UT San Antonio attempted to further legitimize itself as an independent, prized university with its recent merger with UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. After becoming the third-largest public research university in Texas, one would expect the university to respect itself and finally say goodbye to the Coordinated Admission Program. Yet, the institution still falls short, making it appear an inferior school with the aid of CAP.
CAP is UT Austin’s way of providing a second chance, offered to select students who were not accepted the first go-around but still show promise. After completing one year at a satellite school with 30 transferable hours, a math course and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, students are assured admission into UT Austin’s College of Liberal Arts.
Ultimately, CAP harms UT San Antonio and destroys the chance for school pride. With a crowd full of wannabe UT Austin students praying for days when they will be wearing burnt orange, the rest of the UT San Antonio students cannot build community.
The university has no reason not to be esteemed. UT San Antonio has astounding academic records. It is classified as a tier-one research institution, one of the top 12% best health sciences universities worldwide, top 100 best universities in the nation, best dental school in Texas and 31st in best undergraduate nursing programs. Furthermore, the UTSA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics offers 17 sports at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the American Conference.
Yet still, the university lowers itself as a stepping stone for its UT Austin. Since everyone is waiting around to be transferred, it is close to impossible to create a population that is proud to be roadrunners.
Graduation rates at UT San Antonio are unsatisfactory, with a 32% rate. Conversely, UT has a graduation rate of 73%. CAP is responsible for this difference. Institutions with large numbers of CAP students are forced to see a negative impact on traditional 4-year graduation rates because these students will not graduate from the institution they originally enrolled in. Many of UT San Antonio’s incoming freshman students end up transferring by their sophomore year, destroying retention rates. CAP ruins UT San Antonio’s chance to be a university worth writing home about.
CAP fosters low student engagement since much of the freshman population is only waiting around to get to the university they actually desire. UT San Antonio is not being treated like a permanent destination, and these transfer students lack commitment to the campus. If most of the students do not want to get involved, then no one will.
Students have longed for the end of CAP. For over a decade, there have been rotating conversations about phasing out CAP at UT San Antonio. In 2015, UT San Antonio aimed to eliminate CAP by 2017, unfortunately, they are dragging their feet. UT San Antonio’s reputation is continuously being harmed by CAP hindering its chance at independent success.
Being a roadrunner is something to be desired, and the university should start treating it as such.
