FAQs in the Admissions Office

 Good Morning! I started a list of questions I had been receiving while I was in the Admissions Office- Here are a few of them:

 Are there jobs on campus? - Yes there are. There are numerous offices on campus that offer jobs to students. The opportunity to work on campus is one you shouldn't pass up, even if you only work for a semester or two. Having a job on campus increases your connections with faculty, staff, and other students (and remember its all about networking). Also if you are a student without a car on campus, working a job on campus is your best option. Some of the offices only accept Work Study and not Student Employment. If you have been approved for Work Study you will see it in your financial aid package. Check out our career services page to see which office have part-time job positions open.

Does it matter what type of computer I bring?- When it comes to computers on our campus it is all about personal preference. In my experience a laptop is a MUST, desktop computers would not help you at all if you want to bring your computer to class, the library, a group meeting..ect. Our computer labs are full of desktop computers. As far as brand goes, thats another personal preference. I came into UT freshman year with a Gateway, 2 1/2 years later I bought a MacBook. I am so happy with my Mac and our computer labs are equipped with both PCs and Macs. You may find it a little bit more difficult using a Mac when you want to present in class because of the way our projectors are set up in the classrooms, but you can rent laptops from the Library if you need one for a presentation. Also remember FREE printing on campus. A small printer in your room can be helpful if you have something last minute but it isn't a necessity. 

    Why is my schedule so random? Can I drop a class?- Coming in freshman year you have your schedule made for you before you get to campus. This to some students seems really frustrating. In my opinion is is extremely helpful. The school does give you quite a bit of random classes but in the end they are all going to fulfill some type of requirement and are not random at all. The scheduling process can be very confusing so the advising office makes your schedule for you Fall semester Freshman year to alleviate the confusion. They will typically give you 15-17 credits so you have enough wiggle room if you want to drop a class you absolutely hate. You can go down to 12 credits to still be considered a full-time student. Remember though, if you drop a class you either need to sign up for another one that semester or take an extra class in a following semester to make up for the lost credits. Your Gateways Advisor will be a very helpful resource for all of your scheduling questions, so don't freak now and worry about it during orientation. 

Where do most people study?- Where you do your studying is another personal preference. I personally study in the Library or in Plant Park. I can't concentrate in my room, I get ZERO accomplished. The Library's second floor is a studying haven for me. They have cubby-holed desks where you could literally not see anyone or talk to anyone for hours if you choose to. The park is also a great place when it is just wayyy to nice to be sitting inside to study but you really do have to study and not sit by the pool. A big towl or blanket, your iPod and your studying material make the park a perfect place to study and still be semi-happy you aren't completely wasting a beautiful Florida day. When you're in the park, if you sit closer to the school you can still get wireless internet but it is patchy; the library is your best bet if you need your computer to study. I think the top places for studying around campus are: Library, outside porches of John Skyes, the park, your room, the computer labs, the study lounges in the residence halls, Starbucks or Panera (Panera has free wireless, Starbucks doesn't)....

I hope this helps! If you have any questions just let me know! 

Have a great weekend and see you in 3 1/2 weeks!