Dubai to Texas (College Freshman) (Dallas, Austin: apartment, rent, credit card) - (TX) - City-Data Forum

MQ1993 · 07-06-2011, 06:15 AM

I'm a US citizen and last I remember I was in Texas was when I was 4 years old.
I'm going back to hometown. I want to apply for UT-Austin.

Thing is, the out of state tuition is crazy and so I will live in Texas for 12 months with a job to get residency (to pay in-state tuition!). Oh and I'm not allowed to study university during this time if I want the residency.

But here's my problem:
I'm 17 (turning 18 Aug 30) and my father MIGHT not be able to come and settle me down there. Let's assume he WON'T. I don't have a credit card, I don't have a car AND I don't have a drivers license. We don't know many people over there so let's assume I won't have any family friends that can help me.

When I told my dad I want to go, he said "What are you gonna do once you get in the airport?"

I wanna get a job close to my apartment so I can cycle there. But how will I rent an apartment? How will I find a job (ANY job) quickly? Where will I go/what will I do once I arrive at the airport?

I need to have a job in Texas by September 15th according to UT-Austin, to be able to pay In-state tuition.

Can anybody guide me a bit on how I can manage? My dad has a credit card, not sure if he can issue me one through his?

PS: I, personally want to live in Austin (close to UT-Austin obviously) but father wants me to live in Arlington.

neddy · 07-06-2011, 07:24 AM

Why does your dad want Arlington? Will he pay for Arlington? If so I would do that and then get a job once you move to the states. After being here a year then go to UT Arlington it easier to transfer into the main UT campus so I hear. Good luck.

MQ1993 · 07-06-2011, 08:07 AM

He will pay the same amount for all cities. He wants Arlington cause he graduated from UT-Arlington and he says "the action" all happens in the Dallas area.

I REALLY want the UT-Austin. Its ranking is much higher than UT-Arlington. I'll take the ACT and I'll work hard on it hopefully I'll get in. My grades aren't bad (they're actually quite good).

debzkidz · 07-06-2011, 08:30 AM

UT can be quite difficult to get into. You might want a backup plan, just in case.

As far as a fun place, I'd definitely choose Austin though. I went to UT Arlington, and it's not someplace I would think of as a place for "action". It's more of a commuter school.

k_s · 07-06-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debzkidz

UT can be quite difficult to get into. You might want a backup plan, just in case.

As far as a fun place, I'd definitely choose Austin though. I went to UT Arlington, and it's not someplace I would think of as a place for "action". It's more of a commuter school.

I also agree that UT can be difficult to get into.

I went to UTA too, but it sounds like the father wants her to be "in the Metroplex," and not necessarily "in Arlington." There is a LOT more action in DFW than there is in Austin.

talkispoison · 07-06-2011, 09:10 AM

I wouldnt move to Arlington without a car. It is the largest city in the world without public transportation.

k_s · 07-06-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talkispoison

I wouldnt move to Arlington without a car. It is the largest city in the world without public transportation.

Arlington is doable without a car if you're a college freshman.

talkispoison · 07-06-2011, 09:16 AM

Eh, I live at Arlington Hall at UTA and still needed my car sometimes.

k_s · 07-06-2011, 09:18 AM

I lived in an off-campus apartment behind Centennial. I would walk to class and work, and if I got sick of the food right around campus, I would venture out with someone who DID drive (I had a car, but hated driving it).

When I was there, there was also a shuttle that went to the Parks mall and the Cooper/I-20 Wal-Mart specifically for students who didn't have cars. I don't know if that's still running, though.

talkispoison · 07-06-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k_s

I lived in an off-campus apartment behind Centennial. I would walk to class and work, and if I got sick of the food right around campus, I would venture out with someone who DID drive (I had a car, but hated driving it).

When I was there, there was also a shuttle that went to the Parks mall and the Cooper/I-20 Wal-Mart specifically for students who didn't have cars. I don't know if that's still running, though.

Nice, I never knew they had that!