The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Date: Jun 12 2011
Major: Economics (This Major's Salary over time)
The opinion below is my sincere opinion, I did not sugar coat anything, and I have no goal to drive up the enrollment at UT.

I truly had the best experiences of my life while attending UT. I now live in NYC and most of my friends attended private universities in up state NY or New England and I cringe when they describe their college experience compared to what I experienced at UT. To be quite honest, UT is a school for kids who thrive on social interaction (or would like to become more social). The social life at UT is NOT decided by the Greek population like most SEC schools. The campus has a wide variety of social scenes to choose from (excellent and diverse bars, huge intramural and club sports, great guest speakers,and very outdoorsy if that's your thing).

The way I would describe UT football: When UT students attend a game, it's all about the football game and they genuinely love watching the game, as opposed to most SEC schools where the games are dominated by Greek students dressed like they are attending a polo match in Nantucket. Tennessee is about the football experience. It is a tradition you will carry on for a lifetime, that you will hand down to your children, and your friends throughout adulthood will grow jealous of the bond you have with Vol fans no matter what state, city, or country you're in.

Pros: Down to earth students, everywhere is walkable (no need for a car), bar scene, football season 2nd to none (even if you don't like sports this will become part of your life and that's nothing to be ashamed of), attractive people, NOT a bible beater school, excellent student workout facilities, EXCELLENT restaurants, cheap off campus housing, plenty of trendy/artsy areas

Cons: bad parking, lack of english speaking professors, some of the architecture is modern which clashes with the pretty traditional buildings, academically difficult but does not garner enough respect in princeton review national rankings, alumni network will not get you a job if you venture out of Tennessee after graduation

Graduating from Tennessee will give you a respectable degree and a loyalty to the Vols for a lifetime. Go to Rocky Top, you won't regret it.