Hundreds of incoming Longhorns from schools across Texas spent a day on campus during the Youth Engagement Center’s (YEC) annual Longhorn Preview Day, held on March 8.  Throughout the day, they participated in various activities to get acquainted with their new school, including info sessions on academic readiness, admissions and financial aid. The high school seniors also learned about the many resources available within the DDCE and other units and centers across campus that will put them on the path to success.

The students are all participants in the YEC, which serves in targeted high schools in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. All participants have been admitted to UT Austin for the fall 2023 semester.

Students begin their day at the Texas Union Ballroom, where they learned about various programs and resources offered by the DDCE including Global Leadership and Social Impact, the Fearless Leadership Institute, the Multicultural Engagement Center, the Latina/x and Indigenous Leadership Institute and more.

The incoming Longhorns take in the sights as they traverse the sprawling campus, where they visited admissions and financial aid advisers and toured multiple buildings and residence halls.

Students previewed their future living quarters at various residence halls including Jester, San Jacinto and Kinsolving.

Students shop for burnt orange swag and peruse the bookstore at the UT Co-op on Guadalupe Street.

In keeping with the annual tradition, the students concluded their day with photos by the Littlefield Fountain with the tower looming in the background. Big thanks to the Office of Admissions, Enrollment Management, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, the DDCE’s Office of the Vice President, and many other campus partners for making this a memorable day for our future Longhorns!

More about the Youth Engagement Center

A long-standing program within the DDCE’s Longhorn Center for School Partnerships, the YEC works to enrich the educational and professional pursuits of underrepresented students through intentional programming, experiences and relationships designed to grow leaders who will change the world. Visit the YEC website for more information.

Photography by Bret Brookshire and Abbie Bard