My biggest problem is that I really, really want to be a longhorn, but my GPA/rank is low due to going to one of, if not the, most competitive high schools in the state and expect to be given the CAP. That being said, my high test scores/ECs/etc seem to have gotten me past engineering review at TAMU, and I got excepted for general engineering.
I know TAMU is one of the best engineering schools in the nation and only marginally worse than UT, but i dislike the idea of going to such a conservative school, especially considering that I’m not white. I keep reading/hearing from students about how many of the people there aren’t going to say anything explicitly racist, but generally try their best to avoid interacting with minorities.
I like UT exponentially more than TAMU.
UH has a good honors college and would cost around $4k a year, but I would have to commute from home, which is something I would hate to do because I really would like to dorm. If college really is going to be the best four years of my life, my experience from the last four years tell me that it won’t be if I stay at home.
I’m 100% confident I can make it to UT through CAP at UTSA, but I’m not sure how hard it would be to get to the engineering college because CAP only guarantees a liberal arts major.
Should I suck it up and just go to TAMU? Should I just go to UH to save a whole lot of money? Should I got to UTSA so I can CAP and definitely go to UT?
If you go CAP understand that getting into UTSA is not a given. It is the first school to max out on CAP students. You never posted your stats but I assuming they are very good since you got into A&M. TAMU may be conservative but this does not mean you will be a outcast. If I were you I would probably go to A&M to see if I like it. If not you can always transfer to UT. Stellar grades at A&M would get you into UT engineering faster than CAP or UofH. Goodluck with your decision.
Can you dorm at UH? Their honors dorm is great and it’s be worth it at least your first year since it’d be cheaper than other options yet would allow you some growth. Many students take the money for the University near home, provided they can dorm and have a ‘residential college experience’.
In addition, you could try to transfer into engineering from UH.
TAMU and UH (with Honors) are polar opposite programs. TAMU is a giant (and getting bigger) machine that churns out engineers with little emotion. It has great school spirit (almost cultish) and lots of fun around game time. UH with Honors is much smaller, very nurturing, and they are committed to your success. As I wrote in another thread…
"The Honors College has a section of the MD Anderson Library - this is their own private space within the University that has classrooms, workrooms, computer labs, guidance offices, and a well appointed lounge. The Dean of Honors spoke to the group. He was genuine and gave off a paternal vibe. He has a son at Honors and is proud of that. A few additional administrators and faculty spoke and gave the same caring, nurturing message. They mentioned their top ten rank in John Wilingham’s Top Honors book about a hundred times - good for them.
I was very impressed with the design of the Honors College curriculum and how it is FULLY integrated with the student’s major. S will need to take many core courses for engineering and he will be able to take them in the Honors College - for example Accelerated Calc 2 & 3, which briefly reviews Calc 1, then moves on the Calc 2 & 3 over the course of two semesters. These classes will have 25 Honors students max, compared to 200+ at the regular college. Same is true for Intro to Engineering, Physics, and Chemistry. The Honors College does not have a boatload of “extra” work for the students - they just truly enhance the courses required for all students. Honors students have the option live together in a relatively new dorm for their first and second year. The housing facilities were good (not great) but getting better."
You should give UH another look and consider living in the honors dorm as @MYOS1634 suggested.
Is A&M actually somewhat racist? I did visit it once and the Mc.Donald way down the street was full of Asian people (I’m Asian and I kind of understand why) while everywhere else is nothing but white. I didn’t think much of it a the moment, and I don’t really think a college as big as A&M can be racist in any form, but can someone that went there tell me how it actually is? Is there any hidden racism?
UH is Tier One now, along with UT, A&M and Rice. My daughter went to a summer UH honors program (engineering and creative writing.) They have a great space up in the library, priority registration (not a small thing at big universities.) Lots of scholarships, support, study abroad money. Good integration with Houston business and engineering jobs.
I worked in Houston engineering/construction, pipelines, oil services, Fortune 100 companies. They all hired UH engineers and business people. You could get paid internships and/or coop.
If minority, consider INROADS for very nice paid internships with Fortune 100 companies.
I’m an Aggie (MS, '91) and I take issue with your mischaracterization of Texas A&M. Yes, A&M is more conservative that UT, but it’s a large school with more diversity than you think. The engineering program is on par with, if not superior to, UT’s. Try to look past your biases.