The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX, USA

Reviews

The University of Texas at Arlington

Allison from Burleson, TX

accepted here and planning to attend soon
46 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
UTA has one of the best Nursing programs in the state of Texas and the nation as well.
Will enjoy being here
There are over 300 student organizations - so everyone can find somewhere to become involved. It is also located in the heart of Arlington right between Fort Worth and Dallas so there is always something to do.
Bang for the buck
This university is one of the best educational values in the state of Texas. There are brand new dorms, and numerous on campus and off-campus apartments within walking distance.
Tips for prospective students
Definitely attend a preview visit and make sure that you join a FIG (Freshman Interest Group) if you are planning to attend.
Great for these types of students
Nursing, Business, Communications, Engineering, Architecture, etc.

Sandra from Arlington, TX

a current student here
25 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
UTA is filled with world-class professors, many of whom are more interested in your learning the material, than in (metaphorically) hitting you over the head with their gradebook. Many of my senior-level communication classes are taught using the same theories, but not to be redundant, rather to help students see how the parts connect. If you aren't a math major and tend to not do well in the subject, you should consider taking Rachel Goodwin (very bright, extremely good in math, and a patient graduate student, loved by all).
Am enjoying being here
Many people don't know that UTA is where JPEG (camera cards) compression, HDTV, and gastro camera pills were invented; or that olympic trainers teach here; or that we have First Amendment lawyers that teach here; or that we have a studio arts program on glass work that is world-class; or all the other experts teaching at UTA. There are many gold nuggets around this campus. The Shorthorn, the student publication, is an award winning newspaper that connects students, faculty, and the university with the community. There are events, lectures or other happenings across campus all the time...you will never be bored.
Bang for the buck
When I looked at tuition and living on campus, I decided to go the dorm route and to take advantage of the capped tuition, I took 15 hours for Fall and Spring 2011. I share a dorm for $272 per month, all bills paid, rather than sharing a very small apartment for more than double that, no bills paid. I can roll out of bed and be in class in five minutes. I am getting an 'Ivy-League' education for pennies...and the networking opportunities at UTA offer a pipeline to getting a job when you get out.
- NOTE: Here's another gold nugget...MAVERICK BIKE SHOP is a student run bicycle shop where you can get maintenance on your bike for cheap. Nicest, best people around, offering quality bike repairs and equipment. You can even borrow a bike for free (check a bike out and return the end of the semester).
- Take Winter-mester and May-mester classes. These are rolled into the other sessions for payment purposes, and with capped tuition, they are a bonus. The downside: they are credit classes held in about 12 days, fast-paced and a lot of work in a very short time. The upside: Not only are they included in the tuition, you are done in a very short time.
Tips for prospective students
- LIVE IN A DORM: You'll save money for other things and you will come away with lifetime friendships. So what if the dorm rooms are small...your cubicle at work will be small too, but this one comes with a bed! Dorm rooms come complete with wireless internet and cable for your television. You will skip traffic woes and save gas, too.
- ON FINANCIAL AID: Apply for aid early. 'Nuff said.
- DON'T GET A MEAL PLAN. This is the biggest ripoff known to modern man. The hours they serve are inconvenient and the university insists that they are. For example, in the fall I took out the largest meal plan they offered. I had an 8 a.m. class two days a week, and to eat breakfast before class, I had to get up and shower at 6 or 6:30 to get there when they opened at 7, and eat fast enough to get to class on the other side of campus by 8. Then, I had another class on the other two days from 5:30-6:50 p.m. and the cafeteria closes at 7:30 - yep, on the other side of campus. In the end, none of the meals will roll over to the next semester and you don't get a refund.
- BRING YOUR BIKE: (See Maverick Bike Shop above) You will use it all the time because it is difficult to find parking, parking is remote, you can use the close-in metered parking, but if you are one minute late, you can expect a $20 ticket the university will not cancel.
- LOCK UP SAID BIKE with a U-lock or a thick cable that can only be cut with a torch or grinder.
- CAMPUS COFFEE OPTIONS: There is more to campus than Starbucks. Two blocks from campus there is Health and Harmony Coffee House. Wayyyyyyy cheaper and better.
- TEXTBOOK OPTIONS: Check out BOOKDEFY, a textbook exchange online, or call the Maverick Bike Shop for information on the campus textbook library where students can check out their textbooks. Buying textbooks are expensive, so students should check out all other options.
- LOCK UP YOUR LAPTOP! A $50 laptop lock could mean the difference in your GPA, especially if your laptop gets lifted...
Great for these types of students
Those who enjoy diversity; students of all ages; serious students get the most out of the experience; those who like group and collaborative learning.

