Got accepted to UTSA - So tell me about S.A.! (San Antonio: homes, transfer to)

[Austownian]

Hello!

I currently live in Austin(born and raised), but I will probably have to move for a while for University. Austin has excellent universities- Concordia, St. Edwards, and of course, UT. And, of course ACC, Temple College, and Texas State even offers Bachelors programs at a new Uni campus in a suburb.

However, my grades are not good enough for these universities. They might be for Texas State here in Austin, but they only offer a few bachelor programs that I don't want to pursue.

So, I applied at Texas State Uni and UTSA, as well as North Texas. I got accepted to UTSA and am still awaiting confirmation from the other places.

However, from what I hear, UTSA has an excellent "School of Public Policy", and I want to major in Social Work. Also, the UT system has a program where if you make a GPA of 3.2+ your Freshman year, you can transfer to UT Austin, which I would love to do.

So I am highly considering going to UTSA. However, I don't know what to expect from San Antonio. Living in downtown Austin(literally), I have lived a life surrounded by arts, liberalism, tolerance, politics, fitness, and everything else that people label Austin as being known for.

And, I don't know what to expect from San Antonio. From what I hear from some friends, San Antonio is ghetto and everyone says "Bro" after every word(LOL) and there is a lot of racism/homophobia, and a lot of inappropriate people who view women as sex objects. However, I have also heard from a person who lives in San Antonio that S.A. is just like any other city in Texas- It has its bad parts of towns where there is a lack of healthy culture, and it has its good parts where communities are thriving, etc. And, Austin has this too. Every major city in Texas has this.

So, I am wondering a little about how things are like at UTSA. Maybe any of you are familiar with the area or go there yourselves? What are the people like? Is it a party school, academicially cultured, or a mix of both? Is there lots of racism and homophobia, or do people go along just fine with being themselves? Good part of town, or bad? Or, mediocore?

I appreciate any responses, and I will value them more than any comments my friends have made(because none of my friends have lived in S.A.)!!

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by Austownian

Hello!

I currently live in Austin(born and raised), but I will probably have to move for a while for University. Austin has excellent universities- Concordia, St. Edwards, and of course, UT. And, of course ACC, Temple College, and Texas State even offers Bachelors programs at a new Uni campus in a suburb.

However, my grades are not good enough for these universities. They might be for Texas State here in Austin, but they only offer a few bachelor programs that I don't want to pursue.

So, I applied at Texas State Uni and UTSA, as well as North Texas. I got accepted to UTSA and am still awaiting confirmation from the other places.

However, from what I hear, UTSA has an excellent "School of Public Policy", and I want to major in Social Work. Also, the UT system has a program where if you make a GPA of 3.2+ your Freshman year, you can transfer to UT Austin, which I would love to do.

So I am highly considering going to UTSA. However, I don't know what to expect from San Antonio. Living in downtown Austin(literally), I have lived a life surrounded by arts, liberalism, tolerance, politics, fitness, and everything else that people label Austin as being known for.

And, I don't know what to expect from San Antonio. From what I hear from some friends, San Antonio is ghetto and everyone says "Bro" after every word(LOL) and there is a lot of racism/homophobia, and a lot of inappropriate people who view women as sex objects. However, I have also heard from a person who lives in San Antonio that S.A. is just like any other city in Texas- It has its bad parts of towns where there is a lack of healthy culture, and it has its good parts where communities are thriving, etc. And, Austin has this too. Every major city in Texas has this.

So, I am wondering a little about how things are like at UTSA. Maybe any of you are familiar with the area or go there yourselves? What are the people like? Is it a party school, academicially cultured, or a mix of both? Is there lots of racism and homophobia, or do people go along just fine with being themselves? Good part of town, or bad? Or, mediocore?

I appreciate any responses, and I will value them more than any comments my friends have made(because none of my friends have lived in S.A.)!!

It sucks bro.. We hate gays and beat our women too. Seriously, why not do a forum search here on UTSA? Plenty of comments have been made. Good luck.

[LovingSAT]

I think you will be fine. (Notice I did not say "bro'.) Doesnt UT have a mentor program or something where someone from UT contacts you and talks to you about it? San Antonio is a hop,skip,jump away from Austin; why dont you drive down for a weekend and check it out?

[Austownian]

Hmm, I just might do that. Yeah, it's about an hour 15 minutes away. I have passed through SA via IH 35 but haven't seen anything else of the town(except downtown- every Austin schoolchild went to the Alamo at least once and we've all been to the Boardwalk. Also, every Texan within two hours of SA has been to Six Flags/ Sea World at least once! But I haven't been in at least three years.)

