UT Austin is Overrated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just…don’t agree. The campus is very nice, Austin is great place to be for college, and the top 6% rule only applies to COLA (so the problem is only really “real” if you care at all and yore like an English major). Seems like a good school.

I spent 4 days walking around the city of Austin recently and there are parts that are definitely not great. Just sayin.

As is true of most cities.

I think this is just a bash Texas/UT post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just…don’t agree. The campus is very nice, Austin is great place to be for college, and the top 6% rule only applies to COLA (so the problem is only really “real” if you care at all and yore like an English major). Seems like a good school.

I spent 4 days walking around the city of Austin recently and there are parts that are definitely not great. Just sayin.

As is true of most cities.

I think this is just a bash Texas/UT post.

I know I agree. Just reading different posts around here over the years acting as if Austin is some Nirvana. It's not even close to a favorite city of mine.

[Anonymous]

I am a UT alum and parent of a current student. I live back in Austin again. I am very familiar with UT, UT admissions, alums, and current students. I will address this.

It is both overrated and underrated.

Underrated:
- The value of the education for in-state students (It is outstanding.)
- Access to undergrad research (But new leadership putting it in peril.)
- Living in Austin as a college student
- Diversity in Texas

Overrated:
- The value of the education for out of state students outside of McCombs, CS Turing, and Engineering (unless one just cares about the low admissions rate for bragging rights or can easily afford college.)
- Advising and general administration/organization

To address the OP, I could see where it could be considered overrated relative to the OOS admissions rate but I think that applies to most flagships. Your reasons given for the overrated-ness seem off to me.

Academics are decent but no better than a slightly above average flagship -

This opinion is based on what? Professors? Grad/law exmissions? Job placement? I suppose a lackadaisical student could coast (like at many schools) but a motivated one has access to world-class faculty, research opportunities, independent studies, etc in many majors not just the most desired.

They guarantee admission to a percentage of every high school in the state, so a lot of kids from weak high schools get to attend. -

What is wrong with smart kids from weaker high schools attending a state flagship and how does that make it 'overrated'? Will the kids from better schools or OOS get cooties? In all seriousness, kids have to be smart and/or motivated to get into UT especially the more desired majors. There are plenty of smart kids at 'weaker' high schools that on't have the same resources as the better public schools that have kids who benefit from more/better resources. IME it all evens out once they arrive on campus because it is sink or swim, which doesn't discriminate by high school but by grit and character. Most kids I know who go there are finally happy to be in a place where everyone is smart.

The campus isn’t defined and is ugly -

It is an urban campus. The original 40 acres is very defined with the tile roofs as are other buildings outside of the 40 acres. And yes, as it grows it is spilling into the areas around it - but it is urban. For kids who like urban environments it is great. For people who are used to a more defined and low-key campus it could be hard to like. It is not ugly, just urban. I have been to many different campuses all over the east coast and it is not different than some other urban campuses and actually a little more defined than some.

And finally, Austin isn’t even a college town, it’s a small city better suited for grad students -

This makes no sense. Austin used to be more of a college town, sure. It has grown a ton. But there are good universities in cities all over the world. What does being a grad student have to do with it? There are undergrads all over our cities. UT kids love being in Austin.

Now, all that being said, the current MAGA leadership is doing all it can at the moment to make it an average school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just…don’t agree. The campus is very nice, Austin is great place to be for college, and the top 6% rule only applies to COLA (so the problem is only really “real” if you care at all and yore like an English major). Seems like a good school.

Doesn't matter which school it applies to it counts towards admission to the school and total admission stats..

And this matters why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just…don’t agree. The campus is very nice, Austin is great place to be for college, and the top 6% rule only applies to COLA (so the problem is only really “real” if you care at all and yore like an English major). Seems like a good school.

I spent 4 days walking around the city of Austin recently and there are parts that are definitely not great. Just sayin.

As is true of most cities.

I think this is just a bash Texas/UT post.

I know I agree. Just reading different posts around here over the years acting as if Austin is some Nirvana. It's not even close to a favorite city of mine.

I am the PP who lives in Austin. Definitely not a nirvana now though it kinda used to be. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just…don’t agree. The campus is very nice, Austin is great place to be for college, and the top 6% rule only applies to COLA (so the problem is only really “real” if you care at all and yore like an English major). Seems like a good school.

Doesn't matter which school it applies to it counts towards admission to the school and total admission stats..

And this matters why?

And it matters why that they are admitted to a different major as you stated? The point is they are admitted!

[Anonymous]

Good enough city and good enough state school with low in state tuition which is a big draw ,nothing special for out of state applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just…don’t agree. The campus is very nice, Austin is great place to be for college, and the top 6% rule only applies to COLA (so the problem is only really “real” if you care at all and yore like an English major). Seems like a good school.

I spent 4 days walking around the city of Austin recently and there are parts that are definitely not great. Just sayin.

As is true of most cities.

