An Open Letter to Prospective UAT Students

An open letter to prospective students from University of Advancing Technology's (UAT) Director of High School Admissions and Cyber Security Master's Alumni, Robert Walker. 

Decision day for high school seniors marks the culmination of years of hard work, late nights of studying, and a rollercoaster of emotions. It's a pivotal moment where dreams, aspirations, and opportunities converge into a singular point: the choice of where to embark on the next chapter of their academic journey. Walker says, "Don't choose UAT unless you value the following 5 things:"

1. Real-World Learning

Most of your tests will actually be projects highlighting the work you put in. If you don’t enjoy creating, you won’t thrive here. At UAT, students enjoy around-the-clock access to cutting-edge technology, mentored education from industry experts. Additionally, students tackle real-world challenges through the Student Innovation Project (SIP), production studios, or internships, preparing them for leadership roles in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Professor and UAT Alum Derric Clark describes one real-world project UAT students were involved in "One of these was a virtual build of the Bank One Ballpark, now Chase Field, in full HMD driven Virtual Reality. This allowed the decision makers to sit in any seat and see what the view would be, how the advertising would look and what the experience in the ballpark would be."

2. Small Class Sizes

Our class sizes are small (14:1) which allows you a more focused learning format. While UAT can connect you to industry events, if you want University lectures with hundreds of people in the room, UAT isn’t for you. UAT Provost Dr. Dave Bolman describes this benefit: "We’re dedicated to your success. That dedication is reflected in the quality of teaching, proactive and thoughtful approach to advising, and one-on-one mentorship. Through this, all students will be prepared to create, innovate, and provide leadership in their chosen fields."

3. Internships

We require internships for all on-campus students. We want you to learn from employers and gain experience that will benefit you for a lifetime. If you’re afraid of gaining work experience while in college, please look elsewhere. At UAT, we pride ourselves on student success and that begins with internships, Alumnus Eric Link credits his education and internship at THQ PHX MoCap, allowing him to earn his role working on Avatar: The Way of Water. He states, "I was able to gain an internship with the THQ PHX mocap team which gave me real world experience in the Motion Capture (MoCap) industry. After the internship was over, I kept doing my schoolwork until I saw the first Avatar film which propelled advanced technology within the MoCap industry to where it inspired me to pursue a career in that field."  

4. Accelerated Education

UAT offers a year-round curriculum so that full-time students can graduate in less than three years (2 years and 8 months to be exact).  This allows you to join the workforce quicker and earn income sooner while also making lasting connections in the summer, through our year round format. If you want to stay in college forever, don’t even think about us. UAT Cyber Security Alum Hunter Autrey says "Without the help of UAT, the courses they offered, and the accelerated options, I would not be where I am today."

5. Family

Any staff or faculty will share that we’re a family at UAT and we will look out for students beyond your classes. We care about who you are, what you’re doing, and how we can learn to support you. If you’re not interested in an environment that fosters collaboration, feel free to look elsewhere. An 18-year veteran of UAT, Professor Craig Belanger described the UAT Family "UAT has given me a family, and when I walk onto this campus it's a second home, and it's been my second home for 18 years."

Ultimately, it’s your choice! Decision Day is on May 1st—which is the deadline for most seniors to make your final college choice! If you have found your fit at UAT—I encourage you to apply or enroll today to secure your seat with fellow future innovators!