers are certainly here, you just have to put out the effort to grab it. The University is too big to beg for your participation when there are other students who will gladly work for it. Plan your schedule years ahead; be flexible, have alternatives; talk to your advisors/professors, pull some strings!

Socially, I cannot fathom a more active hotbed of activity than at UT. As a freshman, you get dozens of emails weekly, urging you to go out and meet new people, see the city, get free food and free shirts. All it takes is a slight interest on the freshman's part to start a social network and find your niche. The social support program for freshman at UT is exceptional. Free mentoring, free dorm events, free campus events, etc. Speaking from experience, I suggest you freshman take advantage of what is offered, because most of it disappears when you become a sophomore. They expect you to have friends by then.

Culturally, Austin is the best city, period. Music, art, literature, creativity, political activism… it's all there. If you don't like change, don't like loud music, or loud people, I suggest you go elsewhere. Austin's a place for lively people.

Sports? I think you know. Hook'em. Nuff said.