FAQ

Who gets to drive?

Which team should I join?

Explore ALL 3 teams and join the team that fits best with your interests and schedule!

How much of a time commitment is LHR?

Truthfully, LHR is indeed a time commitment but the hours put vary from person to person.

Can I apply even if I’m not an Engineering major?

Yes! We look for highly motivated applicants as we teach you the skills required to succeed. Many members on our team who are on design teams are not engineering majors!

Do I need to have prior experience to applying?

How does your first year in LHR look?

New recruits join in the latter stage of the design cycle for teams. They assist in closing up design and preparing for design review. Typically, your first couple of weeks will be focused on learning engineering and design fundamentals either through lectures or beginner projects (depending on the system). Depending on the scope and length of the project, you may either follow that design all the way through its design process or bounce between projects at different steps. Typically around Thanksgiving break, you will transition into manufacturing and help integrate projects as the car is fully built. For mechanical systems, this means learning how to use the different machines in the machine shop (mills, CNC’s, lathes) and getting to make the parts you designed earlier in the lab. Most of the second semester is focused on manufacturing, and each car is respectively finished by Unveiling in April. Unveiling is where we unveil our new cars to everyone! The latter half of the semester consists of testing before competition and getting ready for competition. New members will help with and learn the process of writing testing plans, implementing, and then analyzing the results. At the end of the year, new members will have a chance to run for leadership positions. Throughout the year, their lead and system will onboard you and teach you the skills, principles, and justification for the decisions that have been made.

What about the social aspect of LHR?

Community is one of our pillars here at Longhorn Racing. Besides being a highly prestigious technical organization, we are also a family. Expect lots of fun at social gatherings and as part of the legendary LHR IM Sports teams. You are applying not only to be part of our organizational mission, but also a part of our supportive and community-driven collection of individuals. There is nothing LHR can't do when we are together.

What is asked in interviews?

It depends. Each system varies in their interview questions. You can expect technical questions.

What is trial workday? What should I expect?

Trial Workday is meant to give both you and the system a chance to get to know each other better in a closer environment. The activities during Trial Workday may differ from team to team. Typically, systems will introduce the current members and projects that the system has worked on. Afterwards there could be more hands-on activities like running the frame tests, pulling off parts of the car, or simply meeting with different members to learn more about specific projects that they worked on. This gives the chance for recruits to ask them questions and also experience a day in the life of LHR Members. Trial Workdays are all about helping recruits better understand the scope of the system. Recruits are expected to wear full pants and closed-toed shoes. Transportation (if necessary) will be arranged.

How long is the recruitment process? Why is this process so long?

Our process is 3 weeks long! We understand that this is a longer process than other organizations. A longer process ensures all applicants are thoroughly reviewed and fit for LHR.
Do not feel discouraged to apply to other clubs as we are aware we have a longer process that begins earlier and ends later than most other clubs' recruitment process.

What are we looking for?

Longhorn Racing is built by the engineers that build the car. We look for a willingness to learn and curiosity. Applicants that show a strong interest in learning and a willingness to be involved in our process are far more appealing to us than applicants with years of technical experience and zero interest in learning. We recommend tailoring your resume to what experience you have. Start with what you did in high school/college and be ready to explain that and how that would help you succeed in LHR. We also look for members who demonstrate leadership capabilities as we are a predominantly sophomore/junior run org so if you are interested in pursuing leadership in the future that also mention that in your application. The single biggest way to help your chance of joining a team is spending time at recruiting events and talking to leads, asking questions, and getting your face/name known. I can promise that we will remember the applicants that ask interesting questions or seem genuinely curious more than anything else. Don't be afraid to ask us questions! Ask the lead of the system(s) if you’re interested in learning more about that system.

How do I know when decisions will be released?

All decisions will be released at 5 PM on the specified days. We will post on our Instagram notifying applicants that the results are out. Applicants can then check the recruitment portal to view their results and what to do for further action. If you do not receive a decision by the EOD, then email longhornracingrecruitment@gmail.com . Please do not email beforehand. This excludes the decisions for trial workday which is released before the trial workday weekend. If you do not receive a decision within an hour, please contact us at the email address above.

Help! I am missing a decision!

As mentioned earlier, if you do not receive a decision by the EOD, then email longhornracingrecruitment@gmail.com . Please do not email beforehand. This excludes the decisions for trial workday which are released before the trial workday weekend. If you do not receive a decision within an hour, please contact us at the email address above.