Make a case against mine (UT is way ahead of TAMU)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Texas A&M University
1

<p>Why UT is better than A&M</p>

<pre><code>Now this may be a bold statement to make on an A&M thread but I would say that 90% of all fields of study at UT are better than those at TAMU. Aside from the school itself compare the surroundings. Opportunities abound for jobs, recreation, political organizations, and so so much more. When I juxtapose the seemingly endless amount of opportunities, natural beauty that UT, and the surrounding city of Austin offer with that of College Station I am struck by the stark contrast. College Station is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. The city is defined and in my opinion overpowered by the university. Austin on the other hand is bolstered enormously by UT and the 6 or 7 other colleges that call the city home. Now the biggest differences in both of these schools in essence boils down to urban vs. rural and liberal vs. conservative. I would also go as far to say that UT is less liberal than A&M is conservative, underscoring the fact that politically, socially, and perhaps even religiously (<if that matters to you) UT us far more diverse and based on that fact more balanced as a university. If you want your education, generally speaking, to be defined by similar thinking people, from similar backgrounds, with and strong tradition rooted in conservative ideals then TAMU is the place for you. I however, would argue that the diversity and heterogenous nature of UT's student body and faculty facilitate and propagate a learning that transcends what a more homogenous base like TAMU sets forth. Now strictly speaking, by the numbers like math scores, or job placement, or salary in post graduate life TAMU vs. UT is fairly similar, UT still of course gets the leg up. However, in terms of learning outside the classroom, interacting with a culturally and intellectually diverse peer group, UT is leaps and bounds ahead of TAMU. The choice for me was absolutely simple, I choice to step outside of my "comfort zone" and reach farther into an environment that I know would hasten the quest to adulthood and a life filled with ongoing learning and curiosity. I would be so bold as to ask any TAMU supporter or student to contest, challenge or even argue against my point. UT creates a more globally aware and adept student, one that can't tangibly be measured by program rank, or test scores, the evidence is in the diversity, and the excitement for learning, not in some shallow rooted school tradition that acts as the only foundation for pride. I think the choice is as clear as night and day. My question to you and everyone else is why don't you?
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2

<p>Hook Em' Horns!</p>

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<p>Why the hate? See, this is why some people choose A&M over UT. They are totally different schools with totally different attitudes. You just proved it. A totally unsolicited "we are the greatest" on a rival school's board.</p>

<p>You will get a great education at either school. You need to visit both and see where you fit in as they have different cultures completely. Not saying one is better, they are different.</p>

4

<p>Good for you! I am very sure you will be happy there. Just from reading this one post, you do not seem like the type of person to go to TAMU, so I think you made the right decision. But why seek reassurance from another board? You may have self-esteem issues you need to work out. I'll bet UT has a class for that.</p>

5

<p>Your veracity in this statement is amusing and shows you know very little about Texas A&M, and until you do, your opinion will be a very ignorant one that needs no lengthy discussions to counter. </p>

<p>It seems you seek some type of assurance that you indeed made the right choice by attending UT, otherwise why else post what you did on this board? I myself don't need others to tell me I made the right choice in accepting admission to A&M, while turning down UT's offer.</p>

6

<p>Oh, you are so right! Why didn't I see it before? My poor son...he's just experienced the 3 happiest and most fulfilling years of his life. He has great friends, interesting professors, and is heading for the career he dreams of. But....he didn't go to UT. We totally messed up.</p>

<p>In high school, it's fun to say, "We've got spirit, yes we do; we've got spirit, how 'bout you?" But in college, it looks kinda immature.</p>

7

<p>Rice is better anyways</p>

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<p>^That was random. So let's compare every public against all private universities....</p>

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<p>Also, I have a hard time believing that anyone attending Rice would say or write "anyways".</p>

10

<p>At the risk of reiterating what has already been stated, I would like to point out that the schools are different from people to place, but arguing that UT is better because of its diversity and then slamming another school because it's different (With a shaking foundation for that argument I might add) is rather hypocritical.</p>

<p>Although my point has been made, I'll humor you by contesting literally every point you just put forth.</p>

<p>Location:
You argue Austin over College station rather fervently. However, you don't even consider the latter's strengths over Austin, assuming you can see them at all. For example, College Station only EXISTS because of A&M. As a result, the people living in College Station support and are supported by Aggies. Opportunities in College Station are abundant not because of size, but because of the fact that the entire city revolves around the College.</p>

<p>Now, politically you could argue that this would mean the students would have more power than the residents, and is some cases this is true, but for the most part, it's a symbiotic relationship. A&M is one of (if not THE) friendliest campuses in the nation. There's always volunteering in College Station, or community projects, or planning for such.</p>

