UT Austin’s Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) offers an alternative to students who were not initially accepted into the university. Students must complete a year and 30 transferable hours at another UT school, a math course above college algebra and earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2. Upon completion, they are assured admission into UT’s College of Liberal Arts. There is no guaranteed admission to any other college. Many swear enrolling in this high-stakes pathway is worth the trouble, yet this seems to be said more out of relief than accomplishment.
CAP does much more harm than good, not only to the students who commit endless hours attempting to fulfill the requirements but also to the UT system schools, especially UTSA. The program robs students of milestone experiences and reduces UTSA’s ability to succeed independently.
Any freshman at UTSA can tell you a story about their efforts to befriend a stranger only to be shut down because they are “only here for a year.” CAP freshmen are notorious for their lack of interest and involvement on campus, only participating in endeavors they find necessary or beneficial and always preferably with other CAP students. This is understandable on their part; however, in the tunnel vision that ends at UT, many neglect to consider this is their only freshman year of college and forget — or refuse — to enjoy themselves.
Despite UTSA’s age, there is no absence of culture or tradition on campus, yet several students abstain from fully integrating themselves out of shame. The sense of superiority UT fans bring to campus is weaved into UTSA’s first-year experience: whether it be CAP students resentful they have to attend a “lower-rate” university or UTSA students embarrassed they could not make it into a “better” school. It is difficult to find a community of active ‘Runners as proud to attend UTSA as the outspoken Longhorns at UT. UTSA’s school spirit heals when we admit Roadrunners who want to be Roadrunners.
Too many high school graduates have yet to understand that the university they attend does not represent their self-worth, but the sale of this idea is a multi-million dollar business that UT’s marketing and Office of Admissions reigns across Texas.
Last fall, UT reported a record four-year graduation rate of 73.5%. It is easy for UT to flaunt these numbers as CAP students improve said graduation rate while lowering that of its satellite schools. The UT System Data Index admits: “Institutions with large numbers of CAP students (e.g., UTA, UTSA) will see a negative impact on their traditional, four-year, same graduation rates — since these students will not graduate from the original institution from which they initially enrolled.”
Additionally, UTSA’s admission rates are skewed: acceptance to the CAP guarantees admittance to an eligible school to complete the program. UTSA’s admission rates since 2020 range from 83.5% to 90.5% — but what percent of these were compulsory admits? When high school students look to pursue an undergraduate degree, how many consider contributing to the honorable designations, awards and future potential when applying to a university? Unfortunately, the ability to show off competitiveness and name recognition plays a significant part, and CAP does UTSA no favors.
UTSA is not just a UT campus an hour and a half away. It has far more to offer than being a stepping stone or detour to UT. It has the roots to create a distinct identity that can carry its educational power for decades. It is the underdog, but even underdogs have to root for themselves.
In 2015, UTSA considered pulling out of the program by 2017. This topic has been discussed for nearly ten years. Peer schools like UT Dallas flourish without the weight of the Coordinated Admission Program. UTSA should follow through with their plan and withdraw from CAP for its benefit and that of its students.
