UT Austin experiences?

[nehpest]

I'm currently about 2 years out from completing my undergrad (BS in Electrical Engineering) at a state school in California, and I'm reasonably confident that my life is going to take me to the Austin, TX area after graduation. I'm looking at UT Austin as a possibility for graduate school, and I'm looking for the inside scoop from people who have been there - what made your time there worthwhile? What was your program like?

I'm considering the MS programs in aerospace engineering and electrical engineering, as well as the PhD program in math. I konw these programs, like the rest of the school, are well-regarded, but I don't know anything about the cultures I'd be encountering there.

[Durin]

I could have gone to UT Texas for undergrad but I chose to go to school in Illinois instead. Kind of regretting it.

I know UT Austin is known for it's undergraduate engineering so I wouldn't be surprised for that to be the case with graduate school. So academically, you're fine. Austin itself is a pretty amazing city. Lots of music. Lots of hipsters and lots of weirdos but still amazing.

[nehpest]

I could have gone to UT Texas for undergrad but I chose to go to school in Illinois instead. Kind of regretting it.

I know UT Austin is known for it's undergraduate engineering so I wouldn't be surprised for that to be the case with graduate school. So academically, you're fine. Austin itself is a pretty amazing city. Lots of music. Lots of hipsters and lots of weirdos but still amazing.

I've heard about Austin's colorful populace - a friend of mine who lives in San Diego says it's a similar environment/culture. If you don't mind my asking, what made you choose Illinois over Texas?

[gorcee]

A good friend of mine from college is finishing his PhD at UT Austin.

I've never been there, but it's reputation in the engineering world is very good. Austin as a city is very cultural: lots of music, good eats, liberal-minded, laid back. This is reflected in the university, from what I gather (or maybe vice versa, UT Austin is a big school!).

The best way to find out is to go for a visit. If you get into a PhD program, they will almost certainly fly you out and put you up for a few days to visit the school and department.

[Durin]

I could have gone to UT Texas for undergrad but I chose to go to school in Illinois instead. Kind of regretting it.

I know UT Austin is known for it's undergraduate engineering so I wouldn't be surprised for that to be the case with graduate school. So academically, you're fine. Austin itself is a pretty amazing city. Lots of music. Lots of hipsters and lots of weirdos but still amazing.

I've heard about Austin's colorful populace - a friend of mine who lives in San Diego says it's a similar environment/culture. If you don't mind my asking, what made you choose Illinois over Texas?

I wanted to go to school out of state and the only school that I got into out of state was Illinois. In retrospect, that was not a good reason. I'm still enjoying myself at Illinois but I feel like Austin would be a better fit for me.