My son is a NMSF and will likely attend UTD and join for the summer for Clark Research. He loved the environment, diversity, and the feel that everyone could just be themselves. He also liked the newer buildings and the dorms.
Thank you so much for everybody’s sharing info here, and it really helps!
My DS20 decided to go to UTD CS2 with NMS today, over Rice ( $27k scholarship out of $70k cost), UT ($16k/31k), A&M (honor $18k/31k). we believe debt free education is a good thing, and being in a top program in UTD is better than regular CS program at other schools.
@RayTX my DS20 is also going to UTD in CS2 with NMS, DS18 did the same. We’ve been very happy with UTD.
@3scoutsmom , That’s so great! You and GTAustin are the main sources I rely on for UTD, and now my son has a fellow soldier to survive the 4 years.
@RayTX my son has joined UTD cs^2 as well 
And I fully agree with you on cs^2. S20 got a merit scholarship at 6 out of 7 schools he applied to. Only Purdue didn’t give him any merit.
@mathkids, lol, people not paying are encouraging my son to go to Rice or UT regular CS program, but we firmly believe that UTD CS2 is best choice! Now we have 10% of the 30 students here, anybody else got into CS2 this year?
@RayTX, you might be too polite to say this, but I’d tell them, as someone who believes in putting my money where my mouth is, I myself would only urge someone to take a more expensive option if I am personally willing to pay the cost difference for that person.
@PurpleTitan I think I used that line once or twice. I wish I found the courage to do it more often. There is always S22 
@RayTX I got so much grief for S20 not applying to HYPMS or as some were “kind enough” to point out to any good schools. As far as I am concerned, he applied to many good schools
I always liked the breadth of the UTD cs program. There are so many schools that require way too few cs classes. Having a small cs honors program starting freshman year with quite a few cs^2 only classes is all S20 could ask for it. Add to it that all his DE credits got accepted, and his APs cover majority of the common core requirements, and there isn’t much more to ask for.
@RayTx, I think your son will do great at UTD. My daughter also turned down UT CS for UTD and I have also had to defend her decision to go there. It was the right one for her and no regrets. She is graduating in a week with a great job to go to. She has no debt, money in the bank and friends for life from UTD, just no graduation ceremony! My best to your son and I wish him the best on this journey.
@GTAustin , thank you so much! Your info about UTD is always very helpful! Have a nice weekend!