Jacqueline

Surprisingly I cannot say that the University necessarily has a specific stereotype. Texas Tech has a very diverse group of students because of the many activities and of students the university admits. For the most part, Greek life makes up a large majority of the student body because Texas Tech fully supports and encourages students to get involved, There are so many organizations, clubs and activities to get involved in. Really, Texas Tech is what you make it!

Overall, I believe that truly anyone could call this school "home." As a native of South Carolina, I though it would be difficult to adjust to Texas Tech, but the town and campus is so full of pride that you truly feel like a red raider as soon as you step foot on campus. So far, everyone I've met both on and off campus has been extremely welcoming and friendly...and I'm used to southern hospitality so I have been very pleased with Lubbock.

As far as size goes, I feel that Texas Tech has a large student body, and I've found that it is much easier to make friends this way. At the same time, the relations you build with both the student body as well as faculty makes the school seem a lot smaller and less overwhelming. For instance, my classes are small, and my teachers are readily available and very helpful. I have not yet had one teacher that I did not like. Overall, even on the days that I do not feel like getting out of bed and going to school, I always feel much better as soon as I get to campus. Really, the gorgeous buildings and friendly people definitely make you proud to be a red raider. Honestly, out of all the schools I was accepted to, I have no doubt in my mind that Tech is the right choice.

Academically, Texas Tech is what you make it. My professors certainly know my name, and I have great relations with them because I stay on top of my work and participate in class. Professors really like participation! Certainly, you may have a few Large lecture classes with 400 + students and the professor may not know your name, but in my smaller classes my teachers know me well, and if you attend class and do your assignments they will certainly know you as well. Again, it is important to organize your time and make sure you set a certain amount of time each week to study. Time spent studying varies on the amount of hours you're taking, and you as an individual. Tech does however have a large, and beautiful library as well as online databases, and private tutors should you need further assistance in any class. Honestly, Texas Tech provides all the tools and resources you need that can help you achieve academic excellence. Also, Tech considers their students even after college. For instance, Tech has a career services center which is a free and wonderful resource for finding internships and jobs both during and after your time at Texas Tech. At the career services center, students can talk to advisors who help them on a path towards a career, set up mock interviews, and also help edit their resumes to make themselves marketable. Additionally, Tech provides many job fairs throughout the year where businesses and organizations come to Tech to try and reach out to students for internships as well as jobs. Sure Tech looks good because of its high achieving students, but Texas Tech certainly doesn't do it just for looks. Texas Tech wants to graduate successful young adults so that the may represent the Red Raiders in the real world.

The students at Texas Tech are definitely diverse. While many of them are from various parts of Texas, Tech truly welcomes and has students from all over the United States and world. Tech also has clubs and organizations that encompasses and considers their diverse culture of students. For example, Tech has clubs like the hispanic organization society, Korean student association, the Vietnamese students association, and ,many many others. Honestly, I can't think of a student who couldn't fit in here at Tech. While Lubbock is primarily republican (as is the state of Texas) there are many liberal students as well so it creates a balanced mix. Should you wish to become involved in political discussion, there are clubs and organizations for that and there is also a debate team which has reigned number one in the country at Texas Tech this past year and years prior. Additionally, similar to the diverse students, financial backgrounds are also diverse and Texas Tech has accommodated for this as well. Many of our students require financials assistance, and Tech has an abundance of work study programs, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities. Also, the town of Lubbock has many businesses that a student could consider working for during their time at Tech.

While there are many organizations on campus, I'd have to say Greek life is very popular amongst the student body. I myself was involved with Greek life at another school in undergrad, and I loved it. At Tech, however, I am often jealous that i cannot be a member since I'm getting my Masters degree because it looks so fun! Greek life is a wonderful way to get involved because you can pick the sorority of fraternity you feel the most comfortable with, you meet many people in other sororities and fraternities, you develop a strong bond with your sisters or brothers, and you participate in both school and community events. Additionally, Greek life is a wonderful help academically because they all require a certain GPA to remain eligible to stay in the organization. But, if Greek life isn't your style, Tech has created many many other clubs and organizations to get involved with. The best part is, if they don't have what you want, you can even pilot your own club/ organization! Of course, athletic events such as football, basketball, and baseball games are extremely popular. For football, on game day everyone tailgates and the town is nothing but red and black. It's hard not to get excited. And while many students at Tech party, there is plenty of activities to do that is alcohol free. For instance, Tech has a bowling club, intramural sports, and many other organizations will have alcohol free events. Also, Tech provides many cultural events on campus such as plays, dance recitals, and guest speakers on saturday evenings which many students enjoy. Off campus, the city of Lubbock has many restaurants, a mall, shopping centers, and other theaters that provide entertainment for the locals as well.

