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The University of Texas at Austin

Come to Texas
March 6-7, 2008

Tentative Schedule
Information for Departments
Information for Invited Students
Information for Current Student Volunteers

Come to Texas, a new initiative from the Graduate School, is a partnership with departments to help matriculate this year’s top under-represented students. The two-day event, March 6-7, will encourage targeted admitted students to enroll in graduate school at The University of Texas (UT) by introducing them to the great UT resources and opportunities, as well as the welcoming spirit of our campus.

Please mark your calendars for this important recruiting opportunity and plan to use this time to introduce your students to the breadth and depth of your graduate programs and The University of Texas.

Why have this type of recruiting event?
According to research on the factors influencing a prospective student’s decisions on which graduate school to attend, the primary consideration is, not surprisingly, financial. But, very close behind this consideration are the perception of a university’s quality and value, along with the emotions related to fitting in and feeling welcome on a campus. Some experts suggest the secondary factors are especially important for under-represented minorities.  These considerations are challenging to address via printed materials, a Web site or even phone conversations.

Therefore, the most effective way to demonstrate The University of Texas’ high quality academic programs and excellent opportunities for students, as well as the great people that make up this campus community, is to have prospective graduate students visit the campus.  This program is intended to introduce admitted graduate students to campus life, allow them to meet faculty, staff and students, and to experience the Austin community first-hand.

The purpose of the event
The goal of Come to Texas is to partner with departments in increasing the enrollment of under-represented populations, thus increasing the diversity of the graduate student body. Under-represented populations include African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and females in traditionally male fields.

Graduate programs are encouraged to coordinate their invitational weekends for admitted students in conjunction with the Come to Texas event. The general sessions will end mid-afternoon on Friday, March 7, so that departments have ample time on Friday afternoon and evening and/or through the weekend to introduce students to their program and facilities.

Come to Texas was established to reinforce the Graduate School’s commitment to your programs’ admitted students. The staff of the Graduate School hope that all programs will ultimately be able to participate in this important recruiting event.

More details
There will be no charge to students or departments for participation in any of the activities related to Come to Texas. In addition, the Graduate School plans to put together a generous travel fund to pay for most, if not all, of the travel expenses for most attendees. Both hotel rooms and accommodations with current graduate students will be offered to participants.

Highlights:

For further information:
Rhonda Collins
Director of Outreach
rcollins@austin.utexas.edu
232-3635