<p>Ok, I am not by any means trying to start a war here. Lol. Firstly, I do, and will always, greatly respect both schools. That being said...</p>
<p>I still can't decide between UT and Texas A&M. I plan on going for either Electrical or Biomedical Engineering. Personally, I think I would like to live in the city. Plus, after visiting both campuses, I felt that UT was a much classier school, if that's the right word and if that makes any sense. However, I am a pretty conservative person, which does attract me to A&M's "majority conservative" student body. And it shows in the people's attitudes. They're very nice there and feel like a tight nit family, as most people describe it, and I like that a lot.</p>
<p>I know both of these universities are very diverse, though. I know that UT, like A&M even, has its fair share of... Well, everything, including conservative types. I guess my main question is how would you guys compare the people at UT and in the Austin area to the "niceness" and "family/friendly" feel of A&M*?* Would you say that's as prevalent at UT at all*?*</p>
<p>LOL if you want to go to a college that is “Family Friendly” then UT is definitely not for you. Austin is by far the most liberal city in Texas so if you’re not comfortable with seeing old dirty men peeing on 6th st, drag queen hobos, or same sex couples then go to A&M. We sure as hell don’t want intolerance. If you want an open intelligent atmosphere with brightest minds of Texas, unparalleled academics, and connections that will last you a life time, then please go to UT. Also A&M is hardly diverse, UT isn’t either. Both of are majority white schools, if you want diversity go to UH, it’s the 2nd most diverse school in the nation.</p>
<p>Well, I’m certainly not intolerant of these things. Before I moved to Texas 8 years ago, I lived in Miami, where I was born and raised in my early childhood. I liked it quite a bit. I understand that just about any larger city is going to have these things and that a smaller town tends to have a more family like atmosphere. However, I just wanted to see IF at UT Austin there was any such similar feel, thus far. Although the majority is very liberal, I’m sure there are conservatives and likeminded people there. Anyway… I’m not going to walk up to someone and be like “ARE YOU A LIBERAL??? We can’t be friends…” I’m just trying to get a feel for things, though.</p>
<p>Besides that point, how would you compare UT’s alumni network to A&M’s**<strong>?</strong>** Although I would prefer to get hired onto a job based on academic merit and hard work, would you say the sense of connection between Longhorn employers and Longhorn employee applicants in the job market has the same/similar affect it would between two Aggies**<strong>?</strong>** Basically, does UT offer the same connections that I would get at A&M, specifically, in Texas**<strong>?</strong>**</p>
<p>I disagree, robertrulez. Some things, like the hobo deal, is a given because UT’s in a huge city. It’s a give and take. UT has a very strong family feel because of their atheletics and school spirit. Of the many times I’ve visited, everyone at UT was always super friendly and helpful. UT is majorly white, but it has a fair amount of diversity, even if only because of the sheer number of people. There will be plenty conservatives. This is Texas, after all, and again - UT’s huge! :)</p>
<p>Ok. You guys need some perspective. UT is a “liberal” campus and I say that loosely because it is located in one of the most conservative states in the Union. It’s not Miami, New York or San Francisco. IMO, Austin is a city of openness and non-judgement. People just don’t judge each other here. Want blue hair…that’s cool. Want to wear you Mitt for President shirt? That’s cool too. Want to join a Frat or Young Democrats…all good. In Austin, you just are who you are.</p>
<p>I have a pretty strong dislike for College Station and I am not one to hide it. I find it is beyond conservative (and I am a firm Republican) to the point that it’s “my way or the highway” type of attitude.</p>
<p>UT is full of school spirit…It’s all about the Longhorn. At A & M it’s also all about the Longhorn, yet in this case, it’s an unhealthy obsession.</p>
<p>And with all that said…who wants to go to “fish” camp? What exactly do fish have to do with college or the Aggies?</p>
<p>Please. You clearly are not in tuned with the reality of Austin. Not only is it liberal by Texas standards, but it is extremely liberal from a national standpoint as well.</p>
<p>Just look at the last major election. Travis county went 65% Obama (thats including the traditionally conservative suburbs). Some estimates put that Austin city limits itself went 70%. </p>
<p>Austin is by far one of the most liberal progressive cities in the US and with all the transplants coming in, it’s only getting bluer. But to the OP’s question, you’ll find a very welcoming family feel in most major cities in Texas, that’s just the way southern culture generally is. Austin especially, all they do is hang out and get drunk every weekend, very friendly people.</p>
