I wouldn't say far, far to the OP. I do realize he is well-intended. (just perhaps a little lazy?) I would say it's a nice option and if you want to get a reputable education, go to Rice or UT-Texas or even Baylor if you're talking Texas.
We have a litany of good schools in Texas, really. But it seems like the bigger ones like UT and even the Ivy League wannabes like Rice produce more reputable scholars, if that's what you're going for. It is indeed what they push you to do. In Austin, we have Texas school for the Deaf and they all speak ASL. It might even be the largest, deaf school in the state. That's a small staple of their program.But they have a great sign language program, almost any language you'd want to speak, they'll be keeping it alive. And their linguistics program is top-notch. It's probably not the same place you got your 4.0 from. But if you're coming to learn, I would go with Texas, just because they have so much talented staff. And I can vouch for it.
But be forewarned, it is a research university....
I'm sure some guys on here can tell you about Arlington and, like any school, it's probably where some went. It's not necessarily indicative of anything anyway. I would guess it's like any other place, the people you're around rub off on you. At least that's the goal.
Good luck. And since I'm a lit major, I can't help but throw a tomato at you on you're way out, linguistics dork.
*Bmmfff
