Quote:
Originally posted by K.O.T.S
No. just automatic admission. the rest is on the student.
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This is not entirely true. While what TX has is not as good as FL- we do have something.
Valedictorians of any TX high school receive their freshman year tuition free at a public university. Also, TX A&M has the Century Scholars program which provides students from certain high schools the opportunity to get a "debt free" degree. I.e. their unmet need (as determiend by FAFSA) is met by the university via scholarship.
I was a top ten percenter. I graduated with a 4.38 gpa and I KNOW I deserved my admission and scholarship to Texas A&M. However, I went to a very competitive high school and was more than prepared for college. I could have easily gotten in TAMU on my own, but it was nice to know that I had admission to the TX flagship schools (and any other) in the bank.
I agree that some students from lower performing high schools, though in the top ten percent may not be ready for UT or A&M. However, I respect individuals and think that any student who is given an opportunity should take it upon themselves to do something with it. Do NOT blame the state of TX if you took an opportunity you weren't ready for. Remember, you get admission to ANY state school, if you aren't confident in your abilities to perform at A&M or UT- got to Texas Sate, Sam Houston, SFA or TSU. I AM SO SICK OF THE LACK OF PERSONAL ACCOUTABILITY.
Personal accountability is also my response to those private schoolers whining about not getting in to TAMU or UT due to their top ten percentonly having three people. Ummmmmmmmmm, be responsible- if UT admission is your goal and you don't think you're gonna be top ten percent- CHANGE SCHOOLS. We are all responsible for our choices. If you want to stay with your friends..fine. But don't bit*c and moan when you're going to out of state cuz you couldn't get to UT. You and your parents chose to take the risk- suck it up! The point of the program is to excel where you are- and apparently you didn't.
This is important to me because there ARE students from lower performing high schools who are admitted via Top ten percent to A&M who have horrible SAT scores and STILL go on to perform wonderfully at A&M and UT. I know many personally. Also, such students should NOT be held accountable for their parents mistakes or financial shortcomings (which dictate the community in which they live and what public school they go to). Just because someone is forced to go to a school based on where they live, and that particular school may be "low performing" or even "failing" the CHILD should not be held accountable. There is a big difference in kids in private schools who took active steps and made an active choice to be there and our children in TX's poorest schools most of whom are there because they are forced and due to money, bad parenting, or limited geographic choices (outside of Dallas and Houston TX is very rural and many of the small farm towns where cows outnumber people have only one school- often poor- and no option of private school) have no where else to go.
While I think top ten percent has some flaws, I think this is what it is trying to accomodate. Don't say you won't consider race and then hold a child hostage based on a school you MADE him go to.