<p>How is the teaching atmosphere at these schools? I'm from California so are these somewhat related to the UC's? Are a lot of the classes taught by TA's and Grad students? I want to go into mechanical engineering. Also, just to know my top choice right now is Cal Poly SLO, I like the more hands on approach. I still have to visit UT and A&M but wanted to hear how they are. Plus I hate the idea of learning from TA's and that stuff. Also, what are the class sizes like?</p>
<p>They are not related to UCs, they are flag ship schools of Texas.</p>
<p>Why do you want to spend a lot more money going to UT or A&M if you can get similar level of education in California for a much cheaper price tag? Btw, I ask the same question of Texas residents planning to attend California State schools.</p>
<p>I know they aren’t related to the UC’s. I meant would these schools teach and operate in a similar manner like a UC school because they are both big state schools. And they are just some options, I’m not dying to go there but maybe I will like a new experience out of state.</p>
<p>Plus they are both good engineering schools.</p>
<p>I can only speak for UT but no lectures are taught by TA’s/grad students (that i’ve seen atleast), discussion sections and labs are often led by them with a supervising professor but I’ve definitely never heard of a class where the grad student taught everything. Class sizes start pretty large, 100-200 people for introductory physics/calc etc… But after the first year major specific classes were never more than 70 from my experience.</p>
<p>Based on #5, that looks similar to UCs.</p>
<p>I’m an engineering student at A&M, and I’ve never had a lecture/class taught by a TA. Intro calculus and physics have a once a week lab/recitation period which is generally conducted by a TA. Upper level engineering classes are generally around 60-70 students. Therefore, UT and A&M seem pretty similar in this regard. Both, along with SLO are very good engineering schools. UT and A&M will give you a clear leg up if you decide to work as a mechanical engineer in the oil industry with companies like BP, Shell, Chevron etc. Plus, they are more likely to place you into the Houston or Dallas markets, which are generally better areas to work in than California-i.e. no state income tax, lower cost of living, lower gas prices etc. Graduating from UT or A&M may benefit you more financially in the long term.</p>
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<p>Of course, not everyone has any interest in Houston or Dallas. I, for example, would gladly live just about anywhere in California before Houston or Dallas despite the lack of state income tax, lower cost of living and lower gas prices.</p>
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<p>California is a big place, and there are places in California that many would not consider to be particularly desirable places to live (even in comparison to Houston or Dallas).</p>
<p>Oh, I know there are less desirable places to live. All I am sayin is that there are a sizable number of people who would rather live in the traditional engineering-heavy regions of California than in Houston or Dallas, myself included, so acting like UT and A&M are advantageous because they grant access to those Texas cities is not a universally valid argument.</p>
<p>Texas is more advantageous financially than california (This is a fact), which is something to weigh along with other options. I never said it’s the main factor-I wrote it more as a sidenote.</p>
<p>Living in Texas, YES-- I do agree that it would be economically beneficial to attend a college here, however you live in California am I correct? So, I think you would be paying more; the programs are excellent though. If you finish with a degree from any of these Texas State colleges you will be highly prepared to pursue other disciplines in your grad. studies. In my personal opinion, though, I think there are better schools out there. If you’d really want to study in Texas the best are: UT Austin, A&M, UNT, Baylor, and Rice. Now, because you’re interests are in engineering go for it! These colleges–esp. A&M are one of the best of the best nationwide for those types of studies. If you have any specific questions pm me–I’m going through the same process now, so i’d love to help!</p>
<p>I’m not sure if I want to live and work in Texas. Would I be hurting my job prospects if let’s say I got accepted and attended UT or A&M but decided I want to live in California? Should I just stick to SLO then? Also, would UT and A&M engineering be considered more hands on or more theoretical material?</p>
<p>Hiring of new bachelor’s degree graduates does tend to have a local bias, mainly out of convenience. This tends to be more true of smaller companies with less recruiting resources and less need to recruit large numbers of new graduates (the big well known companies tend to recruit more widely).</p>
<p>^Also, profs will recommend good students to their ex-students who make hiring decisions. My dad is an engineering prof at UT and has helped place many, many students in Texas.</p>
<p>I completely agree with @ucbalumnus; if you don’t plan on living, working, growing up in Texas–these colleges (at least for grad. schools) should not be your top priority–that’s just my personal opinion.</p>
<p>Your personal opinion is based on what exactly? Certainly not fact, as both programs mentioned are top programs with recruiting pull outside Texas.</p>
<p>Both schools (UT-Austin and TAMU) have great engineering programs. However, two advantages of graduating from either of these programs would be the local rep (which is extremely good in Texas and neighboring states), and the local Alumni network. Both can go a long ways to help getting jobs in the area. </p>
<p>If you don’t plan on living in this area of the country, then this is one item you should consider (amongst many), even though both are nationally recognized programs.</p>
<p>Neither of these schools are on the top of my list. I just want to know if I should take the time and apply or if I should look elsewhere. I don’t really like any of the UC’s which is unfortunate because they are good schools, and for the most part the private schools in California aren’t the best for engineering, there are some decent ones though.</p>
<p>Yea, who wants to live in a place that is half the cost of NYC to live in!</p>
<p>Who doesn’t want to pay $3500 a month for an apartment the size of a closet!</p>