re: The University of Texas has 240,000 students in their University System.

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So Tech and A&M are doubling down on the University of Phoenix model? Cool, at least they know their lane. I'm sure if they keep lowering their admission standards they'll get there. And to be fair, staying on A&M campus is a lot more dangerous for students. Like over 2x more crime per student.

UT Austin Crime and Safety 2019

A&M Crime and Safety 2019

I also suspect students are willing to deal with all the trash as part of being in a major city when you can do things like visit a Lamborghini dealership (or NIL from them for your favorite football player).

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For those outside of Texas, get used to this. Texas fans live in a world of half truths, and they never tell the full story...

For the rest of the story...

It is state law in Texas that if you finish in the top 10% of your class, you are automatically accepted to ANY state school you apply to. Because the UTA is landlocked in Austin, they have been able to get an exception and reduce their automatic acceptance to top 7%.

As a result, yes they get to be "more selective" but also as a result, every other state university in the state still have to take the kids that finished in the top 10%.

The state has dragged its feet on promoting a 3rd university in the state to top tier, as a result A&M has had no choice but to grow and grow at a ridiculous rate being the only other school in the state that is of the same stature as Texas.

But it gets worse because the population of the state has grown in a ridiculously fast rate so Tech, Houston and many other schools in the state have seen trememdous growth as well.

The University of Texas has done a better job of improving their system schools than A&M has, but even so it pales compared to the way California has done their two state school systems. As much as I hate Cali and only lasted 10 months out there before I had to move out before murdering people, I give them kudos for how they have done the University of California and Cal State systems.

Two things need to happen in the state. The state government needs to make A&M and Texas really improve their system schools and promote a 3rd school and maybe a 4th school. I think that would go a long way to improving the situation in the state.