The University of Houston

This site is full of many biased and unfair comments about UH. I saw that one person even claimed that he was an executive at a company and proceeded to ridicule the quality of UH grads and education. The facts are these: UH is mostly a commuter school, though it does have a lot going on; UH has fantastic faculty and rigorous educational standards; UH does lie in the midst of a blighted section of Houston; The campus of UH is one of the most unique and well-kept in the state; UH grads are very competitive in grad school admissions and the job market; and last, YOUR TIME AT UH IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT! The bottom line is, UH is a unique place, its own little world. People who love the other schools in Texas don't neccessarily like UH, and on the other hand, most Cougars wouldn't be comfortable in Lubbock, either. In my freshman year, I chose to live on campus in order to better get involved with social life. I made about half a dozen good friends that year and ended up rooming off campus with two of them for the next three years. For what UH lacks in spirit and active campus life, it more than makes up for with its proximity to Houston. And this bunk about UH grads being uncompetitive in the marketplace and grad admissions is just that, bunk. I did two very valuable internships as an undergrad (Lockheed Martin, HARC) and was accepted to grad school at Rice University (the enemy!) upon graduation. The fundamental truth of life in the competitive world is that your desirability as a grad student/employee is based mostly on YOUR personal merits, not on the school you attended. Yeah, I'm sure that Harvard grads turn more heads than UH grads, but that is way overblown. I work with several people who went to "prestigious" schools like UNC and Emory, and I can't tell a difference between their work and that of my other coworkers who went to the University of Arizona and UNT. UH is a great place, and I wouldn't trade my experience there for anything. Being a senior living in Montrose and having the whole city as a playground was a great time, especially with only 6 hours my last term. Go Coogs!

5th Year Male -- Class 1998

Surrounding City: A+, Social Life: C+

When people think of U of H, there are many misconceptions. I feel that this university is the most underrated of them all!! When many think of going to school in Texas, it is A&M and UT and after that is Texas Tech and Texas State. However, U of H deserves to be right in there. Academically, we have many of the best programs here. Off the top of my head, I know that the business school is one of the best in the nation. Yes, I did say best in the nation! It is better than A&M’s, Texas Tech’s, and Texas State’s, as well as most other schools in Texas. The Hotel and Restaurant Management program is also one of the best in the nation. The School of Music is exceptional (not sure of the ranking), as well as many others. When people automatically assume, U of H does not have good academics they are very wrong. Socially, there is also quite a life to offer to students coming here. Many feel that this is just a commuter campus and they won’t have a life nor friends if they come here. However, this is also a misconception. Although many commute and do not get involved, there are also just as many that do. I always think of U of H as havin the best of both worlds: the great selection of classes, teachers, campus, and Divison I sports like a large university, but with some commuters it makes the campus seem a little smaller, more approachable, and homey. If you live on campus and want the college experience, you will more than get it.. I, for one (as well as ALL my friends), attend all the football games (and tailgate before), baseball games (and also tailgate) and basketball games, and am also involved in a sorority and many other campus activities. With it being in Houston, one of the largest cities, there are always tons of choices for fun at your fingertips. Whether a perfect night consists of margaritas at a Mexican restaurant followed by a bar or club, a nice dinner and a play, or bowling and ice cream, the activities are always close by. Of course, there are always the museums, festivals, zoo, and hundreds of other things too!! There are also fun Fraternity Parties and other house parties that students will have. I know some feel that the area around campus is also quite unsafe and you will be mugged just coming here. However, in 2 years of me living right here on campus, I have never had a problem nor have my friends (nor has my brother who already graduated from here). Sure, I don’t recommend you walking at night in some areas, but the campus itself is very safe and you should not have a problem at all. In fact, many streets right next to campus contain beautiful mansions. The area is just mixed a little. The campus is also quite beautiful I think! Our Recreation Center has got to be one of the best inside! Another thing that you get here is Diversity, which I think is great. I come from a very homogeneous area and it is a relief to see many different types of people getting to interact and learn from one another. Here, you can be who you are or want to be and it is okay, because there are tons of types of people. There is no standard of what you need to look like or what you need to wear. I know that at some school there is a standard of person and here there is not that. I absolutely love U of H and am so glad I am here.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2009

Education Quality: A+, Individual Value: B-

I was actively recruited by the university and the Honors Program. I received a scholarship. I feel that my education was a great "bargain."

4th Year Female -- Class 1990

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Social Life: C