<p>How do the atmospheres of these two universities differ? Socially, Academically (rigor), and Culturally? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any replies.</p>
<p>UT = more liberal than A&M
UT is also better academically and more rigorous.</p>
<p>I don’t think “more liberal” quite captures it. It’s not simple degrees of liberalness that separate the two schools; they lie on opposite ends of the spectrum. UT is liberal and A&M is conservative. With the strong LGBT presence in Austin and the Corps at A&M, the schools are opposites in many ways. That’s not to say that you won’t find a conservative at UT or a liberal at A&M but the atmosphere is very noticeably different.</p>
<p>Though UT does have a leg up on A&M in academics, it’s honestly not that big of one. Wherever you go, you’re going to be there for 4+ years so make sure you like it. If you’re just deciding between these two schools then I would put academics aside and go for whichever one “fits” you better. You still have a lot of time before you have to make a final decision. I’d highly recommend taking a visit to both campuses before then. This is the best way to find these things out and it will really pay off in the end.</p>
<p>Honestly UT and A&M are complete opposites.
UT is liberal and A&M conservative yes, but I really don’t like describing them like that.
UT- best for the open-minded because you will literally see the most random things you could possibly imagine. The community is super diverse which makes for the best people watching. Academic-wise, it depends on your major but overall, it is much harder than A&M (not saying that A&M is easy cuz it’s definitely not) but UT is a more reputable school. Also, the towns are ABSOLUTE opposites. Austin is a city with traffic and cement and lots of people but there’s also a plethora of things to do. You can never get bored in Austin. As for College Station though…uh no comment? Lol there’s honestly just not that much to do in CStat besides two stepping and well, i’m not sure what else. Also, A&M is not nearly as diverse as UT. There tends to be a lot of (not all, but mostly) conservative, white, christian students at A&M.</p>
<p>You really just have to go visit both schools and see which one fits you better. They are so opposite though, so you really just need to go get a feel for both schools.</p>
<p>The two above are pretty accurate although I think purple is more “on” about academics, UT is going to be more demanding. </p>
<p>Now on campus culture. UT loves their longhorns, but could really care less about A & M in general. A & M folks are die hard Aggies, but that manifests into a deep hatred for UT. So for people at UT, Aggies are basically just not relevant. For Aggies, Longhorns are a big focus. I guess it stems from the old saying…“What do Aggies and Longhorns have in common?..They both got accepted to A & M.”</p>
<p>Another thing that may seem random. We were talking about this the other night over dinner…people that go to A & M like to shoot stuff. Very “in the country” type of environment. And on a side note, the women at UT are far more beautiful. IMO.</p>
<p>UT is a lot more welcoming to all sorts of different people. Anyone can fit in at UT.</p>
<p>It’s funny that you say that collegeshopping, because that’s the exact impression I got when an Aggie admission counselor came to my school and talked to us, the students, about A&M. The way he went at it was first asking if anyone wanted to go to UT Austin, and then (well first jokingly asked if we lost a bet or something) asked us why UT Austin and went from there - trying to one-up the points that made me choose UT Austin. As opposed to UT Austin never even mentioning any other college in its presentation and just showing us what they had to offer. </p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, the A&M counselor was a decent guy and bought us lunch and all, but that was my first impression of A&M and it was definitely not as great as my first encounter with UT Austin (nor did it compare to what I saw in UT after the first impression). </p>
<p>For the rest of the reasons, the other posters pretty much covered it 
If possible though, you should really visit the schools if you haven’t already done so ChecksixBR. I was already set on UT Austin, but seeing the campus first-hand pretty much sealed the deal.</p>
<p>Thanks you all that replied. Im just working on transfering in now. Austin seems like where I would want to be. Im actually pretty dissapointed that I didn’t go through with the CAP because I feel as if I could have achieved a 3.2 with minimal effort, whereas now im being forced to keep the highest gpa as I can. Very stressful. I need more efficient study habits!</p>
<p>ChecksixBR</p>
<p>Apply to several colleges and go where you can get most money. It doesn’t matter where you get your UNDERGRADUATE degree - at UT, A&M, somewhere else. It matters if you get this degree without loans, debts and unnecessary financial burdens/ stress for your parents.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Soadquake: What you said about UT was exactly the impression my S got of A&M. A&M seemed more welcoming and more like a supportive community. UT seemed very much like a go out a get what you want on your own type of place. He’ll be accepted to both schools (although possibly not to his choice major at UT) but right now he’s preferring A&M and he is not Christian or conservative but is very comfortable around people who are.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This right here^</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>We have found UT to be extremely supportive socially and academically. I think kids at UT are more laid back and go with the flow types that can come across as described above, but it is a mistake to not dig a little deep and see the traditions and values that bind these students.</p>
