I got waitlisted and an offer to join the PACE program at UT Austin. I also got into UTD with a full ride. If I were majoring in Computer Science I would have definitely chosen the latter; however, because I want to major in mechanical engineering, I am not really sure if I should still go to UTD or take up PACE and struggle to get into UT Austin’s revered engineering program. Because I am in-state I am not really worried about the tuition at UT Austin (although it doesn’t hurt to save money), but I do want to make sure that I major in mechanical engineering. Factors like uncertainty about transferring to UT’s engineering school and graduating from UTD’s novel engineering school are really making it difficult for me to decide between the two. I am in turmoil and cannot think clearly. Any insight and help will be greatly appreciated! thanks! 
My student accepted PACE last year. So far so good. Honestly, it has been up and down. There are problems with the program but administration is trying to work it all out. The question you need to ask yourself is, Is UT Austin what you want? Or is Engineering more important? It is very hard to gauge quite yet how these students will actually do with getting into the majors of their choice. They have applied and will be informed about this in July. Until then we will not know what the statistics will be about their success in transferring to their first choice in major. A lot of the PACE students are interested in the business and engineering programs. This makes it important to be at the top of the group in GPA during your freshman year.
With that said, if you are comfortable with a major in Liberal Arts then it is a great way to be a Longhorn. It seems that there are no real issues with other UT students treating you differently. You should plan to live on campus so that you can feel like a true part of the freshman class.
Many students change their mind about a major once they begin. I was told 80 percent do so at least once. I understand that this is true of the UT freshman as well. So, if you have other interests or other possible majors in mind it can be a good choice for you. If not, then you have got to weigh this very carefully.
@babound did your student go Greek? Just trying to get a grip on if there is a “stigma” to PACE? Thanks.
My student did not choose to go Greek. My student choose to concentrate on GPA this year. If it is important to
you, I believe that there probably some policy about the Greek life and PACE, I just don’t know for sure.
In most other respects, there has not been an issue integrating well with other students at UT. There appears to be several other freshman programs on campus. No one seems to care much about how you get in. You are not placed with other PACE students in the dorms or in your first year signature course.