UTEP is two cultures.
UTEP is diverse.
UTEP is opportunity-generous.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Be ready for some culture shock; mainly between American and Mexican (if you are curious to learn Spanish, oh boy, you will learn just by being there).
Apply for scholarships all the time (and be on the look-out for them); you might just find yourself paying $0 tuition (I know of several people who do this).
Definitely apply for the traditional UTEP scholarship at the beginning, it's much easier when you are about to enter than when you're already in.
Assist to orientation at least a couple weeks before classes and be very patient, otherwise you might find some of your classes full.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
At the beginning of my attendance I had very little regard for UTEP's academics due to its unbelievably generous acceptance rate. However that perception came to change as time went by. Often times you will find that classes averages are abysmal, but that's the underperforming 60% of the students at campus (yes, that's a lot of students but that's the price to pay for accepting everyone). Sadly that 60% makes it a three-star. HOWEVER, for the rest of the students that actually put their heads into classes and learning there are many many many opportunities. You will make connections with professors right away and get considered for great jobs, scholarships and societies.
As an example, I just finished my freshman year and I got offered a job at one of the university's research labs this summer (with zero previous experience). Believe me, not thanks to my social skills. Yes, it's not an ivy league, but you get an awful LOT from it if you make an effort.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorm life is quite comfortable, with few scandals, but there are anyway (it's a college dorm after all!). Most students are hispanic on campus, however you'll find that most other internationals stay at the dorms so you have a greater chance to be paired with someone from outside Mexico or the US. If you'd like to live in dorms where loud scandals are minimal, and meet internationals, these are probably adequate for you.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food at campus is reasonably varied and readily available. There are franchises such as Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Quizno's, etc, plus small coffe shops and lunch stores at almost every biulding.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Involve yourself in a couple of clubs and you'll never be out of things to do at campus. Anywhere from the Minerpalooza, to the Homecoming, to attending the season's games, to volunteering, you are most welcome to assist and join.
Outside of campus, many students choose to visit the neighboring Mexican city of Cd. Juarez (just one bridge away, literally) and get a splash of Mexican culture and a fun night out with friends (I hear parties get quite wild), if not just to get to know the place.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
UTEP is really not expensive at all and it's relatively easy to get a scholarship, compared to most universities; especially considering it is part of the UT system. As I mentioned in the Academic Rigor section (read on that one!), for those who perform well at school and/or are driven enough you get a lot of potential opportunities such as special consideration for jobs, valuable contacts with faculty and staff among several other things. Ultimately all these things put you in a better, privileged stance, gaining experience and whatnot.
Overall, if you take adavantage of this, you are getting a significant BANG from the buck.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Every Wednesday there's live music from talented students at Union plaza on-campus. A very amiable environment.
Dead Day, the Friday before midterms and the Friday before finals week are given as days off for the students to prepare better for the tests. I'm not sure if it's done everywhere else, to me it was new.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Great for students who'd like to immerse themselves in another culture.
Awesome for those who get the most out of things; driven.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are many clubs to join, movies, books, volunteers, etc. In particular there's the international culture club, that one's very cool because you can learn from and chat with people from other countries in the most casual and friendly way.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Very little Greek life as far as I know; fraternities and sororities do not have a frat/soror. house. But there are a few you can join, they do get together and do stuff.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
There rarely occurs any disturbance or safety issue at campus. Pretty much all of the student body behaves non-violently. Additionally the campus police is really prepared and helpful; on a regular day you will see at least a couple officers walking around campus. They also offer special help, say you stay quite late on campus and it's all dark and desolate and have to walk a long distance to get to your car. Don't feel like walking alone at late dark? Campus police will give you a lift to your car.
UTEP is two cultures. UTEP is diverse. UTEP is opportunity-generous.
Be ready for some culture shock; mainly between American and Mexican (if you are curious to learn Spanish, oh boy, you will learn just by being there). Apply for scholarships all the time (and be on the look-out for them); you might just find yourself paying $0 tuition (I know of several people who do this). Definitely apply for the traditional UTEP scholarship at the beginning, it's much easier when you are about to enter than when you're already in. Assist to orientation at least a couple weeks before classes and be very patient, otherwise you might find some of your classes full.
At the beginning of my attendance I had very little regard for UTEP's academics due to its unbelievably generous acceptance rate. However that perception came to change as time went by. Often times you will find that classes averages are abysmal, but that's the underperforming 60% of the students at campus (yes, that's a lot of students but that's the price to pay for accepting everyone). Sadly that 60% makes it a three-star. HOWEVER, for the rest of the students that actually put their heads into classes and learning there are many many many opportunities. You will make connections with professors right away and get considered for great jobs, scholarships and societies. As an example, I just finished my freshman year and I got offered a job at one of the university's research labs this summer (with zero previous experience). Believe me, not thanks to my social skills. Yes, it's not an ivy league, but you get an awful LOT from it if you make an effort.
The dorm life is quite comfortable, with few scandals, but there are anyway (it's a college dorm after all!). Most students are hispanic on campus, however you'll find that most other internationals stay at the dorms so you have a greater chance to be paired with someone from outside Mexico or the US. If you'd like to live in dorms where loud scandals are minimal, and meet internationals, these are probably adequate for you.
The food at campus is reasonably varied and readily available. There are franchises such as Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Quizno's, etc, plus small coffe shops and lunch stores at almost every biulding.
Involve yourself in a couple of clubs and you'll never be out of things to do at campus. Anywhere from the Minerpalooza, to the Homecoming, to attending the season's games, to volunteering, you are most welcome to assist and join. Outside of campus, many students choose to visit the neighboring Mexican city of Cd. Juarez (just one bridge away, literally) and get a splash of Mexican culture and a fun night out with friends (I hear parties get quite wild), if not just to get to know the place.
UTEP is really not expensive at all and it's relatively easy to get a scholarship, compared to most universities; especially considering it is part of the UT system. As I mentioned in the Academic Rigor section (read on that one!), for those who perform well at school and/or are driven enough you get a lot of potential opportunities such as special consideration for jobs, valuable contacts with faculty and staff among several other things. Ultimately all these things put you in a better, privileged stance, gaining experience and whatnot. Overall, if you take adavantage of this, you are getting a significant BANG from the buck.
Every Wednesday there's live music from talented students at Union plaza on-campus. A very amiable environment. Dead Day, the Friday before midterms and the Friday before finals week are given as days off for the students to prepare better for the tests. I'm not sure if it's done everywhere else, to me it was new.
Great for students who'd like to immerse themselves in another culture. Awesome for those who get the most out of things; driven.
There are many clubs to join, movies, books, volunteers, etc. In particular there's the international culture club, that one's very cool because you can learn from and chat with people from other countries in the most casual and friendly way.
Very little Greek life as far as I know; fraternities and sororities do not have a frat/soror. house. But there are a few you can join, they do get together and do stuff.
There rarely occurs any disturbance or safety issue at campus. Pretty much all of the student body behaves non-violently. Additionally the campus police is really prepared and helpful; on a regular day you will see at least a couple officers walking around campus. They also offer special help, say you stay quite late on campus and it's all dark and desolate and have to walk a long distance to get to your car. Don't feel like walking alone at late dark? Campus police will give you a lift to your car.