Hi everyone! Currently a high school senior considering Bama, USFTampa, and UTD. Cost should hopefully not be an issue, due to National Merit, but I’ve asked for student experience and other things on each school’s respective Reddits, looked on each of their websites and forums, and I’ve been researching all three on other platforms.
I’ll be able to live on campus all four years, and while shy, I’m open and eager to join various clubs. I’m from Kentucky, but I’ve visited or lived in each state before, so I have a general feel of the state, but I know little about Tuscaloosa and Tampa.
I’m happy to learn about any and everything about these universities, from the general atmosphere and student attitude towards the place to the surrounding areas and job opportunities. I’ll be majoring in mechanical engineering, but have only really heard that USF was a solid school for it.
For those in these schools,
Are there any traditions or events you enjoy attending?
For USF and UTD, how much does the commuter reputation affect the school’s overall atmosphere?
Bama is football, football, football with a bit of Greek sprinkled in. It’s very geographically diverse - very !!! From the NE to the West.
The campus is way nicer than USF. Can’t speak to UTD. The immediate surrounds are nicer too. But the city itself is ehhhh.
You’ll spend most time on campus. If you are a beach person, USF is a friend’s ride away. Tuscaloosa has a river walkable from campus. Dallas is - hmmm - flat. But a nice city. The school is in the burbs.
You might ask admissions at each school to speak to a student ambassador so you can ask all your questions.
As for MechE, that will be up to you. My son chose Bama over Purdue. Found an internship after sophomore and Junior year, 19 interviews b4 he stopped Senior year with 6 offers, 5 by xmas when he accepted a job. The engineering facilities are first rate. Frankly if you hustle, you can do well job wise from all three. In MechE, short of a few schools, ABET matters, not the school name. My son told me that when he turned down Purdue. Since he beat out Ga Tech kids in securing a 2nd summer and works with Michigan, CPSLO, CWRU, Purdue and other grads but also W Michigan, Utah,Akron, Buffalo and more, I believe he’s right.
Bama includes 5 years tuition. I believe USF is up to four. Not sure of UTD. The benefit there would be to pursue a Masters if interested.
If you haven’t read it already, here is a thread that talks about the vibe and student experience at various schools that give big scholarships for NMF, and there are long reviews of Alabama and UTD. Unfortunately there is not yet a review for USF -Tampa (maybe if you end up going there you will come back and leave a review.)
