<p>My son is attending UTSA this fall (2009) as part of the CAP program since he didn't get into UT-Austin. I wish there was more information on UTSA, since we are not very familiar with the school. If anyone out there knows anything about dorms, professors, fraternities and all that sort of thing, please post here and share any info you may have. Also, are there any other students who will be freshmen (or their parents) at UTSA next year, let me know what you are hearing.</p>
<p>Hey, I just replied to the other thread but I will to this too.</p>
<p>UTSA is actually not so bad, ecspecially for CAP students. Really nice facilities and dorms. Also, CAP students have the chance to get a really high GPA to get into their college of choice at UT. </p>
<p>Professors vary A LOT, which can be annoying. RateMyProfessor.com is crucial! Some teachers are “blow off” while others make it very hard. As long as you look a teacher up it should be easy.</p>
<p>Living: I would say as a CAP student, live on campus. Most of the people that live off campus are upperclassmen. Though it is cheaper and still close to live off campus, there are definitely more distractions and more preparation in getting up & driving/taking the bus to school. Laural/Chap (top pics), then University Oaks…and Chisolm is EHHH. The only reason why I think that website stated that CAP students live there is because maybe the other ones were full. University Oaks is good because you get a full kitchen but they are a little grungy and old.</p>
<p>Fraternities: I have heard some people have fun in them but they definitely do not “rule the school” like UT Greek Life is. UTSA has more of a formal rush where they probably want every guy that walks by (unlike UT), but your son should definitely check it out and see if he likes it. They don’t really “party” because they don’t have houses; which means everyone has to drive… which is what makes UT great…yeah they have parties but everyone can walk everywhere.</p>
<p>Food: Meal plan! Roadrunner cafe has GREAT food served everyday. The “roadrunner bucks” can also be used at the Taco Cabana, Chik-Fil-A, Einstein Bagels, etc on campus! The campus even has a Starbucks.</p>
<p>Weekends: Where are you from? Weekends can be boring. Most CAP students go to their home town. There are parties but most are not too fun and often get busted.</p>
<p>Parking: If you live off campus and commute…parking SUCKS! On campus parking can be a hassle as well. </p>
<p>Car: I would say, yes, you need a car. A lot of parents feel that college is the time in life where you don’t need a car. I know at UT you don’t, but at UTSA, YOU DO. If not, you will feel isolated to the school. At UT you can walk anywhere, at UTSA the only place you can walk is on campus.</p>
<p>Anything else? ;)</p>
<p>Not a UTSA thread, but this was a nice thread about CAP in general started by someone who went to UT Arlington.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-texas-austin/315713-message-all-cap-kids.html?highlight=UTSA[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-texas-austin/315713-message-all-cap-kids.html?highlight=UTSA</a></p>
<p>This is very helpful information – just what I was looking for! Thanks so much for sharing.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that UTSA is the best school for CAP students because it’s really easy.</p>
<p>^That may be partly true, but I think most people choose UTSA because it is relatively close to Austin/UT.</p>
<p>My son is also looking to UTSA. He has been accepted to UTSA, WTAMU and Stephen F Austin (also Concordia Austin). His first choice is UTSA.</p>
<p>I’m pretty excited about him going to UTSA. I’ve been on campus a couple of times and seems like very new, modern and nice facilities. I’ve also looked at WTAMU and while nice, not to the scale of UTSA or as mordern. He was close, but didn’t get accepted to Texas State, but to be honest, I like UTSA better then Texas State. Oh San Marcos is great, but as far as schools go I really like UTSA.</p>
<p>Am I wrong or does it seem like they are in a growing spurt? My son likes the idea of both staying at UTSA or maybe going up to Austin as a Sophemore. Nice having options!</p>
<p>I’m also having an issue with if son should take a car or not. I’d like him not to have a car the first semester, just to get use to school and not have to worry about a car. The parking keeping gas in it, problems with it, etc.</p>
<p>Anyway…looking for more information or any real reason he shouldn’t go to UTSA. Yea, I’ve read some no great things about it, but also I’ve talked to a half dozen students who are enjoying their time there.</p>
<p>Having a car would make his experience better I think personally. Especially if he intends on staying there for 4 years. But also it really depends on his personality.</p>
<p>UT you can walk or find transportation. UTSA is not the same way, nothing is really in walking distance besides the school and I guess the mall across the street…even though most people wouldn’t want to walk there.</p>
<p>UTSA has great facilities and is very large (30,000) so he is bound to find people. A LOT of the freshmen are CAP students though and a lot do have negative feelings about UTSA b/c they want to be at UT. </p>
<p>And yes, UTSA is growing a lot. They are getting a lot of UT money to try to become a tier one university. In 2011 they get a football team and they are trying a lot for the school to become better.</p>
<p>Reasons not to go: There is not really a lot that is wrong with it. It just is not on the same level as UT and that is why it gets a lot of smack talk about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information! I just found out (by this thread) about the CAP program. I didn’t know anything about it. My son is midly interested in going to UT. One if his best friends is going there. But really he just likes Austin and the music scene. But he has already done some research and while not Austin, Nashville or LA, San Antonio certainly has a lot of options. </p>
<p>At this point I don’t think he will do the CAP program. He didn’t apply to UT as he knew he would not get accepted. He might look at just a regular transfer, but I think he will like it in SA once he gets settled.</p>
<p>In my limited, uneducated observation, it does look like UTSA is trying to move up. Their gym facility it just amazing! My son has a membership to a health club, but that facility is nicer then ANY health club I have been in. And that is just one example. So much is new and it is all clean and wall maintained. Lots of new construction going on.</p>