<p>You spoke of beauty, and personally, I can't stand Austin. Not because of the school in it, but because I don't like large cities with a congested population. Rural beauty is natural beauty for me, and that is appealing. Not to say Austin is bad, it's just impersonal. And College Station may be "in the middle of nowhere" But everything is basically a walk away from campus, so why complain?</p>

<p>Diversity:</p>

<p>It's at this point where I must question your knowledge on the culture at A&M. Given that the campus nearly screams diversity and has been the heart of the College's philosophy for years. I think you're confusing A&M with the University of Dallas.</p>

<p>As far as liberal vs. Conservative, I would probably put A&M on the conservative side, but not less than I would classify TU as Liberal. I was one who dreamed of going to TU, so I've spent time there and have several friends that go there, and they attest to that sense of thought. However, I wouldn't put that negatively on either school. Neither is extreme enough to throw me or even most people off.</p>

<p>Salary:</p>

<p>You seemed like you almost gave A&M credit by placing TU on the same level in this regard, what troubles me is "OF COURSE, TU has the leg up".
I can't argue EVERY SINGLE section of A&M to have a bigger Salary than TU, but I can argue that there are several that are head and shoulders above TU. As a matter of fact:
[url=<a href="http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html%5DWSJ.com%5B/url"&gt;http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html]WSJ.com[/url&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p>

<p>Generally, TAMU's salaries are higher than TU's</p>

<p>Misc.:</p>

<p>I decided to cluster bomb this one because it all is basically the same. In this case, you implied A&M to have no "globally aware and adept students, that have nothing more than Tradition for Pride." Pretending this is true, I would compare this with the cut-throat, battle for numbers attitude that leads to a cynical elitist.</p>

<p>Now, given that your statement is almost certainly false with our diverse student body, teachers, and organizations. We have a saying at A&M:</p>

<p>We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we.</p>

<p>We are one of the few schools that not just calls our students, professors, and alumni family, but treat them like it. Our tradition is a way of linking every generation with the next as each provides something new to pass down. When you can meet an alumni in his sixties who still knows his "Wildcat" WOOOP, you know you're a part of a great history. Opportunities come from this family. Jobs are literally handed to Aggies by aggies and the degree is well known and respected.</p>

<p>TU's is known and respected, I will not argue that. But the family that doesn't exist. The missing link between you and another TU student makes the degree seem less meaning full.</p>

<p>When I leave college, I'll know that my senior ring will speak to another aggie. I'll know that I can come back and see traditions I took a part in. I'll know that I got my start here. I'll even know that when I die, I'll be remembered in Aggie Muster that year.</p>

<p>We are the Aggies, the Aggies are We.</p>

<p>I think the choice is as clear as night and day. My question to you is why don't you?</p>

11

<p>Based on your post, I don't think you'd make a good Aggie anyway.</p>

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<p>Here's my point Vyse, the reason I am not an Aggie "fit" is based on our fundamental difference in what we want in life. You evidently want a family in college, the Aggie family that will stay with you for the rest of your life. I have a fundamentally different want out of life. </p>

<p>I, in contrast to your aspirations, want my greatest memories to be made after I graduate college, starting with times like, when I get married, when I have children and start a family, when I accelerate and achieve success in the field that I studied, these are the types of situations that I want to be more meaningful, and you know why that is? It is because I value our collective individuality. Now you may claim that "collective individuality" is somewhat of an oxymoron however, it means the fundamental aspects that define who you are. College is a great part of life, but for me I don't really need to try to be reliving experiences that are irrelevant to more important things like the traditions I will be trying to make with my own family, that I started. Now for many Aggies there argument would be, my traditions that I experienced can be passed down to my kids and they will do the same and it will build unity and a shared level of connectedness. Heres my point, I don't really want to try and force my kids how to think, if his interests draw him more to UT so be it, but don't try to make him feel guilty or wrong because his interests draw him to UT rather than A&M. </p>

<p>It is the family traditions that start around things like this that can lead to uncomfortable and altogether non-beneficial to the advancement of free thought and personal exploration. Maybe you don't want that liberal(not in the political context) type of mindset to be promoted to your kids but I do. I want my children to have the freedom and curiosity to question life and to make decisions for themselves. To be able to feel comfortable stating personal beliefs that differ from the status quo or majority pretenses. One sizes fits all is not the view of life that I embrace, I don't think memorizing chants till the day they die is necessarily the things they want other people to define or remember them by. </p>

