Texas is a long way from Parth Thakkar’s home in Naperville, Illinois. Yet Parth, a Canfield BHP freshman, quickly adjusted to life as a Texas Longhorn, and he now works as a campus tour guide to encourage prospective students to join us at UT. In this role, Parth enjoys sharing his enthusiasm and UT pride with those on his tour to help them fall in love with the Forty Acres.
Read on to learn more about Parth’s experience as an out-of-state student and his work as a tour guide!
1.) Why did you initially decide to commit to UT and Canfield BHP?
The first time I visited UT for Discover Canfield BHP, I’d had a rough night’s sleep the night before in my cousin’s dorm room, followed by a long day and another late flight back home. Honestly in that time, I’d been more focused on keeping my eyes open than thinking about the next four years of my life. However, I later got to know more about Canfield BHP’s opportunities and resources, and after talking to several high school alumni currently at UT, I decided to commit. I’m glad to say I did, as I’ve grown to love everything about UT, from the wonderful weather (most of the year) to the lively city, as well as all of the people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet.
2.) What has it been like adapting to college life as an out-of-state student?
I was definitely worried about the social scene coming into college; I knew only one other person from my high school attending UT. However, this worry quickly dissolved during the first week of classes and events as I got to know most of my Canfield BHP class and many other students from around the country, especially Texas. It has also been nice to be able to visit home in Naperville from time to time, as seeing my family and friends has definitely helped with the transition.
3.) What does a typical day as a Canfield BHP student look like for you?
For my first semester, my days would typically be split into four parts. In the mornings and afternoons, I would either go to classes or give tours, depending on the day. In between, I had a two hour break, which is when I liked to hit Gregory Gymnasium, get lunch, and start doing work for my classes. The last block, evenings, entirely depended on the day. It would range anywhere from staying in and reading a book to taking a bus down to Zilker Park to see the lights with my friends.
4.) With one semester done so far, which class has been your favorite?
About a minute into the first day of class, I had decided I was going to drop my UGS. I’d walked in a few seconds late, and it seemed as if I’d already missed an entire lecture on climate change. However, despite my determination to drop, I eventually decided to give it a second chance. That ended up being a great decision, as it soon became my favorite class of the semester. From late night study sessions to remixing “Shut Up and Dance” – Sustaining a Planet version, I made both memories and friends I’ll remember for a long time to come.
5.) You’ve recently started work as a campus tour guide for the UT Office of Admissions. Why did you decide to become a tour guide, and what’s your favorite part of the job?
The energy I’d been met with while touring many different campuses was one I’d grown to truly admire. Whether it was Stanford or UCSB, all of the guides had shown incredible enthusiasm and obvious affection for their school, and it was because of them that I’d fallen in love with the places I’d visited. I knew that I wanted to spread that same enthusiasm and affection to future students no matter where I ended up going, and to this day that remains the highlight of every one of my tours.
6.) While on tour, what advice do you give to prospective out-of-state students regarding college admissions?
I strongly believe in the idea that everyone ends up where they’re meant to be, which is what I tell high school students who come to visit UT. However, I know decisions also reflect the work students have done, so I advise them to show that work and to let their enthusiasm speak for itself, and I tell them that as long as they allow their excitement to come through in writing, they’ve put themselves in a good position.