The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

With over 50,000 undergraduate students at a public university, it's not surprising that that the student body runs the racial, religious, and socio-economic gamut. UT is an extremely casual school; no one will give you a second glance if you show up to class in your pajamas. The students at UT are more politically active that most, on both domestic and foreign issues.

Because of its huge population, UT allows you to find a group or niche where you fit in regardless of your ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, religious views, or lack thereof. Starting with freshman orientation, UT preaches a doctrine of tolerance that extends to every walk of life, including white males, the group often overlooked and even blamed in such tolerance seminars. However, this certainly doesn’t mean that we sit in a circle, holding hands and singing songs during our spare time. I recently met a group of boys who earnestly told me that, “women should stay at home and cook dinner” and argued that all successful African Americans are a product of affirmative action and equal opportunity policies. However, such people are rarities. Despite an occasional dispute with a sexist or racist, the majority of students I meet are respectful and accepting of everyone.

In engineering, most students wear jeans and t-shirts, but some people dress up more than that on occasion. We're pretty chill people, on the whole. The Mechanical Engineering department is very diverse. We have more women and Hispanics than many other majors, and we ALL interact. UT's College of Engineering does a great job of providing special programs and incentives (like free tutoring and Freshman Interest Groups) to keep students from dropping out. UT does a great job of giving scholarships to students with financial needs. Sadly, some students looking for merit-based scholarships might find UT a little lacking and stingy. Just remember that you'll be thankful for the great education once you've graduated!

Group variety: UT has a very tolerant atmosphere. Because there's such a political balance between liberal and conservative, everyone accepts that there are thousands of different agendas burgeoning on campus daily. You might be offended by someone's fliers or humongous a-frameboard one week, but you're opinion may very well be represented the next: that's part of free speech. Out of place: I'm not sure. From my own experience, we have a native Russian student studying with us right now. In America, that's not necessarily one of the large nationalities you have running around all the time - but she feels right at home. As long as you can get by on the language, I'm sure anyone, regardless of race, religion, age - could get by at UT. Wear to class: It depends on your major and your daily agenda. Some kids are wearing sweatpants, some are wearing suits. Everything in between is covered, too. Interaction: Definitely. There might be a general separation due to comfort level, majors, and cultural background as far as circles of friends go. But there are so many university events that everyone clamors together during, there's no avoiding interaction. Dining hall: A table of business students wearing suits with their Dell laptops out. A table with students from the communications department with their macbooks out. A table of fraternity and sorority kids talking about parties. A table of activists discussing upcoming events. UT students from: Usually somewhere in Texas. Prevalent financial background: I'd estimate that most of the kids are of upper-middle class standing. That said, I know plenty of us that either halfway support ourselves with jobs or even fully support ourselves because our parents can't. It might get frustrating sometimes, but that goes for life in general. Political activity: That also depends on major usually. You'll find the journalism students, Plan II kids, liberal art kids, maybe even business students for the most part are the most politically active. But generally, you're growing up, you're in an educative atmosphere, so you're probably fairly aware if not chin-deep and working with the U-Dems. I'd say political preference falls about fifty-fifty, if not, maybe more liberal because it's Austin. Money: The more technical majors probably do. Liberal arts kids assume they'll be homeless.

I mentioned this earlier, people who are from different racial and ethic backgrounds, are older, etc. feel isolated. If I were to choose again, I might make a different decision. People come from various financial backgrounds and from various states/countries. Students are politically aware and active and fall all over the place including left, right and center.

With the large student body at UT, there are ALL KINDS of people. I am a Catholic (kind of, don’t really like labels) Latino, gay man from an upper-middle class family. I am involved in the LGBTQ community (Queer Student Alliance, an agency of student government), but most of my close friends (with a few important exceptions of course) are straight people from all different races/ethnicities (there is an important difference), religions, socio-eco classes, and parts of the WORLD (there are quite a few international students at UT). People are really accepting here for the most part. Race is not a huge issue and a vast majority of people at UT (and in Austin) are in favor of LGBTQ rights. People get along great. Both of my roommates (two straight guys) and I will go to civil rights rallies or get involved with local campaign organizations. The only people who would feel out of place at UT are those students who aren’t willing to try new things and accept people for who they are. Most students dress pretty typically. There is a very wide range though. You have everything from your popped collar, Sperry’s wearing Greek guys/girls to to emo/punk people to the “I just rolled out of bed and threw this on” people. In Austin you can pretty much get away with wearing whatever you want, anywhere you want without getting more than a second look. Students tend to be more politically active (we’re not Berkley/Michigan, but we’re not uninformed bystanders by any means either). Especially with the impending presidential primaries/general election, UT is in full political swing. UT held one of the Democratic primary debates and people went wild. Students were not given many tickets (we were outraged), but my friends and I got together at one of our apartments, ordered food and watched and debated alongside the Obama-Clinton debate. Obama has opened a campaign office on campus and people are rallying (mainly for Obama) all the time around campus. The political climate, like I said earlier, tends to swing left, but you can get anything you want here.

-I've had all positive experiences with racial, LGBT, and socio-economic groups on campus. Religious and political groups however can use some very divisive rhetoric. -Nobody should feel out of place at UT, there is something for everyone. -Students wear pajamas, jeans and a t-shirt, or sometimes suits to class. There is a huge range in wardrobe choices. -There is a lot of interaction between all kinds of students. -The four tables in the dining hall will most likely be a group of mixed people from different backgrounds and ethnicities. The major exceptions that stand out in my head are the Asian and Frat/Sorority students who seem to stay grouped with each other. -Most UT students are from Texas. -There is a huge range of financial backgrounds; it's hard to say one in more prevalent but it would probably be middle class. -Many students are politically aware and active. -There may be an even breakdown on how people identify politically. -Students from the business school seem very preoccupied with how much they'll earn in the future. Students in liberal arts just hope they'll be making enough to get by one day.

I think we are fairly progressive in terms of racial, etc tolerance.. still we're in Texas, not exactly the most tolerant place in the world. Who would feel left out? No one really. There may be intolerant people but more tolerant ones. Most students wear t-shirts and jeans or shorts to class. Its very casual. Different types of students do interact. Most students are from Texas. Different financial backgrounds since it is a public university and its not particularly expensive. Lots of political activity. Most fraternity and sorority people are conservative but as a whole Austin is very liberal. I don't hear many poeple talking about how much they'll earn.

I'm in student government so I hear and see events and people come speak about all sorts of issues. I know big issues are that the school is not diverse enough- but it's just because everyone likes to stay in their comfortable spaces. Students who would feel out of place at UT would be students not willing to make friends and change- it takes time and it is scary, but it's worth it. Wear to class- anything- wide variety- from sports bra to head coverings- to makeup to wigs... Some different students interact, but I think most students stay in their group. Dining hall? UT students are mostly from Texas- because of the top 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} rule- mostly from cities. Financial- from poverty to billionaire Some students are extremely politically involved and active, while I think the majority are inactive. UT students are all over the place- from a Republican state, college students, in Austin- they are everywhere Earn- some students talk about it. Maybe business, engineers, etc. But liberal arts I feel like have no idea what they want to do and therefore don't talk about it.

I don't have many experiences with minority groups on campus. I don't really interact with many people, and I will only rarely interact with students in my own classes. Many students come from lower to middle class backgrounds, although I have immersed myself among very affluent students which can present its problems and barriers at times. Students are very politically active, and most that are vocal on campus are very left leaning. Students don't talk about how much they'll earn one day, although I always have it on my mind. Hahaha