Inside UT Longhorn Saturday
It’s your senior year in high school, and you have questions about college and the application process. At Longhorn Saturday, you get advice and information tailored to you. Plan on plenty of question and answer time with those in the know: current students, faculty and staff.
Tailored to Your Questions
Have burning questions about life at UT Austin? Current students are here to help. The Student Panel Q&A is one of the most popular sessions in Longhorn Saturday. Here’s a sample of what you’ll learn:
Overheard at the Student Panel Q&A
Living on campus
Question: My daughter and I are having an ongoing debate about living on campus or off. Can you give advice?
Student Panel answer: Live on campus! Less travel time means you don’t have to get up as early for your classes. My best, best friends are those I met in my hall.
Staying focused
Question: There are so many ways to get unfocused from my studies at a big university. What advice can you give about ways to stay focused academically?
Student Panel answer: Join a First Year Interest Group (FIG). You meet people to study with, and they become great friends. Choose your friends carefully. You can keep each other focused.
Large lectures
Question: How many classes that you’ve taken are large lectures?
Student Panel answer: The first year or two there were a few, but as you get into your major studies you really quickly find that most classes have 25-30 students.
Safety on campus
Question: As the mother of five daughters, please tell me how safe you feel on campus?
Student Panel answer: Just use common sense. I don’t walk places by myself late at night, but I do feel safe. The UT Police Department’s response time is faster than 911, if something did ever happen.
Adapting to a big campus
Question: I’m from a very small high school, and UT is so large. Can you suggest ways to adapt to the change?
Student Panel answer: If I’m in a big lecture, I sit in the front row so I don’t have to see all those other students! Really, though, just get involved in a student organization. Everybody is in a few organizations. The great thing about UT is that you can always find a group that fits you.
Preparing for college studies
Question: What’s the best thing high school seniors can do to prepare for college studies?
Student Panel answer: Stay on top of your game in senior year; don’t slack. And if you haven’t gotten help with study skills, do it now. With everything else going on your freshman year in college, you do not want to have to learn how to study, too. You will be overwhelmed.
Picking classes and schedules
Question: How do you pick your classes and what is your schedule like?
Student Panel answer: Some people pick a schedule that’s back-to-back classes because they don’t want pockets between classes in which they can’t really accomplish anything. Know yourself–don’t take classes that meet at 8 a.m. if you’re not a morning person!
Planning Your Longhorn Saturday
There’s much more to Longhorn Saturday than the Student Panel Q&A. Explore academic programs and student services with UT faculty and staff, and don’t forget to tour the UT Austin campus and residence halls.
Create your own itinerary
Each student’s Longhorn Saturday itinerary is unique – simply choose the academic areas and student services that interest you. Attend as many interest sessions and optional activities as time allows. Be sure to bring your questions, too.
Activities List
- Marketplace of student services and academic programs
- Welcome from the Office of Admissions
- Student Panel Q&A
- In-depth Interest Sessions
- Campus and residence hall tours
Sample Itineraries
“Maybe I’ll be a doctor” Itinerary
- 8 a.m. First the Financial Aid table, then browse others (Get tips on filling out the FAFSA)
- 8:30 a.m. Opening session with Associate Director of Admissions
- 9 a.m. Student Panel (Ask about students' favorite residence halls)
- 10:30 a.m. Health Professions Interest Session (Is there a Pre-Med Program?)
- 11:30 a.m. College of Natural Sciences interest session
- 12:30 p.m. Campus tour (Where's the gym?)
- 1:30 p.m. Residence hall tour
- 3 p.m. Stop off for some lunch at a residential hall dining center
“I’m an artist and a scholar” Itinerary
- 8 a.m. Find the UT Learning Center table (Ask about scholarships and honors programs)
- 8:30 a.m. Opening session with Associate Director of Admissions
- 9 a.m. Student Panel (Any First Year Interest Groups for Arts?)
- 10:30 a.m. College of Fine Arts Interest Session
- 11:30 a.m. School of Architecture Interest Session (Would a reference from my art teacher help me get in?)
- 12:30 p.m. Lunch with parents at O’s Café
- 1:30 p.m. Campus tour
- 3:30 p.m. Residence hall tour (Check out all-girls halls or maybe honors halls)