UT vs University of Houston

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

<p>So, I've basically narrowed it down to these two. I realize that UT is superior academically, but there are many other factors that complicate the decision. I'd love to hear your two cents. </p>

<p>I currently live in Illinois, but family and I will be moving to Houston area at the end of this year. Wherever I go, I'll be paying out of state tuition for the first year. But let us exclude money for now, since I'm still waiting on money from UT and am currently in the running for a full ride at Houston. Money isn't a huge issue, but my father will certainly prefer and insist that I attend the less expensive school. If I get the full ride from Houston (which also includes room/board, research stipend, and study abroad stipend), then I'll definitely go there.</p>

<p>UT:
I've been admitted into UT's Plan II Honors program. I realize that this is an extremely elite program and liked by medical schools (which I plan on attending). I also feel like I'd get a much better "college experience" from UT. It's kind of a true college campus, with most people either living on campus or in apartments surrounding it. I've visited U of Houston on a Saturday, and the campus seemed pretty dead since not as many people live on campus. It's not the parties that I'm concerned about, but the lack of things to do. Post- 3 p.m. at U of H, there were very, very few places to eat. Also, I feel like medical schools look more favorably upon UT than U of H, which is, of course, pretty important.</p>

<p>On the other hand, my family is moving from Illinois back to Houston mainly because my entire extended family lives in Houston (also, we've finally realized after 12 years that we hate the snow. This winter sucks). I'd feel kind of guilty for going to Austin right after moving to Houston, particularly because my family is extremely close and I'd feel bad for not spending time with my grandparents (who are very, very old) and my brother (I'm very involved in his life and his schooling).</p>

<p>UH:
As of right now, I feel like attending U of H would be better for my medical school resume. Let me explain. I've been accepted to the honors college, have already been approached by a professor to do research in his cardiology lab as soon as I become a student, and have been invited to take part in one of their elite leaders programs. Also, I think I like the student culture here slightly better (that is, the honors students). Also, being close to home, although my parents will allow, and probably insist, upon my dorming, will make life easier and a bit more enjoyable I think ( I have no desire to "get as far away from my family as possible", but I certainly do not want to live at home). Also, I'm pretty certain that I would be able to achieve a considerably higher GPA here than at UT, which will almost certainly offset any differences between the UT and U of H name in the eyes of medical schools.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I am weary of U of H's regular population, which is the cause for its lackluster reputation. And, as I mentioned before, U of H's campus on the weekends, which seemed completely dead and most food places were closed, which is concerning. Also, I found out that the library is not 24 hrs, which really bothers me (I judge most universities based on their libraries, as I will almost certainly be spending most of my time there). Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I'm afraid that U of H simply will not challenge me. I have a friend who is a year above me who performed very similarly to me in high school. Basically, he chose to attend a school similar, I feel, to U of H (UIC) because he got into their guaranteed medical program over more rigorous schools he was accepted to. Unfortunately, he is now "bored". Of course, our situation aren't exactly the same, but this still kind of concerns me.</p>

<p>TL;DR: Basically, I like UT better academically, but UH for extracurricular stuff (leaders programs, research, location etc.) This has really been bothering me, and I need some advice on where to attend. Thanks for reading, I realize this is a ton.</p>

2

<p>UT Imo. Just because you’ve been approached by a professor at UH doesn’t mean the same won’t happen at UT later on.</p>

3

<p>Honestly, I think when you get to UH you will be surprised. I think its unfair to call UH’s general population “lackluster”. I attend both UT and UH and found UH to be advantageous as far as smaller school, personalized attention with advisers, and a highly educated and accomplished academic staff.</p>

<p>You will have the chance to take courses with professors who are concurrently working with the top doctors and scientists in cutting edge research. As for the library, you can always go to other buildings on campus and study or a coffee shop off campus in the Houston-area.</p>

4

<p>Some points to consider: University of Houston is consistently rated as one of the schools that is not guilty of grade inflation - getting good grades won’t be a cake walk! Also, UH in Houston is the main campus of a Tier One research institution with an up and coming reputation. It doesn’t seem comparable to UIC in my mind. Since Champaign Urbana is the main campus for UI, UIC seems like more of a satellite campus. At UH, you would be on the main campus for the UH system. Also UH is much less expensive than UT and more generous with scholarships. UT, of course, is an excellent school and Austin is, well, Austin! Everyone loves Austin. And UT has a med school. UH does not. I don’t know if that matters in any way. On the other hand, Houston was recently recognized as the Coolest City in the U.S. I know it’s a tough decision, but you can get a great education and a great college experience at either! Both universities are doing a great job of recruiting top students.</p>

5

<p>Houston is home to the largest medical center in the world (Texas Medical Center) . <a href=“Texas Medical Center - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Medical_Center&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Here is the list of Texas Medical Center institutions (including several medical schools)
<a href=“List of Texas Medical Center institutions - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Texas_Medical_Center_institutions&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Medical school is very expensive. The general advice is to get your pre-med bachelor as cheap as possible. </p>

