<p>Here is the real problem with auto-admit…and why the big schools hate it so much…the best students are sometimes excluded because the auto-admits got the spots. Being in the top x% of the class only means you got good grades. Grade inflation is not just on the teachers and administrators, it comes from parents and students trying to work the system to get around the fact that the kids are academically average. You see it everyday in school where students and parents badger, cajole and suck up to teachers to squeeze grades they don’t deserve. These are the same types who spend hours of time and money taking classes on how to take the tests and how to manipulate the writing tests, etc. That is not to say all auto-admits fit in that category. S1 is going to be on the bubble of auto-admit. He pulled down a 1560 on his core SAT and a 230 on the PSAT. Average of over 795 on 3 SAT II tests. No prep classes, only took the tests the one time. He is having to compete on equal footing or get passed over for kids who are much less capable, but have mommy and daddy pulling strings to make sure they crack the auto-admit ranking. His HS does not even release the 1st semester transcripts until tomorrow…we will see how it turns out then.</p>
<p>As for A&M versus UT. For those of us living here who are not attached to either one, it is laughable. Both have top 10 Engineering schools. Most of the difference is the same as the difference between Dallas and Fort Worth. Austin is more metro and appeals to urban types with rich-kid attitudes. A&M appeals more to country types with a my truck is bigger than yours attitude. Easy to see from the outside why some people get put off by one or both schools.</p>
<p>I liked A&M better, S1 likes UT better. He applied to both and would be happy with either. I don’t care where he goes. That is his decision and he will have to live with it either way. It will come down eventually to who has the best program at the best price point. Could end up a Sooner since they give much better money.</p>
<p>And yes…given the system, it will take more time for UT to get through their applications.</p>