The University of Texas at Austin Top Questions

When you're an upperclassman, the people in the classroom gets smaller. So professors learn your name. Students aren't that competitive. Students in the engineering side has intellectual conversations outside of class. I do not spend time with professors outside of class. I don't think it's necessary for engineering students to take fine arts and human science

Some majors like Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Architecture are much more challenging and demanding than other majors such as Business, it seems.

All of this happens on the part of the student. The professor will know your name if you visit him/her in his/her office hours. Class participation is not common, in small or large classes. Participation may become more frequent as one progresses to upper level courses. First and second years are easily intimidated. I know because I was the same way. UT's core curriculum or academic requirements are very streamlined and so non-specific. It seems like many UT students graduate with a mixture of knowledge from all different areas that don't always cohere. Depending on one's major, your education at UT may or may not be geared toward getting a job or learning for its own sake.

Professors of small classes know your name. Least favorite class- chemistry (science and math in general). Students study different amounts depending on what major they are in and how many tests per week. Class participation in large classes is uncommon. Unique class- Dr. Daly's interpersonal communication class. I am in Communication Sciences and Disorders. No one hangs out with their professor outside of class.

Most of them. My favorite class was my sociology class because even though it was a bigger class, the professor made it seem small; my least favorite class is biology because I am awful at science. Students study all the time. Class participation is common in specific classes but not as much in core classes. UT students speak intellectually outside of class. Students are very competitive. Sociology was the most unique class I've taken. My major is advertising in the communications school; it's very competitive, but every step is worth it. Some professors work well outside of class, but most refer you to your teaching assistant. UT's academic requirements are very steep, but keep you at the top of your abilities. UT gears it's education experience towards getting a job and being successful.

The most unique class I've taken to date is "the History of Rock". I'm half way through the class right now; we're at the Beatles. I absolutely LOVE this class! On our tests we have listening questions in which you have to identify the song, musician, etc. Our teacher is really nice and not to mention an extremely talented sitar player. (He studies under Ravi Shankar!) My least favorite class so far is a human body biology course. I hate science, all kinds. I'm a musician and philosophy major, so its just not my thing. But as a liberal arts major (philosophy), I am required to take 15 hours of science (5 classes). It sucked.

Yes I know my prof. name, favorite class is early childhood development, Students study a lot I would say consistently mon-thurs/fri. In most of my classes class participation is common, yes students are comeptitive.

Students througout the communication are very competitive. Your professor knows your name if you want him to know your name. It is hard to say that the all the professors push you to succeed and do well because I have had a hand full who do just the opposite, but in upper division courses most of the professors have been extremely helpful.

no

UT is widely regarded as one of the most competitive public schools in the US, so there are very few classes or majors that are considered "blow off." That being said, most students still do maintain a life outside of school. Many of your basic freshman courses, like Chemistry 301, are held in massive auditoriums, where it is not uncommon to have over 800 students. However, as you get more into your upper division major classes, the size generally decreases and you have more interaction with fellow classmates and your professor. One thing that some students don't like about UT is that because it is a research institution, it seems like many professors are there to focus on their research instead of teaching. Because UT is an academically reputably school, we have many major companies that come to recruit. Many colleges have a career service to help you find a job or internship; in fact, UT was recently ranked #1 in job placement.

I am in a Liberal Arts honors program known as Plan II. Although the curriculum of Plan II is sporadic and unpractical, I take some very interesting and unorthodox classes. Last semester my favorite class was “Punishment in a Liberal Society”. Taught by a federal judge and former prosecutor, this class examined the status of “victimless crimes”, such as drug use, prostitution, pornography, euthanasia, homosexuality, and abortion, in United State’s law. For each issue the professor forced us to ask the question, “If this action does not directly harm anyone besides the consenting parties, should it be illegal, and if so, why?” We also analyzed the practical and philosophical aspects of each of the four justifications for punishment: retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and incapacitation. For those considering Plan II, admittance is competitive, but after getting in, you can relax. Although extremely interesting, Plan II classes are not overly difficult or competitive, and professors distribute a generous amount of As and Bs. In my opinion, Plan II’s primary attraction is its unique selection of professors. The former dean of Liberal Arts and highly esteemed linguist, Dr. Robert King, teaches my World Literature class this semester. The Plan II program handpicks professors out of various UT departments and selects others through a competitive application process. Plan II seeks to create a more distinctive experience than that of a typical University of Texas student. While university-wide classes are large, impersonal, and lecture based, those in Plan II are small, personal, and discussion based, providing a refreshing departure from the norm. However, you need to be a certain breed to appreciate Plan II’s unique ways. We are usually philosophical, opinionated, quirky, and have no idea what we want to do with our lives.

