Full Ride at UT: Rumor or Truth?

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>I posted this question on another thread, but wanted to make the question public. I was a National Merit Finalist this year. This implies that I directly get 2500 from them, 1500 from UT in the first year, and 3000 each year after that. This means that if you are a NMF and enroll at UT, you should be getting 13K off the bat.</p>

<p>However, the total cost is 90K, and I have heard from 2 of my friends that UT wants a lot of NMFs, so they give full rides finalists? Is this true? If so, is it true regardless of your program?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>I am almost positive they do not. I have not received the official award letter, just the letter informing me about the details for Finalists. That letter said $13k over 4 years.</p>

<p>UT wants a lot of NMFs, yes, but they know they don't have to give any more to get them. They are second right now to Harvard, who don't give any NM money at all, so I'd say they are doing well.</p>

<p>I DO think it's bull that National Achievement is like $25k total, and you can get that with a lower score, while National Hispanic is identical to NMF, and can't be combined. If only I were black instead of Hispanic...</p>

<p>UT does have other large scholarships, but they are not NMF exclusive. I am a NMF and am one of 15 finalists for the Texas Exes $10k scholarship (5 $10k awards, 3 smaller) and one of 16 for the Liberal Arts Dedman $13k scholarship (6 awards). But you don't have to be a NMF and I'm certain some of the finalists aren't.</p>

<p>If you do hear something about a full ride, let me know cause that would be awesome. But as a general rule, schools of UT's caliber don't have to offer big money to draw NMFs to the school--it's lower-tier schools such as A&M and OU that do that.</p>

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<p>ranger: Could you link me to the site the puts universities in tiers? The link I have posted lists USN&WR America's Best Colleges for 2008 putting UT at #44, A&M at #62, and OU at #108. When you said lower tier schools such as A&M and OU, is this the report you were referring to? The definition they give is: "Top Schools:The top 50 percent of schools in this category, ranked numerically."</p>

<p>USNews.com:</a> America's Best Colleges 2008: National Universities</p>

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<p>Times</a> Higher Education</p>

<p>UT is #15, TAMU #105, and OU is not ranked.</p>

<p>Not that I hold much store with rankings, they aren't a very good measure of how good a school is. For example, UT has a high student-faculty ratio because they have very large introductoy classes. But UT's upper-level classes are quite small. They also haven't said where a small class is superior. I prefer a larger class myself because it gives me a bigger ability to stand out when I'm the only one talking. On another note, UT's cost of education is about half that of the schools above them on the list, yet there is no rank position for Value or for cost. Why? Because the list is biased so that it continues to show the Ivies, Stanfords, MITs, Dukes, and Caltechs as the best schools. Also, UT could have a much lower admission percentage if they didn't have the top ten rule (the caliber of students would be about the same). Also, the students of Texas have shown which school they think is better: UT is approaching 80% automatic admission for top ten, A&M is under half. A&M will guarantee you admission if you have a 1250 and are in the top quarter, UT rejects many kids in this range. Rankings are pointless. They end up hurting ANY large public school, because the people developing the rankings belive that private schools and UCs are inherently better, so the rankings are spun to their strongpoints. If you look at the peer ranking, UT should be in the 20s-30s, not in the low 40s. So obviously the academic world has a high opinion of UT. The retention rate is 20% of the score. Both UT and TAMU are hurt because they have to admit some unqualified top-ten kids who can't keep up, so they leave. This hurts retention. Selectivity is 15%. UT and TAMU can't be as selective by law. Financial resources are 10%, but they hurt UT because they don't count the large part of the UT system's endowment that goes to benefit the system as a whole, such as great grad schools and hospitals. It also doesn't count dorms and sports. There is no category to rank the social scene at the school, and UT is considered a top school here. There is no category to rank the weather, and UT wins here. There is no category to rank the surrounding city, and UT wins here by a country mile.</p>

<p>Quit coming on the Texas board and trying to stir ****.
Accept the facts that UT is a generally-regarded as a much better university than TAMU, except in Agriculture. Engineering is TAMU's pride and joy and even THEY are now ranked below UT in rankings, which seem to be the way you decide whether a school is worthy.</p>

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<p>I have also done some research on NMF since my S is one. He did not apply to any Ivy Leage schools since they do not give merit aid, only need-based. There is no denying the fact that UT has 283 NMF (UT sponsored 232), but they only represent approx. 3.8% of their freshmen class whereas Harvard has 285 which represents approx. 16.9% of their freshmen class. The % casts a different light. I do believe if Harvard wanted their entire freshmen class to be NMF, they would achieve their goal. As we all know, there are plenty of brilliant students who did not make NMSF. </p>

<p>BTW, do you know how many NMF are in the state of Texas? I am curious to know what % actually go to UT.</p>

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<p>I posted that last one before I read your more recent post.</p>

<p>I resent the fact that you think I am trying to stir up ****. You seem very defensive. My S has been accepted to both UT and A&M (he just considers both of them as safety schools). If I am not mistaken, this board is under College Discussion > College Admissions and Search. We have been admitted, and I am discussing it. I don't deny that UT is ranked higher than A&M, but what is that Times ranking? NY Times? Time Magazine? I might be more inclined to look at USN&WR.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, UT and A&M are both subject to the 10% rule. UT seems to be at a greater disadvantage, as you said, because so many top 10% students want to go there. Although our OOS tuition would be waived, UT is still more expensive than A&M. We have not heard yet about other scholarship monies.</p>

