The University of Houston

My experience at UH, and in particular the Bauer College of Business has been a very positive one. As a native of Austin, I had always wanted to attend UT but was denied, so I heard some good things about UH and Bauer College and transferred here after two years at Austin Community College. At first my experience was not quite so good, because UH is a commuter school the lack of a social scene and school spirit had disappointed me at first. However, I found out that in a large metropolis such as Houston, the social atmosphere does not need to depend on the school, as one could round up a few friends and hit the city with endless activities to enjoy, do know that Downtown has undergone a total transformation and some of the hottest clubs are there. Resurgent basketball and football teams have helped improve campus pride in recent years, and student tickets are free and the seating is very good so do take advantage of this because it will enhance your college experience greatly. The tailgating before football games is second-to-none and you will be able to mingle and build school spirit with some of the most spirited fans and alumni there is, you may even run into me.

There is ample opportunity to build social relationships, primarily through student organizations. I was a member of the Finance Association, probably the best student organization on campus. With FA, I was able to meet many new people who shared many of the same interests as I do and has led to some very good friendships, and the socials after the meetings were some of the wildest nights that I have partied in my life.

The diversity of the University is a tremendous advantage as I have learned many things from others with different backgrounds that I will never learn from a textbook. The older nontraditional students can offer excellent advice on many things about the real world, all you have to do is ask, again something that I will never learn from a textbook. I have learned that at a diverse place like UH, I could be myself, rather than be a race and have to conform to expected norms as I have built close friendships with students of other races.

The Campus Recreation and Wellness center is easily the best and most beautiful gym in the world. For you gym rats and all you thinking about it, the equipment is state of the art, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the building is itself immaculate.

The C.T. Bauer College of Business is the best-kept secret in the state of Texas. Renovations have turned the school into the most beautiful and modern building on campus. With its contemporary architecture, the building has an airy, open, and inviting atmosphere. The Bauer College has made good use of a $40 million endowment from the late Ted Bauer in hiring excellent faculty who teach for real world situations in addition to architectural improvements.

At Bauer, I was able to distinguish myself as a top student because of the opportunities that the school offered me. I earned a scholarship my senior year in addition to a laptop computer given by the C.T. Bauer Foundation to the top 100 students each year. The education that I received at Bauer has helped me receive an offer to join a Fortune 100 corporation as an Executive Trainee after I graduate. This was a position that I was offered over many of the same kids who four years ago was picked to enter UT over me. My advice is to start your job search at the beginning of your senior year and utilize Career Services to help you find a job, and don’t think that your status as a UH student will be a disadvantage to you, because it wasn’t for me.

I understand that the majority of you who read this are high school seniors contemplating a collegiate future at the right institution. I can only tell you that UH and the Bauer College of Business has helped me develop into a well-rounded person and has given me the best opportunity at future success. While UH is not a four year retreat from reality like other institutions in the Big 12 Athletic Conference, it is a close representation of the real world, and it is a good preparatory situation for the real world.

There are positives and negatives in every situation and environment, successful people learn how to exploit the positives. After early disappointment at UH, I learned what the positives were and I took full advantage of them. I did not settle for UH, I picked UH, and it’s a choice that I am extremely happy with.

4th Year Male -- Class 2005

Education Quality: A+, Social Life: B-

UH is a great school. I was very happy with my time there, and had some excellent professors who were very approcable.

There is student life to be had, but you have to look for it. I did, and had a great time. Granted, there are some older students, but they bring overall knowledge to the classroom. And there are so many opportunites to gain real world experience working downtown, which is only two miles away. Not just summer internships, either.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000