In my major sequence classes, my professors know my name if I want them to, but for the most part, they don't FORCE me to get to know them. After going to a small high school, I appreciate a degree of anonymity in academics. I like that people aren't as competitive with others. We form study groups and help each other out. We compete with ourselves, not with our friends. I LOVE that about engineering at UT.

Name: Yes, all my professors in my upper division classes know my name - and I've become familiar with most of them. Classes - Fave: My Russian literature classes are always inspiring. And most people would count Dr. Garza's Vampires in Slavic Cultures among their favorite. Classes - Least Fave: Oh, my god. All the science courses you have to take as a liberal arts major are awful. I hate them. They're GPA killers. Participation: In smaller classes, it's very much encouraged. It's usually a part of your grade. Conversations: Of course. I mean, it probably depends on your friends and also what you're involved in. But I don't know anyone who doesn't. It's a part of life. Competitive: Yes, I'd say so...yes. Most unique class: Vampires in Slavic Cultures. Major/department: I'm doubling in English and Russian studies, but my heart is in my Russian studies degree. Our department is very tight-knit, and most everyone knows one-another as well as the faculty. We spend most of our time together. Prof's outside: Definitely. Depending on the tone of your class, you'll probably end up getting drinks or at least getting coffee with your professor at one time or another. It also depends on you and how interested you are in talking to them. Academic Requirements: I actually wish they were a little higher. Not in the science courses!! I'd be worse off than I am. But if everyone's bar was raised to honors expectations, I'd probably feel more challenged. I think perhaps because it's a public school, professor's aren't always sure of how far they can push us. Job-acquisition: That depends on the student. There are tons of job fairs and career center opportunities - and departmental job information is sent out in e-mails. But it's the student's job to take advantage of those resources - the school doesn't hold your hand.

Professors know my name. Some students study a lot, some not at all. Class participation is average. As far as I can see, students generally don't have intellectual conversations outside of class unless they are in graduate school. Some students are competitive, some not. No time is spent with professors outside of class. Academic requirements are a bit surprising compared to all of the drinking done by students.

Academic difficulty at UT differs greatly from major to major and college to college. If you take the initiative, professors will know who you are. Even in the largest classes I have had (ranging from 400-500 students), my professors have known my name, my major and even what I want to do with my life. The best way to accomplish this is to sit in the front, go the their office hours, and simply let yourself be known. You will need these professors for letters of recommendation for grad/law/med school, so make sure you get to know them (and make sure you make a good impression). My favorite class (it is really hard to choose) would have to be Religion and Sexuality. This was a class of 24 students where we read articles about femininity, women's rights, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) issues, and looked at religious text and scholarly papers on religion to see how the two fit together (if they did at all). The class was mainly dialogue and a few papers. This made the class EXTREMELY engaging. I loved the professor and was greatly intrigued by the topic. My least favorite class would have to be my multivariable calculus class (M 408D). The professor was a little dry (it is math after all) and the TA was difficult to understand. For the most part though ALL of my professors have been GREAT. They really do seem to care about the students and the material they teach. Students study loads vary from person to person. If you want to do really well, you may (depending on your major of course) need to study quite a bit. If you’re smart about it though, you can usually get by with a little bit of studying and going to class, office hours, and TA sessions (MAKE SURE YOU GO TO CLASS!). In class participation is encouraged. Even in the big classes (300-500) professors ask questions and they don’t consider them to be rhetorical. I even had one professor in a class of about 300 students who wouldn’t go on unless SOMEONE answered his class (which can be very intimidating in a class of this size). The smaller classes, like Spanish of other languages, require in class participation. Students tend to be pretty interested in learning. Even when where just hanging out, something that one of us will have learned from class will come up and we’ll talk about it. Things such as how the Garfield posters we all had in elementary/middle/high school that said “I learn through osmosis” are wrong (osmosis is exclusively used for the movement of water, diffusion would be a more universal and therefore appropriate term) or how baldness is transmitted from generation to generation have come up in conversation lately. Students tend to be very competitive. I remember when I first got to UT and I was ONLY a biology major. I am now a biology/chemistry pre-med double major, minoring in Spanish and government. Most students try to get involved in research (looks good for applications). Extracurricular activities are a must also. Professors are accessible outside of class (especially if you take the time to make an appointment). I had one professor tell me that he wished people came in more often to his office hours because it can get boring and lonely in there all alone.

