As many of you know, I attend the greatest college in the whole entire world; Texas A&M. As a non-native Texan, I grew up in Colorado, with parents who went to college on the west coast. When I got to Texas, I had never heard of A&M or UT. I remember on my way to school in the mornings we would drive past houses with “House Divided” signs, and flags boasting one school or the other. I vowed to myself and my family I would NOT go to school in Texas, and I would not go to one of those rival schools...yet here I am.

Growing up, in my high school years, I heard lots about UT, and how it was the premiere school in the nation. Many from my high school went to UT, and for a long time, I envisioned myself joining them there. I had never really heard much about A&M until an old friend of mine had committed to come here, and he convinced me to consider A&M. Two years later, here I am, typing away at my computer in the infamous Sterling C. Evans library, at none other than the beautiful Texas A&M.

During my senior year, I got into both A&M and UT. I cannot stress how happy I am I decided to go here. It was the best decision of a lifetime, and I’m so incredibly blessed to be here. Here are all the reasons why A&M is the better college overall.

(Disclaimer: Yes I know us Aggies refer to UT as TU, but for the purpose of non-Ags understanding this article, I refer to UT as anyone else would.)

1. A&M is rich in amazing traditions that not only honor the university but its students and faculty.

As a first generation Aggie, the traditions, and rituals were new to me upon my arrival at A&M. One of the most incredible traditions to me is our very own Silver Taps. For those of you who don’t know, A&M houses the Corps of Cadets, the 4^th best ROTC program in the nation.

On the first Tuesday of each month, we honor the current Aggies who have died in the past month. No, we don’t just think of these Aggies. These Aggies are our family. At 10:15 p.m., chimes from the Albritton Bell Tower begin to play, as students, facility, and families gather in the Academic Plaza. At 10:30 the entire campus goes dark. The Ross Volunteers Firing Squad marches in slow cadence to the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross. They commence a 21-gun salute in remembrance of those who have passed. "Silver Taps" is then played by six buglers three times – to the North, West, and South. They do not play to the East, however, because the sun will never rise on those Aggies again.

For former Aggies who have died in the past year, we honor them at a ceremony called Muster, that commences on April 21^st, every year. This happens in Reed Arena, where thousands of alumni and students fill a dark stadium, to participate in a roll call for those who have passed. A candle is lit for each Aggie, and the Aggie family participating in Muster, softly answers “Here” for those who have passed away.

Although those may be two very sad traditions, I am honored to attend a school where we take the time to remember those who have passed on, because we are all one big family.

If you’ve ever watched a Fightin’ Texas Aggie football game on ESPN, you’ll notice everyone in the student section stands. We stand the whole game. Why? We stand with the 12^th man. Back in 1922, E. King Gill was called forward to stand in as the 12^th man in the game. The team was down to 11 players and needed someone to be there just in case. Although Gill never had to go into the game, he stood on the sideline for the duration of the game, to take the field if needed. In remembrance and dedication to our team, we stand with the 12^th man, to symbolize our readiness, desire, and enthusiasm.

Among many other awe-inspiring traditions, these are some of my personal favorites. A&M may be rich in tradition, but UT is not. Sure they have Bevo, The Eye of Texas, and the nasty burnt orange, but nothing in comparison to what we have here at A&M.

2. A&M’s very own Mays Business school boasts the best business school in Texas.

Ranking 20th in the nation in The Best Business Schools by Forbes, a degree from Mays employs 94% of graduates, whereas McCombs only employs 89%. Mays also has a higher median base salary at $ 130,000; McCombs only $115,000. Now, I’m no business major, but Mays is one of the best schools on campus and one of the main reasons people come to A&M.

3. A&M ranks as one of the friendliest college campuses...in the nation.

When I first came to visit A&M I was shocked by the number of people on campus who were not only genuinely happy to be there but nice to me. I had quite a few students stop me on my tour, to tell me about their experiences here, and why I should choose A&M.

One of A&M’s famed traditions is “Howdy!”. It is said that when you pass another student on campus, you say Howdy in greeting to them. Unfortunately, this tradition is slowly dying due to the fact we all constantly have a cell phone in our face, but there are still a few Ags who will give you a Howdy and a smile as they pass by you. I can’t tell you how amazing of a feeling it is that someone you barely know or don’t even know, would take the time out of their day to say hello to you.

4. Maroon is WAY better than burnt orange.

I know most of you will agree with me, that maroon is a much better color than burnt orange. Maroon goes with so many other colors, where you really can only wear burnt orange with white or black. Gingers like my beautiful roommate can also wear maroon (because the burnt orange clashes horribly). Plus in my opinion, maroon is a more flattering color.

