Texas Tech University

I came to Texas Tech after deciding to not go out of state to Oklahoma. I had also gotten into a few other schools (Texas State, SMU, A&M, Kansas State), but I ended up at Tech after having visited and loving the school.

I am from the DFW area and I have to say at first Lubbock was a huge change for me, then I realized that it wasn't bad at all, and I actually liked it better. Growing up in Dallas I was constantly surrounded by people, tourists etc. The great thing about Lubbock is that it has a real college town feel to it, and the West Texas climate is so nice. People here are much more down to earth and friendly, its around 4 hours from home, so its not too bad, and there is PLENTY to do.

I lived on campus my first and second year, but now I've moved off. The dorms are REALLY nice, but I had some friends who were moving off campus so I decided to go as well, and btw there are TONS of housing options around the city and near campus. Another bonus is the Red Raider bus system which students can ride for free, and it takes you all around town.

The academics here are really really good. It feels like the perfect balance of actual teaching and learning, and research, whereas bigger schools are ALL about research and smaller schools focus only on practical work, here you get a really even mix and personal attention. The arch program is amazingly good, and all the professors in the department are from around the country and bring something different to the table.

Sports. Oh the sports here are incredible. Students get into any sporting event FREE! Even football. The games are all fun, and we have good schedules being in the Big XII conference. It is always exciting on gameday to go tailgating with all your friends before a Red Raider game.

The food is good too, alot of people complain that the options are similar, which is true, but in the three years I've been here, they have added more and more places to eat. On the same note the SUB (student union building) is incredible.All in all TTU is an amazing university and I would not trade it for any other experience. Some of my friends at A&M and Texas State do nothing but complain about the school, at Tech I have nothing to complain about.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2011

Education Quality: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: A-

I love Texas Tech. I transfered from Texas A&M because I felt overwhelmed by the size of the school. Strangely enough Tech is huge too, with 30k+ students the campus is huge and has all the amenities of a big school like UT or A&M, but the classes are smaller and you do get more personal attention. The Psychology department here is fantastic also, every year it moves up in the rankings from the NRC and it shows, being an undergraduate I have had many opportunities to work alongside the grad students on various projects.

I would highly recommend Texas Tech to anyone over A&M. People say Lubbock is far away, but lets be honest, College Station is no paradise either. Lubbock is a bigger city anyways, and the nightlife and social scene is really good, definitely a college town through and through. I have had an absolute blast at Tech, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The teachers care about you and know your name, the sports are fun, and the campus is beautiful. Texas Tech is great!

2nd Year Female -- Class 2012

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: B+

OK...I got into Boston University, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Texas Tech...my whole life I wanted to go to A&M...I was like A&M is the school for me...til I did that tour...I couldn't do that Gig Em Aggie stuff. Boston U was too expensive as was Baylor. I couldn't afford either. So I ended up at Texas Tech. When I got there...I always thought this was a crappy school and blah blah blah...well I have realized after I graduated from TTU how great a school it was. I am in Graduate school at the University of Houston...and let me tell you...I really miss the professors at TTU. They were caring...they took their time to explain stuff...even were there in the office hours!!! at UH...good luck!! University of Houston has made me regret coming to Grad School...and now I think about how much I miss Texas Tech. Everyday I attend Houston, I think how ugly of a campus this is..and how beautiful TTU was...At UH I'll get robbed after dark...at TTU I could be anywhere on campus and feel safe.

I wish I could afford to go back up there but I've settled in Houston. I really doubt I'll graduate with a masters or ph.d from houston...not because it's hard...but more along the lines...I've realized I have no interest in the type of research that is available there. I will always miss TTU and the "Hell Hole" known as Lubbock..:-). Maybe I can go back this year and watch TTU and Tuberville kick UH's ASS!!!

4th Year Male -- Class 2003

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Friendliness: F