Texas Tech University

I am a 3rd year Landscape Architecture Student in the class of 2012 (this web site only goes to 2011, and its a 5 year major). The L.A. department staff are nice and helpful. There are two cynical professors, the others are nice. They are replacing the profs who didn't expect much out the their students with those that do, which I really like. I have liked most of my assigned projects, and have had the opportunity to work on real projects or ones that have the potential to be selected for use (or to be butchered lol) by the university or city. Many of my classes didn't have final exams or they were relatively easy (the projects always have more weight than exams in those cases). There is *really* good access to scholoarships. Basically, if you apply, you can get them (and my GPA isn't super high and I am not in a special situation) even for studying abroad. Speaking of study abroad, lots of opportunities there! Yucatan, Brazil, Spain, Italy, I forget the rest!

The department doesn't have a lot of money, so the computer lab is outdated with slower computers (you can always go to the architecture computer labs though). The main studio (Agricultural Pavilion) is one of the oldest buildings on campus, which only sucks in the summer (no real A/C). They are supposed to replace the brick paver flooring with concrete this summer too.

Texas Tech OTOH, I don't like as much though. The university cares more about bringing more students and Tier 1 status, but not on the QUALITY of education. There are fees like the recreation fee that went up as the result of marketing BS such as the leisure pool.

The campus is attractive with the oldest and newest buildings having the Spanish Renaissance style. The academic core of campus is a little big, but you can get from class to class within 10 minutes. The historic campus (the part around memorial circle and engineering key) is laid out well. The rest was just built with little planning involved. Landscaping-wise, the parts along the campus tour are pretty, while many other parts lack landscaping, or is in need of maintenance/revitalization.

The students are generally nice, though many are kind of air-headed/drunk/spitting their delicious tobacco in clear water bottles IN CLASS. Greek life is HUGE here so be prepared for their snootyness. Politically, most students, the University, and Lubbock are conservative, but you still find liberals now and then.

Lubbock is so-so. There is the South Plains Mall and most major retail/restaurant chains are present city-wide. Lots of clubs and bars. Lots. In fact night life mostly consists of clubs, bars, and parties. Stay away from the east side past Ave Q unless you like ghettos and the stuff that goes with them. The topography is FLAT, so have water proof boots and don't drive a low car during rain as the roads flood (over 18" in many places) during heavy or prolonged rains, which is most rains, when it rains. Speaking of weather the sun shines brightly 90% of the year so wear sunglasses! Bundle up in the winter as the wind BITES when combined with below freezing highs. It does snow most winters. Dust storms can be fun or irritating.After saying all of this, the football here is incredible. Let me repeat myself: football here is AWESOME! If you like football, this is a good place to be!

3rd Year Male -- Class 2011

Useful Schoolwork: A, Individual Value: C