<p>I am currently trying to choose between UT Austin and Baylor, and I'm really struggling. I know UT is a very good school and has great school spirit but I worry about the size. My fear is that at UT I will get lost in the crowd and become just a number. However, I am in the Liberal Arts Honors college, which I heard helps, is that true? Furthermore, I worry about the amount of students who are out of state. I am a CA resident so I am worried that I will be a little out of place at UT since only 8% of students (undergrad) are out of state. Any comments or opinions?</p>
<p>I think Austin will seem more like CA to you than Waco. Both are excellent schools and both have a lot of school spirit. Although UT has a large student population there are small groups that take the “large” out of UT. First year interest groups (FIGs) at UT also make the campus a little smaller. Another thought: you fly in directly to Austin but with Baylor you have to fly in somewhere else and then drive. You will seem a lot closer to home with direct flights. Look at Face Book and check out the class of 2015- incoming freshmen are already making friends! The last thought: I think everyone ends up where they’re meant to be and your decision will reflect that. Good luck.</p>
<p>Its not as big as you think.</p>
<p>I run into people I know (when I’m walking around) about once an hour. The intro, lower level lecture classes are big (just like at any school). Once you get to the upper, specific major courses, your class sizes will be much smaller.</p>
<p>Also people at UT think OSS students are like super cool and interesting because everyone else is from Texas. You will actually get more attention than you think.</p>
<p>You will become “a number” if you put that onto yourself. If you go out and join some student organizations, sit in the front, talk to the professors, go to their office hours, you will be “more than a number.”</p>
<p>Since UT is bigger in almost every way possible, by simple probability, you are also more likely to find a club, friends, or classes that you like.</p>
<ul>
<li>Current UT freshman</li>
</ul>
<p>My FAVORITE class at UT was US History with George Forgie (who is still a teacher there). There were about 300 students in the class! I’m SO glad I didn’t take it at ACC or something. Dr. Forgie is a gifted storyteller, and I looked forward to every class session with him. He tried to convince me to switch majors from engineering to history, and I was tempted! </p>
<p>I agree with Ace - the large size of UT means there are just that many more opportunities for good things to happen. If I had it to do over again, I would choose Texas in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>My son is an OOS freshman, and he loves the school, too. He told me he can’t believe how friendly everyone is!</p>
<p>I’ll be an OOS student too if I decide to enroll in the fall and I wouldn’t mind that at all. Like Ace6904 mentioned, I heard that OOS kids get lots of attention lol. </p>
<p>Also, sitting in the front, going to office hours, joining a FIG, going to discussion sessions with TA’s, and more will make the large school much more intimate. I don’t think the size should be a concern because things are in place to help ease the transition. (Also, if you don’t sit near the front, a tip is to sit under the speakers.)</p>
<p>I’m an English major in LA. I haven’t had a class with more than twenty five students except for my Intro to Sociology class last semester which held about 200. But the discussions were small.</p>
<p>If you take a language, those classes will be small since you do oral tests and such.</p>
<p>I think maybe the science and math classes are the largest. Couldn’t tell ya! Hah.</p>