What's it like attending UT Austin?

I'm considering applying to UT Austin and I'm curious how big the school feels. Does the large student population impact class sizes or campus life in general?

UT Austin is certainly a large university, with a student population exceeding 50,000. However, that shouldn't necessarily deter you. Many students thrive in larger universities, which can offer a wide array of opportunities for social and academic involvement. Additionally, the breadth of the university's resources can provide unique advantages, such as access to extensive research facilities, a large alumni network, and numerous student organizations.

That being said, class sizes can be variable at UT Austin. Freshman core classes, especially for highly popular majors, can have several hundred students, while upper-division or specialist classes could have as few as 20 or 30 students. It's typical for large lecture classes to have smaller discussion sections led by a TA, so you'll still have opportunities for more individualized attention and interaction with educators, just maybe not within the large lecture hall.

In terms of campus life, the large student population at UT Austin creates a vibrant and diverse atmosphere that can be very rewarding. There are over 1,000 student-run clubs and organizations, ranging from academics, arts, culture, sports, and more. This functionally means there's an opportunity or group for nearly every interest.

However, it's worth noting that a large school like UT Austin may require a bit of initiative from students to find their place and build their community. It's not uncommon to feel a bit overwhelmed at first, but many students say that getting involved on campus, whether it's by joining a club, participating in sports, or attending campus events, can help make a big campus feel more like home.

In summary, attending UT Austin could mean larger class sizes (at least initially), but it also means access to a wide range of opportunities. The perception of the school's size can really depend on the extent to which the individual student takes advantage of these opportunities and establishes their personal community within the larger university environment.