UT Austin vs Texas A&M for Undergrad studies in Ecology (mammalian behavior/conservation)

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Hello all,

I’m a prospective transfer student hoping to study ecology. Specifically, I want to study the behavioral ecology and conservation of elephants.

I recently applied to Princeton due to their heavy presence in the field of elephant research, but was rejected (as expected, not too down about it, more proud of myself for applying than anything).

I still have another year at my community college in Texas, and I’m trying to figure out which in-state school is best for my specific interest. I know that specializing further in ecology is typically reserved for graduate students, however, if possible, I’d like to get my foot in the door earlier.

Would anyone here happen to know anything about the comparative benefits and shortcomings of the UT Austin Biology program (ecology concentration) versus A&M’s ECCB program (vertebrate zoology concentration), and which might more labs/researchers/resources invested in studying elephant, or large mammalian behavior and conservation? If not, where would you recommend I look to find out more?

Thank you!

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I forgot to add, I’m also maybe considering completing the pre-vet requisites. That being said, from a career standpoint, I’m not sure that’s wise. I’d be interested in pursuing conservation medicine, however as a back-up to my main interest in a career in research and conservation, as I know that field is competitive. Admittedly, I’m not sure conservation medicine is much better in this regard.

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Nobody? Aw man :frowning:

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I’d say A&M they have a vet school so resources in animal areas that aren’t vet med. Their programs are more aligned to what you want than UT

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Honestly while that’s ostensibly the case, I’m not sure. My main focus here is whether or not any one has active and ongoing research into elephant ecology. While veterinary medicine is interesting and something I might want to pursue as a backup, I’m hesitant to say that it’s what I want to study outright. My main goal is to study ecology at the undergraduate level to then pursue a PhD in ecology, where I can then study more about elephants and their conservation. For that, I need to know which has the program that best fits my academic & research interests at the undergraduate level, so I can get involved early and often and flush out my application for grad school.

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Your interest is so specific and defined (I enjoy your posts and enthusiasm) I suggest contacting the departments at any schools of interest and scheduling a call with a professor. Share your interests, ask their opinion on your educational plan, ask how they would help you achieve it, find out if anyone there is currently involved in research in those areas, etc. If you can get connected to the right people, I expect they will appreciate your enthusiasm for your subject and do their best to help you.

Have you tried this?

Are you only considering TX schools?

I wish I could offer advice, but I don’t know your specific area of interest or TX schools. Hopefully this will keep your thread active and others will chime in. Best of luck!

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Here is a contact at A&M who has done cross-departmental work with elephants.

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Hey, thank you for your reply! Sorry I’m just now getting back to you, I just got off work.

Yes, I’ve tried contacting the departments and even some researchers directly.

A&M has been a lot more responsive, I’ve reached out to two professors there and one has offered to connect me with one of their PhD students currently studying elephants, to see if I could volunteer with data processing.

UT has been…frustrating, to say the least. I contacted the College of Natural Sciences first, and I was met with “I’m sure you’ll find plenty of labs here that satisfy your interests”. Feels a bit gatekeepy, won’t lie. I’ve now tried to contact a professor there, but he hasn’t gotten back. I’m going to email one or two more tomorrow if I can before or during my classes.

I will admit, part of me is hoping UT has a program that’s at least equal to A&M because I honestly don’t like the college station area. It’s not bad, it just feels pretty small, honestly, and the campus itself is not one I’m too enthusiastic about.

These, I understand, are secondary concerns. If A&M is well and truly the better school for my interests, then I’ll be going there if I don’t get accepted to my top picks (Cornell and Princeton, as well as some of the other ivies and highly selective institutions with good financial aid). I’d prefer to leave Texas, but if I can’t, and A&M is better, then that’s that.

Honestly, I tried to find a contact to the Department of Integrative Biology at UT, but couldn’t. I could only find faculty pages and their individual contacts, and while I’ve found a few interesting individuals and labs who I’d want to reach out to, I fear I’d be out of place, as these labs seem primarily focused on grad students, not undergrads.

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Thanks for the detailed reply. Based on your previous thread, I’m not at all surprised you’ve proactively reached out to departments and individuals. I hope the UT professor gets back to you…that’s frustrating, but it could be the time of year. Your persistence will eventually pay off.

Are you a reasonable distance from either school? An in-person visit to those departments may yield results and provide you with more insight.

Best of luck! I hope you’ll return with more updates.

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I’m about 3 hours away from each. Honestly, I might consider a drive out there soon. I’ve been to A&M, so visiting UT would be the first thing. Plus I got some friends I’d like to see.

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Hey, just wanted to provide an update :slight_smile:

One of the UT professors did get back to me, specifically Professor Keitt. He mentioned that only one of his students had studied elephants some time ago, and due to lack of data they moved to studying primates.

I’m asking for opinions on the UT subreddits from students studying EEB there, so far no bites.

I think this might be one instance where A&M is better; there are more classes in mammalian biology & behavior, and as far as I know at least 2-3 professors there who have or are currently studying elephants. I recently contacted Professor Gonder at A&M, and she put me in contact with one of her PhD students studying elephants in Botswana I believe.

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You’ve made great progress. :smiley: It does sound like A&M is the better instate option for your interests. Hopefully you feel more comfortable with their programs after talking to grad students.

Thanks for the update!

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