UT Regular Engineering vs. TAMU Engineering Honors

@coolguy40 @coolplant Thanks for your input! You’re right- both colleges have good engineering programs…I just need to figure out which one is the best fit for me.

For the “honors” on the degree, I am not so sure about that. At UT ECE, even if you are in the honors program, it doesn’t neccessarily mean you will graduate with honors, if your gpa isn’t in the cut off. One of my son’s classmate didnt graduate with honors even with a gpa of 3.58

Ok gang - I have a UT ChemE honors student so I can answer your questions. Everything already posted on here is correct - do not think “Honors” at UT for engineering is a big deal. It isn’t. Mine hasn’t taken a single honors class - she picks according to professors and what classes you can get into according to your registration priority. Registration priority is key at UT - how many credits you have coming in from AP or dual credit - determine your registration priority. Otherwise you play the waitlist game and it’s actually tough when you can’t get into a class and it throws off your schedule.

Most students at UT will decide to live off campus rather than stay in dorms. The Honors dorms are not a big deal at UT. Everything is still incredibly noisy and you can hear a faucet from the room next door. Rooms are so tiny I thought they were singles at first but no - it’s a double. For the amount of money you will pay - you’ll consider moving off campus. The food allowance in your dorm price usually covers a guy for a single semester so take that into consideration. If you do stay in a dorm - invest in a very good pair of noise cancelling headphones. This is mandatory! You’ll also live in study halls and libraries and your favorite quiet space. I can tell all of you roommate from hell stories which seem to be common. Find the person who is compatible to you! Don’t plan to have much space for things - you’ll buy raisers for the bed to put things underneath. The closet is very tiny. Think minimal. My biggest problem with the dorms was how much package stealing was going on or how it could disappear after getting to a mail room.

For girls - safety is a big issue. I recommend a personal alarm and pepper spray. The area is not what it used to be and the crime rate around UT has increased to the point to be worried. We constantly warn students to be smart and aware. Homeless are all around campus which isn’t a real issue but aggressive homeless panhandling is.

Make sure you compare apples to apples on everything. 4 year course plan. Financials (UT has had 2 tuition raises). Most important Registration! Many UT Students hate registration time - it goes by priority (how many credit hours you already have completed towards your degree plan). So those coming in with boatloads of AP Credit or dual credit are a higher priority and get the best professors and class times. Just make sure you know all this stuff.

@comptechmom Just wondering, which honor dorm does your daughter live in?

@coolplant She stayed in Carothers freshman year. Moved to North Campus condo for sophomore year. I have a philosophy to appreciate off campus living you need to at least stay in a dorm for a year. Also prices on dorms have increased tremendously - price 2 years ago was $9100 and is now listed as 10,700.

I only know this because I have a good friend whose child is at TAMU…At A&M, it seems everyone is admitted into Engineering(general) and then after a year(?), you apply to get into your specific area of Engineering. I would make sure I understood that as part of your decision process. Good luck! It sounds like you have some great choices to choose from.

Just a thought - my daughter did not get into an honors program as a freshman, but her roommate choice was LAC honors. They were able to live at Blanton (in the honors quad), even though only one was in n an honors program. So if you have a roommate in honors and get your housing started early, you should have a good shot to get in the honors dorms. They really liked the quad