Is an undergraduate degree from UT Austin REALLY worth it?

Colleges & Universities The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>Sasha, I believe he was commenting on the quality of the two Schools, not on the difficulty of the subjects that are taught within them. And I’m not sure what points you were trying to make in your second post as they don’t seem to counter Plutarchy’s in any way beyond echoing certain keywords. </p>

<p>Nevertheless, he should know better than to announce such a critical conclusion based on such a limited set of anecdotal experiences. I won’t speak to the quality of the COLA because I have yet to take any of their courses, but I will acknowledge that the typical CNS student is not on the “world class” level, that an overall university ranking at 45th is not spectacular, and that it would not be a stretch to call some CNS courses a “joke”. Furthermore, from these observations along with some of my own, I would agree that a few of UT’s colleges appear, on balance, pretty average. Be that as it may, the CNS and most other colleges are more than adequately equipped to produce graduates at the “world class” level. An “extremely average” average does not preclude an extremely successful top end.</p>

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<p>Meh, UT-Austin is what you make of it - like all big state universities, it’s a mixture of the spectacular and the jaw-droppingly mediocre. As a COLA major, I would not hesitate for one minute to say that I have taken a few great classes with “world-class” professors but also more than a few classes that were an absolute waste of time. My classmates have been a mixture of ambitious know-it-alls who want to change the world and people who party 3 nights a week and never study and then whine about their low grades. </p>

<p>You just have to know how to work the system - nothing is spoon-fed to you at UT. Gradewise, I’m doing well, but because of my personality I haven’t made any real connections with my professors or done any networking, so maybe I would have been happier and more successful at a smaller liberal arts school. UT IS an excellent school and it has the potential to be a gateway to great things if you know what you’re doing, but you need to look beyond the hype and think about your personality and whether or not you would succeed in such a chaotic environment. I would also argue that rankings don’t shed much light on the actual academic rigor of a school beyond the top two or three programs.</p>

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<p>@buriedalie–Well said. I couldn’t agree with you more.</p>

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<p>Mhm, I agree with buriedalie.
I don’t give a care about continuing on this.
It is what you make it and so on.</p>

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<p>@sasha2014, you seem to be getting very defensive. I already graduated from UT with a 3.85. I took courses at McCombs, Cockrell, COLA, and CNS. So much for your theory of “not getting far” in those schools. From your tone, I’m guessing you’re a freshman or sophmore. Am I right?</p>

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<p>USofPlutarchy,
I think you are right.</p>

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<p>USofPlutarchy, what COLA classes and CNS courses did you take? What was your major?</p>

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<p>No need to read into Sasha’s tone- the 2014 in his/her name speaks for itself. </p>

<p>Regardless, Plutarchy’s consistently negative tone is unnecessary. The OP was asking if he would be better off at UT. Plutarchy told him that he wouldn’t be because UT is “extremely average”. Plutarchy implied that there is no point in paying for an undergrad at UT if you’re not in McCombs or Cockrell, citing mediocre rankings and a broad, though most likely shallow, experience in the other schools. </p>

<p>The fact of the matter is that, despite an uninspiring norm in the lower ranked colleges, UT is more than capable of providing a world class education. We’ve got a lot of great resources and plenty of bright students and renowned faculty. As I said before, just because some colleges appear average does not mean that they are incapable of producing extraordinary graduates. As buriedalie mentioned, this is the nature of a large state school. Don’t let the diluted statistics fool you into believing that absolutely everyone is average. In terms of opportunities, I would confidently say that UT is far above average.</p>

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<p>I’ve manage to reach junior status early, but I’ll be here longer than 14’ anyways since I’m getting two degrees. And I’ve been going to school year round since the summer right after I graduated high school. It ain’t easy without breaks. </p>

<p>It doesn’t matter though! My intentions were that UT should not be slighted so much, albeit we’re all entitled to think whatever we want. And while I never go to the games or wear burnt orange, I have some pride for this place and that is why I would be willing to get defensive. To the origins of this post: Attend if you want, don’t if you want. Make your own evaluations. </p>

<p>And good job for finishing with that GPA, Plutarchy. Bet your folks are proud!</p>

