Texas Tech University

Having spent two years here, I'm neutral to positive on Tech. For the most part, the quality of instruction varies from excellent to good, but I've had a few TA's who knew less than my middle school teachers. One tip to those considering Tech from out-of-state: This is a very Texas-centric school (as are UT and TAMU). Most of the students here have a very narrow vision of the world, having never traveled much beyond Texas. Most of the people who work here are former TTU students, and most of the professors are from Texas. Geographic diversity is definitely not a priority at TTU, or at UT or TAMU, for that matter.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2012

Education Quality: B, Individual Value: D-

Texas Tech University is a pretty sweet place to go to school. The campus is huge beyond belief but it's pretty easy to navigate once you get used to it. And it uses a bus system to take you around campus, which is way better than walking 15 minutes across campus. It is self enclosed which, aside from the Medical and Law, is pretty awesome. It's not like other Universities that I've see which have city roads running through them, making you have to cross busy streets just to get to class. Once you're on campus, you're in a secluded city of its own. The campus is beautiful as well. It has an old Spanish look on most of the buildings, pretty nice architecture. Landscaping is great too. Endless sidewalks (red colored brick and regular cement), trees, grass, and parks to name a few. The students here are amazing too, always friendly and inviting. Seriously. You would have to try really really hard to not make friends here every 5 minutes. And when football season comes around...MAN! These kids know how to show team spirit. Tech football games are the best social/school events that go on here, you are guaranteed to have an amazing time. In the city, night clubs, bars, and parties are the usual social events. So many things to do, you'll never get bored. The school programs are quite impressive as well. I'm in Rawls College of BA but I'm most impressed with the College of Architecture. Architecture program here is amazing and has amazing professors. I don't know a lot about the other colleges and profs but I'm sure they measure up as well. Regular classes here are fun but challenging as well. TV has lied to me because college, especially here, isn't all fun and games. It gets very challenging at times but there is always help available from free tutoring provided by the University, Study Sessions, and your choice from the endless clubs and organizations here at Tech. I strongly recommend Texas Tech University as the University of choice for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Even if you are thinking about going with community college for the first year to save some money, come here and enroll in South Plains which offers the Gateway Program with TTU. My freshman year roommate lived on campus with me at the dorms but had most of his classes at the South Plains center. Saved him money and he got to experience the crazy fun of living in the dorms at Tech. So if money is the issue, don't sweat it. Tech offers a lot of financial aid and believe me, the money for college is out there. Just take the time to look around and fill out some scholarship applications from the endless lists. To get the full experience of this place you have to check it out for yourself.

1st Year Male -- Class 2013

University Resource Use/ spending: A+, Innovation: B

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