-Some of my professors know my name, but only if I take the initiative to visit with them after class or during office hours. -My favorite class was Spanish 508K because it was small (about 20 students), the professor was very funny, we learned a lot, and the class all bonded and many of us from the class are still good friends. My least favorite class has been Math 305G because it was just a boring class and I don't like math classes. -Students study quite a bit, but most people have a good balance between school work and social life. -Class participation is common in smaller classes and nearly non-existent in classes with more than 100 students. -Plenty of people have intellectual conversations outside of class, especially since it is an election year. -Students in the College of Liberal Arts are not as competitive as those in Natural Sciences, but across the university most people have a drive to be successful. -Architecture and Society with Larry Speck is the most unique class I've taken because many people don't think about how architecture affects our daily lives. Larry is also an incredible lecturer. -The History department is pretty big, but I still feel like I can access my advisors and get things taken care of. -I do not spend time with professors outside of class besides the hour or so of total time spent visiting in officer hours or at the end of class. -I think education at UT is equally geared toward getting a job and learning for its own sake. The development of strong critical thinking skills is needed in any workplace and the university makes it a priority to develop its students to be effective critical thinkers.

prof know your name? - depends on the class size. certain majors typically have larger classes. favorite class - freshman seminar, comparative value, Steve Ross least favorite - statistics, m316, with Shultz - terrible study - most weekdays, except the people who drink all the time and fail intellectual converations outside class - i don't know. i do. competitive - yes, but i think it depends on your major unique class - freshman seminar. urban studies - fun, able to take variety of classes. I went on a camping trip with my freshman seminar professor. UT academic requirements are usually fine but I have to take calculus for my major which is totally unnecessary and lame. Education at UT seems more geared towards learning for its own sake, as it should be, but there are many career help centers.

Some professors know my name- in smaller classes. Favorite class- anything I'm really interested in. Least favorite- Pharmacology- I'm just not good at memorizing facts and pages, pages of slides. Students study anywhere between 15 minutes- 7 hours a day depending on the student (some maybe more- crazy fools). Class participation is common, but it depends on the teacher and the way teachers frame questions. Some UT students have intellectual conversations outside of class- I would like to think all, but I know for sure some do. Students are competitive, maybe not all the time for grades, but generally they do have a drive to do well in some area. The most unique class- I loved taking PE classes- Swimming, Weight Lifting and Traithlon because I really got to know the students in those classes. Major- NURSING- by far one of the best experiences and decisions I've made at UT. I really like the students, the professors, and the material. I can't wait to graduate and have a job!! UT's academic requirements are being changed, which is a good thing and I feel I'm getting an excellent education for my department. My education is a professional sequence- so it's about the job I will be doing- so it is a little different- but we need to learn it for the job.

Half of my past profs know me by name, and the other half probably not. Favorite class was intro to psychology because the professor was really interesting and funny. Least favorite classes have been my accounting classes. I study a whole lot, but a lot of students seem to never study. Class participation is very common and required for a lot of my classes, something I really get frustrated with because I don't like hearing other people's opinions or being forced to say things just so you can get credit for saying them. Some students have intellectual conversations, but I don't really participate. Students in my major are overly competitive and it drives me to put up walls against these students and be apathetic about getting to know them. Most unique class I've taken has been my Violence in Spanish Film class.

Classes vary from one extreme to another. I have had classes where there are over 200 people in it and the teachers don't know your name, no attendance, and notes online. I have had classes where there are no more than 20 people and the teacher takes role, knows your name, and you have to participate in class. Students study all of the time. There are so many different places on campus where you can study,and there are always people there. You see students at different places around the campus area studying too.

least favorite: big classes most favorite: socratic method and talking alot with other students in class and discussion based learning fascilitated by the professor.(this doesn't happen enough unfortuately because classes are so big)

i am a textiles and apparel major and it is a very small major so a lot of people wouldn't agree with what i am saying. my professors in my major know me. i study whenever i need to. class participation is not really important except for in small classes. the thing that bothers me the most is that i have to take chem and bio as a retail merchandising major. i am in the same classes as pre med kids and everyone in major has repeated at least one. it is ridiculous and unfair and there truly is not reason. i emailed the dean of my college and she basically said there was no reason. it is such a waste of time and energy. the education at ut is geared toward getting a job no question. i have never taken a class just for fun because i dont have time and we are not really encouraged to anyway.

