Interviews

The University of Texas at Austin

Responses from the Student Interview


From a student  who identifies as Major: Undeclared, applying to McCombs Business School
Minor: Spanish
Student Self Identifies as: South Indian Straight Female


Summary


I’m in a Spirit Group. They are kind of like sororities, but not as much of a time or life commitment. I’m in SEAL, where you sign up to read to children in underprivileged elementary schools in the Austin area. I’m also in a South Asian Bible study group.


Background


Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: South Indian
Sexual Orientation: Straight

High School Experience: Public school in Dallas, Texas with a graduating class of about 900 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First Generation College Student: No
Major: Undeclared, applying to McCombs Business School
Minor: Spanish

Extracurricular Activities: I’m in a Spirit Group. They are kind of like sororities, but not as much of a time or life commitment. It’s a big group of girls where we get together and have sisterhood and social events. Most have philanthropy’s they support and volunteer with. I’m in SEAL, where you sign up to read to children in underprivileged elementary schools in the Austin area. I’m also in a South Asian Bible study group.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience? In what ways?
I would say my Spirit Group. I’ve met a lot of people from there, and a lot of my closest friends and I bonded during the recruitment process last semester because it’s stressful. I’ve also gotten close to a lot of people in my South Asian Bible study group.


Academic Experience


Is there anything that you feel UT does especially well or poorly academically?
I prefer having big classes because you don’t get picked on as much. Your teacher doesn’t know you, so you’re based solely on your work. I can see how that can be a deterrent for other students who work hard and don’t do as well. [33% of classes have 40 or more students in them, and 28% of classes have between 10-19 students.]
What has been your least favorite class at UT?
My Economics class. The process was hard, but also really interesting. It’s weird, but it was also my favorite class.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
I feel like it’s not necessarily competitive, but it’s not collaborative either. I’d say it’s more on the competitive side, especially in McCombs Business School because so many people compete for the same top tier jobs. It’s not to the extent where I’d say it’s too competitive to go here.
How accessible have your professors been?
They have plenty of office hours and are easy to talk to. If I have questions they’ve always answered their emails. I’m one of those people that always go to my professors for stuff. Some of my teachers in my online classes have even been available to meet with me in person.
What made you want to apply to the business school?
I’ve always been into math, so I knew it was something I wanted to do when I was older. I didn’t want to be an engineer because I hate science, and it just appealed to me because it’s more social. I’m outgoing and like to talk to people and negotiate, so I’m looking to get into finance.
How was transitioning academically to UT? Are there systems in place that help you transition?
They do have required first-year interest groups called FIG. That was helpful because it’s tied to the classes that you take. There are about 30 students in your FIG, and they’re in most of the same classes as you. You can form study groups, and you have a mentor who helps guide you through campus and classes.


Reasons to Attend


1) Texas offers a lot of opportunities to all its students. There is a high rate of graduates getting jobs.
2) The academics. Other schools may be easier, but they offer a good education for a lot of majors.
3) It’s so big. There are so many opportunities to join clubs or to make friends. You can reinvent yourself.


Reasons Not to Attend


Student did not respond to this question.


Around Campus


Where have you lived on campus?
Freshman: Jester West with one roommate.
How was transitioning from Dallas to Austin, Texas?
For me it wasn’t that hard. In Dallas, I had a car so I could drive everywhere. It was more of a driving place, but the campus is in the middle of the city so people walk everywhere. A lot of people don’t have cars, so that was a little hard to get used to.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
They have a lot of talks about safety here. Anytime there is criminal activity, UT immediately emails the students to let them know so that we’re aware. They have 24-hour hotlines, and police are all over campus all the time.


Social Opportunities


What kind of nightlife or weekend activities do you participate in?
Most of the time I like to hang out with my friends. We’ll usually go out to eat, watch movies, and about once or twice a month we’ll go to parties.
What nights of the week do you regularly do things with your friends? Are there certain events or activities that are your favorite?
We’ll hang out on Friday and Saturday. I’ve only been here for one semester, so I haven’t found anything to be my favorite. We usually go out and eat, and we have events with my Spirit Group, such as karaoke or mixers with other Spirit Groups. We’ll also mix with other male-dominated groups and fraternities. On some weekends you have to stay in and study.
How happy are you with the nightlife or weekend options at UT? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I’m pretty happy with them because there’s a lot of stuff to do. I’ve never felt bored on the weekend. I feel like I sometimes miss out when I stay in because I have a test on Monday, but there’s usually stuff to do.


Campus Culture


How did you meet your closest friends?
My roommate is one of my closest friends, and I knew her before I came to college. We were family friends, so I’ve known her since we were young. I met a lot of my other closest friends from my Spirit Group, and from the Bible study group I’m in.
How would you describe the overall social scene at UT?
There are people here for everybody. There are so many different types of people, from extrovert to introvert, different types of races, and sexualities. It might take a minute or two, but you’ll definitely find people here that you feel comfortable with and that you love and see yourself with for the next four years.
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
A lot. Texas is kind of a liberal school, so a lot of people will just be friends with whoever. I don’t personally look at that type of stuff, and a lot of people here are the same way as me. If you’re a good person and your personalities clique, you’ll be friends with whoever. [The student body is 41% White, 21% Hispanic, 19% Asian, and 4% Black.]
How would you describe the student body?
There is a good blend of everything here. I’d say engineering and computer science are very difficult, so the students in those schools are always stressed and studying. Overall, there are so many different types of people here. It’s a huge melting pot.
How would you describe the South Asian community on campus? How strong is it?
There is a large group here. I feel like there are a lot of Indian people here as well. If you don’t want to be friends with them you don’t have to, but if you do want some Indian people in your life, it’s available. I think that’s true for every race here.
How do you like the size of the University of Texas? How has it influenced your experience? [UT has 40,804 undergraduate students.]
I like how it’s a huge class. One of my favorite things about high school was I graduated in a class of 900, not knowing everybody. There’s always an opportunity to meet new people and I like that about my class here as well. Every day I see somebody I’ve never seen before, which is exciting.
How would you describe the community around Christian Faith? How strong is it?
If you surround yourself with people of your faith, then you’ll be in a community of your faith. I have surrounded myself with other Christians so I feel really strong in my community. However, I wouldn’t say the whole student body is Christian, but the school does give opportunity to every religion. Some Churches come to campus to worship with us, and some clubs celebrate their holidays.
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
I have a lot of friends in sororities, but I knew them from high school. If you’re not in a sorority, I feel like the only other way you’d meet them is in class.


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