I think this is just a bash Texas/UT post.

I know I agree. Just reading different posts around here over the years acting as if Austin is some Nirvana. It's not even close to a favorite city of mine.

I am the PP who lives in Austin. Definitely not a nirvana now though it kinda used to be. Sad.

Yep not the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get the hype. What am I missing? Academics are decent but no better than a slightly above average flagship. They guarantee admission to a percentage of every high school in the state, so a lot of kids from weak high schools get to attend. The campus isn’t defined and is ugly. And finally, Austin isn’t even a college town, it’s a small city better suited for grad students.

The automatic admission is limited to the top 5%, and even that is not for every college/program, some of which are legitimately very highly regarded. The campus is quite nice with is big oaks and Spanish colonial style. Calling the 11th biggest city in the USA a "small city" is a decent mischaracterization, but it is indeed more than a college town; it has a campus and student area that is quite college town like, it has tremendous industry and government opportunities from its silicon hills and state capital status, full of music arts and good food. Hell of an alumni network, too.

If you are VA resident, though, I agree it wouldn't pull me away from UVA.

The campus is OK. Very dry area and not a lot of greenery accept for entry rectangular quad and that's not very big. Just sayin.

+100 Austin is fine but extremely overrated. There is nothing in Austin not found in Richmond. Nothing at UT not found at UVA. And the Texas landscape is very ugly compared to the mountains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a UT alum and parent of a current student. I live back in Austin again. I am very familiar with UT, UT admissions, alums, and current students. I will address this.

It is both overrated and underrated.

Underrated:
- The value of the education for in-state students (It is outstanding.)
- Access to undergrad research (But new leadership putting it in peril.)
- Living in Austin as a college student
- Diversity in Texas

Overrated:
- The value of the education for out of state students outside of McCombs, CS Turing, and Engineering (unless one just cares about the low admissions rate for bragging rights or can easily afford college.)
- Advising and general administration/organization

To address the OP, I could see where it could be considered overrated relative to the OOS admissions rate but I think that applies to most flagships. Your reasons given for the overrated-ness seem off to me.

Academics are decent but no better than a slightly above average flagship -

This opinion is based on what? Professors? Grad/law exmissions? Job placement? I suppose a lackadaisical student could coast (like at many schools) but a motivated one has access to world-class faculty, research opportunities, independent studies, etc in many majors not just the most desired.

They guarantee admission to a percentage of every high school in the state, so a lot of kids from weak high schools get to attend. -

What is wrong with smart kids from weaker high schools attending a state flagship and how does that make it 'overrated'? Will the kids from better schools or OOS get cooties? In all seriousness, kids have to be smart and/or motivated to get into UT especially the more desired majors. There are plenty of smart kids at 'weaker' high schools that on't have the same resources as the better public schools that have kids who benefit from more/better resources. IME it all evens out once they arrive on campus because it is sink or swim, which doesn't discriminate by high school but by grit and character. Most kids I know who go there are finally happy to be in a place where everyone is smart.

The campus isn’t defined and is ugly -

It is an urban campus. The original 40 acres is very defined with the tile roofs as are other buildings outside of the 40 acres. And yes, as it grows it is spilling into the areas around it - but it is urban. For kids who like urban environments it is great. For people who are used to a more defined and low-key campus it could be hard to like. It is not ugly, just urban. I have been to many different campuses all over the east coast and it is not different than some other urban campuses and actually a little more defined than some.

And finally, Austin isn’t even a college town, it’s a small city better suited for grad students -

This makes no sense. Austin used to be more of a college town, sure. It has grown a ton. But there are good universities in cities all over the world. What does being a grad student have to do with it? There are undergrads all over our cities. UT kids love being in Austin.

Now, all that being said, the current MAGA leadership is doing all it can at the moment to make it an average school.

What makes the urban campus and Austin a good experience for an 18 year old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get the hype. What am I missing? Academics are decent but no better than a slightly above average flagship. They guarantee admission to a percentage of every high school in the state, so a lot of kids from weak high schools get to attend. The campus isn’t defined and is ugly. And finally, Austin isn’t even a college town, it’s a small city better suited for grad students.

The automatic admission is limited to the top 5%, and even that is not for every college/program, some of which are legitimately very highly regarded. The campus is quite nice with is big oaks and Spanish colonial style. Calling the 11th biggest city in the USA a "small city" is a decent mischaracterization, but it is indeed more than a college town; it has a campus and student area that is quite college town like, it has tremendous industry and government opportunities from its silicon hills and state capital status, full of music arts and good food. Hell of an alumni network, too.

If you are VA resident, though, I agree it wouldn't pull me away from UVA.

The campus is OK. Very dry area and not a lot of greenery accept for entry rectangular quad and that's not very big. Just sayin.

+100 Austin is fine but extremely overrated. There is nothing in Austin not found in Richmond. Nothing at UT not found at UVA. And the Texas landscape is very ugly compared to the mountains.

