The University of Texas - Austin

Date: Nov 19 2007
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
Like with any university, UT is a hodgepodge of people, & you'll find EVERY type here, from quiet, shy, nerdy types to heavy "dude" partyers, to "don't shave" granola types, to "I believe my own hype" snooty princesses. If you're gay, UT will provide a more accepting environment than many; Austin will be great for you. If you're religious, conservative type, you too will do okay here but probably not great. It's a HUGE school, so you must be VERY, VERY PROACTIVE in finding your niche. I do not recommend this college for everyone. If you're used to mom & dad getting you up in the morning, telling you to do homework, etc., you will get a VERY mediocre education here if you manage not to get weeded out. If you are a Type A, very assertive, self-initiating, action-oriented personality, you'll do well here. Anything short of that, your success ranges from graduating with a so-so experience to not getting past the first semester. This is a research-intense, graduate-focused school. Great minds, but few are good teachers. In fact Grad Students are likely to be your teachers, who are learning to teach (probably from people who are brilliant but don't know how). Personally, academic advising sucks. With 50,000 students, advisers don't remember you. When I went, they were mostly students—and 40% of time they advised incorrectly. I had to take an extra semester because of poor advice. The resources are wonderful, the atmosphere is great. For a good time, this is the place to go. I don't believe UT lacks creativity and intellectualism; it's there. UT is what you make of it. AND I won't lie…lots of folks are more into parties than any studying. I was not Greek and had no desire to be. I couldn't get over the ditsiness of that system. Regardless, socially I did fine. I think the UT experience is exactly what you'd get in real life—a hodgepodge. I have a kid who's a Jr. in H.S. I don't think he should go here. Extracurricularly, he'd do well. Academically, I cringe at the thought. He's a really good student when prodded, not the type A person—I think he'd get sucked into the vacuum, finding himself "lost". He's not organized, a lousy time organizer, and not one to ask questions unless approached. I think a person like this needs more individualized attention more easily found at a smaller school. As a poli sci major (it was called gov't when I went), UT & Austin were GREAT training ground. I lived in DC for 7 yrs.