University of Texas Supreme Court case

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I hope so.

IIRC, UH has been named Tier 1 by one measure, and is likely to be the next "official" Tier 1 university in the state.

I know UTA, UTD, UNT, and Tech are all fighting hard to fill in the other spots. I hope we have another one pop up soon.

UH probably has an identity complex to overcome before the masses see it as a Tier I - definitely seen (to the general 18 year old population) as a commuter school. "Cougar High"! (speaking as a former Houstonian...)

In my mind, Tech is the next logical one. UTSA is working on it as well, but I think it still falls into the same commuter image bucket as UTD, UTA, UH, etc...

I should clarify by saying just because a school has a commuter image doesn't mean it can't be a Tier I (they are not mutually exclusive) but I do think an academically above average 18 year old looking for a true "college experience" would hone in on Austin and College Station before (near) downtown Houston.

[ASUADPi]

I'm not from Texas, so I'm not familiar with colleges there.

I can say that I support her lawsuit. I say this because I have been a victim of reverse discrimination. I applied for a scholarship while in college and I was told to not even bother turning the application in because I wasn't black or hispanic. Somehow because of my white skin it was assumed that I had money growing off a tree in my backyard and that I didn't need the scholarship. I was pissed.

I'm sorry admissions to college should be purely based off your merits, your skin color shouldn't even be a consideration. But instead it is. You get two people who have equal merits, grades, letters of rec, etc... most of the time the "minority" will get in over the white person because as DeltaBetaBaby so ignorantly pointed out "You know what she DOES get for being born white? White privilege. Her entire life."

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

most of the time the "minority" will get in over the white person because as DeltaBetaBaby so ignorantly pointed out "You know what she DOES get for being born white? White privilege. Her entire life."

1. Why is minority in quotes?
2. I'm not a fan of discrimination, but you have to be naive if you think that what DBB said is inaccurate.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

I'm curious as to how the other academically demanding/strict admissions state schools handle this (I'm thinking UVa, Michigan, etc...etc...)? Clearly this isn't an issue that is unique to UT/A&M?

I think it is unique because of the 10% rule. However, after the Supreme Court case in 2003, the state of Michigan passed a ballot proposal (in 2006) stating that race cannot be a consideration for admissions to any state university.

I was flabbergasted when I heard about the 10% rule. Many kids in our top 10% do not get into Michigan. There would not be room for them all. Michigan is more selective than the top 10% for the average public school. Test scores are important as are extra-curricular activities and essays.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

You get two people who have equal merits, grades, letters of rec, etc... most of the time the "minority" will get in over the white person because as DeltaBetaBaby so ignorantly pointed out "You know what she DOES get for being born white? White privilege. Her entire life."

Oh, dear, please don't tell me you think white privilege is a myth. Bless your heart.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Oh, dear, please don't tell me you think white privilege is a myth. Bless your heart.

Discriminating against better qualified applicants in university admissions does not count as getsies backsies for a DWB or workplace discrimination or some other white privilege related happening.

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Oh, dear, please don't tell me you think white privilege is a myth. Bless your heart.

I guess according to you because I'm white I've had everything handed to me on a silver platter huh? Get a better argument sweetheart.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I think it is unique because of the 10% rule. However, after the Supreme Court case in 2003, the state of Michigan passed a ballot proposal (in 2006) stating that race cannot be a consideration for admissions to any state university.

I was flabbergasted when I heard about the 10% rule. Many kids in our top 10% do not get into Michigan. There would not be room for them all. Michigan is more selective than the top 10% for the average public school. Test scores are important as are extra-curricular activities and essays.

This 10% thing is relatively new, and it's come to pass already that it will be the top 8%, then 9%, and then 7% in a few years. Michigan's just also a lot more competitive in terms of admission and has been for a long time, and its student body is smaller than that of UT.

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I can say that I support her lawsuit. I say this because I have been a victim of reverse discrimination. I applied for a scholarship while in college and I was told to not even bother turning the application in because I wasn't black or hispanic. Somehow because of my white skin it was assumed that I had money growing off a tree in my backyard and that I didn't need the scholarship. I was pissed.

Really? Reverse discrimination? Are you going to go there? Please don't be so boring.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

1. Why is minority in quotes?

I think what she is trying to say is that in Arizona, Hispanics are often far from being a minority in some situations, even though the rest of the country might see them that way.

Is UT wholly state-owned or is it just state-affiliated?

[Low C Sharp]

What DBB said.

[knight_shadow]

So, an alleged lack of campus life is a waste of a good brain?

[carnation]

No, the comparative lack of educational challenge is. We've had family and friends go to some of those schools and found them far easier than high school. Even their textbooks were easier!

[knight_shadow]

If that's the case, then getting a 3.2 at one of these schools should be a cakewalk. Then, the applicant can spend his/her remaining years at a "real" school.

/grad of one of these dumb UT-System schools

[carnation]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If that's the case, then getting a 3.2 at one of these schools should be a cakewalk. Then, the applicant can spend his/her remaining years at a "real" school.

/grad of one of these dumb UT-System schools

I don't think most of these kids want a cakewalk. Also, not all are "dumb" schools.

However, this is how many people see the CAP Program: "Hey, guys! We're giving you the opportunity to mark time in a school you wouldn't consider otherwise! Then you can come to UT in a year and take the place of the weaker student we admitted in your place who flunked out after 15 minutes on campus!"

Here is how my 3 SEC alma maters and other large universities from neighboring states view the 10% Rule: "Way to go, Texas! Keep it up! Because we're taking in hundreds of your brightest and best who wanted a UT-type experience and it looks like after graduation, most of them aren't going back!"

[justgo_withit]

The following is going to be very specific to me and my area, but pertinent to the community college discussion as a general thing:

As someone who went from a 4-yr university to a community college, I feel comfortable in saying that the lack of campus life at my CC makes it much, much easier to excel in my classes. Honestly I'd say it outweighs the ease of the classes, as I go to a fairly good CC for the area and I think my current classes are just a bit easier than the university's. I did a rigorous high school program (IB) so I know how to manage my time- however, time management doesn't even factor in for me since I do basically nothing outside of school and work. At my 4 yr university I was very involved in my sorority and some student organizations which really put my time management skills to the test. Here, I have very little to actually manage.

I defer answers about how much this applies to UT to knowledgeable posters, but lack of campus life definitely has an impact on academic success.

Again, this is from the community college to state school perspective as we don't have any satellite campuses here.