6

<p>Thanks for all of the responses! Honestly, I was expecting more support for UT, as this is UT’s forum. I’m pleasantly surprised…</p>

<p>@Aali4Real : I realize how general my comment was about the general population. I apologize and really should give more credit to the UH students. </p>

<p>@Barfly and @Ya Ya : You both have some really good points. The proximity to the medical center really is a huge plus for UH. And even if I don’t get the full ride, UH will be considerably cheaper than UT. And I looked into the grade deflation at UH; it surprised me and made me rethink my attitude towards the classes. Thanks!</p>

7

<p>University of Houston it gives you better options and opportunities to be closer to prestigious medical schools, and will give you an advantage apposed to others.</p>

8

<p>@kns1444 no need for an apology! You are correct (and as I realized) UH is not an easy A school as some would say. In fact, when I was at UT the rumor was that we switched from the classic A, B, C grading to plus/minus because school’s like UH were already doing so and as a Tier One school it reflected poorly on UT.</p>

<p>Either way you go, I think you will get a solid education as well as research opportunities and a chance to be competitive at the top medical schools.</p>

9

<p>Plan II may be “elite”, but the reputation is that they’re all socially inept snobs. My dad did it for a year and a half, and was told that “Well, medical schools know Plan II, and B in Plan II is the same as an A at other schools.” 1. Medical schools don’t know Plan II that well, 2) It’s more important to get A’s at UH than B’s in a supposedly more prestigious school because you do need a 3.5 or higher no matter what school you went to, and 3) UH will be cheaper. Going to UH and doing extremely well would look better than Plan II. </p>

10

<p>I have never before heard that stereotype of Plan II kids being socially inept or snobs. The Plan II grads I know are neither.</p>

11

<p>So, is Plan II well known by medical schools? And how hard is it truly? I mean, is it even worth it for a pre-med student to major in it?</p>

12

<p>Update: I did, in fact, receive the scholarship from U of H. I received nothing but loans from UT (52k for the first year). I do believe I’ll be committing to U of H within the next few days. </p>

13

<p>Congrats did you reject ut offer yet </p>

14

<p>What matters is what you do in undergrad, not where you went. I know people from UT, UH Main and UH Downtown who are currently going to UT Southwestern.</p>

<p>Get involved, keep your grades up and polish your activities as well as your MCAT later on.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

15

<p>an undergraduate degree at UH is practically like going to a community college but paying a university price. any idiot can get into UH and its smack dab in the ghetto of houston. student life sucks because half the student population is made up of commuters in their mid-30s who barely passed high school and the other half are kids who still live with mommy and daddy. The only thing going for them is that their graduate level courses have been rated Tier I by ONE accrediting body. There’s always something going on at UT (what do you expect from a school with a $6 billion endowment)</p>

<p>If saving money was your top priority, then going to a community college for 2 years and finishing at UH would be more beneficial than spending 4 years there.</p>

16

<p>Wow, @chaotix. </p>

<p>The UH you describe is not the UH I have experienced. </p>

<p>BTW, students in their mid-30s who choose to commute to a local university often have jobs and families, and younger undergrads (perhaps even you) can learn much from them. Students who live at home and commute to a local university may not be able to afford to live on campus, and students who are able to live on campus and have the full college experience (perhaps even you) have no reason to believe they are superior. </p>

<p>It is a skill worth developing to be able to write persuasively without resorting to name calling and baseless stereotypes. But perhaps you have a future in politics. </p>

17

<p>@chaotix UH is not what you describe at all, I’m not going to the school but I did visit its campus and I have to say UH is a very respectable university. However, the demographic of the larger Houston area is made up of mostly low income residents, many of them decided to stay at home to save the ridiculous cost of housing and nothing is wrong with that. It’s true that the school doesn’t has the traditional college spirit but it’s still depend on what the student is looking for at a college (as if it’s really important).
But I do agree with your last point. If OP consider UH and was given a significant amount of scholarship thenhe/she is better off going to a community college.</p>

18

<p>My bad, I mean to say If OP consider UH and was NOT given a significant amount of scholarship thenhe/she is better off going to a community college.</p>

19

<p>OP:</p>

<p>I transferred to UT from UH. If you can afford it go to UT. If not, then go to UH. I was in the honors college at UH but didn’t actually take a lot of the intro honors courses, mainly because I knew I was going to UT and that they wouldn’t transfer. However I lived in the honors dorm and those people are absolutely great. Most of them are suburban kids and are just seeing the city for the first time but they were genuine and accepting. The rest of the UH population leaves a lot to be desired IMO, most of the freshman don’t even make it to the second year which is depressing. I am now at UT and the difference is quite apparent. The majority of the students are over achievers and it brings the best out of you. Plan II is on another level, I met this kid who’s in the program and he’s amazing. Came to UT with 50 credits, traveled the world, and doubled majored. I know a couple of sisters who are in the program and they are trilingual social justice warriors. UT is just the real college experience and I regret not coming here from the beginning. </p>