<p>I don’t care what stats say. I live here. People may vote democratic, but they behave pretty conservative. (As a general rule…I would say by age group that can be debated) Being liberal or conservative is not just about politics. That is an extremely close-minded view point. It’s Texas for goodness sake and I take offense at the stereotype that all we do is get drunk on the weekend. Austin is full of people who put fitness and community service first over the all mighty bottle.</p>
<p>The reality is, like I said, I live here. I believe you live in Houston? So stay in your lane, and I’ll stay in mine. I 100% stand by what I have posted.</p>
<p>oh houston…lets not even try to compare houston or dallas to austin</p>
<ol>
<li>the highways are crazy in houston</li>
</ol>
<p>the streets in austin and highways are much simpler because the city is much smaller</p>
<p>houston and dallas are so big that even using tolls ways takes a long time to get from one side to the other</p>
<p>what houston and dallas people call across town…austin people call san marcos or san antonio</p>
<ol>
<li>austin is much greener than both cities</li>
</ol>
<p>i dont mean environmentally friendly…i mean literally austin is full of plantlife compared to houston or dallas</p>
<p>i didnt realize how beautiful it is in austin until i left</p>
<p>…i dont know how the people differ much…maybe its because im young, but my friends from houston or dallas seem pretty much the same as my friends who have always lived in austin</p>
<p>I’ve spent enough time in Austin to know what it’s truly like and I’m also moving there this August. I wasn’t trying to insult the people of the city, I was just mentioning my observations. A lot of the 20something professionals get together on the weekend and just drink. </p>
<p>Oh and Locness, Houston is way more greener than Austin and Dallas. “Of the 10 most populous U.S. cities, Houston has the most total area of parks and green space”. It’s nothing against Austin because the green space there is awesome as well, it’s just the location. Houston is near the gulf so there’s more consistent rain and the topography of the central/northern areas consists of many forests.</p>
<p>@robertrulez, Austin is not in the top 10 most populous cities (it’s #14 or something?) so that’s not a fair comparison. I have lived all over Houston over the past decade and it is not an attractive area by any means. :/</p>
<p>I never argued about city attractiveness because well it’s hard to beat the texas hill country in sheer beauty, but Houston beats Austin in the amount of trees and over all greenery because of it’s location. Houston receives way more precipitation than Austin, thus a bigger, more extensive canopy. </p>
<p>hm i did not know that about houston…but i guess since houston is so big i’ve been too all the “non green” areas
maybe since austin is much smaller it seems as though it is a greener city</p>
<p>i really do think that houston and dallas are used too loosely</p>
<p>my friend said he lives in houston but really…he lives in the woodlands…</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for your input an perspectives! It’s all greatly appreciated. I think I’m gonna go to UT. However, I have one more question… How would you compare my job prospects IN Texas coming from UT with TAMU? Will I have about the same clout inside the state?</p>
<p>do you know how does the double major thing work at UT? I would like to double major across colleges (Maybe… maybe bio and journalism), but I can’t seem to find much info about this. Thanks!</p>
Ummm. not sure what this is supposed to mean. Austin is a very family-friendly city. Have you never been to Zilker Park or Barton Springs? Lot’s of families enjoying the outdoors, among other things.
Austin is a very liberal progressive city, especially compared to Dallas and Houston. There are hobos, and yes, <em>gasp</em> there’s same-sex couples. Since I’ve been in Austin, I’ve found that there’s nothing wrong at all with the latter. If two dudes love each other, they should be together. Not sure why you’re considering that a bad thing.</p>
<p>A&M is a good school (especially for engineering), but there’s no doubt that UT’s name will go farther outside of the state.</p>
<p>You definitely need to visit both schools because they’re very different.</p>
<p>@chocopiano-I know that Cockrell does not encourage/allow engineering students to have double major in freshman year (except Plan II students). </p>
<p>I don’t know much about CNS. Maybe you can find some info in the 2010-2012 catalog.</p>
UT has a very strong family feel because of their atheletics and school spirit. Of the many times I’ve visited, everyone at UT was always super friendly and helpful. UT is majorly white, but it has a fair amount of diversity, even if only because of the sheer number of people. There will be plenty conservatives. This is Texas, after all, and again - UT’s huge! :)</p>![http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Uptown_Houston.jpg[/url]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Uptown_Houston.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