[LovingSAT]

Again, I think you will do just fine. And if you get homesick you can just go for a short drive the Austin way. My guess is race and homophobia issues are probably around but at UT I would think no one is going to be focusing on that. Accept the offer, make friends, and enjoy yourself - plus get a degree!!!!

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Austownian

we've all been to the Boardwalk.

When you move to San Antonio...
make sure that you call it "The Riverwalk"

[LindaGrace]

How in the world do rumors like that get started? I mean, seriously? San Antonio is a big city and you have people telling you everyone here is racist and homophobic and beats women? And you believe it?

Yes, everyone I work with at the University of Texas Health Science Center is racist and homophobic. EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. Even the people with their PhD, MD, or DDS. Every last one.

San Antonio is really just a horrid place to be which is why over a million people call it home.

Open your mind, Austin. Come visit. We DO have museums, we DO have live music, we DO have "culture".

[SAguy]

Originally Posted by Austownian

Hello!

I currently live in Austin(born and raised), but I will probably have to move for a while for University. Austin has excellent universities- Concordia, St. Edwards, and of course, UT. And, of course ACC, Temple College, and Texas State even offers Bachelors programs at a new Uni campus in a suburb.

However, my grades are not good enough for these universities. They might be for Texas State here in Austin, but they only offer a few bachelor programs that I don't want to pursue.

So, I applied at Texas State Uni and UTSA, as well as North Texas. I got accepted to UTSA and am still awaiting confirmation from the other places.

However, from what I hear, UTSA has an excellent "School of Public Policy", and I want to major in Social Work. Also, the UT system has a program where if you make a GPA of 3.2+ your Freshman year, you can transfer to UT Austin, which I would love to do.

So I am highly considering going to UTSA. However, I don't know what to expect from San Antonio. Living in downtown Austin(literally), I have lived a life surrounded by arts, liberalism, tolerance, politics, fitness, and everything else that people label Austin as being known for.

And, I don't know what to expect from San Antonio. From what I hear from some friends, San Antonio is ghetto and everyone says "Bro" after every word(LOL) and there is a lot of racism/homophobia, and a lot of inappropriate people who view women as sex objects. However, I have also heard from a person who lives in San Antonio that S.A. is just like any other city in Texas- It has its bad parts of towns where there is a lack of healthy culture, and it has its good parts where communities are thriving, etc. And, Austin has this too. Every major city in Texas has this.

So, I am wondering a little about how things are like at UTSA. Maybe any of you are familiar with the area or go there yourselves? What are the people like? Is it a party school, academicially cultured, or a mix of both? Is there lots of racism and homophobia, or do people go along just fine with being themselves? Good part of town, or bad? Or, mediocore?

I appreciate any responses, and I will value them more than any comments my friends have made(because none of my friends have lived in S.A.)!!

Either your friends are living under rock or completely clueless about SA.

Homophobia- San Antonio has roughly 17-19 gay bars/clubs. More than double compared to Austin. Not to mention, we had an open lesbian for city council. In the 90's, 102.7-KTFM had the #1 morning show with a co-host Ms. Ree who is a drag queen. Most recently, our current mayor who is a democrate was the Grand Marshall at this year's Gay Pride parade.

Racism- If SA was as racist as you suggest or as your buddies suggest do you think SA would have the largest MLK march in the country? Yes, I know racism comes in many forms but seriously...think about it.


Ghetto- San Antonio currently has 4 Fortune 500 companies. Do you really believe any Fortune 500 company would be here if that were true? How many does Austin have?

[pobre]

Your second friend is much more accurate than your first friend. You can find all types in all cities.

[wCat]

Hey Austin....sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Think of Austin/San Antonio as one big metropolitan area with some nice pluses like San Marcos, New Braunfels and all of the Hill Country....plus the coast is 2 hrs away.

First of all...which campus will you be attending? We have the downtown campus and the North campus off I-10 and loop 1604. Either way, it will be college. I went to UT in Austin when dinosaurs roamed Texas...but I came home to SA on the weekends to see my friends and get away from "school". Austin was cool then like it's cool now...but I still got homesick occasionally.

Chances are, you'll be like most college students and you will find your niche. You'll attend class, hang out with your friends, and it won't make a bit of difference where you do that. SA has music, clubs, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and just about anything someone your age wants. College students are so resourceful....if they want a party, they'll make it in a corn field if that's what it takes. Since you're not coming from overseas or a small town in Iowa, this won't be a culture shock for you. You'll be close to home while you studying your beehind off so you can attend UT in Austin. Before you know it, you'll be there....unless you decide you LOVE SA and complete your degree here. I think you'll have a great time! Good luck!