Grad schools

Dianne · #1 10-26-2001, 01:19 AM

What's up y'all? I have started my search for grad schools. Right now I am really looking at Texas A&M and UT-Knoxville. I was wondering what y'all could tell me about the social atmosphere, cost of housing, weather, general overall atmosphere of these schools. Thanks!

Heather · #2 10-27-2001, 10:05 PM

I haven't gone to UTK but did go to nearby UTC (about an hour away) as an undergrad. As far as weather, we have everything from "can't feel my face" days in the winter to "sauna" days in the summer. Overall, quite nice, a few snowfalls, a few hot and humid months and a bunch of in between days. I'd imagine not much different than the weather in SC. UTK is known as a BIG party school (not that there's anything wrong with that!) They are also known as having some VERY strong and respected programs, particularly at the graduate level. That's about all I know about it.

I am currently in grad school and have realized that it really doesn't matter about the school its self. (yes, you want to go to a good school, but the program is more important). As an undergrad it was very important (for me anyway) to look at the overall school. As a grad student, your program is the most important. It's a lot harder b/c a school can be great for one program and only ok for another. Although I spend a lot of time at school, it's always in the same building, I work there (as a GA), study there, and go to classes there. I could be a huge univ (like UTK) and I'd never know b/c I'm not really a part of the campus at large! But I do really like where I'm at, the professors, my classes, and the other graduate students!

Good luck!

aggieAXO · #3 10-28-2001, 03:14 AM

Hey Dianne, what type of graduate studies will you be doing? I went to undergrad and grad school at A&M, but like Heather said it depends what type of studies you are interested in. I went to vet. school there and A&M has one of the best vet. school's in the US. I also did not have much of a choice as there are only about 28 vet schools in the US. So it depends on wht you want to do, feel free to E-mail me at Felinedoc@yahoo.com or PM me if you have any further questions.

Karen

Dianne · #4 10-30-2001, 05:59 PM

I am looking to study environmental geology. Thing is, I don't want to move out west (California, Washington). The difficulty is that most schools with a graduate geology program have a very traditional program, while what I want to do is much more cutting edge. I have been very impressed with both programs at A&M and UTK. Most likely, it will come down to who offers me the most money, ya know? But I would like to enjoy the city I'll be living in at the same time. Thanks for the advice!

aggieAXO · #5 10-31-2001, 05:01 AM

Dianne, will you be studting at Texas A&M Galveston or college station? I have to say I lived in College Station for 7 years and left in 97, it was not a city when i was there but a small town. I know it has grown a great deal but assume it is still small. Houston is about 1.5 hrs away, Austin is 2 hrs away, San Antonio is 3 hrs away and Dallas is 3 hrs away. Not much to do in College station (unless you are 18 then plenty to do and get in trouble for) They do have a ZTA chapter there. Very good one.

Karen

AOPiLaLa · #6 10-31-2001, 09:59 AM

Hey there! I don't know anything about grad schools in that area, but I just wanted to agree with Heather about finding the right program. I was just accepted at Georgia State University in Atlanta for the Masters of Public Administration program and while Atlanta does have the more prestigious schools of Emory and Georgia Tech, Georgia State had the program I wanted, with the non-profit management concentration. And it was also really inexpensive, which means I can go full time and not be in debt till I am 80. So, even though probaley an Emory or a Tech degree would be more recognizable outside of GA, the Georgia State program fit me better. So, see what the whole school and program can offer you--not just one aspect! And GOOD LUCK! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions--I have just been there through application fun!

Dianne · #7 10-31-2001, 11:14 PM

Oh, y'all are the best! Great advice! Thanks!