When I graduated from high school in 99, I was only in the top 30% of my class of about 330. My grades were slightly above average and my SAT scores were good, but I was definately not a straight "A" or honor student.

I never even considered applying to UT (I've considered myself an Aggie since I was 13), so I guess I can't really comment on their situation. But, I was accepted to A&M as a freshman, without being top 10%. My high school was very competitive as well.

I'm not sure what my opinion is about the top 10% rule. There are obviously going to be good and bad points to it. It will allow more inner city students to have the chance to go to schools like A&M and UT, but it will also keep out some very qualified students as well.

I guess until someone comes up with something better, this is how it's gonna be.

Gig'em Sister Ag!
Exquisite 5 '02

Oh, and I do just want to add, because people often forget that Top Ten Percent doesn't just help inner city students. It also helps students from very small rural towns with tiny, often non-competitive high schools.

Thanks for the clarification! :)

California has come up with a program that offers admission to a four-year state campus to high schoolers in (I believe -- someone correct me) the top 4%...but it does NOT guarantee admission to the campus of your choice. So you definitely get a four-year education, but it might be at UC-Riverside or a Cal State school instead of Berkeley or UCLA; those campuses are allowed to maintain their standards as they see fit, which in effect means that you need to submit a high SAT score in addition to your class rank. This is how they've avoided the severe overcrowding problems that UT is struggling with.

I really don't have anything else to add but I'm glad this conversation didn't deteriorate into something ugly. I love folks from Texas I tell ya.


the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas ......................ROFL

In Louisiana, I hardly ever hear of someone not getting into school. We have lots of excellent smaller universities around the state. I am sure takes some major heat out of the LSU selections process which I am sure is still pretty rough. I had no trouble getting in years ago but I had an awesome ACT score, lots of extracurriculars and pretty good grades.

The best thing about Louisiana is our TOPS program (which I am sure is going to bankrupt the state). If you have a minimum ACT of 20 (or the state's average from the previous year) and a GPA of 2.5 on specified core classes, your tuition is paid for 8 semesters. You also get a stipend if you have certain levels above that. It is an awesome program and is why many of us don't leave the state for college.