How do you all think of UT Austin in regards to ranking and overall thoughts
Any responses? How is compared to Berkeley, UMich, UVA, and the like?
A 30 minute bump is not much better than a 20 minute one. Wait a day for people to answer. UT is a fine college. You can read a number of different ranking systems to see where they think it falls. If you can go there for in-state rates then I would recommend you do that. For OOS rates, maybe not depending on your other choices.
Sorry about that @“Erin’s Dad”
@“Erin’s Dad” I am a first time user so I am not as familiar with the rules until just recently. Are you from a state outside of Texas?
Yes, outside. I’ve been to TX for various reasons and driven across it (that was a LONG trip).
@“Erin’s Dad” do you know anyone who graduated from there?
I am not OOS so I can’t give you my impressions. Looking at your other threads you are interested in medical school and looking for financial aid. UT is NOT considered generous with financial aid. Medical schools are not all that interested in prestige of your undergrad. Most people are better off going to an instate school that is affordable or a private school that is generous with aid.
@GregoryRichards, my son is OOS and starting as a Freshman this fall. As part of the selection process, we know and interviewed alumni and graduating students in both of his intended majors. Very impressive to say the least. For OOS students considering UT, there is no question that UT is a premier destination university, with top-10 ranked programs, great spirit, and one of the most elite US public universities in arguably the most value-added city in the country. Most OOS students would agree, all other things being equal. But then, with UT’s top 10% law, all other things are not necessarily equal.
For me, there are two key factors to consider in actually selecting UT vs other attractive options:
- For OOS undergraduate students planning to major in the more competitive programs (Cockrell, McCombs, Plan II, CS, others), it is very difficult to gain admission for OOS, more difficult than many other elite schools. Every year, only about 10% of the Freshman class will comprise OOS and international students. So the competition is going to have impressive academic credentials and talents for that 10%.
- The OOS tuition cost is 3X that of Texas in-state students, and grant/scholarship financial aid for OOS students is very tight. If you had to pay full fare at UT vs getting, for example, an ABET-certified engineering degree at your own state flagship, you would save a great deal of money, perhaps for graduate school at UT or elsewhere. Many elite private schools will provide more grant aid for top students in some cases, making private school even cheaper than in-state, and surely OOS tuition at UT.
- The OOS tuition cost is 3X that of Texas in-state students, and grant/scholarship financial aid for OOS students is very tight. If you had to pay full fare at UT vs getting, for example, an ABET-certified engineering degree at your own state flagship, you would save a great deal of money, perhaps for graduate school at UT or elsewhere. Many elite private schools will provide more grant aid for top students in some cases, making private school even cheaper than in-state, and surely OOS tuition at UT.
Having said that, some OOS people DO get outstanding scholarships, and choose UT over Duke, Georgia Tech, Michigan, private LAS schools because…UT is a great school with a ton of opportunities, great sports, academic faculty and facilities, commitment to its excellence, now and in the future. And in a darn great place that is a ton of fun to live in. You can now even conceal carry a gun, once you’re 21. Bonus! …for some.