Quote:
Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby
Right, that's why I said upthread that this case has a lot to do with what you really think the mission of a public university is, and how to best fulfill that mission. Why do public universities exist in the first place?
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And I think this question is the crux of the whole discussion. One where I get discomboobolated (misspelled on purpose!) when it comes to this topic...
Is it to educate the masses in an affordable and academically excellent way? Absolutely yes.
Is it to spit out the smartest/best/brightest into the Texas workforce? Yes, again.
They're not mutually exclusive, but going back to the example I had up thread of the 13% of her class person coming from a competitive high school is not the same as 7%er from a less competitive high school. The 13%er is probably more prepared for that level of study.
It's unfortunate that there's no perfect answer. CAP is a good answer academically, but it tends to be sniffed down upon from people who want a full college experience...same place/friends/connections/clubs all 4 years.
Back in the day (pre-10% rule, but when admission was based upon a combo of class rank and SAT scores only), someone coming from a competitive high school could apply as a "provisional" student. They would go to summer school at UT the summer before their freshman year. They would take 12 hours in summer school of core classes, and the faculty was pretty much mandated to fail half of them. IIRC, "passing" was a 3.0. You passed, you were enrolled for the fall. You failed, you either went to Austin Community College, or wherever your "back up" was. IMO, it was a good alternative to see who was ready for that level of academic pressure...lots was on the line if you didn't pass.
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