Is the University of Texas at Austin a Top Choice for Physics Studies?

[Feynmanfan]

Hello!

I'd like to ask your opinion about the University of Texas at Austin. As European student I'm considering applying for a TASSEP (TransAtlantic Science Student Exchange Program) and study my 4th year in physics in the US.(if selected for the program, of course!)

I need to choose a college from a list. Amongst them UNI Texas at Austin and Illinois seem to be the most interesting in physics. However, I have no reference at all, that's why I'd like to know what you think.

Thanks.

 

[GCT]

I went to high school in Texas and U of Texas Austin was considered one of the better and more competitive schools in the region...although I'm not familiar with the programs there. There's a lot of things to do at Austin also (of course the people in Illinois will depend a lot more on alcohol for their night life), and the weather is drastically different then Illinois (I would prefer the Texas weather, Illinois is freezing-I used to live in Iowa so I know).

Personally, if the two schools don't differ drastically in terms of their rank (which is somewhat arbitrary) or your personal taste, I would recommend U of Austin Texas, I think that it would be a better "study abroad experience." Things are a lot more sunny down there, although the restaurants may be better in Illinois (of a international variety).

 

[Plastic Photon]

Austin has a good nightlife, music, the school has great sports teams, and plenty of great places to go camping. All of my friends who are attending UTA say it is great and they wouldn't want to be anywhere else. You will end up freezing your butt off if you go to Illinois.

 

[mgiddy911]

Ut Austin is supossed to have a very strong Physics Dept. Could be wrong, but I believe Steven Weinberg (sorry if I butchered the name, nobel Laurete) is part of their faculty. I'd recommend UT Austin over illinois though, just for the scene. Austin would be a much more pleasant experience, its a groovy town.

 

[Line]

Austin as I told in another thread is a vvery exciting place. Lots of parties,liberals,and technology. Austin is the 2nd hotspot in the US for technology. Texas is also very big on science so if you graduate there you might consider living here.

Illinois may not be a great spot. Unless it's in Chicago it will be a very boring spot. chicago isn't as high in science and technology as we are.

 

[Feynmanfan]

Thank you guys!

After having read these threads I'll try to apply for UT Austin.

 

[GCT]

The education is great at Illinois, particularly U-B, and they do have a good science program, but I imagine that more people depend on the alcohol and the restaurants. + you'll definitely freeze your ass off, I used to live in Iowa so I know...now in Georgia.

 

[leon1127]

i would go for UT and i have just applied UT.
i am currently attending UT Dallas. it is a boring school.

 

[GCT]

yeah, I actually lived in that area, I have a friend who went to UT Dallas a while ago, I passed by the University of Texas Dallas quite often and attended some classes there as a high school student. From what I remember the academic aren't bad at all, they have a good science program. The University though, as I remember it, was relatively small and situated in a business district.

 

[leon1127]

yeah, I actually lived in that area, I have a friend who went to UT Dallas a while ago, I passed by the University of Texas Dallas quite often and attended some classes there as a high school student. From what I remember the academic aren't bad at all, they have a good science program. The University though, as I remember it, was relatively small and situated in a business district.

more precisely, they have good biology program. there is a whole building for molecular biology and the maths department is in the basement of it...