I am volunteering to help a first gen student with the college search process. The Texas student has their heart set on UT Austin but is in the top 7% of their class so they don’t qualify for the top 6%auto admit. They will still apply but I want to come up with some other suggestions for them ideally within 3 hrs of Houston. They like that it was a big school but it is the only school they have seen in person.
There are a lot of other public universities in Texas that could work - what major/field are they thinking of going in to? Here are some schools that can fit within that 3 hour range
DFW Area:
- UT Dallas (Public)
- UT Arlington (Public)
- SMU (Private)
- TCU (Private)
- University of Dallas (private)
If you’re willing to drive about an hour more, you can get to Denton:
- University of North Texas (Public)
About a 4 hour drive north of Houston, and north of Dallas you get to Sherman:
- Austin College (Private)
College Station:
- TAMU (Public)
San Antonio:
- Trinity University (Private)
- UT San Antonio (Public)
- University of the Incarnate Word (Private)
- TAMU San Antonio (Public)
Waco:
- Baylor University (Private)
Theres are all the ones I can name off the top of my head, obviously these are more generalized schools. Once your student has decided on a major/field to pursue, we can narrow down the list further based upon specific rankings and fit, etc.
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If possible have them visit UT Dallas, it’s been called the “hidden gem” in the UT system. It has a different vibe than UT Austin more quirky, nerdy, geeky and no football but it has some great programs, a very diverse student body and good FA.
What major is the student interested in?
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They definitely need to visit other schools…in person!
Texas A&M
Baylor
UH
UTD
UNT
Stephen F Austin
Texas State
Trinity
Texas A&M Corpus Christi
UTSA
Depends on major and budget, too.
Test scores?
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Anything wrong with University of Houston or Rice? Would LSU work?
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Most of the options within range of Houston have been mentioned, but I would also add Sam Houston State in Huntsville.
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Could they go the CAP route?
CAP is very limited in majors offered.
OP hasn’t said what major student is interested in.
Texas offers some fantastic universities…student needs to get out and visit!
Can the student make their own account here and ask directly?
I am not sure if your student is also low income - BUT it can be really hard to visit. There are travel costs, a parent that may not be able to miss work or the student unable to miss work, other commitments or not having reliable transportation.
While visiting would be ideal, if it is not possible, take advantage of all the online resources and that will be very helpful and certain schools will assist the student with talking to current students, professors etc. After admission, the student may be able to get financial support from the school for a visit.
I have assisted several students through ScholarMatch and the added pressure of a counselor/helper pushing visits is not helpful.
Obviously, this is all mute if your student is first gen and does not have financial constraints.
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I teach high school in Texas. Even if the student qualifies for auto admit, they may not be admitted to their desired major. In the past several years, the “hot” majors seems to only take the top 1% GPA plus the underrepresented groups.
Visiting more colleges may not be realistic. Among my students who plan to go to college, fewer than 20% could visit out-of-town colleges. Whenever someone goes on a college visit, it’s like doing so for all their friends. Last year one student went to visit A&M so I let the class use 3rd period texting him all sorts of questions to ask his tour guide.
On the other hand, UT takes a lot of transfer students. I have students who attended UTD, UTA, UTSA, Texas state, Texas Tech for a year or two then successfully transfer to UT.
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The student is interested in majoring in business. They are particularly interested in real estate. At this point they seem to have an interest in small business so any foundation business courses would be useful. He plays baseball but since he has no awareness of the recruiting process it is likely too late for a D1 but maybe a school with a solid club team might appeal to him. I’m just starting out with him so I need to define further his priorities. I appreciate all the schools that have been suggested. This is a virtual role and I am from the New England so this gives me some schools to start with.
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Thank you for your input and perspective . The student is first gen with limited resources. I will definitely suggest checking out these schools virtually and will be low key about any potential in person visits.
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I greatly appreciate your input from your direct, on the ground experiences in this area. Could you please confirm that the class rank figure used in guaranteed admission is from the end of junior year. Also do Texas students tend to apply Early Action? In my area everyone tends to apply mostly EA but I wonder how students with guaranteed admission typically do things. I understand that class rank only guarantees admission to those particular universities but getting admitted to their desired major is another thing.
LSU is only slightly further - 4 hours from Houston and offers in-state tuition for Texas Residents.
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This poster is helping a first Gen student who may not have the resources or know how to navigate the college process. In some circumstances, we do allow users to ask on behalf of others.
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In general, where EA is possible, it is better to apply EA, because some schools fill their classes or popular majors early. The same goes for applying early to rolling admission schools. The main thing to watch for is if the applicant wants to apply to a restrictive EA school.
Do any of the schools of interest have fly-in programs to help let them see the campus? Is Rice too far? They probably have a fly-in although deadlines may be very soon or passed.
Fly-in, as in the college pays for it?
All the school listed have admission tours…student signs up for official tour, student is responsible for lodging and transportation, if not close enough to drive back/forth.
Rice is in Houston.
@Comet437 Texas A&M offers an undergrad degree in Real Estate, thru Ag school, not Mays/business. Ag Econ and Ag Business are very popular, versatile majors.
Mays offers a masters in Real Estate.
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