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[quote=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. 
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