Accepted in both: A&M or TCU? - Page 3

whiteoverblue · 06-17-2009, 02:02 AM

"Well what would you define as a good fit? Because if I only have one main negative at one school, and its not a good fit, then a good fit would have to be one with no negatives right? That sounds like a perfect school."

Please stop putting words into my mouth.

You said you did not get a good vibe from A&M. A&M is a "love it or hate it" type of school. It is probably the most polarizing school I have ever experienced. If you did not
get a good vibe right off the bat with A&M, there is a very good possibility you won't like it there. You're also considering TCU, which is light years different from A&M. To me, both of those reasons are a good indication that A&M might not be right for you.

As far as TCU is concerned, I think you already found the biggest problem that you are going to have with the school: it's very Greek and you're non-Greek. That's a potential dealbreaker for you. It would be to me.

What I'm trying to tell you is that you are noticing all these red flags that indicate these schools may not be for you, but you seem to be ignoring them. If there are red flags, pay attention to them because they are very good indications that things may not work out for you as much as you hope. There are other schools in Texas for you to consider.

"So it can't be too much of a anomaly."

No matter how you spin it, it's an anomaly if you are deciding between a Greek, surburban, private university with 9,000 students and a very non-Greek, rural, public university with 48,000 students. If A&M and TCU had two degree plans that are not available to you elsewhere in the state, I could see why, but you haven't indicated such.
Just based on that, I really think you should consider some other schools in Texas as well.

klparker312 · 06-17-2009, 08:01 AM

I totally agree with whiteoverblue about A&M.
The fact that you were accepted at A&M and so many others didn't - isn't a reason to become an Aggie.
However, you did state you would be interested in going greek at TCU, you liked the look and feel of the campus and the good football team was a bonus.
I think TCU is for you - again, click the button and become a Horned Frog.

bandnerd91321 · 06-19-2009, 12:55 PM

You seem to be arguing your point to go to TCU no matter what anyone says. If you can't handle a large environment, A&M is not for you. I can promise you that TAMU is the friendliest campus. I walk across campus and see LOADS of people I know. Maybe your friend is anti-social. 98% of the kids are thrilled to be here. Frats are not big here because TAMU is really just one big sister/brotherhood. Are you from the DFW area? I am and don't know anyone who was ever NOT accepted at TCU(although I am sure there are some, just no one I have ever known). There is heavy drinking that goes on there, especially in the frats(I hear from friends pledging). Around DFW, it is known as TcU because there is really no heavy Christian focus there, like at say, Baylor. Go where you are comfortable. That is the main thing. If you really don't like TAMU there are many, many looking to take your spot. And that is okay. There is a college for everyone.

pervez · 06-19-2009, 02:23 PM

Honestly, I don't see how this is an argument at all, or a valid question... (No I am not being ignorant to the factors associated with this question)

TAMU by a long shot...simple.

whiteoverblue · 06-19-2009, 03:40 PM

A&M is not the right school for everyone, pervez. I've known freshmen who transferred out after the first semester just because the environment wasn't right for them. There's no point of being miserable for four years.

bandnerd91321, I have to say I disagree with you to an extent. A&M is friendly, especially when you're lost on campus. BUT compared to other schools I went to, the thing I noticed about A&M is that there's a lot of small town kids who were still kind of in their small town bubble. Hell, I would go to house parties and they would consist of a dozen or so kids who all went to the same high school. I guess what I'm saying is that A&M is more fragmented than I would expect. I guess small town kids would come to A&M with a rural environment and so they wouldn't treat it like a big university experience.

Most of the people I ran around with I knew from classes in my major.

pixeljig · 06-20-2009, 03:39 AM

I am a parent of rising senior son. We are looking at TX colleges since he wants to major in CS. US citizens living abroad so we are not visiting. Our counselor advised us to look at colleges that have an international population since we have lived abroad for last 12 yrs in diff countries. Any suggestions?

bandnerd91321 · 06-20-2009, 10:58 AM

whiteoverblue, See, the TAMU I know is not like the one you know. My dorm is tight, I am involved in a lot of on campus stuff and I don't hang around with ANYONE from my large DFW high school(believe me, there are a lot of kids here from my city!), although we are friendly and will catch up when we see each other. We are not big party people, I am not even sure what a "house party" is...a frat party? If so, that is not my scene at all. I agree that maybe there are kids from small towns like that here, but none of the people I know are like that. We came here because it is a big, friendly school and we are ALWAYS looking to meet that person we don't know yet. I can honestly say that I have met very few kids here that are not genuinely friendly. I think the larger percentage of kids are more open than the small town kids you are targeting. But I do agree that it sounds like neither school is attractive to the OP and perhaps they need to expand their college selection. Good luck and gig 'em!

whiteoverblue · 06-20-2009, 02:44 PM

bandnerd91321, you're not describing A&M, you're describing the people at A&M you hung out with. I could say about the exact same thing regarding the friends I hung out with there.

My comments are based on my overall experience with the school, including all the people I ran into and didn't really know.

Quote:

We are not big party people, I am not even sure what a "house party" is

You have got to be kidding me. A house party = a party in a house
It doesn't have to involve a frat at all. I never went to a frat party while at A&M, at least none I remember.

Quote:

I think the larger percentage of kids are more open than the small town kids you are targeting.

This really isn't limited to small town kids. This is just a result of A&M being so large. With 45,000 students, everyone is pretty much going to be fragmented and broken down into their own little groups. Hell dude, reading your post, sounds to me like your social experience mainly revolves around your dorm. That's exactly the point I am making.

If you go to a school that has 20,000 to 25,000 students, it doesn't take as much effort to meet and befriend people. I went to a school that had about 25,000 students before A&M. I could just run into people at a bar or campus I didn't really know and we would hang out. At A&M, I had to put in more effort by way of student organizations, mutual friends, and meeting people I had several classes with.

When a school is as big as A&M, students are going to be more open to finding their group. At a smaller school, you don't really need a group because you'll run into the same people more often.

And getting back to the small town kids, they are not used to knowing a lot of new people so yes, they will stick with those they know for the most part.

bandnerd91321 · 06-20-2009, 04:32 PM

As I said, everyone's college experience is different. I wanted to meet a lot of new people. I don't know why it sounds to you like I hang around with just my dorm. I said I am INVOLVED on campus. I hang around with kids in my classes, kids from FISH camp, honors and student council kids as well as my church group. Then there are extended friends from people in these groups. And the friends you just happen to strike up a conversation with in the flag room. And the kids you meet volunteering. A lot of different places to meet kids here at TAMU if you just look. And I don't consider it "making an effort"....it just sort of evolves if you are open to new things. So that is exactly the point I am making. TAMU is not for everyone, but if you are open to things, you can really have a great time!

PS...sorry, I really have NEVER heard of a "house party".....honest....I guess that would be another place to meet new people!

Good luck and Gig 'em!