A few professors know my name is i show up at their office hours alot. i dont really have a favorite class, its engineering, every class is my least favorite class. class participation is pretty common. students are competitive but in engineering every is very willing to help eachother out with stdying or finishing homework assignments. my major is engineering and my department is mechanical engineering. its very tough, and sometimes i want to roll over and give up. but i hear its worth it in the end. ut's academic requirements are what make it such a good school to go to and graduate from. they may be tough but its worth it for the reputaion of the school. the education at UT is geared towards both.

Some of the general education requirements are too big and not personal. Most of my business classes are great though. If you want to develop a relationship with a professor, you will have that opportunity. Finance department, and Business Honors Program in particular, are wonderful. If you excel you will compete against the Wharton's and Harvard's of the world for Wall St. gigs... and come out on top.

The large classes are great! You can skip whenever you want but if you need individual attention your professors and TAs are always available during office hours. I am a public relations major and it is very competitive. The communications school and the business school are very competitive to get in. Some people spend time with their professors outside of class, that really doesn't interest me though. Many of the classes are difficult but I definitely rely on pick-a-prof to find easier classes.

Intro classes are huge, but if you make the effort (I didnt) you can get to know them. Studying goes on just about every day, again it's all about balance. We don't go out here until eleven so you can always study til ten thirty, get dressed and go get crunk.

Do professors know my name?- That depends on the class. I had an economics class freshmen year with 300+ people and the professor did not know my name until I made it a habit to visit him in office hours. This year I have been getting into my upper-division, major-specific courses that have between 30 and 50 people in them, and these professors really try to get to know us (some require name cards) because there aren't that many of us. My favorite class?- I'm currently in a class called Consumer Behavior. It's a marketing course, but it's SO interesting. I recommend it to anyone, marketing major or not. We are all consumers, everyday...might as well learn a little about it. How often do students study?- This answer depends as well. I study a lot for some of my classes, and not a lot for others. I'd say what nearly every student does a lot is READ! Almost all of my classes have had nightly reading assignments. It's in the hands of the students as to whether or not they decide to complete readings, but it is definitely to their benefit in most classes to do it. Are students competitive?- I'd say so. But it's nothing like high school where you had to compete to be at the top of your class. There are so many people here studying so many different things that it's difficult to be competitive with everyone. Where you'll find the most competition is within specific majors. I am not that competitive, but if I ever am competitive, it's usually only with other business students. My major/department?- I'm a student in the business school and I love it. If you want a way to make UT seem smaller, and you have an interest in business (any interest...there is a major in the business school for everyone), then apply to be a business student. My major is one of the more creative majors in the business school which is perfect for me. If I had more of a knack for numbers, I would have gone with finance or accounting!

I am in the Business Honors Program at Texas. The Red Mccombs School of Business at Texas is among the most prestigious business schools in the country. The Business Honors Program (BHP) is an even more elite group of students within the business school. This program has absolutely exceeded my expectations after two and a half years, and I am very fortunate to have been accepted. One great thing about BHP is the class sizes. There are only around 100 juniors in the program. Therefore, all of my honors classes have been between 25 and 35 students, high school size classes. Because of the intimate classroom environment,the professors know everyone's name and encourage students to attend one on one office hours with them as opposed to teaching assistants who are generally used in large classes. With smaller classes, participation is usually required. This encourages students to express their opinions and ask questions when needed. Another great thing about BHP is our advisors. In most other majors, I hear people complain that their advisors don't know what they are doing. There are two advisors for BHP, and I know them both personally. They are familiar with every student in the program and are knowledgeable when it comes to planning our courses each semester. It is evident that our advisors care about BHP students staying on track to complete their degree plans. Next, I love how the Business Honors Program encourages job preparation. The Ford Career Center in the business school is a wonderful source. It's main purpose is to make students aware of job and internship opportunities all the time. Along with the career center, students are always encouraged to sign up for mock interviews in the business school. These interviews are often required by BHP classes, and are very useful when preparing for a real job interview. Furthermore, the business school puts on a VIP Speaker Series program. Through the duration of this program, students are invited to listen to various CEOs of major corporations come speak at the business school. These speakers are invaluable to listen to, and many BHP classes encourage attendence to the speakers by making it extra credit. The last thing I love about BHP is the diverse students. Meeting so many interesting and intelligent people in this program has been an educational experience in itself. I feel like the minority in a lot of my honors classes, and I love it. We do a lot of group projects in BHP, and I am always amazed and honored to be call these extremely bright students my peers, and often my friends. Being in a sorority, I find that my social circle is often times monontonous. The Business Honors Program serves as my outlet from Greek life.