Students with significant others and families don't need to leave them out of the MBA experience. There are numerous resources available to you through The University of Texas at Austin and McCombs School of Business that can help you transition to life in Austin and at UT.
Students and Significant Others
For those of you who have a spouse, significant other, or family joining you in Austin, the Students and Significant Others (SAS) organization provides support and social activities to introduce MBAs to Austin and to other McCombs couples and families.
SAS usually has about 50 couples per class, and it's one of the most active and resourceful clubs at McCombs. It offers Texas MBA students the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and build a network of people sharing the same experiences. Before you arrive, SAS can help you find more information about buying or renting a home, finding a job, childcare options, medical care, and help answer any questions you may have about Austin and the surrounding area. Once you've arrived, SAS will continue to help make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Events
SAS wants to help make the transition as smooth as possible for your family by providing opportunities for you to build relationships with other students and significant others at McCombs. SAS officers are always planning events that cater to every type of member. The events vary and depend on the interests of the members, but past events have included game nights, movie nights, and nights out on the town. Additionally, SAS hosts an annual "Finals Getaway" during the first semester's finals, which is a great way to get out of the house and let the students study.
Special Groups Within SAS
Little Longhorns
The Little Longhorns club is specifically for MBA students and their children. It provides an opportunity for families in the McCombs community to connect, set play dates, help when you are welcoming a new child into the family, and share childcare for those rare date nights. The club organizes weekly events to get families involved with one another.
SAS International
SAS International provides a group for students and significant others from outside the U.S., or those that are just interested in learning more about other cultures. The group has a variety of regularly scheduled events, including weekly lunches, international dessert nights, and henna parties.
SAS Connections
SAS Connections isn't just the place to look for helpful tips on finding a job, it's also the place to help you locate rental properties, get involved with the Austin community, and find other helpful information.
SAS Men
SAS recognizes that an increasing number of student partners are male. The SAS Men's group seeks to provide a fun and inclusive environment for this important group of significant others. SAS Men get together for events such as Monday Night Football, College GameDay, poker night, and various happy hours at locations around Austin.
Child Care
As a graduate student you are eligible to use The University of Texas Child Development Center; a program caring for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. You must apply for the service and will be placed on a waiting list according to the date of your application.
There are several other daycare option near the UT campus. We recommend visiting each center and speaking to someone on site to determine the best fit for your family. While the University does not endorse any particular program, University United Methodist Church, St. Luke's Infant Care Center, and Starbright Preschool are a few of the nearby options.
You may also want to consider visiting the Texas Department of Family and Protective Serves (DFPS). DFPS provides a list of all licensed child care providers by zip code to help you search for a part-tine caregiver for your child. If you need financial assistance for child care, you can contact Work Source Austin.
Local Schools
The Austin Independent School District provides excellent public schooling options. The district and public school your children attend is determined by where you live. To quickly identify your designated school, AISD has provided a helpful tool for finding your school assignment by residential address. A comprehensive list of elementary, middle, and high schools in the Austin area is also available on their website.
Other local school districts include Eanes ISD and Round Rock ISD.