<p>I want to remember people by how they treated people, how they thought, what their convictions on politics, philosophy, love, family, religion, etc. These are the things i want to remember my family and friends by because the paint a picture of individuality, of precision, and clarity. This is someone I will never forget because he was grounded in this... College is merely a blanket, colleges fundamental goal is also a modern paradox, it has the mission of uniting a collective divergent population striving and searching in fields of so many varying aspects is unconscionable. College(the name or whatever you use to define it) is merely the blanket that keeps these divergent minds warm with the fervor and ambition to learn and expand. When I think of my college I don't want it to unite us at the level of chants, and hand gestures, or even merely business partners, I want it to unite us at the level of wanting to live life, to the fullest, to reach and search in obscure places.</p>

<p>College is a stepping stone onto bigger and better things, college is just part of the journey, not the final destination. It can and never will be a final destination, college takes you places, places not affiliated with horns or Aggie shouts.</p>

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<p>manifesto just can't stay off the Aggie boards! Your writing makes it seem like you are trying to convince yourself that tU is the best place in the world. See, Aggies don't need to go onto tU's boards and try and make a case as to why we didn't go there. There is always transferring to A&M next year if you can't fully convince yourself!</p>

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<p>And, you say that tU is liberal and open minded, you seem very narrow minded in failing to believe that the two schools are both great, but different. That's what makes the world go 'round.....</p>

<p>PS...have you not heard that tU has the most popular "hook em horns" hand gesture in the NCAA?</p>

15

<p>As much as I want to argue I'm not biased, I can't. But, in this case, neither can you. However, I think you did touch on an important idea, the need to be an individual. And I would love to debate that with you. That is, the human need to feel accepted by many vs. the human need to be unique.</p>

<p>However, that's not the argument you have posed. You have compared two different schools, one which you support completely and undeniably and one you have probably never really visited, and pigeon holed them both into extremely different mindsets.</p>

<p>I'll admit, some kids have been raised with their first words being "aggie" and thier wardrobe maroon. And they probably ended up going to A&M. And I'll bet you a confederate gold dollar that they were happy.</p>

<p>On the other hand, there's me, a raised t.u fan, an extreme long horn, with 3/4ths of a wardrobe dedicated as such, now being an Aggie. Why is that?</p>

<p>My parents are t.u fans.
Most of my friends are t.u friends.
NONE of my family is an Aggie.</p>

<p>Why didn't I follow the mold?</p>

<p>The answer is exactly what you're stating right now, I want to be an individual in my family. I'm going to leave this college with a degree that is well known throughout the world. I'm going to have a family, kids, and the like. And I may or may not raise them with the Aggie traditions and begin a new tradition in my family. And I have no regrets over that future.</p>

<p>But</p>

<p>I could do that a t.u too. I could do that at Notre Dame. I could do that at Rice, University of Dallas, Tech, TCU, Baylor, I could do that at any one of the schools I applied to and got into. But I'm not.</p>

<p>I respect your desires and ideas, really, I do. However, that's not what this is about. If it were, this thread would be titles "Traditions vs. Individuality, my take". It's not. It's "UT is way ahead of TAMU".</p>

<p>If you're going to make a point about the status of a specific college, do so. Otherwise, leave the philosophy to another thread.</p>

16

<p>My 2 cents: TAMU is an excellent school..... but UT is WAY better in just about every aspect. Just look at how selective UT is compared to TAMU.</p>

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<p>Tuitionsaver, selective does not equate with better. There are a lot of selective schools out there whose academic programs can't compete with TAMU. Also, selectivity is only based upon a certain set of parameters, ie., top 10%, people who can afford a school, etc. I feel a lot of us go to TAMU because of the academics, attitude and quality of people that go there. I chose TAMU over UT because of the academics as well as the intrinsic qualities: school spirit, attitude, location(Austin is NOT for everyone, trust me!), but most of all the friendliness and inclusiveness(is that a word?) of the majority of students there. But that is why there are so many universities. A perfect fit for everyone. I find it amusing that so many non TAMU students find it necessary to come on the TAMU board and bash it....</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Now this may be a bold statement to make on an A&M thread but I would say that 90% of all fields of study at UT are better than those at TAMU.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>First off, if you don't go to A&M, why do you care? You don't see me spending time on the UT board complaining about UT, do you?</p>

<p>UT is a state-ran, public institution. There are a lot of limitations as to what the school can do as a state-ran, public institution. Therefore, it's a real stretch to say that 90% of the programs at UT are better than A&M when the schools have about the same funding and level of professors as well as about the same number of students. UT is not a private school like Stanford.</p>

<p>The major advantage that A&M has right now is that it has A LOT MORE room to expand. A&M isn't even using half of it's campus; it's entire western side of campus is desolate. UT on the other hand, is landlocked and is about at max capacity.</p>

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<p>Come on, was it really necessary to resurrect this?</p>

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<p>relientr, why is it any of your concern?</p>