“UTPB had the program that was the best fit for me.”
Braden Woody always dreamed of going to college, but starting the process can still feel overwhelming.
He’s a senior at Permian High School who started casually looking at programs during his junior year before ramping up the process as a senior. That’s when The University of Texas Permian Basin piqued his interest.
“I really became interested in UTPB when I started looking at programs and local colleges,” Braden said. “UTPB had the program that was the best fit for me.”
He’s been accepted to UTPB and will begin studying petroleum engineering in the fall of 2026, pursuing a career path he believes will provide long-term financial stability.
“The money and just that it’s a good, consistent job and there’s always work for it, especially in our area,” Braden said.
University leaders believe earning a degree can lead to stronger career prospects and lasting financial stability for students and their families.
“One of the reasons we’re so passionate about helping people come to college is because we know the outcome associated with completing a college degree is transformational for the individual and their family,” Dr. Becky Spurlock said.
Dr. Spurlock recommends students begin thinking about the college process during their sophomore or junior year. She says that’s the time to tour campuses, explore programs, ask questions, and learn how to better prepare for scholarship opportunities.
If you’re worried it’s too late to start the process, don’t be. UTPB’s admissions process is designed to help students at any stage.
“One of the things we really pride ourselves on here at UTPB is that we have rolling application deadlines,” Dr. Spurlock said. “We have a lot of students who apply and take care of everything during the summer before starting in the fall.”
Braden’s mom is a UTPB alumna, so he had some help navigating the process, but he said applying to become a Falcon was simple. “They don’t have confusing questions. It’s really straightforward,” Braden said. “It’s really easy to do, and they help you out a lot along the way.”
UTPB accepts both ApplyTexas and Common App to make the application process simpler for students.
If you’re a high school student considering your next step, it’s never too early or too late to start thinking about college. One piece of advice from Dr. Spurlock: once you begin the process, make sure to check your email regularly.
Ready to join the flock? Explore UTPB’s degree programs and apply today.
