I’m looking to transfer to UTA, UTD, or A&M. I’ve only heard bad things about UTA’s engineering. And A&M is super hard… Has anyone heard on how good UTA’s engineering is?
UTA has a good rep for engineering. You will have an entirely different experience at UTA (Arlington correct? or did you mean Austin?). UT Arlington is almost entirely a commuter school. They have made efforts to improve this, but I still would not put it high on my list for someone who wants a college experience.
UTA - I assume UT Austin, is nationally recognized as top 20 for engineering.
UTA = University of Texas at Arlington
UTD = University of Texas at Dallas
UT = University of Texas Austin
UT Arlington is in my hometown. The engineering school has a great reputation. Engineering is not going to be “easy” anywhere, if you are looking for an “easier” school. Arlington is a great city and conveniently located between Dallas and Fort Worth. Much to do within and outside the city. Many Arlington graduates stay here to attend, for various reasons. It has been primarily a commuter school, meaning, while Arlington has sufficient apartments, they were not located on campus and there were scant dorms. UTA has had an explosion of growth in the last 5 years and, while not a “college town atmosphere”, they are slowly changing that. They do have an active Greek life as well. Several new university apartment complexes that are being built, so a lot is changing.
That said, our own son applied to UTA and has been accepted into the engineering school. His first choice is UT in Austin, so we wait until December or later to find out. Austin is more his kind of town.
@Morbidicus I know UT Arlington well. The engineering school is UTA’s number one priority. The school gets most of its research dollars through the school etc, therefore it’s a good and well-funded school. And yes it’s hard because I know one guy who went to an elite science gifted high school in TX and had to drop out of engineering b/c his grades were too low b/c he thought he didn’t have to study since he’s so smart naturally … so you have to come focused, The school has become the 3rd largest behind UT and A&M (surpassing Tech) for a reason.
UTA is not really a commuter school, there’s 5,000 people on campus … that’s more than enough. Also they just completed a brand new apartment home nearby with more coming. There’s DI athletics, nice athletic facilities, and an active campus life (always something going on social) so you can have your traditional college experience, but maybe on a milder scale compared to other schools in TX but it exist. UTD is where I feel you won’t have the traditional college experience … most people go to UTD just for academics, not really for much else and many of their students are not “traditional Americans” so they normally have poor socializing skills or don’t get the American college culture.
@Thelma2 I’ve heard it’s more of a commuter school, but that doesn’t really bother me. I know engineering won’t be easy anywhere, but I’ve heard they make it more difficult than it should be. Have you heard anything like this?
@NuScholar I am focused, but I’d like to do well. I’m not 100% about engineering anyway… Have you had any experience with their engineering program? I just hear it’s needlessly difficult.
I’m not worried about having a party life. I’m more about academics anyway.
@Morbidicus It wouldn’t surprise me they make it harder than it needs to be, that’s how college is. Lots of things we were forced to learn and know on test is honestly irrelevant to the main subject matter of the course. But some engineering majors are more difficult than others … but you’ll do fine since you’re focused. Go to tour the schools, I know UTA engineering program has an open house like 4 times a year for interested students and you can talk to students etc.