Meet Zach

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Great Education at an Affordable Rate

I was fortunate to be in the top 10% of my high school class, which put UT Austin on my radar when I was looking at universities. I knew that, as a Texas resident, I could receive a great education at UT Austin at a far more affordable rate. Also, my brother had attended the university and so I knew that, despite having around 50,000 students, I would be able to find a smaller community within my college and department.

Consider an Honors Program

I am in Liberal Arts Honors, English Honors, and Government Honors, and all have enhanced my undergraduate experience. Especially at a large university like UT Austin, the honors programs really allowed me to meet other students in a smaller setting and develop friendships inside and out of class. Furthermore, honors classes have usually been smaller and more rigorous, so I have been able to develop better relationships with my professors and prepare myself for graduate school.

I would definitely encourage prospective students to consider honors programs because honors programs teach a multitude of skills necessary for life after college—one can gain experience thinking critically, writing lengthy analytical papers, and working alongside colleagues on projects. Furthermore, I think honors programs are a great way to get to know people who have similar interests.

Enhance the College Experience through Research

My freshman year I enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts Research Apprenticeship program. I was paired with a university professor in the English department. I gained valuable experience researching for him, using internet databases and the university library system to gather information on a topic he was researching.

I have been fortunate enough to research with other professors during my time at UT Austin, and the one-on-one time with them and friendships developed for more than three years has really been beneficial to my college experience. I have also developed many important friendships in my major and college with my fellow students. From getting coffee with them late at night before an essay was due, to using them as sounding boards for a research idea, they have been very supportive of my academic and personal interests, and we have developed very strong bonds. We have all helped each other mature and have enhanced the college experience.

Be a Global Citizen

I studied at the University of Haifa in Israel the spring semester of my junior year. I took courses alongside Israelis, and my command of Hebrew really improved during my time abroad. I learned how other students approach many of the same fields I am studying at UT Austin and was able to have many fascinating discussions comparing the cultures of the United States and Israel. I think studying abroad is a great experience for anyone hoping to work abroad or just hoping to be involved as a global citizen in the 21st century.

Differentiate Yourself

From the very start, a student at UT Austin has to learn how to differentiate themselves from everyone else, both because of the level of competition and the sheer size of the university. The experience of differentiating oneself and figuring out one’s way as a citizen of UT Austin, of Austin, and of the world, really prepares students for going out and changing the world once they graduate.