5. The Aggie Ring gets you hired.

(image credit @haillllss)

There is an immense amount of truth behind this statement. For those who don’t know, after completing 90 hours here, you receive an Aggie Ring. I have been told by a plethora of older Aggies, how many times that ring got them a job. Aggies hire Aggies, it’s a part of being in the Aggie family. How amazing is it that one could receive a job simply because they went to A&M?

The ring shows that you were dedicated to your schooling, and is the most prized possession any Aggie can buy.

6. A&M has the better football team.

In looking at the statistics from the 2017 season, A&M's team tops UT's like none other. Although they both went 7-6, A&M led with 425 points scored total, and UT scored 383 total. A&M also gained a total of 2392 yards and UT gained 2174. My favorite stat, however, as someone who would much rather watch baseball (yeah, we beat UT there too), is the touchdown total. A&M scored a proud 53 touchdowns, with UT close behind at 50. So for those of you wanting to see a more interesting football team, come to an A&M game.

7. I feel safe walking around campus at night.

Every girl and every person I have talked to who attends UT has told me it is not safe to walk the campus at night, much less alone. This was another reason I was wary of attending UT, the school is an open campus, and very close to 6^th street, in the middle of downtown Austin.

A&M sits in a medium-sized suburban town called College Station, full of families and schools and residential areas. I live in Northgate district, which for those of you who don’t know, is the bar district. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the bars are full of people and blasting loud music. There have been a few times when I have to walk home from campus late after studying, where I have to walk through the middle of all these bars.

And yet I still feel safe.

When I walk through campus at night, I never feel unsafe. I’ve never had to call for a Corps escort or called a friend to come pick me up. I could walk campus end to end, and never once feel scared or threatened.

8. A&M wants you to succeed.

A&M is dedicated to every student succeeding, all 68,000 of us. They spend countless hours sending emails and coordinating to help you find the major you belong to and the classes you should take. I've not only had a wonderful team of advisors surrounding me for the past year, but an army of old Ags, who have shown me the ropes, and helped me to get to where I am today.

The Association of Former Students, otherwise known as our Alumni Foundation, is also heavily dedicated to being there for current students. They provide many scholarships and host plenty of events to help support current Aggies in their path to success.

9. We are Aggies, and Aggies are we.

The reason I truly chose A&M however, is the Aggie family. Most everyone here would do anything for an Aggie in need. I’ve watched countless service projects and acts of kindness take place in my year here. Thousands of Aggies with pure hearts would do anything for one another, whether it's picking up someone’s book they dropped or rushing someone to the doctor when someone is sick or hurt. I have truly never been alone this year. Although I have had different groups of friends throughout the year, whenever I’ve been in need, people have been there for me. People I barely knew.

A&M stresses the importance of a community, and family, whereas UT puts emphasis on one becoming an individual. Guess what, sure, being an individual might help you in some ways, but it also means you are alone. The Aggie family helps individuals to feel loved and welcomed across campus, and across the nation. Every time I see someone in an A&M shirt or cap of some sort in the store, I can extend a Howdy and Gig ‘Em, and no matter where I am, I receive the same in return, no matter who it is. Once in Nebraska at a baseball tournament, I greeted a fellow Aggie, who joyously greeted me in return.

The Aggie family is not just something you will find on campus, but rather anywhere you go.

Can those of you Longhorns say the same thing? No.

10. Saw Varsity's Horns Off!!

If you're an Aggie you'll know the words we sing at every game; it is our beloved war hymn. We sing:

"Goodbye to Texas University

So long to the orange and the white

Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies

They are the ones who show the real old fight

‘The eyes of Texas are upon you’

That is the song they sing so well

SOUNDS LIKE HELL

So goodbye to Texas University

We’re gonna beat you all the chigaroogarem!

Chigaroogarem, rough stuff real stuff Texas A&M! (X2)

SAW VARSITY’S HORNS OFF

SAW VARSITY’S HORNS OFF

SAW VARSITY’S HORNS OFF

SHORT! A!

VARSITY’S HORNS ARE SAWED OFF

VARSITY’S HORNS ARE SAWED OFF

VARSITY’S HORNS ARE SAWED OFF

SHORT! A!”

I can't tell you how excited I am just typing that. Every Aggie sings this war hymn at the top of their lungs for the pride in our school, and purely because we are better than UT in EVERY way.

So, for those of you who attend UT, or just decided to go to UT, I'm incredibly sorry for you, because you are TRULY missing out on the best college in the state of Texas, Texas A&M.

Always,

HMS