Let's not kid ourselves. Music, food, bars, and college sports are much, much better in Austin than in Richmond/Charlottesville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get the hype. What am I missing? Academics are decent but no better than a slightly above average flagship. They guarantee admission to a percentage of every high school in the state, so a lot of kids from weak high schools get to attend. The campus isn’t defined and is ugly. And finally, Austin isn’t even a college town, it’s a small city better suited for grad students.

The automatic admission is limited to the top 5%, and even that is not for every college/program, some of which are legitimately very highly regarded. The campus is quite nice with is big oaks and Spanish colonial style. Calling the 11th biggest city in the USA a "small city" is a decent mischaracterization, but it is indeed more than a college town; it has a campus and student area that is quite college town like, it has tremendous industry and government opportunities from its silicon hills and state capital status, full of music arts and good food. Hell of an alumni network, too.

If you are VA resident, though, I agree it wouldn't pull me away from UVA.

The campus is OK. Very dry area and not a lot of greenery accept for entry rectangular quad and that's not very big. Just sayin.

+100 Austin is fine but extremely overrated. There is nothing in Austin not found in Richmond. Nothing at UT not found at UVA. And the Texas landscape is very ugly compared to the mountains.

Let's not kid ourselves. Music, food, bars, and college sports are much, much better in Austin than in Richmond/Charlottesville.

Music Food and Bars is not a unique thing.

[Anonymous]

I’m a third generation UT grad and I have to agree. I feel like I got my real education at my rigorous high school and spent four very fun years in Austin, where I had no career or academic counseling, my professors didn’t know who I was and was basically a number. I’ve been so much more impressed by several lesser ranked schools I’ve toured with my kids.

[Anonymous]

I believe the job market has been pretty strong in Austin for CS and engineering compared to other school local job markets. Having a lot of local employers improves internship opportunities.

The town is considered pretty cool.

The people I know who are excited about college in Texas don't want to live where it snows. Which rules out a ton of good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a UT alum and parent of a current student. I live back in Austin again. I am very familiar with UT, UT admissions, alums, and current students. I will address this.

It is both overrated and underrated.

Underrated:
- The value of the education for in-state students (It is outstanding.)
- Access to undergrad research (But new leadership putting it in peril.)
- Living in Austin as a college student
- Diversity in Texas

Overrated:
- The value of the education for out of state students outside of McCombs, CS Turing, and Engineering (unless one just cares about the low admissions rate for bragging rights or can easily afford college.)
- Advising and general administration/organization

To address the OP, I could see where it could be considered overrated relative to the OOS admissions rate but I think that applies to most flagships. Your reasons given for the overrated-ness seem off to me.

Academics are decent but no better than a slightly above average flagship -

This opinion is based on what? Professors? Grad/law exmissions? Job placement? I suppose a lackadaisical student could coast (like at many schools) but a motivated one has access to world-class faculty, research opportunities, independent studies, etc in many majors not just the most desired.

They guarantee admission to a percentage of every high school in the state, so a lot of kids from weak high schools get to attend. -

What is wrong with smart kids from weaker high schools attending a state flagship and how does that make it 'overrated'? Will the kids from better schools or OOS get cooties? In all seriousness, kids have to be smart and/or motivated to get into UT especially the more desired majors. There are plenty of smart kids at 'weaker' high schools that on't have the same resources as the better public schools that have kids who benefit from more/better resources. IME it all evens out once they arrive on campus because it is sink or swim, which doesn't discriminate by high school but by grit and character. Most kids I know who go there are finally happy to be in a place where everyone is smart.

The campus isn’t defined and is ugly -

It is an urban campus. The original 40 acres is very defined with the tile roofs as are other buildings outside of the 40 acres. And yes, as it grows it is spilling into the areas around it - but it is urban. For kids who like urban environments it is great. For people who are used to a more defined and low-key campus it could be hard to like. It is not ugly, just urban. I have been to many different campuses all over the east coast and it is not different than some other urban campuses and actually a little more defined than some.

And finally, Austin isn’t even a college town, it’s a small city better suited for grad students -

This makes no sense. Austin used to be more of a college town, sure. It has grown a ton. But there are good universities in cities all over the world. What does being a grad student have to do with it? There are undergrads all over our cities. UT kids love being in Austin.

Now, all that being said, the current MAGA leadership is doing all it can at the moment to make it an average school.

What makes the urban campus and Austin a good experience for an 18 year old?

It's not an urban campus, at least in the sense of NYU, BU, etc. It's a massive campus that's in a city. That city, Austin, has a ton of bars, music, cheap eats, warm weather, aquatic entertainment, etc. that many young people enjoy in addition to the things young people seem to enjoy in a college (attractive people, sports, clubs, parties, etc.). Some kids might prefer a more isolated, small college like Williams. Others might enjoy a large truly urban campus like NYU. But for a lot of kids, UT/Austin hits a sweet spot.