I’m from Brooklyn in nyc and I’m looking at university of Texas, Austin for admissions. I’m visiting the school right now. I’m hoping someone who goes to this school can tell me the type of people here? I’m extremely liberal and it gives, so far, a conservative or preppy vibe. I shouldn’t judge by how people talk or what they where but I want to make sure I’ll fit in. I’m looking also at ucla which I’ve heard it’s similar to. In simple terms, I’ve seen a lot of cowboy boots and sperrys where I only brought converse and doc martins.
When I’ve been on campus, most students are wearing flip-flops! There are 50,000 students at UT Austin; you can find every kind of political persuasion among them, although you won’t find a large body of OOS students.
My daughter got in also and we are from NJ. We just visited last week and she is trying to decide between Texas and University of Miami. We thought that everyone looked like they were all in athletic shorts/tshirts during the day and not dressed up at all. I don’t know what students wore at night. We were also trying to get the vibe at UT.
OK, Austin resident here, and UT grad (but graduate school)- UT vibe is laid back. Every type of student here. Not sure how you were getting the conservative preppy vibe. Texas of course leans conservative but Austin does not. But for NYU native, I don’t know if you will find it liberal enough. Austin is a great city to be in as a young adult- lots to do. UT is big on football- big rah rah school. My kids won’t be going there but know lots of kids that are very happy there.
Haha, UT as preppy or conservative…your getting it confused with A&M.
I am not sure where you are getting this vibe either.
Kids really do live in flip flops year round. There are lots of Asian and Hispanic faces. I think there is lots of energy and earnestness on campus. Yes, there are Republican, Christian, and Greek organizations, but also Democratic, Jewish, and unaffiliated. And lots of bicycles!
Were you just on west campus? what major were you looking at?
I’m visiting and actually am in Austin right now, enjoying Lady Bird Lake! The vibe is very laid-back and friendly. Not preppy at all! I think political persuasions are all over the place here. It’s definitely not as liberal as California or NYC, but it’s more than bearable, imo. You’ll be fine. The only thing I’m weary of as a Cali native are the bugs. A caterpillar just jumped on top of my sleeve from a tree and scared the heck out of me.
Most of the kids I’ve seen on campus wear flip flops. I even saw several walking to class barefoot. Not preppy at all! You will find quite a few conservatives since this is still Texas but nearly all of your profs will be to the extreme left. My favorite thing about UT is everyone seems to get along and respect each other. There aren’t really cliques unless you are greek. It is so easy to meet other people on campus and no one really cares if you’re conservative, liberal, etc. Best of luck in finding the best fit!