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<p>Methinks Plutarchy and LivingwithFaith are merely trolling now. OP has had a plethora of information and opinions thrown his way. No need to raise blood pressures over negativity and skewed views from some posters, either. The OP needs to make a decision–that’s what adults do.</p>

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<p>I’m not trolling, just reading all these opinions very closely. And as the OP I definitely appreciate all this feedback. I’ve worked my butt off this entire school year, hopefully I’ll average out with a 3.9 for freshmen year, it’s looking that way right about now. I can’t think of any core class requirements that I should take in my current school that will fit with my degree plan (that I have yet to figure out). I’m stuck between a rock and hard place right about now because the resources in this school are great, but I worry about what would happen if I stayed in this supposedly “mediocre” school. But thanks again everyone for all of your insight, I’ve read every single one of your posts. It’s difficult to put so much weight on your opinions though, since they’re YOUR opinions and I can’t yet speak for myself how well I would personally adapt to UT Austin since I’ve never attended. However, I now have an idea of how I should go about such a huge, considerably chaotic environment if I want to do well.</p>

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<p>LivingWithFaith</p>

<p>OK, since you read all the posts I’ll post my opinion too. I wrote it several times and erased because I thought it sounded rude. But I’ll try again. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>if you want to be a psychologist you’ll need to go to graduate school and you have to consider both cost and grades. So it is probably better to stay where you are. You can get better grades there and it is significantly cheaper.</p></li>
<li><p>If you want to be in film you have to transfer to Austin. It is the only school in Texas where you have SOME chance to get into this business.
But I personally would suggest that you don’t pursue this career because your previous posts showed that you just don’t understand how it works. </p></li>
</ol>

<h2>Keep in mind I’ve also heard stories about people who do exceptionally well in junior colleges that have transferred to schools such as NYU and are now producers in big companies. </h2>

<p>This statement was almost laughable.
I don’t know what stories you heard, it is always preferable to know names of producers in big companies to separate real stories from rumors and tall tales. As a matter of fact you don’t need any degree to make films (the same thing as acting, you don’t need any degree to be an actor), just check biography of Peter Jackson as an example. So when you go to university to pursue a film degree it is not to learn how to make films but a) to get really good education and expand your horizons b) to get network opportunities and necessary contacts.</p>

<h2>I would love to study film in graduate school,</h2>

<p>It would be pretty much waste of time and money unless you want to pursue an academic career and teach at community college level and up.
WORKING film professionals go to graduate school if their undergraduate degree was in a different area but somehow their life turned them into moviemakers and they feel they need to learn more about it. Or these WORKING film professionals go to graduate schools for intellectual pursuits and prestige. </p>

<h2>And to the person who said that UT Tyler and UT Austin aren’t even in the same league – that’s a bit overstated. UT Tyler is a branch of UT Austin. If I apply to a job after college, the employer may not even care about the difference. Sure, UT Austin has more prestige, but it’s not an ivy league school.</h2>

<p>You don’t apply for jobs in film industry. You pretty much have your own business (the best way to make money is actually to start your own company after you gained some experience) or work free lance. You constantly network and you are INVITED to ongoing projects by people you know. Nothing is advertised at websites like monster.com Actually, no, you can find some ads at craigslist. Aspiring filmmakers who borrowed $5,000 from daddy and decided to direct their first movie usually advertise in places like this. $50-$100 a day, no insurance including work compensation, so if somebody accidentally knocks your teeth out you are on your own.
When I said UT Austin is the only university in Texas to make SOME career I meant networking, including networking in LA.
Otherwise you are going to make wedding videos. </p>

<p>Have you ever done any movie in your life? Even school video projects? Do you own a video camera or photo camera? Do you like working with them? Do you like making stories?
If you don’t, stay away from this business, it is not for you.</p>

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<p>LivingwithFaith, your initial post included this:

</p>

<p>Posters gave you their opinions, several of which you derided in the process, culminating in this gem in your last post:

Isn’t that what you asked for? This is getting ridiculous.</p>

<p>My advice: read YaYa’s post above, it’s a good one, then stop obsessing, write down the pros and cons, put your big boy pants on, and make a decision.</p>