Kristina from Grand Prairie, TX

a current student here
17 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This school is definitely not some blow-off school. Sure there's many events to enjoy, but when it comes to the academics, its taken seriously. Each class requires much effort, but one can actually learn and apply to real-life situations, versus just reading about it in a book in order to pass a class.
Am enjoying being here
Its fun and got a good vibe on campus! Definitely can find people to have fun with or to buckle down and study with, depends on what one's looking for!
Bang for the buck
Many job/internships opportunities and an expanding campus.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved!
Join clubs and participate with campus events!
Great for these types of students
-If you're living on campus
-Majoring in nursing or engineering
-Working in addition to going to school

Anthony from Plano, TX

a current student here
17 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This school makes me work so much harder than I ever did in high school, and thats a good thing. Working at this level allows me to get a feel for how hard I'm going to have to work in the real world after I graduate from here.
Am enjoying being here
For the most part I'm enjoying being here. I don't think I'd be as comfortable anywhere else.
Bang for the buck
A lot cheaper than those other Big Universities and close to home.
Tips for prospective students
This school is known for its Nursing and Engineering programs, but don't let that turn you away if that is not your intended major. The school as a whole is a great place to go. This school is growing by the day.
Great for these types of students
If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area and you are looking for an affordable, close to home, four-year university than UTA is right for you. If you are in to division one college sports, UTA has you covered. The school is nationally known in track and field and both men's and women's basketball teams.

While you work on furthering your degree, you can also work on bettering your body at UTA's fantastic workout facility. You won't need to go off campus to find a gym when you have one of the best ones within walking distance from your dorm or apartment. Then after your workout you can find a wide variety of foods at the food court and highly reviewed cafeteria.

Samantha from Plano, TX

a past student here
12 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Did learn a lot
Yes this school has some very knowledgable professors, if you have to take General Psychology or History 1 I would highly recommend Dr.Cox and Dr.Cole both excellent professors. But there are some professors who will simply waste your time and do not know how to teach. Not to even mention in a two hundred student class room a bad teacher could mean the difference between an A or a C. So I highly advise using ratemyprofessors.com it will help you avoid some very bad professors and help you discover some very good ones. I was not aware of this website when I first applied and really wish I had known about it especially for my bio class.
Did enjoy being here
YES!! I loved it there. The campus is very clean and very modern. Unlike UT Austin this campus has a much more new feel to it. Not to mention the wonderful library and cafeteria. It is somewhat hard to find places to shop for groceries if you live in Arlington but once you get to know the place and meet some people who can show you around, it becomes much nicer. I would warn people about some of the neighborhoods in Arlington. Some of which are run down, which I personally wouldn't feel very comfortable strolling along at night time. And Roads suck. But the Campus ROCKS :)
Bang for the buck
Absolutely!!
Tips for prospective students
I would highly recommend this school. And especially if you can to live on campus for your first year or semester. The dorms are always planning fun events to participate in. Get active in groups and clubs because thats how you make the most friends. STUDYYYY!!! You have to read and study, if I could do it a second time with my first semester I wouldn't have goofed off as much and studied harder, you get behind really really fast. And last but not least...use rate my professor it will save you.
Great for these types of students
Architecture, Nursing, Biology

And anyone who wants to have fun with lots of school planned events and traditions :)

Alexander from Texarkana, TX

accepted here and planning to attend soon
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I'm a transfer. My degree will be in Film/Video/Screenwriting here at UTA. Talking with the department advisers & professors I've learned a lot already. Profs are well knowledged and have years of professional experience in the industry. I'm expecting to learn much!
Will enjoy being here
Nice campus and environment so far. Exited to use real film cameras and other hard to come by equipment. Campus tries to improve and promote campus life through activities/mixers/events. Great location right between Dallas & Fort Worth. The brand new MAC (Maverick Activity Center) is really great for athletics and fun.
Bang for the buck
This is a great medium priced school. There is a tuition cap (around $4.5k per semester) so you can take upwards of 12 hours and not pay more. Also, there is 'The Maverick Promise' scholarship. This will pay tuition (after FASFA aid) if you are 25 years old and make less than $60k a year. This was very big in my decision coming here.
Tips for prospective students
-Apply for FASFA early as possible!
-Get advised ASAP
-Take a campus tour
-Tour your department
-Get face time with you professors & ask questions!
Great for these types of students
-Looking for tuition (in-state) less than $5k a semester
-Like suburban campus areas
-Wanting solid academics
-Interested in Film

