Any thoughts and opinions between the 2 programs? Thanks!
What are your stats (class rank, any test score)?
Why these two and not, say, Tech or U Houston?
What do you want to do with Neuroscience (PHD/Research or premed)?
Have you taken AP Bio and AP Chem?
What’s your college budget and would you consider going OOS?
How important is football to your choice?
How conservative are you?
How important is a campus life, living in dorms, etc?
Hi! Thanks for your response. I applied and got into TT, UTD and TAMU. UofH has a graduate degree in Neuroscience, but not a Bachelor’s. I am still waiting for the other acceptances, but am comparing the programs of UTD and TAMU. I haven’t decided for sure if it’s PhD/Research or Med School that I want to do someday. Sports is not a big deal to me- I can live with or without it. I love that UTD dorms have a bedroom for each person; but the traditional dorm living is fine with me. What matters most to me is the undergraduate opportunities. I am still waiting for the response of the OOS schools. But while I am waiting, I want to know as much as I can about the schools to which I have been accepted. My parents did not give me a budget, they just want me in a school of my choice. Thanks again!
Ok, your inquiry makes sense. Often, students ask about colleges they’re thinking about, so the fact you’ve been admitted to both makes a big difference.
Did you get into the Honors College at either one (or applied to the Honors College)?
Texas A&M and UT Dallas are both very strong in science, the big difference is in the environment: a big city or a small town, a residential campus where sports are very big v. a more commuter campus where the focus is science&technology (but with new dorms and if you get into a living learning community or the Honors college, a strong community feel there too).
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Thank you for your response. I feel like the environment of UTD will suit my personality better, but being in TAMU won’t be a problem if I find out their neuroscience program will offer more opportunities for undergraduate research. I did not apply for Honors, even if I believe I can qualify. I stress in new environments, and I wanted to give myself time to adjust into the atmosphere before placing myself in a competitive situation… I don’t know if that makes sense… But I also researched that I can still apply before the term starts. I appreciate your input!
Try to apply ASAP: if anything, honors classes are LESS stressful, because they come with a built-in community (you’d be living in Honors dorms, have special Honors activities/orientation to get to know your classmates and become friends…) and the seminars are smaller, so they’re not “constructed” the same way (for instance, there’s no need to “weed out” honors classes since the students have been preselected already).
Are both equally affordable?
Oh… I didn’t think of it that way. Thank you, I will apply! My parents asked for the CoA of each school on my list , and they told me to go ahead and apply. So I am assuming, it is for them🤷‍♀️ They didn’t say anything about the cost of the 2 schools.
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Ok, good. So, you have two excellent, affordable safeties. 
Do apply to Honors ASAP (I’m afraid deadlines may be today! Not sure, but could be, so check immediately.)
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I wouldn’t make this decision on the basis of “program”. You’re not really choosing between two neuroscience “programs,” as that’s more graduate school; you’re choosing between two colleges for your undergraduate experience. Your major is only going to make up about 1/3 of classes in that undergraduate experience - and you may change your mind about your major.
Both have good solid majors in neuroscience where you can learn the basics. Both have quite a lot of faculty doing research in neuroscience and neurobiology, if that’s something you want to get into. It sounds like you prefer UT-Dallas, and if that’s the case, then you should go there!
I don’t necessarily agree that honors classes are less stressful. It really depends on the student and the specific honors program. I was in the honors program at my college; the additional orientation and activities in the beginning were nice, but I didn’t really want to live in the honors dorm, the seminars weren’t much smaller than my other classes, and there were more class requirements which constrained my ability to take electives. There are also not always honors versions of everything - so you can still get put in “weed out” classes, particularly in the life sciences, if there are no honors versions of those classes. I actually dropped out of the honors program my sophomore year - not because of inability to do it, but disinterest.
It all depends on the particular honors program and the way its structured. Some have really useful additional experiences and opportunities, but for others it may be more trouble than it’s worth. You should certainly look into it, but you can still get a top-notch educational experience without being in an honors program.
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Thanks for your comment and opinion.
Did UTD offer any merit scholarships. They typically will offer alot more money than A&M.
They said that all AES awards will be sent this month.
Once you have your Financial aid/merit package you’ll have more criteria to make your choice.
In any case: CONGRATULATIONS !! YOU’RE GOING TO COLLEGE!!
no matter what happens you have excellent colleges to attend after high school !!
Thank you!!! I’m both excited and nervous!