visiting Baylor and UTDallas this weekend -- any tips?

Parents Forum
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<p>Daughter is a NMSF and since this is a three day weekend for us (Veteran's Day weekend), we are flying to Texas from Calif to "check out " Baylor and UTD as possible schools since they offer free tuition (Baylor) or free tuition/R&B (UTD) x 4 years.</p>

<p>Baylor is having an organized weekend for NMSF students/parents Fri - Sat, and then we are visiting UTD on our own Sunday - Monday (eg. getting a campus tour, visitng classes, seeing a play, visiting the "dorm" apt housing, meeting with admin counselor).</p>

<p>Any knowledgeable parents/students out there who can give tips about either school. . .eg what to ask them this weekend, how to compare programs , etc. </p>

<p>D is interested in math or science as a major, she is not sure of career yet.</p>

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<p>Even though UTD is in Richardson, you should take the time to visit Dallas itself, it's a fantastic city - save $ for shopping and dining!</p>

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<p>I'm glad you are visiting UT Dallas. I looked it up online when DD (now sophmore in college), was a NMF - but she wasn't interested. Now with a HS Junior, I am looking for possibilities for him. Let us know what you think about UT Dallas! I'm concerned about the commuter nature of the campus, and possible lack of cohesive campus feel. I'm looking forward to your reactions!</p>

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<p>In terms of red carpet treatment, we are getting it with both schools. </p>

<p>D is going to an organized event this weekend just for prospective NMFs at Baylor. Because we needed to stay Fri evening to Sunday morning in Waco(due to flight schedules, etc), Baylor has graciously offered to provide two nights of hotel for us instead of the usual one night and is also providing us an extra dinner at their residence dining hall Sat night after their official event is over. However, when I asked about personalized tour, having a meeting with admissions counselor,etc, Baylor was unable to provide that for us since it is an organized event.</p>

<p>For UTD, at first I was anxious that we weren't going to get any special tours, etc. . .but just this week everything has fallen into place. If anyone else is thinking of visiting UTD, know that UTD admissions have bent over backwards to provide the following for us: </p>

<p>pickup at DW airport to the campus, complimentary tickets to see the current campus production of "Medea" on Sunday (unfortunately we will miss the first half of the show since we arrive at the airport at 2pm, and that's when the play starts), dinner after the show and transportation to the hotel, pickup from the hotel Monday morning, personalized tour of the campus, meeting with science/math professors and being able to sit in their classes, meeting with administrators of the McDermott scholarship program, meeting and tour of the UTD Honors program, meeting with Admissions officer, meals on Monday and transportation back to the airport Monday evening for our flight home to California. </p>

<p>BTW, the McDermott scholarship program at UTD is an AWESOME program if you are awarded it: 4 years tuition, room and board, $1000/month stipend, 2 roundtrip flights back home every year, and travel abroad.(Thanks Curg for bringing that to my attention!)</p>

<p>The cost to travel to Texas this weekend to visit the two schools is going to be a little pricey at about $850 total cost --eg. $700 airfare for 2 pp, $48 for 2 day car rental in Waco, and $60 hotel in Richardson. . . however, I think it will be worth it to see if either or both of these schools will be a good fit for d.</p>

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<p>I have written several times about the McDermott program. One of my friends turned HPS schools to take advantage of the program. It is smaller than the Morehead program at UNC but is a truly remarkable opportunity. </p>

<p>If you happen to see a really tall McDermott scholar named Zac, tell him Xiggi said hello. He'll be floored!</p>

<p>As far as questions, make sure to ask UTD what are their plans for the TI endowment. As far as UTD being in one of the suburbs of Dallas, just realize that the geographical center of Dallas is no longer downtown Dallas. Despite a very successful urban renewal around the Central Districts, the center of Dallas is much more to the North than a map would indicate. </p>

<p>For what it is worth, you probably would have enjoyed spending more RR time in Dallas than in Waco. Except for the proximity of Curmudgeon's goat ranch, there is not really much fun happening in that part of Texas. After all you are pretty deep in Baptist country when visiting Baylor.</p>