The dating scene is similar to that of any college. Honestly, while some people choose to be in a relationship in college, many people choose to be single and to spend their college career growing as a person and getting to know themselves. It's college, so many people just like to have fun.

The Greek Scene at Texas Tech is amazing. With around 50 fraternities and sororities, Texas Tech definitely has a greek organization that's right for you should you choose to go Greek. Many times, the media and press make Greek life look bad, but in real life Greeks do much more than party. Greeks are upheld to maintaining a certain GPA to remain active, they must also complete community service hours, and must also be active in other clubs and organizations on tech's campus. Greeks stay busy, and are generally well known as well as well rounded. As a Greek, sorority life was one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience!

When you step off campus, you're in the very convenient and friendly town of Lubbock. Texas Tech is walking distance from many popular restaurants like Chipotle and Starbucks (which for many college students is SO important) and stores like Walmart or Leonards. Throughout the town of Lubbock you'll find many conveniences within 15 minutes away such as a mall and golf courses. Honestly, compared to many places i've been, Lubbock is so easy to navigate and close to many places. I've saved a lot of money on gas since I've lived here!

I chose Texas Tech University because of its academic atmosphere, diverse student body, its unique clubs and organizations, and its gorgeous campus. For the past ten years,Tech has been ranked as a top-tier school and ranks amongst the highest Universities. This was important to me because I knew that Tech would have the resources to help me during college as well as upon graduation. Currently, Tech is seeking Tier 1 research status which will rank it amongst other prestigious research schools.

Texas Tech has a very diverse student body. Most students are from Texas, but Tech also enrolls a large number of students from out of state as well as international students. Having a diverse student body is important to consider when applying to college because it will help you make friends easily as well as learn about those who are different than you. At Tech, there are so many different types of students that it is easy to make long lasting friendships.

It's also important to get involved while you're in college,and Texas Tech makes it easy to do so with over 150 clubs and organizations. Tech has 50 fraternities and sororities and just about any type of club that you could think of. The best part is, if Tech doesn't have what you want, you can pilot a club yourself! Organizations are a great way to meet people, network, and build your resume. Tech makes it so easy and so enticing to get involved!

Needless to say, if you've seen pictures you know Tech has a BEAUTIFUL campus! Since you'll be spending a great deal of time there, it's important that you like your surroundings. I am grateful for what I see every day at Tech ,and they always find ways to make the campus even more gorgeous than it is.

A school is really only as strong as its traditions, and Texas Tech has some of the most unique and fun traditions I've ever seen a school have. Of course there's our hand signal "Guns up" and our slogan "wreck em'" that we say at sporting events and around campus, but Tech also has some unique traditions that you may not be so familiar with.

One of my favorite traditions is Raider Gate...the biggest college sponsored party there is. Before selected home football games, Texas Tech SGA brings in live bands and encourages students to tail gate while those who are of age are allowed to drink four hours prior to heading over to the football game to cheer on the Red Raiders. It's so fun, and definitely something that not many colleges do.

One of my other favorites is the Carol of Lights. In early December, to kick off the holiday season, Tech invites students and the local community to gather in memorial circle (the heart of campus) and watch as Tech lights 25,000 orange, white, and red Christmas lights on 13 of the main buildings. The Tech Choir sings Christmas carols, and it really gets everyone in the holiday spirit!

My other favorite tradition is the masked rider. Texas Tech has an actual horse and rider that gallops across the football field at every home game and some baseball games. It's really awesome to see, and definitely a tradition thats unique to Tech.

I've only listed a few, but there are so many other traditions that Tech has. Check them out at http://www.ttu.edu/traditions/

WRECK EM'!