Any Finalists Picking University of Texas - Dallas?

Hi I am looking to connect with other parents whose child is going to UTD with the National Merit Scholarship. Are you in Texas or Out of State. What is your child studying? My son hasn’t made his final decision yet but UTD looks like it is at the top of the list right now. We live in Montana so if my son decides to go Dallas will be very different than Montana. He is interested in Computer Science. I would love to meet other parents. Thanks!

My son is considering them. He’s from RI and this would be a big jump. He’s electrical engineering.

^^^

Did any of your kids apply to UAlabama for their big NMF? It’s not too late if you apply now. The app is super easy…takes like 5 minutes. No essays, no LORs. Then just send transcripts and scores and the NMF letter.

Not only do you get the big NMF award, but eng’g and CS majors get an add’l $2500 per year. The school is 60% OOS so, in many ways, is better for an OOS student.

Also, Alabama has a new 1million sq ft STEM complex…state of the art.

We are going to UTD next weekend to check everything out. My son has his heart set on Dallas. I hope he loves it after our visit. We are from Montana so it will be a big move for our son too!

My DD is going to UTD on the national merit scholarship and she is majoring in CS. My DD and my DH were just up there last weekend for the CS open house and the day reaffirmed that my DD made the right decision for her. The program is very supportive and geared towards making sure the kids learn their stuff vs weeding out. It is a different campus because it is modern looking vs the traditional red brick. It is also quite diverse. We are from Austin but she is looking forward to exploring Dallas via the DART. I hope your son enjoys his visit and decides that is the place for him.

We just got home from Texas on Monday. It is a done deal at UTD and my son couldn’t be any happier with his decision. He said “Mom, I found my people!” He will also be majoring in CS! I was so impressed with the Honors College. We also had a “Train Day” in Dallas and rode around on the DART to downtown, the airport and other stops along the way. Coming from Montana, I felt better knowing he would know how to get around when he gets there.

I’m glad to hear that your son will be going there. My DD is also in honors and will be in the honors housing. She has spent the week trying to get registered. It is a learning process but her advisor has been very patient. How was the DART? I have never been on it but it looks like it goes to a lot of fun places as well as the airport, which is important.
Anyway, I’m glad your trip was good and your son is happy with his decision.

The DART was great! Really easy to use and I think I read that they can get a card at the school so they can ride on it for free.

Just noticed this thread. I’ve had 2 NM sons go to UTD --one just graduated in CS, other is a junior business major. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

How conservative is the student body at UT-D? My son is very liberal politically/socially, and he’s not religious. I’m wondering if he could “find his people” at UT-D?

FWIW, he’s likely aiming towards Chem E pre-med, if that matters.

I had that same concern for my DD. We do come from the Austin area which is very liberal and there are parts of Dallas that are very conservative. UTD does not appear or identify as conservative. I spoke with parents of present students, spoke with the tour guides and I read the reddit page, and I think my DD will be just fine. The student body seems occupied on getting an education vs being politically active one way or the other. On reddit, there has been postings from LBGT students and the responses have been thoughtful and helpful.

Our family is also not religious and again I don’t think that will be a problem there. It is a very international campus and I am hoping she gets more exposure to different beliefs. There are Christian groups but it is not a Christian campus.

@atomom How is UTD for OOS? Flying in and out? Transportation from Dallas airport? How are Dorms? Are they
guaranteed for 4 years? How is CS? Did your sons find good jobs easily in TX, or re-located? my son is National Merit Finalist, and we are new to idea of UTD, since he would get full ride to U of KY, which is easy drive for us.

UTD is one of my son’s top 3 choices. We live in Kansas. We haven’t visited UTD yet but are planning to soon.

GTAustin, thanks for your comments above about UTD. My son is also not religious and center politically; he would not prefer a strongly conservative environment.

@GTAustin how does your daughter rate the academics at UTD (level of difficulty in Math/Science)?

https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/09/how-ut-dallas-has-climbed-ranks-texas-top-colleges/