geez, this is a tough decision...

<p>I moved to canada from texas about 5 years ago and i've had my heart set on being a longhorn all my life. i've been accepted to the university of georgia, university of florida and the UT Cap program...i don't know what to do. Does anyone happen to know anything about the cap program? Doesn't everyone get accepted to it? I don't know what to do because UT austin is my dream school but florida and georgia are good schools too. what do you guys think?</p>

<p>first of all relax..breathe.</p>

<p>Now, my advice is you consider ALL aspects.
Why don't you make a table and put three columns for three schools and rate them individually for specific characters such as academics, social life...etc..weigh them according to your preference and then see which scores high.....that is one way of "mathematically" solving your problem..</p>

<p>UT Austins a good school and u would get really good tuition...But what is CAP?</p>

<p>basically i was offered to attend one of UT austin's smaller schools (UT san antonio, UT arlington..etc.) for my freshman year and if maintain a 3.2 gpa i'm automatically admitted to UT austin for my sophmore year.</p>

<p>I have many friends who were capped and went to UTSA or UTD for a year and then transferred to UT Austin. Some only had to go for a semester! </p>

<p>UT Austin is one of the best public schools in the nation, right up with UVA. The alumni networks you'll build are really amazing. A degree from UT is worth much more than a degree from UF or Georgia, and in my opinion, Austin is the ultimate college town. I think it would definitely be worth it to tough it out in San Antonio or Dallas for a year and then transfer to Austin. As I said, I have seriously a dozen or so friends who have done this, and they're all very happy with their decision.</p>

<p>Being a Longhorn really runs deep. Think about it--do you ever think you could get over NOT being a Texas Ex?</p>

<p>All great schools but UT is better IMO but I am biased since I'm a Longhorn. If you do decide to do CAP, I would choose UTSA over UTD - I don't think UT-Arlington is an option, is it?</p>

<p>danfromcanada - All three are excellent flagship public universities. If you haven't already visited the schools, try to do so...or at least your top two. Unless you just can't wait to be in Austin, consider that the CAP program exists at UT-Austin because with 38,000 undergraduates (and another 13,000 graduate students), they just don't have room for all the bodies. So in effect you are "farmed out" to other UT System colleges to wait your turn to join the masses in Austin. UT-Austin is terrific; its alumni network fabulous; and many academic programs are first rate. But you have to really want it a lot if you are a CAP student versus two excellent universities that have said "Come on Board". Also, consider where you might want to start your career. If it's Texas, then being a Longhorn can't be beat. However, if you are considering the Southeast, then either University of Florida or Georgia is the place to go. (Having lived in Atlanta, being a Georgia Bulldog is tops.)</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for that lonestar dad, that was actually really helpful. My family is really pushing for me to go to Texas but I'm not so sure. They don't know that much about the university of Georgia or Florida so they're kind of skeptical. One of the things I find attractive about doing the CAP program is that I'd be able to take all of the freshman "weed out" courses at an easier school. I'm kind of hesitant about going to a smaller school though just because hmmm well I kind of feel "above" UT san antonio (I think it's fair to say you're above a school that accepts 99% of all applicants). I guess it's better than getting flat out rejected though. I'll just have to look over my options and make a decision.</p>

<p>danfromcanada - My family and I have lived a lot of places in my life (including San Antonio). If you possibly can, fly with one parent to Atlanta, rent a car, and go visit the University of Georgia in Athens. I love Texas (my kids and wife are from here), but both my wife and I miss the greenery, trees, and rolling hills of Georgia. As you know, UTSA can't hold a candle to the University of Georgia (even for a year or two) as it is primarily a commuter school. Having two great schools in Georgia and Florida where you can get a full four years of all the experiences they have to offer versus establishing yourself (and friends) at one school and then uprooting to go to another seems a harder combination. Having family in Texas (with your grandmother in Houston - I've lived there too) definitely is a plus factor for UT. You're right...it's a tough one.</p>