Cindy from Arlington, TX

a current student here
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
UTA offers these courses where you will learn different study tips. They also offer many study aides like tutoring, writing and math clinic, and many more other things.
Am enjoying being here
UTA is a very good school, they always have different events going on.
Bang for the buck
For being a University, UTA is a very good priced school. Plus they offer many scholarships.
Tips for prospective students
Don't stress about declaring a major right away. And if you know you're going to fail a class, make sure and drop asap and take a easier class, and then take the required class at TCC.
Great for these types of students
Good for social people. Not are big on parties, but love to hang out and still get your work done.

Diem-Phuc from Dallas, TX

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
It's only been months that I've attended here and it's improving my academic knowledge so well. I'm a college freshman majoring in Nursing. Due to the fact that I'm a freshman and still new, I'm able to meet lots of great friends and know lots of great professors here.
Am enjoying being here
I really love it here although I'm commuting. After meeting some friends that lives on campus, I was able to attend so many events such as Dancing with the Mavericks and Movie Nights. Everything here is fun and you can meet so many people! There's so many events in front of the library that would make you excited and well wanting to participate. All I can say is, it's a new feeling and I love it.
Bang for the buck
It’s not too pricey at some point. In my case, I used most of my money on food and gas. Because I’m commuting, I have to use money on gas, food, and places that my friends and I want to hang. But if you think about it, it’s worth it because it’s giving you tons of opportunity.
Tips for prospective students
Here are some tips that I’d like you to take note.

Commuting: If you’re driving 30 minutes or so to UTA, and your friends wants to hit the movies, which is around the corner, CARPOOL. It’s the best way to save gas and money!

MAC: After class and you’re bored? Hit the MAC. There’s so many things that you can do there. You can: exercise/workout, ping pong, racquetball, basketball, dance, do some yoga, and much more!

Events: There are so many events that are hosted by UTA. You should really take your time away from studying and try to attend at least two. It’ll help you release the stresses from studying or from stuff that’s been annoying you. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun!

Making New Friends: You have very little friends but want to make more friends to keep yourself comfortable when walking on campus or being on campus? Well, what are you waiting for! Join some events, organizations, etc. It will help you meet new friends and eventually, you won’t feel left out anymore.

Organizations: There’s not an organization that you like or your type? Create one! There are so many organizations on campus so I doubt you need to form one, but if you do, do it!
Great for these types of students
-People who love meeting new friends.
-People who commutes.
-People who wants to learn.
-People who likes something new.
-People who's not a party wild.
-People who's diverse.

Cassandra from Weatherford, TX

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I'm really being pushed to my full potential here; I never leave a class without having learned something new.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is beautiful, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Living on campus is definitely beneficial as well.
Bang for the buck
Scholarships and financial aid will always help, but this is one of the cheaper universities in the metroplex (one year at TCU costs the same as four years at UTA!)
Tips for prospective students
Be involved! If you are an incoming freshman, join a Freshman Interest Group. They will help you develop good habits and you will make friends along the way.
Great for these types of students
Anyone willing to better themselves and work hard

Tessa from North Richland Hills, TX

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Here at UTA, everyday you are learning about your intended field, curriculum that interests you since you chose that class, or cultural competence.
Am enjoying being here
UTA has a diverse range of clubs and activities for everyone. There is so much going on it is hard to pick and choose the event that you attend. It is definitely not a party school. UTA is a big communter school, parking is a problem at 10 in the morning. Beware of days when it rains for the campus floods.
Bang for the buck
UTA is one of the cheapest four year universities.
Tips for prospective students
You will not enjoy UTA if you cannot adapt and make friends without having them be in every class with you. Time management is key to a college students success. All UTA teachers will tell you this and recommend getting a calendar and actually using it!
Great for these types of students
Great for music students! The Music Department has plenty of scholarship money to give out. UTA is the top Nursing school in Texas. I am a Nursing student and would not dream of going anywhere else.