Hey! So, I’ve already been accepted to all the schools I applied to and I’m now in the process of deciding where I want to go. At the moment, Texas State is one of my top choices as I’ve heard good things about the education program there and I’ll be majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies (EC-6 ESL) and they’ve offered me a generous scholarship to attend.
I was just hoping to gain some more information about the program so I was wondering if anyone here has any firsthand experience with the education program there or knows anyone who does and can tell me about their experience? Were you/they satisfied with your/their experience? Did you/they feel prepared to teach/manage a classroom by the end? Did you like the professors/classes/facilities?
Also, if anyone has any personal experience with just the university itself or any tips or things to consider before deciding to attend there, that would be much appreciated as well!
Also, forgot to mention, I would be in the Honors College as well so if anyone has experience with that, I’d appreciate any info I can get!
Texas State is known for it’s education program. They are the largest producer of teachers in that area. Not many students go to UT to major in education. I do know they have a elementary school on campus. I have a son who is sophomore at Texas State so I do know a bit about the school. San Marcos is a cool college town and your only 30 minutes from Austin or San Antonio. There is always something to do and hanging out at Sewell Park is huge for the students this time of year. The kids in general are really laid back and friendly. The only negative I can think of is the school is struggling to keep up with the growth. The freshman class has set enrollment records for seven years straight. I believe the honors dorm is Laurel Hall. It one of the oldest and smallest dorms on campus. As soon as the school build new dorms they tear down the older ones. You can expect to live in a apartment after your freshman year since housing is at a premium. There are plenty of apartments in San Marcos so finding a place to stay will be no big deal. Texas State has shuttle buses that will take you anywhere you want to go. They also have party buses that will take you to Austin to enjoy 6th street if that is something you enjoy. I am sure you will like but I would suggest you take a tour of the school before making your decision. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks so much for all the info, that’s definitely reassuring! I didn’t know they had an elementary school on campus, nobody from the College of Education mentioned that when I visited and met with them? Yeah, I was accepted to UT as well and my parents have really been pushing me to go there as both of them graduated from there and my brother’s there now but I feel like it makes more sense for me to go to Texas State. I would save like $40k plus I’d be in the honors college and I feel like Texas State would have a smaller/ more personal feel to it. The only thing is that I know Texas State has gotten a bit of a “party school” rep over the years and UT has more name recognition so I wasn’t sure if that could be a factor when I’m trying to find a job in the future or if future employers would only care about the specific program rather than the university as a whole?
Also, that’s really helpful info about the buses! I’m from Austin and would definitely like to come home fairly often since it’s close. I’m not really into the whole party scene but do you know if there would be convenient/easy public transport, not in the form of party buses, that runs from anywhere near Texas State to Austin, and back, as I would most likely not have a car on campus?
And, yes, I actually visited soon after I made this post and then went again a few days ago to sit in on an honors class! I really liked the campus/environment and found it fairly easy to navigate. My only concern was that, especially coming from a big city like Austin, I wouldn’t find much to do in San Marcos? You said there’s always something to do, but the town just seemed really small when I visited. Maybe I just need to go and explore more of San Marcos outside of Texas State? Do you know if it’s common for students to go to Austin/San Antonio for fun?
Thanks!
San Marcos is a true college town. Texas States students party no more or less than any other college student. You can party if you want or you can avoid most parties. You just need to do you and hang out with like minded folks. UT is a great school and 95% of the time I would recommend someone go their instead of Texas State. If you are sure that being a education major is your field…going to Texas State and saving money is the path to take. I also notice that Honor students will be in Falls hall not Laurel starting in 2017. Falls is a newer dorm and one of the nicest on campus. I don’t think you will have any problems getting rides to Austin. My son goes to Austin and San Antonio all the time. Infact he did not come home for spring break because he hung out at the musical festival the entire week. Best wishes to you and your journey.
I have a Jr at TX state and coming from a big city, even though he loves the hill country, it was an adjustment for him, as well as all of the new things to acclimate to, on top of his studies. By sophomore year, he absolutely loves it. He lives there now, and considers it home. He no longer comes home for summers but lives in SM year round. Most apartments are 12 month anyway.
The only thing I can tell you to NOT do, is do NOT live at the Vista’s apartments. Yes, they are on campus, so convenient, and across the street from HEB. Just don’t.
The Villages on Telluride have been awesome and on the bus route
@Grainraiser that’s definitely reassuring to hear, thanks! And yeah, if I were planning on studying most anything else, I probably would have picked UT but I figured it didn’t make sense to spend so much more on UT for an education degree, especially since I do plan on getting a masters after a few years of teaching and I’d rather save the money for that. Wait, where did you see that Falls will be the honors dorm in 2017? I’ve signed up to live in the Future Teachers LLC which is in Falls, so I’m pretty sure Laurel is still the honors dorm? But that’s good to know that Falls is a nice dorm because I haven’t had a chance to tour it! And haha well that’s good to hear, I know one of my mom’s biggest concerns was that coming and going on weekends and holidays would be a pain since I wouldn’t have a car, so I’ll be sure to tell her that and thank you for all the advice!
@Thelma2 Wow, well that’s very reassuring to hear! And I’m planning on living in a dorm my first year but thank you for the advice, I’ll be sure to avoid the Vista apartments in the future!