The University of Texas - Arlington

20,000 of the students have a life outside of the university, making it difficult for any type of "college life" to bloom on campus. Most of these people seem to know each other, many of the people in my classes were from the high school right down the street, and outsiders are not welcomed into their cliques.

UTA has been doing a pretty good job of trying to please it's students by adding new facilities and expanding food options, but they don't realize that the students ARE the problem.

As for the level of education, it's not too challenging and feels just like high school. My boyfriend, however, felt it too be so easy that it was insulting. I just find the campus to be so boring that there is no motivation to do any of the mindless work I've been assigned.

The faculty is decent, depending on many factors. The "worker bees" of the campus (cafeteria workers, maintenance, etc) are generally very rude and will not be afraid to trail you in their cars as you walk to class or close a door in your face.

However, I've had pretty good luck with teachers and have only had maybe 2 or 3 where I just dreaded going to their class. It really is hit or miss and you can't afford to NOT look up your professor online before registering.

In the communications department, specifially, I've had good run-ins with all but the female advisor. It is worth your energy to wait for the man to show up because he will be very helpful and answer any questions in detail, while she will not. She simply asked me to grab a form, looked up my name, and hi-lighted what I can take before sending me on my way and she would answer any of my questions in 5 words or less. Not very helpful.Overall, UTA is trying very hard to improve but it never will until it realizes the problem with it's admissions. Only go here if you are going part-time or like being bored because that is all you will get out of it.

If I could sum up the school personality in one word? Apathetic.
Not even the staff/faculty takes this school seriously so neither should you. The class sizes are ridiculously big and most of the teachers will treat you like a number. The advisors/administrators are incompetent , and there's always some news bulletin of a crime happening near or by campus! It's not a safe place to go to school. There's bail bond offices all around the front of the campus! All in all, don't go here. There are other schools. Better schools. Only come here if you can't afford anywhere else. You'll get a decent education but that's about it.