<p>UTGirl–</p>
<p>Congratulations on these opportunities. Let me start by saying that, no matter which way you decide, you will probably end up just fine. These are two good choices each of which is likely to take your life in happy, but different, directions.</p>
<p>I find it interesting that you ask if UT “is worth” the extra cost. Many posters on these boards might very well ask that of Mac (or many other LAC’s) if the economics were reversed. That is it is at least as likely that someone, finding Mac to be more expensive, would post here “Is a Mac education worth the extra cost?” This is not to say that they would be correct in their tacit assumption that a smaller and more exclusive education would be better, only that more than a few people perceive it to be so. At any rate $28K of debt is, to my mind, a little more than I would recommend a student incur and, if you can avoid it, it is a definite positive. You should also remember that you might need to take on more debt for post-graduation educational pursuits.</p>
<p>These are two very different schools, not the least reason being that UT has 40,000 undergraduates and Mac 2,000. You have already noted that one consequence of this is that average class sizes are apt to be different. This will be especially true in your first two years, after which classes more focused on your major will probably filter UT class sizes down to more personal sizes. This size difference, too, will probably make you work a little harder at UT to actively participate in your education. At UT and other large flagships the default stance is usually to be a passive recipient of your education–register, go to class, study, pass, repeat, graduate. If you want to question your instructors, engage your fellow students, and pursue research it will be more incumbent on you to do so. There will be opportunities to be pro-active in your education at UT but you will probably have to take at least first steps to find and seize them. It is more likely at Mac (and other LAC’s) that your education will invite you to be active and that you will have to make some effort to hide if that’s not what you want. Many students would rather take the former, passive, approach rather than the latter. You will have to decide what you prefer. Note, too, that graduate and professional schools prefer the latter kind of student, so that if you go to UT and think you might pursue education beyond your baccalaureate it will particularly benefit you to pursue accomplishments and testimonials that differentiate you as an active student.</p>
<p>It sounds as if you are reassured because UT will give you much more of what you know. You cite weather, friends, and location-near-home, for example, as positives. In addition to these you can add Texans, because UT undergraduates are 89% from Texas and 96% American. At Mac, only 15% of the students are Minnesotan (40% Midwestern, 2% from Texas) and 15% are internationals. You are, thus, much more likely to interact with students from a wider variety of backgrounds. This can be energizing or disorienting, depending on your personal traits. The same can be said for the general issue of having to make all (as opposed to some) new friends. How do you think you will react?</p>
<p>The climate differences are undeniable. Here in the Twin Cities in the middle of April we are just beginning to climb out of winter (most of the cities’ larger lakes are still frozen). It is my experience that students from warmer climates find they adapt both by learning that you can go out in cold and that college usually is an indoor activity any way.</p>
<p>I can speak to music only to say that there are all kinds of performances to be experienced in the Twin Cities, musical and otherwise. I can’t knowledgeably compare it to Austin’s nor can I say how easily Mac students find them. If you come for a Mac overnight this might be a question you explore with current students and staff, as well as the social question. There will not be the big sports-driven (and other) parties at Mac but you might find a lot of smaller gatherings taking place with high frequency on or near campus. I do know some Mac students circulate into the wider metro, which is easy to do because Mac is embedded in residential and commercial St. Paul. </p>
<p>If you can’t come for an overnight you might ask the Admissions office to be put in touch with a Mac student who has direct experience with musical and social opportunities. You might also ask them if you can be put in contact with current student from Texas so you can get a first-hand account of the adjustments necessary.</p>
<p>I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.</p>