<p>Collegeshopping “Traditions and values” that really sounds like A&M language. We have only gotten our impressions from several visits at both schools and no true day to day experience. The “traditions and values” point was never made at any of our visits to UT but was front and center at A&M. Can you explain that a little further from a UT perspective? In some ways UT appears to be very laid back because it seems you can be involved with whatever you choose or nothing and you will be accepted. On the other hand it seems that students need to be aggressive to find what they are looking for. Am I wrong in thinking that while UT students tend to welcome diversity and differences, successful UT students need to be somewhat driven and type Aish and that a go with the flow type of kid risks getting lost in the crowd.</p>
<p>UT offers so many things for students to join that one would really have to be under a rock to not be able to find a group that is a match. So maybe in that aspect a student has to “seek out” a special connection to a group of students, but the reality is those student groups are front and center the first few weeks of school. There are FIGS (First year interest groups) that group like minded students together and they even take core classes together so that they can be bonded inside and outside of the class room. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Camp Longhorn is a must do althought UT does not press it like FISH camp at A & M. It was a wonderful experience for my daughter and she continues to socialize with friends made at that camp today. Of course there is the Greek system at UT and although my daughter is a member of soroity, fraternities seems to be whole other animal. My D finds her greek family to be loving, supportive and kind. She does think fraternities are a bit boarish and not very civilized during the pledging period but after that…just regular guys. She has some friends that are in the male spirit groups and they have a long, deep roots at UT…think A & M corp, but not so radical and smaller.</p>
<p>The reality is A & M and UT are extremely different schools. One city based. One country based. I think it really boils down to what kind of kiddo is your son? My D has many friends at A & M and they are “A & M type kids” and she has many high school friends at UT and they are “UT type kids”. She does love the diversity at UT and she feels she learns so much from her classmates as well as her teachers.</p>
<p>If your son is accepted to an honors program at UT (I have no idea if he is applying or not) that is another great source of support at UT. The majority of the honors programs are true honors programs with peer advisors, faculty advisors and amazing advising. I can’t speak of the “general population” because our daughter is in an honors program and can only speak to her experience. Again, a great deal of her social life is around her honors program and she really just loves it.</p>
<p>If your son is leaning toward A & M, he may just be an A & M kind of guy. A & M is a great school with its own traditions. For our daughter is was too isolated, too “cultish”, and she did not like the negative attitude toward UT…she felt is was just weird that they focused so much on their hatred of UT. (She is not a negative based person) She loves to cheer on A & M when they are not playing UT because they are a Texas school. I don’t think you will ever a student at A & M cheering on a Longhorn…ever.</p>
<p>On this pick, your son will just have to go with his gut. But I certainly would not base his decision on a tour. Does he have any friends from his High School that are at UT? An overnight stay and a class audit may be a better gauge than a laid back student who thinks a college decision is very personal and therefore does not try to “sell” his school. (Typical UT Tour guide) At our A & M tour I felt is was a big Aggie sales pitch. The two schools just go about it differently.</p>
<p>My son is a conservative (political and social) and is VERY, VERY happy at UT. He hates country music. He’s not a big football fan. A&M was out for him - unless he just wanted to do the 2% thing which seemed to him disrespectful. A&M is all tradition and if you aren’t into that, why irritate those who are into it?</p>
<p>At UT, he has found a community of exceptionally smart students who share his interests. Also UT’s Computer Science and Math programs are much higher rated at UT than A&M … not even close! </p>
<p>I’m totally a Longhorn MOM!!! Loving burnt orange. UT Rocks!</p>
<p>Go to A&M if you love cow-tipping on weekends. Otherwise, come to UT.</p>
<p>1) UT has an international reputation. A&M has a statewide reputation.</p>
<p>2) UT is known nationally for almost all of it’s departments and programs. UTs programs are nationally ranked among the best. A&M is only known for engineering, and UT is still better than A&M at engineering.</p>
<p>3) UT is located in a mid-sized intellectual city with a high tech focus. A&M is located in rural Texas.</p>
<p>4) UT has a liberal, open and accepting campus. Austin also has a lot of stuff to do off campus. A&M’s campus is closed minded and conservative.</p>
<p>THE University of Texas defeated A & M in what is being call the “the last game”!! Hook’em!</p>
<p>What a great game! Poooooor Aggies! ;)</p>