Ultimately my goal is to graduate from UT Austin or TAMU with an engineering degree, most likely computer engineering. I have 4 options that I have right now due to the fact that I did not get accepted into either. I dont think that I am dumb, but I made a lot of mistakes while in high school. I sat back and did not worry as long as I was above average due to the fact that I did not know exactly how difficult it was to get into those two schools. I can go to Texas Tech and transfer to UT or TAMU as soon as possible if I have a good GPA.
*I can do the CAP program with UT and have assured admission but I wont be guaranteed admission into my major of choice.
*I can go to UTD and transfer to UT or TAMU like I would if i went to Tech if I have a good GPA. However, I would not have to pay for room and board.
*Lastly I can do the Blinn TEAM program where,like UT, I will be guaranteed admission but not to my major of choice.
I am the first one in my family to go to college in the US so any help on what I should do is greatly appreciated.
The chance of you making it to TAMU or UT engineering as a transfer is super low. Furthermore, per UT, transfer students usually take 6-7 semesters to graduate. How would you pay for the extra semesters?
Both UTD and Texas Tech have strong engineering programs, although UTD has fewer majors. Choose the one you like best and that has your major and study hard and get your degree there.
Transferring to UT or AM as engineering student is just about impossible. Pick your school based on your current needs because this is the place you will likely spend your four years.
Not only is engineering going to be tough to transfer into at UT and TAMU, but computer engineering will be almost impossible. If that is your goal, pick the school that admitted you into the program.
Attend UTD or Tech - if Tech is affordable, perhaps pick that since you’ll have the on campus experience (even if it’s probably not in the Fall).
(Blinn or CAP’ed students don’t transfer into Engineering.)
Get the book The naked roommate by Harlan Cohen. Lots of good advice to prepare for college.
Review precalculus, calculus, and physics through Khan Academy. Aim for 90+% mastery. You’ll need it for engineering. (Engineers can’t really afford to build something that only 90% works…)
You should pick a school based up on a 4 year plan, not as a temporary launch pad to a better college as it may not happen or you yourself may not want the disruption of transfer. If things work out and you still want to transfer then by all means do that.