UT vs A&M - social vibe?

State Forums
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<p>Things about me relevant to the decision: intending to major in mechanical engineering, have $0 EFC, interested in math/physics/my major (not just to get a degree or high paying job), interested in sports (intramural) and active social life, looking for good education, probably more conservative, NOT looking for a party school, looking for a social environment I'll enjoy and will be able to still handle school with.</p>

<p>I'm having a great deal of trouble deciding between A&M and UT. UT looks great to me on paper. They offered more money, gave me my 1st choice major, they are a bit more nationally recognized (which could be better for getting a job outside of Texas).
For these reasons I WANT to like UT, but I'm not sure if I do. I am concerned that the social scene there will be too centered around alcohol and partying. I realize A&M has parties and alcohol as well, but it doesn't seem so widespread or ..important.. there. I'm honestly alright with it to an extent, but I don't want to find myself at a school where I'm having to pick between having few close relationships vs. a party oriented social life. </p>

<p>However, this is all just speculation. Can anyone comment on the extent of this? at either school?</p>

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<p>It’s really what you make of it. I don’t think anyone can definitely say where partying is more important. The point is that you feel it’s less so at A&M and think you would be more comfortable there. If there isn’t any difference in money, go to A&M and stop worrying about trying to like UT. If the money is significantly different and you think it makes a difference in terms of your major, then go to UT. There are 50,000 students. If you don’t want anything to with parties, you won’t have to do. There are just too many opportunities to say that it’s going to be an “either or” situation as far as your social life.</p>

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<p>UT is a party school</p>

4

<p>Okay: I am an Aggie. I do not know hardly anything about UT but I want to give a response to every criteria you listed as important in your college decision. While it may seem biased- I simply do not know about UT, I simply know and love A&M.
:)</p>

<p>intending to major in mechanical engineering: A&M has one of the best programs for this in the nation- top 10. the aggie network definitely takes care of finding you a very high paying job after college too!</p>

<p>have $0 EFC: A&M has a great financial aid office and offers financial aid to most students.</p>

<p>interested in sports (intramural): 12,000 aggies participate in intramural sports and we have an incredible amount of teams and sports available!</p>

<p>active social life: here’s what Texas A&M social life looks like- two-stepping [country dancing] is very popular and most students go out to northgate [our bars] or our dancing halls every thursday and friday night. There is partying- but it is absolutely not the focus of our university. If you are interested in partying- you absolutely can. If you are not- there is no pressure to and you won’t be an outcast [promise!]</p>

<p>looking for good education: you really can’t beat Texas A&M education. Not only will you graduate with an incredible mind, but with a good heart as well. A&M prides itself on teaching you more than what’s just in the textbooks and classrooms- but don’t think for a second that they slack off in the classrooms. A&M is competitive, and most people I have met were either valedictorians or salutatorians of their high school. We produce strong leaders and people of good character. That’s the guarantee of your education here.</p>

<p>probably more conservative: …you have to know that A&M is conservative. I don’t know much about UT, but I do know that it is much more liberal. A&M has the George Bush Library on its campus: it doesn’t get more conservative than that! :)</p>

<p>NOT looking for a party school: As earlier stated- its an optional party school. Partying takes a back burner to football games, nights out dancing, nights out to the bingo hall [surprisingly popular here!], ping pong games, intramurals etc…</p>

<p>looking for a social environment I’ll enjoy and will be able to still handle school with: The environment at A&M does not overwhelm you with partying to the extent that you can’t complete school work. It never will. Everyone is here for the same reason: to get an education. </p>

<p>Although not listed as criteria, if you did come to A&M, here are some things you’ll fall in love with:</p>

<p>-The students. You will never meet friendlier people on this earth, this I promise you. A simple “howdy” will make your day and the camaraderie here is absolutely unbeatable.
-The traditions. You will grow to love and respect those Aggies who came before us. They started something at this school that is unique and incredible. Seeing thousands of people sway in unison while singing our songs? It WILL give you chills, I guarantee it.</p>

<p>I truly hope you are able to make the best decision for you. A&M is an incredible university, but I would never want to pressure anyone into coming. It is unique, and it does not meet the needs of everybody- I understand that. I have fallen deeply in love with the university, as you can tell, and love to speak highly of it. I hope I was able to give you some insight into the university’s social and academic life. </p>

<p>If A&M is your decision: Gig Em! If not, Hook Em, and we will still respect you.
:)</p>

5

<p>Sadily: (sorry for such a late reply) Thank you for your advice… it is very reassuring to hear that. I actually read your post around the time it was created and since then I have talked with several other people I know and now have a much better attitude about the whole experience being what you make of it. So thank you.</p>

<p>wavylays94: Thanks for the input?</p>

<p>aggielove2014: Thank you :slight_smile: The friendliness you speak of is well exemplified in you response! Aside from the contents of your post, the manner in which it was composed says a lot lol. A&M does seem to have a lot to offer, however I’ve decided to go with UT. I felt UT would <em>likely</em> be a better choice for me, but that likely worried me. You might say A&M was a ‘safer’ decision for me to make. When it came down to it, it seems my fear of university choice alone mandating my social life was an irrational one. The respect you have is mutual, so gig 'em back at you, and hook em to any longhorns reading this. </p>

<p>On a side note, A&M didnt offer me much at all in terms of financial aid. It would have cost me $14,000/yr to attend in only my second choice major. UT would have cost me about $400/yr (of which hardly any was loans), including a 5k/yr scholarship when I didn’t even turn in the scholarship application, and ALSO first choice major. I turned in A&M’s scholarship app and met the FAFSA priotity deadline, yet didn’t even get all the grants I was eligible for… They didn’t really give me a choice to go there… (with outside scholarships I could afford either, so don’t worry my decision wasn’t subconsciously based upon that lol). </p>

<p>To all, again thanks for the help.
Hook Em!</p>

6

<p>A&M is more of a country, small town feel. It is cozy and friendly. UT Austin is very liberal and urban feeling. Not sure if that helps.</p>

7

<p>I see you made your decision. Congratulations! Oh…and on the party school thing…just remember, even if everyone else seems to be partying, you don’t have to and plenty others won’t be. Maybe pick a wellness house or something else in your dorm choices to be surrounded more by people who don’t party.</p>