<p>Any other advise about UTSA? We need to make a “final” decision soon. We have it narrowed to UTSA or WTAMU (West Texas A&M University). There are somethings I like about both. But UTSA sure seems a lot more modern and has a lot nicer facilities.</p>
<p>Given what was has already been posted above regarding UTSA, the deciding factor seems to be what type of city/town your son wishes to attend college in, e.g. an urban setting in San Antonio or a small college setting in Canyon. Also, from what I’ve read about UTSA, they are getting closer to becoming a tier one university and were designated, along with six other universities, by the Texas legislature for additional research money to help meet that criteria. WTAMU was not on that list.</p>
<p>Any advice on easy and/or enjoyable classes you have taken? I am looking to boost my GPA for next year.</p>
<p>I had several friends who went to UTSA and I have been on campus there several times. You won’t get bored there. There’s a track and field on campus and there’s always kids around wanting to play flag football, frisbee, or whatever. The dining area is good, a friend of mine swiped me in there once on his plan while I was passing through San Antonio. Plenty of people to meet if you stay out on campus or if you join organizations.</p>
<p>I think overall it’s better than going to a community college if you’re planning on going to UT. The problem with UTSA though is that the administration sucks, registration can be a hassle, and it’s probably not a great school to be at socially if you’re not a CAP student.</p>
<p>txex86, UTSA won’t be a tier one university. The State of Texas thinks all it takes is to throw money around, but there is more to it than that.</p>
<p>Sdallnct, don’t even consider WTAMU if you don’t live near Canyon. WTAMU is just a regional university for Panhandle kids who can’t move away from home for whatever reason. It’s not a bad school but I don’t think it’ll suit your purposes.</p>
<p>In response to the above post, UTSA is NOT a notch above a community college. It is a legitimate school which has accreditation and is recognized by many institutions for its college programs.</p>
<p>As a former CAP student now entering UT-Austin heres what I like about UTSA:</p>
<p>A.) The staff is friendly and willing to help you out unlike UT-Austin whoose staff gives an immpression as if they don’t give a hoot about you and could care less about your needs.</p>
<p>B.) Small school so its easy to get to class without having to hurry and the shuttle service is excellent.</p>
<p>C.) There are a ton of groups and sports to participate in and there Rec center is brand new and probably better then most health clubs Iv’e been to.</p>
<p>D.) Classes are amazing and there are many qualified, award-winning professors who teach at UTSA.</p>
<p>C.) The process of registration and doing other school related things online (paying tution, fin aid, etc.) is easy and the website is better organized and updated daily unlikt UT-Austin’s website.</p>
<p>Of course it lacks the big time football team (they just started that program) and the music scene and San Antonio is worlds away from where Austin is in terms of overall scenery and overall looks (but its our state capital, so of course).</p>
<p>I’m not trying to hate on UT-Austin b/c its been my dream to go there but there are some things I liked about UTSA better then UT-Austin (or from what iv’e seen).</p>
<p>Good Luck to you at UTSA!</p>
<p>I agree about the staff’s willingness to help. On the several occasions when I had questions, I got an immediate response from e-mails, or was connected directly by phone to the person I needed to talk to. Yes, the recreational facilities are top-notch.</p>
<p>AAli, what were some of your favorite classes/professors at UTSA?</p>
<p>Gabriela Gonzalez - Civil War to Present, gave a unique perspective on history and also taught me some stuff that Iv’e never read about, excellent, easy teacher.</p>
<p>Stacy Noll - Pre-Columbus to Civil War, kinda’ tough but her knowledge of history well blow you away and she also brings in civil war actors and they show you all the weapons and life of a soldier.</p>
<p>Sean Beatty - College Alg/also teaches Calc I, Good teacher who is willing to help students who are weak at math and his patience is amazing. Students would ask some of the stupidest questions and yet he would take his time to answer the question, highly recommended.</p>
<p>(Ret.) Col. Mavis “Jim” Startin - TX Politics, His class is like going to a stand up comedians routine, very funny and its an easy laid-back kind of class.</p>
<p>I’ll add more profs when I get the time, I’m kinda’ busy but the above mentioned professors are some of the best!</p>
<p>Thanks! Too bad I’ve already taken Texas Politics, sounds like fun. Mine was deadly dull.</p>
<p>Great information! I really appreciate it. No doubt my son would rather go to San Antonio then Canyon. Surprisingly, out of his class of 50 (he went to a small private HS) there are three going to WTAMU! And none going to UTSA! Now one got an athletic scholarship and another wants to study horse management, but still. </p>
<p>I’m somewhat interested in the CAP program. He has expressed an interest in UT-Austin, but I really don’t think it is for him. However, I do want to keep his options open. Are there any negatives to being in the CAP program and then not transferring? He has not applied to UT-Austin. </p>
<p>I’m not concerned with Tier one or anything. There is no doubt in my mind after two visits, talking to many and research that they are trying to improve. And I think that is great! I think it will be great to be on the ground floor of the football program. </p>
<p>We have pretty much eliminated Stephen F Austin. So it will come down to WTAMU or UTSA. I’m thinking though the only way he goes to WTAMU is if there is a shot of him getting in the music department. I think the music-management degree would be idea for him. And while he plays around on the guitar, he has never had a lesson or played in HS. I know UTSA offers the same degree, but I’ve already talked to them and pretty sure he has no shot in the music department with them.</p>
<p>Thanks so much. I feel like we made so many mistakes in getting him prepared and looking and now trying to catch up. Learning a lot for the next child though…LOL</p>
<p>Sdallnct-Only Texas residents who have applied for admission to UT are eligible for CAP. You cannot apply directly to CAP. In other words, if he is about to be a freshman, and did not apply to UT Austin, then he cannot be in CAP.</p>