Thinking about how to build a college list? Thinking about how to pick colleges to apply to? Thinking about how to pick the right college? In this series, Life of a Matriculate Student In College, you will get a first-hand perspective of our Matriculate students at their different campuses. Get a glimpse into University of North Texas campus life!
THE WHY: Why did you decide to commit to the University of North Texas? What factors drew you to UNT?
There were several factors that led to me committing to the University of North Texas, or more commonly known as “UNT.” My family moved to Texas this year, so I ended up looking into Texas colleges that were near the house they chose. UNT’s proximity to my home was one of the factors. I liked the idea of being able to live at home while in college, especially now that I was getting my own bedroom after sharing a room with my sister for the past 18 years! UNT is around 22-25 minutes from my house depending on traffic, so I’m grateful commuting isn’t a problem for me. Additionally, UNT gave me generous financial aid, so I’m essentially going there with full tuition covered. I won’t have to worry about tuition for the next few years that I’m in college, which is a blessing! Next, I gravitated towards the atmosphere at UNT. Everyone seemed welcoming at the tours and orientations I’ve attended and the campus was very inviting, which made me feel comfortable right away. The sense of community was evident and I noticed how diverse and inclusive the environment felt. Although UNT is mostly known for its art and music programs, I noticed the research they were involved in was equally impressive and could really see myself being a part of some of the labs. At the same time, knowing that UNT is so well-known for its music program gives me the chance to expand on my musical pursuits and hobbies (playing piano and guitar). The last factor that helped me decide on a college is having a relative who recently graduated from UNT; she enjoyed the experience and even decided to go back for her masters! After a semester here, I feel like I made the right choice.
U OF NORTH TEXAS’S ACADEMIC LIFE: Can you share more about your experiences with classes, class size, lectures, and professors?
The class sizes at UNT depend on the class. For example, my smallest class had 15 students, while my largest had over 100, so it varies. From what I’ve experienced this semester, the professors really want students to succeed and try their best to ensure their success. This includes additional practice assignments, openness to answer any questions from students, and providing resources like where to find the tutoring center if we needed additional help. Professors will often have office hours if there’s a specific topic you’re stuck on.
U OF NORTH TEXAS’S STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: What about clubs and extracurriculars - what has your experience been in finding meaningful organizations and clubs and contributing to them?
Regarding organizations and clubs. I joined Hearts for the Homeless (H4H) and a pre-health organization called MDSO. I felt it was important to be surrounded with others with similar passions and it gave me the chance to meet others which is important as a commuter because it can get hard to meet people since I’m not on campus 24/7. UNT has around 450 student organizations, so there’s something there for everyone! UNT has several resources for obtaining internships and career post-college.
POST-COLLEGE LIFE: How has your college prepared you for obtaining internships and a career post-college?
We have the career center, where students can get their resumes and cover letters reviewed which are important components when applying to any job. Additionally, UNT has held many research workshops for those interested in learning how to get involved in research. These workshops have definitely been insightful and have helped me get in touch with research labs on campus!
U OF NORTH TEXAS’S CAMPUS LIFE: Tell us more about the dining hall and dorm situation! How is the food - are there enough options for those with dietary restrictions? What is the dorm and housing situation like?
I’m a commuter student at UNT, so I can’t say too much about this topic, but I’ll share what I know. The dining halls at UNT are great overall; I’ve only eaten at one of the dining halls (Eagle Landing) twice, but I had a 10/10 experience each time. UNT has a total of 5 dining halls, with one of them being completely-vegan! I usually bring lunch or eat at home, but when I do eat on campus I love going to the on-campus Chick-fil-A! Additionally, we have a great coffee spot called “Voltage Coffee,” that’s never failed me with their matcha and white chocolate mochas! From visiting some of my friend’s dorms, it didn’t seem bad at all; I disliked the very small bedroom sizes, but it’s expected from dorming. I loved how each of the dorm halls have a study space equipped with a whiteboard, as well as a lounge area with a television. My favorite feature of all the dorms has to be the grand piano in the lobby. If I stayed on campus, It’s nice to know I wouldn’t have to travel far to play piano! Most dorms have bathrooms inside where you share it with 3 other people, but luckily there are private bathrooms out in the hallway if sharing isn’t your thing! The dorms aren’t too far from campus, but I know some are probably a 15-20 minute walk to the center of campus where classes tend to be.
U OF NORTH TEXAS’S SOCIAL LIFE: Share more about the social scene - how did you make friends? Do most people join Greek life or are there ways to make friends outside of Greek life? What is there to do for fun both inside and outside of the college? What do you and your friends do outside of your academic life? Does the college host any free events that you look forward to every year?
The social scene at UNT is pretty great! There’s always an event happening (and free stuff!), so you wouldn’t get bored.
I’ve mostly made friends by talking to those beside me in class and I’m really thankful for that because I’ve met some great people! Greek Life exists on campus, but most people I’ve met aren’t part of it. Most of us meet people at either events or in-class. At UNT, we have events hosted by SGA, the Honors College, and more. Some of the events were lego building to de-stress from finals week, live music, trivia nights, open mic, karaoke night, and cook-outs. All events are free at UNT if you are a student, so there’s lots to choose from! UNT is located in Denton, Texas which is a small city known for live music, its lively nightlife, and great food. Places like “Denton Square” serve as great gathering spots where local restaurants, cozy bookstores, and live entertainment venues are available for visitors and residents. Denton’s proximity to downtown Dallas is also a huge plus for those wanting to explore the big city!
MATRICULATE: How did Matriculate help you get to the University of North Texas?
My Matriculate Advising Fellow (AF) helped me build my college list and start my common app essay before my senior year started. I felt like I was slightly ahead in the college application process because of it! I wasn’t always sure that I was going to attend a college close to home, so my advising fellow helped me decide on a list that included other factors outside of location such as school size, campus life, and academics. Talking to my AF helped me narrow down majors and introduced me to the concept of minoring in something. Matriculate supported me in the college application process which felt daunting as a FGS, but now I feel confident that I’ll be able to help my younger siblings apply to college when the time comes.
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MEET THE AUTHOR
Blain Daniel
Blain Daniel is a first-year biochemistry student at the University of North Texas (UNT), pursuing an MD/PhD to become a physician-scientist. As a Matriculate ambassador, she leads information sessions about Matriculate to schools and partner organizations, while also contributing blog posts for the Student Resources Hub with the support of staff. Blain is dedicated to informing high school students about the opportunities Matriculate provides to help first-generation students achieve their college goals.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Blain is a first-generation college student, which inspired her passion for supporting others in similar situations. She actively participates in an organization at UNT called Hearts for the Homeless, where she helps provide free EKG, blood pressure, and weight measurements for individuals experiencing homelessness. Blain is passionate about scientific discovery and is currently involved in the PHAGES research program at UNT, where she isolates bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria—from soil. Blain graduated in 2024 as the salutatorian of her high school class, therefore her recent experience as a Matriculate High School Fellow enables her to share her experiences to you.