I was given the cap program offer after applying to UT for Biology. The schools I was accepted to are St. Edward’s, Southwestern, Trinity, Texas State, and A&M and I didn’t apply anywhere else.
I considered St. Edward’s and Trinity but I’m realizing I don’t want such a heavily liberal arts education. I’d rather not go to A&M, I don’t think I would fit in being liberal.
So my options besides those schools are do the CAP program and try to get into biology, go to ACC and try to transfer after a year, or I could try to reapply to UT for the Spring semester(someone please tell me if this is a good idea?), although I don’t know how effective that would be. I had good stats, 3.9 gpa, 1510, and I’m currently a senior at the UT High School although I don’t know if they even knew that from my application… or if it matters lol.
I’m just realizing I really do not like any of my options, which has me freaking out a bit. I really want to stay close to Austin, but I want a solid biology education that’s not an afterthought at a liberal arts college. UT was my dream school and I never saw this coming… I tried appealing once but I don’t think I really gave the best reasons that I could have and it was rejected.
@JoannaMcD just curious, what is the UT high school?
If you decide to apply for spring semester, DON’T TAKE ANY COLLEGE CLASSES! Then you can be evaluated as an incoming freshman. If you take classes, you will be a transfer applicant. I believe it’s easier to get admitted as an incoming freshman applying for spring admission than a transfer applicant. My friend’s daughter was accepted for spring admission at UT. She was nowhere near top 7% and would probably not have been accepted if she applied for fall admission with thousands of other high school students.
What CAP schools are still open? I heard UTSA filled up quickly.
Good luck whatever you choose to do.
@FloMoMom thanks for your response!
UT High School is a public high school they own, with all the classes being online and exams taken on campus.
Is it worth it to wait a semester for the possibility of UT? Are there lots of admits in the spring? I worry because biology is sometimes competitive and I don’t know if it would be worth it if I’d get rejected…
All CAP schools except UTSA are open as of yesterday when I checked.
@JoannaMcD Have you been to visit Trinity, Southwestern or St. Edward’s? I don’t get the sense that science is just an afterthought at these schools. I was especially impressed with the Center for the Sciences & Innovation at Trinity.
Do you plan to go to grad school? If so, you could go to a smaller liberal arts school for undergrad and then the larger research university for grad school.
Best wishes on your decision!
Texas State has a nice balance of Liberal and Conservative and you’re only 30 minutes from Austin, which makes the move a lot easier if you get into UT. A lot of CAP students end up staying there anyway because it’s a super friendly school. The downside…lots of hills. Bring walking shoes!
First of all, wow congrats! A 1510 is great. Did you just not end up in the top 7%? Or maybe from a school that doesn’t rank? I’m also a senior who was offered CAP. I accepted and will be going to UTSA next year. Have you visited St. Ed’s? I really liked the campus. It is very pretty. They also give out good financial aid. I just don’t think I’d like the small classes. If you want to stay in Austin, one option is to go to St. Ed’s for a year and then try to transfer to UT. ACC would probably be a lot more affordable though. I think that you should just look at all of your options and go with whatever you think you will be happiest with. People told me and keep telling me that I should just go to A&M (no way that will ever happen). Also, a lot of people tell me that CAP isn’t a good idea. I’m definitely happy with my decision, I hope that you will be with yours too. Good luck!
@TexasExMom @coolguy40 @sjtx1366 Thank you for your responses!!
I guess I’m leaning towards St. Edward’s, I actually do like the campus. And considering I’ll probably go to grad school, I could always try to go to UT for that. Or I might try to transfer to UT if I’m not happy at St. Ed’s.
And @sjtx1366 yes, I was around 14% out of 700 people at the school I was at junior year. I think it was just a very intense academic environment haha.
And I think CAP really just isn’t right for me haha. But I’m sure you will be successful in yours, UTSA should be really great!
Wow, a 1510 and top 14% and not getting into UT? I met a guy in New Orleans whose son went to St Ed’s and daughter went to LSU. The son is now in Rice’s MBA program. Trinity would be a great option for biology and is an okay size and liberal enough. Good luck!
As a CAP student who just completed freshman year, I would say that you’re best off taking St. Edwards or elsewhere. CAP was a good program to be a part of, but you have a fantastic SAT score and other things that you’ve accomplished which leads me to believe that CAP would not be the right choice for you and that a transfer for sophomore year or pursuing grad school there would be the better choice.
Also, if you don’t want a heavily liberal arts education, CAP would not be the best route considering it only guarantees acceptance into the school of liberal arts. It’s very hard to transfer into another college with UT anyway.