The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Top Questions

no

yes

Yes

No! UT has amazing test scores and offers resources unparalleled by any other university. Each year the standards for entering students are raised.

yes

Not for everyone

No

i do think there is alot of pride in our school. But there's really almost as many people that don't party and be wild as the ones that do. The ones that don't just aren't making a scene whatever they are doing.

I definitely do not think these stereotypes are accurate. Our university is a great school with a lot to offer. We don't think we're better than anyone, we just have pride in our university.

I do not think this is an accurate stereotype. I think this school is what you make of it, and sure you can find parties to go to but UT offers so much more than that.

UT has definitely become a very competitive school, not only athletically, but academically too. It's not the typical party school and you've really gotta work hard to keep up your GPA.

no not really

Hillbillies? No way! That is FAR from the truth. I have met SO many new people from around the state and many other states. The people who have made it in to UT are very intelligent people.

I don't believe they are completely accurate. There are a lot of Greeks because we have a lot of fraternities and sororities here on campus and there is one for everyone considering they are all pretty different from each other. This makes it more welcoming for people to join because not every Greek group is your typical sorority of fraternity. I don't really know why we are thought to be such a party school either. There is always something to do, but I think that every college campus is a party school if you know the right people. The strip is always busy with parties and bands at the different bars. You'll definitely be able to find something to do whenever you want to go out. The football school is definitely accurate. Tennessee loves it's football and Knoxville is a big football town. The entire city gets into it when there is a game, the crowds at games are incredible and our stadium is huge!

While a large percentage of our students are from the south, they are not all from the south. Also, there are many students who are open-minded but I do think that alot of students are close-minded about politcal issues and other cultures. Sports are definetely a huge part of the university, but they aren't important to everyone.

Fairly accurate

No, yes we do have our share of parties and yes we can get pretty loud and excited on game days....but UTK has so much more to offer.

I think so.. We have a good time, but we also have good grades, and we definitely have a VERY strong pride in our sports teams.

No, It is not just a party school. It is a great school academically and is fairly hard to get into, and the classes are not a joke. We are very into our sports teams, but the focus is other places as well.

I think UTK is like most colleges- you can find a party if you are looking.

all but the redneck part. and we are proud to be annoying fans!

For some people, yes, but for the majority of this campus NO. Yes, a lot of people on this campus go out and have a good time but they also know they are here primarily for an education. They can handle staying home a few nights instead of going out to study for tests or write papers.

i would said overall they are somewhere accurate, although there are some people who abstain from the partying and don't care about sports. and the school makes a good effort to create diversity through the I-house, and other similar programs.

No. All three stereotypes are inaccurate. UT, of course, has its fair share of southern students, and yes, some are very southern. However, this is not a dominant force on our campus. Our school is extremely diverse and has students from all over the United States, as well as students from other countries. Last year, I met random guys, including one from Africa, just by playing a pick-up game of soccer at our exercise facility. Lastly, we are in college and every school is a party school. It is true that here at UT the partying may be more out in the open, but that does not mean that every student goes out the majority of the week and is not concerned about their classes.

Yes.

Not completely. We do party but we definately go to school too. And yes we are southern but in the good sense with manners and respect, not the stupid and slow part.

Some things are, but I definitely have friends who are participating in greek life who don't fit this description and as an Art student Ive come to find out there's so many different kinds of people who consider themselves artists. And yeah, Ive met a few true free thinkers/hippies in the past four years. I consider them to be inspirations for us all.

we are a party school but we are very educated.

no not at all

While fraternities and sororities are abundant and large, they do not run the student activities and not everything is catered to these greek organizations. It is true that UT is a party school, just go to any home football game and the smell of beer and liquor is evident on about 3/5 of the student attendees. However, while UT does have its wild students and parties, it also has some of the most focused and intelligent students and faculty members. There is a very obvious line between the students that come to UT to party and the students that are there to get a college education.

Completely incorrect.

Although the stereotype isn't completely true, there is validity. Generally individuals who are members of greek organizations are more involved on campus, but I think it is because they want to be. It is much easier to get into organizations if you are Greek, and I think it is discouraging to some students.

While a number of UTK students aren't out-of-control partiers, the stereotype is fitting. Most UT students do their fair share of drinking and won't say no to a night out. And, yes, UTK is definitely an all out sports school.