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<p>txex86, </p>

<p>NOW look who’s being a ■■■■■. Geez. Sure, all opinions are welcome, but I wouldn’t necessarily be a “big boy” if I agreed with all of them, now would I? And for the record, I’M A GIRL. I must have gave the impression to several other posters that I’m not.
And I have thanked you at least TWICE for your own personal opinion, you seemed to have known what you’re talking about even though I’m starting to doubt your credibility by how rude you are.</p>

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<p>And Ya Ya, </p>

<p>I’m almost embarrassed by how ignorant I must have seemed about the Film Industry. I’ve done a litte research here and there, but didn’t quite understand the actual reality of it. I always knew in the back of my mind that a degree was not necessary to become some big-shot producer if you know what you’re doing, but at this rate, I’m struggling in figuring out where to start.
And I’ve been told by advisors and professors here at UT Tyler that if I wanted to stick with Psychology, staying here would be a wise idea for better knowledge and higher grades for graduate school and what you just said just reaffirmed that.
And yes, I love to write. Not exactly too saavy when it comes to working cameras and the school video projects couldn’t even be considered amateur but as for writing, I’ve written and published stories and poems, even joined the Newspaper staff at my school and became the opinion editor. I’ve been told time and time again that my writing is really good so it shows that it’s favorable among the public. I would definitely start off or stick with screenwriting if I do go into Film. Thanks so much for the insight.</p>

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<p>Producing is different from directing and screenwriting. This job requires very good management skills and very good understanding of finances, marketing etc. Producers don’t create movies, they find finances to create them, supervise organization and find distribution.
In Texas we don’t have this particular major so people should probably double major in film and some business or take as many business classes as possible.</p>

<p>Do you like business? Have you ever organized any BIG event?</p>

<p>UT has screenwriting classes.
Screenwriting is different from directing and producing. Established screenwriters are usually represented by agencies that handle all legal, copyright, financial etc matters.</p>

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<p>Frever - “I won’t speak to the quality of the COLA because I have yet to take any of their courses”</p>

<p>Frever - “Plutarchy…citing mediocre rankings and a broad, though most likely shallow, experience in the other schools.”</p>

<p>19 yr olds are hilarious.</p>

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<p>Ad hominem, nice. Better 19 and happy than old and cynical. I’m sorry that you’ve grown older without ever growing up.</p>

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<p>^Owned. </p>

<p>Also, I don’t know if anyone said this, but if you wanna get into film, UT Austin is the best place in Texas to do it. It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. You’re more likely to meet those “whos” in Austin. I don’t think there is any other school in Texas that you can get any type of chance of getting into the film industry. </p>

<p>Secondly, no one gets into the film industry by sitting around and taking classes. It seems like you want to end up as a mediocre screenwriter who does cheap plays at the downtown theatre. You’re still young, you have to start DOING something about it. I’m the same age and I’m probably going to double major in Film and Business/Economics/Accounting etc. I’m transfering to UT from UT Arlington next year. Yea sure. I can save some money here. And definitely I can make better grades here. But I know that if I want more opportunities to reach my goals, I have to go to Austin The Music Capital of the World (Yes, I know Music isn’t film, but Film has a strong presence there too). </p>

<p>But like I was saying, you don’t get into film by sitting around and taking classes. You need to start making your own projects. Get your stuff out there. Make a video or two on YouTube idk. Do something. And Double Major in something to make sure you have another degree to fall back on. I’m going straight for my CPA as my back up goal. Maybe MBA in the future. :D</p>

<p>Just go to Austin. Don’t miss out on the opportunity. You only live once. That’s the motto. YOLO. (Lol. I kid, I kid.)</p>

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<h2>It seems like you want to end up as a mediocre screenwriter who does cheap plays at the downtown theatre. </h2>

<p>Sreenwriting and playwriting are different. Students take playwriting classes (T D) in College of Fine Arts and screenwriting classes (RTF) in College of Communication, all classes are restricted. Plays can be sold without an agent. </p>

<p>Do you have anything personal against LivingWithFaith? You and her are in pretty much same position.</p>