University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is known to be one of the best public universities in the country. Located in the heart of the amazing city of Austin, a blue dot amongst a sea of red as well as being the state’s capital (something students with interest in political activism might enjoy). It is a fairly large school with about 30,000 undergraduate students.

With a 17:1 student to faculty ratio, UT Austin boasts numerous nationally ranked degree and study programs, and most famously, the McCombs School of Business and the Butler School of Music. Among these two colleges, there is also the Liberal Arts College, the Moody College of Communication, the Cockrell School of Engineering, the College of Fine Arts, and the Jackson School of Geoscienses. The school boasts many award winning faculty, most famously professor Starbird, a national award winner. The faculty at UT Austin are only there to help you and push you to be your best.

Honors Programs at UT Austin give you the sense and feeling of being in a Liberal Arts school but with the resources of a large research university.

There is a wide variety to choose from, listed below: ● Business Honors ● Engineering Honors ● Liberal Arts Honors ● Natural Science Honors ● Plan II Honors (which can be paired with any other honors program with the exception of Liberal Arts Honors)

Through these programs you are able to take exclusive classes reserved only for these students as well as have reserved seats in other classes. Registering for classes is a breeze with honors programs and you won't have to go through the stress and anxiety that the rest of the students do the third day of orientation. Not only that, but you are surrounded by like minded individuals and have access to resources no one else on campus has. The programs are specially suited to meet the needs of its students, with its own special advisers and its own dean.

Financial aid at the university varies. Depending on a student’s income, the student may qualify for up to $14,000 in need-based financial aid. There are also merit based scholarships, some of which provide a nurturing and networking community.

Such scholarships include: ● The University Leadership Network ($5,000 per year) ● Forty Acres Scholars ($30,000 per year, requires a separate application) ● Presidential Scholars ($5,000 per year) ● Terry Scholarship (Average $18,000 per year) ● Hutchinson Scholarship ($4,000 upon admission)

UT Austin is a state school, therefore in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition is drastically different.

There is many on campus jobs you can also do, such a teaching assistant or in research, all of which pay a decent wage.

Student life at UT Austin varies from individual to individual, but most students greatly enjoy their years on the forty acres! We have an active Greek life and we show great enthusiasm for our varsity sports, particularly our football team and show our spirit through tailgates and at the football gates. We have numerous facilities, such as our Olympic sized swimming pools and our Gregory Gym, all free of charge for all students. We have free tutoring services and group review sessions, bike rentals ($20 for the whole year), and free public transport with our student IDs. These are just a few of the perks of being a UT Austin student. UT also houses several museums and the students at UT host many musicals, plays, and other performances.

The overall ambient of the school is incredibly supportive and inclusive, where all social identities are valued and respected by the majority of students. There are over 500+ Student Organizations on campus, and if you can't find something to suit your needs, be the person who starts your own club! Student Orgs are an amazing way of meeting new people who are vastly different than you.

If you want a state school feel in an amazing location with the resources and reputation as an elite private college, UT Austin just might be for you. Application is due December 1st! Hook ‘em!