<p>I haven't visted any campuses yet, so in the meantime I've been relying on sites like campusdirt to get a feel for student life at different schools. But the thing is - I usually need good pictures to with what I'm reading.</p>
<p>From pictures I've seen (both on the UT site and elsewhere), the campus appears similar to a commuter school (lots of urban buildings, but no real campus). </p>
<p>But with a school so big, there must be more to it than that. </p>
<p>Current students, help me....Is there a campus feel? Are there quads, lawns, student hang out spots, etc.? Anything you guys can tell me about the campus or student life would be great. I just can't seem to get a real picture of the school in my mind.</p>
<p>I graduated from UT-Austin in 1984. The campus (affectionately and nostalgically, but not accurately, referred to as "the 40 acres") did not feel like a commuter campus to me at all. It is a sprawling, diverse mosaic of old and new buildings, with beautiful fountains, grassy areas for hacky-sack and lolling, and scenic views of the state Capitol and Texas hill country. It's got a huge endowment that helps fund great facilities, including libraries, laboratories and athletic venues. It's a stone's throw from amazing night life, including some of the best bars, barbeque and blues in the world. Although it has one of--if not THE--largest student bodies in the country, there are many opportunities to carve out a comfortable space in more intimate student communities. I had a few really big classes, including a couple that were AWESOME. (Neil DeGrasse Tyson was my astronomy T.A.) But I also had many, many small discussion classes and labs that were very hands-on. I made close friends, had a lot of good times, and still get a lump in my throat when I see the UT Tower lit up at night. Does that help?</p>
<p>By the way, as much as I love UT, my son who just graduated from high school did not consider going there. Partly because he grew up in Oregon, not Texas. Partly because it was huge and 95% Texans. And partly (mostly?) because it's so dang hot in Austin most of the year. ;) He's going to Drew University in New Jersey next year.</p>
<p>I am at UT right now and the campus does not feel like a commuter school. Like said before, there are plenty of fountains, wooded sidewalks, etc. There are also plenty of places where students hang out; its not like everyone goes to class then just leaves campus.</p>
<p>That's reassuring. Thanks.</p>
<p>I spent 4 days at UT for a conference held there...a let me say that it is situated pretty much in the center of the city. </p>
<p>However, there are parks and grass and trees and statues and...much much more all around you. There is a huge horse/etc fountain and for me, personally, I got a really 'gothic' feel because the heavily treed areas block out the sunlight. </p>
<p>Student life (from what I've seen and heard) looks great. UT is very diverse so it's hard not to find your 'clique.' While I was there, a celebration was going on and students were all over the lawns and whatnot, eating hot dogs and just hanging out. </p>
<p>UT is surrounded by a strip full of shops and resturants, and is a very peaceful place to roam. I'm sure you'll be able to find a student hangout spot easily.</p>
<p>I was there around April and the weather was perfectly fine. Cool yet sunny.
(ps, if you're there, go to the Hoolah Hut. Totally overrated but for first timers like me, it was pretty fun. Wait's hella long though.)</p>
<p>
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Cool yet sunny
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Haha this year is unnaturally cool. If your not from Texas, it will be a shock in September. But its actually hotter and more humid in Houston, so its better for me.</p>
<p>Lol, I live in Houston too!
For you out of state people, Texas will be a shock (esp. if you're from cool places such as Cali and such where people ride with their car top down).
The A/C is turned on 24/7 here.</p>
<p>I found Austin nice too, with the hilly roads and such.
I'm glad UT has a lot of trees. Although sometimes it looks moody and depressing (because sunlight can't stream through in some areas!) it's relaxing. </p>
<p>You sort of have to get use to the hippies singing in the streets though.</p>
<p>Take what I say with a grain of salt as I have never been to the UT campus on a school day...</p>
<p>I would say that UT is less of a commuter school than other major schools in Texas. For one, UT has a lot of apartments right off campus (ie West Campus) where one can walk to school (and it continues to be built more and more dense near campus). Also, they have one of the largest dorms in the nation (Jester). Also, there are lots of shops and restaurants within walking distance. For those that do "commute" to school, it seems like most probably take the bus because the parking situation isn't great but buses come over 8 minutes or so, which IMO is great.</p>
<p>If you look up UT on google maps and then do the same with A&M and Texas Tech (zooming them all to the same point) you will notice that the UT campus is MUCH smaller than the other two. Even if you remove the unused parts of Tech's campus, it is still much larger than UT's campus. I expect there to be a very dense population of students walking/biking through and to campus.</p>
<p>As for the heat, keep in mind that the hottest months of the year are June, July and August so the heat will not be much of a factor during the school year. Relative to most of the US, Austin winters are very mild so that's a major plus IMO.</p>
<p>It has a "campus" feel around the Tower/South Mall/West Mall area. The campus is just so huge that it loses some of the close feel you'd have at a smaller school with a tighter campus. But students definitely lounge upon the lawns, hang out at the student union/libraries, that sort of thing. It's a commuter campus only in the sense that the vast majority of students do live off campus, either in surrounding neighborhoods or in places accessible by bus. Only first-years really live in the dorms, except in the Honors Quad.</p>