<p>And you are really coming off as defensive. I am just asking questions and trying to have an educated discussion. I am also not knocking "your school". It is obvious that you are very proud of UT. But sometimes, it seems that you have to put other schools down in the process. I have always advised my children that only people with low self-esteem put others down to make themselves look better.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I have always advised my children that only people with low self-esteem put others down to make themselves look better.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>People put others down because they are wrong, usually.</p>

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<p>This really has nothing to do with right or wrong. It has more to do with one-up-man-ship. That, in my opinion, is a self-esteem issue. </p>

<p>There is no gray area for ranger, that's for sure. It's black or white, my way or the highway. If you are too stupid to know that UT is the best thing since sliced bread, he will try to beat you into submission (or get off his board!) I would accuse him of being paid by UT, except that I think UT would hire someone with a bit more diplomacy.</p>

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<p>That would be the Times of London. Those are the rankings from their global higher education supplement. However, like I said I don't care about rankings.</p>

<p>I am not putting down other schools in the process, simply stating out a fact that TAMU and OU offer more merit money. Calling them "lower tier" is not a put-down, it is simply a fact of life that they do not have the prestige level of UT or of many other colleges (UT could not really be called top tier for national universities either). UT and TAMU are both excellent public schools. UT is generally accepted to be a better school, but they have different atmospheres. TAMU is more conservative and homogenous. And it's in College Station. They do have a lot of tradition, and don't mind telling people that they do.</p>

<p>TAMU's offer is very impressive. If it weren't such a conservative atmosphere, and if College Station weren't so boring, and if there were more diversity, and if they had a better liberal arts program, I'd have seriously considered their offer.</p>

<p>OU is just not that good a school for top-caliber students. If you are a NMF, you likely won't be satisfied by the offerings at OU, even more so than at TAMU.</p>

<p>However, it's safe to say that UT has the better program in almost all disciplines except pre-vet and agriculture, and I don't think there are too many NMF Ag majors out there (I could be completely wrong and sheltered by city life, though).</p>

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<p>Just a side note, those are possibly the most ridiculous rankings I have ever seen.</p>

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<p>It's based on faculty research, and combines UT with UT Southwestern Med School and UT Medical Branch, which are officially different universities. The med schools are no longer included with UT and the rank has dropped a bit since 2004 (but they are still in the top 50 I believe).</p>

<p>I personally do feel that using research criteria, the UT system is one of the top two university systems in the US and the world next to Cal. If you consider the system with those in that listing, its research output is equal or greater and it truly is in the top 15 in the world.</p>

<p>UT also is known as being an excellent school for most graduate departments and doctoral candidates. There are great opportunities for post-grad study at UT, and affordable costs as well. For grad school, I would say to pick UT over many of the Ivies, particularly those that claim to be "undergrad focused," such as Princeton and Dartmouth.</p>

<p>Undergraduate education is not UT's focus, and that is what is rewarded in the US News rankings. That is not to say undergrads are neglected, there are a lot of professors who love teaching and are happy to do so (particularly in Plan II). However, you have a lot of researchers there as well. Kids shouldn't be surprised to end up in 300 kid introductory classes, to not know the professor personally, to have a non-English speaking TA, etc. This is why Princeton is #1 in the US News and UT is #45--the rankings are only focusing on certain aspects of undergraduate education and not the entire university.</p>

<p>UT is NOT the 15th best undergraduate university as a whole. I will definitely give that to you.</p>

<p>If you consider the entire University, and all of its resources (including those of the entire system and not just the Austin campus), then UT is one of the best universities in the world.</p>

<p>You can't just look at US News. You have to look at your major and your department too. Business is a top-ten program. Comm is one of the best programs in the world. Engineering is also strong. On the other hand, the offerings of Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences, asides from the honors programs, are known for being rather uninspiring.</p>

<p>Plus you can look at Princeton Review and see that, apart from a strong academic side, UT has some of the best social opportunities on campus. They also have the #1 job placement ranking in the country, so things are going well at Texas.</p>

<p>Look at all of the numbers and not just one and you will see a much broader picture, one not just based on "how prestigious is your college," "endowment per student," "tenured faculty," "class size," etc. which are designed to protect the ranking and status of the elite private universities of the country.</p>

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<p>Ranger</p>

<p>"There is no category to rank the social scene at the school, and UT is considered a top school here."</p>

<p>Exactly what are these quantifiable factors that contribute to UT being a "top school" in the "social scene"?</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Exactly what are these quantifiable factors that contribute to UT being a "top school" in the "social scene"?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Everyone knows UT is a party school</p>

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<p>UT is the #1 party schoool! The girls are hot! That beats the Ivies in the "social scene" area.</p>

<p>UT-great education, fun, and hotties. Need I say more.</p>

<p>Hey, Ranger, thanks for the info. I really appreciate all your posts.</p>

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<p>haha,</p>

<p>girls at UT >>> girls at an Ivy</p>

<p>(in terms of hotness lol and in general terms..)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Ranger</p>

<p>"There is no category to rank the social scene at the school, and UT is considered a top school here."</p>

<p>Exactly what are these quantifiable factors that contribute to UT being a "top school" in the "social scene"?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I was wondering that too. UT is ranked as one of the top party schools by the Princeton Review. Is it mostly limited to frats? What other factors contribute to the social scene?</p>

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<p>To get back to OP's post: UT does not give a full ride to NM as they don't have to. A large number go there anyway. I believe my friends are getting in the $3000/year for NM. TAMU does give a free ride to NM. They will tell you that it is close, but not quite a full ride, but the dept. will usually kick in the extra $2000 or so. Both top notch schools.</p>

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<p>So besides the in-state tuition award, there is not much left for OOS NMF's at UT, I'm guessing? </p>

<p>Even with that, what is it, 20,000 a year? That's ridiculous, and too expensive for me ... :(</p>