<p>Hi ya’ll.
Thanks so much for the Austin info! Just got back after a whirlwind 1 1/2 day tour of the campus/city. So much to see, seems as if we didn’t even get a chance to do a portion!</p>
<p>First night–went on the ‘drag’ on Guadalupe & at at the “Funky Mushroom” (I think) pizza place. Fun! Quite a non-preppy, different vibe among the kids there.</p>
<p>Next day we did a tour, and had lunch w/three folks from the comp sci dept (son’s major). They bought us sandwiches and told us all about the comp sci program – nuances that we didn’t know, before; we also met w/an advisor in comp sci. We had the most fun tour guide! Guide was a cheerleader (guy) who has led the “Texas - Fight” cheers at the 98,000 seat stadium during football games. Apparently, some cheers were so loud they registered on the richter scale.</p>
<p>Son loved the weather (a sunny 60 degrees vs 9 inches of snow in NJ at the same time) plus the spirit (major, major school spirit there), the social atmosphere and the location: in a city – but one that’s pleasant and clean. A top 10 program in his major is a huge draw, too.</p>
<p>The senior comp sci major we had lunch w/was one of those super-smart, very energetic, passionate & articulate kids. Really fun to talk to. People were generally so nice & helpful. We also sat in on a comp sci class. Funny! Son loved it, husband paid attention, I couldn’t parse 2 words --still a neat experience.</p>
<p>I live right here and have never done a tour. I really need to. I always hear how wonderful the aquatics space is but have never seen it. Several of ds’s friends swam in the state meet there this past weekend.</p>
<p>Yes, we don’t lack for spirit down here. I went to the basketball game last night and just love the atmosphere.</p>
<p>Thanks, Youdon’t say! After I posted that, I yelled at son to get all his job apps done & told him ‘money is where it’s at’ now, re: the college process. I think I need to chill, a little. </p>
<p>Austin is a beautiful & fun city—I bet it’s a unique & enjoyable place to live! I liked hearing how the guy who rings the tower bells gets creative sometimes – a while back he played the theme to “Mario Brothers” video game for about 20 mins & all the students were hopping around campus like video game characters. </p>
<p>Jersey doesn’t have quite that ‘pride of place’ so it was a fun cultural experience for us. Plus, we toured the school on Texas independence day (Mar 2). Even more festive than usual!</p>
<p>MOWC–not yet; son & I leave Thursday, husband will join us Fri & we all return on Sat. We could have used that extra time in Austin, but oh well. Son still loved it! $ news comes out in a few weeks, they tell me.</p>
<p>I thought of you last night, actually, as ds2 and I drove to the game. The Tower was orange, and we speculated about why (senior night?). I told him how I loved living in Austin, being the capital city, etc., and thought about whether y’all enjoyed your visit and wondered whether Texans come across as totally obnoxious to a Jersey girl. :)</p>
<p>Interestingly, he said he didn’t have a basis for comparison so he’s not as zealous about the place as I. He spent some time in Dallas this summer and grew to love the mass transit and interesting (to him) architecture, etc. I wish I could expose him to all parts of the country! I wonder whether he’ll be the one to go to school far away …</p>
<p>Great advice on this thread. Thank you. My OOS son and my husband will be in Austin in April on a first-ever visit. Son has been admitted to radio/TV/film major.</p>
<p>The restaurant on Guadalupe is the “Mellow Mushroom”. It is pretty good, but the people watching is GREAT if you sit up by the window. All matter of human beings walk by ;)</p>
<p>Jolynne, I’m glad your son liked Texas! I hope the money works out.</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay, I can identify with your son. I grew up in Austin and didn’t really appreciate it until I moved to Maine! Now I LOVE going back. DH, from Wisconsin, still doesn’t understand why I say that “Austin will always be home.”</p>
<p>Conan’s Pizza was right around the corner from my dorm (SRD, on 27th Street), so we ate there constantly.</p>
<p>Jolynne, hope the full ride visit in 'Bama gives your S two fabulous choices to contemplate. Since you’ll likely post your impressions here rather than in our '09 thread, I’ll be waiting to hear!</p>
<p>MOWC & cpeltz–breathtaking, in a word. If you could picture the most gorgeous, traditional college campus ever, U of AL would be it. Beautiful architecture that dates from the civil war (Greek columns everywhere, it looks like multiple Monticellos) plus other buildings that were built w/in the last 5 years (seemlessly integrated). </p>
<p>The people were incredibly friendly. The honors and comp sci dept went out of their way to make son feel welcomed, wanted and valued. They’d made him up a specialized itinerary and did everything to make him feel special. The (honors) apt-style dorms are beautiful (but I have my reservations about whether they’d make for the best experience, socially). </p>
<p>The weather was perfect, the people so spirited and proud (big school/state spirit is a bit new to us, from NJ :-)).</p>
<p>It’s a near-free ride for son, so high on his list. The only hesitation–the academic program is not as highly ranked as other schools to which he’s been admitted (in comp sci) – e.g. U of TX (9th in country) & U of Ill at Urbana Champaign (ranked #5). </p>
<p>Since son doesn’t (now) want to get masters or other advanced degree – his undergrad degree will be all he has. So not sure whether it would be worth it to struggle to finance the higher-academic/prestige option. We’ll see.</p>
<p>Thanks again for the support & interest! I learned about UT & U of AL here on CC so have ‘ya’ll’ to thank, to a great extent, for these opportunities for my son.</p>
<p>Oh Jolynne, that is wonderful! Just my opinion, but I recruit for our company, and the “ranking” of a school is somewhat important for the first job, but it’s really the graduate that matters as long as the school is somewhat respected. Does your S have a preference of the two?</p>
<p>My S hates the heat we have in Los Angeles, so Texas and southern schools were out of the equation in his search, but it sounds like they’re perfect for your boy. So happy he likes them both!</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay–thanks! That’s what son things (it’s down to these 2). He doesn’t even want to visit UIUC (too cold) or consider other places, now. I think when we get the finalized $$ numbers, we’ll be able to make a complete choice <biting nails=“” re:=“” the=“” future=“” financials…=“”></biting></p>
<p>Jolynne,
We’re originally from NJ (moved to TN almost 6 years ago) and I understand what you’re saying about the big school spirit being a foreign concept; my DH is so envious of our DD as she starts her college search. He truly should have gone to a big SEC school. </p>
<p>We visited UA back in January; DD loved it, especially since the Honors College folks were so welcoming to her. It looks like she will be NMSF so it’s high on the parent’s list too </p>
<p>Glad you had a great visit; the day we visited was one of the coldest in AL history but it didn’t dampen enthusiasm in our house.</p>
<p>Thanks, cpeltz! Re: recruiting—I plan, this week, to call the career planning dept at U of AL and see what companies recruit there, and some examples of places students have interned (in the comp sci dept). I thought that might give a bit of info, on that.</p>
<p>Interest re: the weather & kids! Son would love LA (me too, lol) but hates the chill. At least they know themselves! People say you do better at a place you really like (weather included) and that makes sense…</p>
<p>RobD–aren’t they great in the honors dept? The Ass’t Dean was completely focused on son during the entire visit (didn’t pay much attention to me). I liked that! They are very gracious. W/a NMSF, you daughter would probably get a stipend and laptop, too! Nice!</p>
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