UT CAP and Texas A&M PSA—Are they right for YOU?
Every year, thousands of students apply to Texas A&M (ranked #47 nationally) and UT Austin (ranked #32 nationally) hoping to study at one of these top schools in the Friendship state. As the Apply Texas Application is being phased out and both schools have adopted the Common Application, even more out of state residents are applying. As a result, admissions at both of these universities has become more competitive, especially for Texas residents who are not eligible for auto admittance.
If you are one of the students who received admittance to UT Austin’s Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) or Texas A&M’s Program for System Admission Program (PSA), know that you are not alone. We are here to help you weigh whether these programs may be a good fit for you!
Quick Overview: What are CAP and PSA?
Essentially, if you were selected into CAP or PSA, you were denied admission to this upcoming fall cycle. However, participating in CAP or PSA gives you a chance for a guaranteed transfer at UT Austin or Texas A&M after you have attended a designated sister school and completed specific requirements of the program.
PSA is a one-year program that guarantees admissions to a participating major at Texas A&M after students have completed at least 24 class credits and maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA (Engineering students must maintain a 3.25 GPA). Once a student has completed the requirements, they will then be eligible to apply to transfer. Please click here for more information on Texas A&M PSA requirements.
Prairie View A&M University
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
West Texas A&M University
CAP is an enrollment pathway offered to Texas resident high school graduates applying for freshman admission to UT Austin. After completing at least 30 course credits (any grades below a C will not count for course credit), taking one math course beyond 301, and earning at least a 3.2 GPA at a sister school, you will be guaranteed admission into UT Austin’s College of Liberal Arts. Please click here for more information on UT Austin CAP requirements.
UT Arlington
UT El Paso
UT Permian Basin
UT Rio Grande Valley
UT San Antonio
UT Tyler
3 Scenarios Where UT CAP and Texas A&M PSA are NOT a Good Fit…
If you are looking to major in a competitive major, you should consider attending a college or university where the pathway to your desired major is more certain.
If you will feel demotivated at a sister school. As previously mentioned, there are certain GPA and credit requirements to transfer to the school of your choice after you have completed CAP or PSA. For this reason, your first semester and first year are very important! Trust your gut, and if you feel like you will struggle your first year at a sister school, consider a different option.
If you hoped to utilize AP/IB credits in college. CAP is not recommended for students who have a number of AP/IB credits because there may not be enough available courses for the student to take to fulfill the 30 credit requirement. Although PSA does not allow you to use AP/IB credits to satisfy certain courses, dual credits are accepted.
3 Scenarios Where UT CAP and Texas A&M PSA are a Good Fit…
If you are interested in UT Austin’s Liberal Arts majors or one of the majors offered through Texas A&M’s PSA, then the CAP or PSA program could be a great fit for you! Although you are not guaranteed admission to a specific major within CAP or PSA, you would be able to study one of the majors in the school after completing the requirements.
If UT Austin or Texas A&M is your top choice school and you are willing to do whatever it takes to be a Longhorn or Aggie. If you do not care about what major you study or having to complete one to two years at a satellite school, then these programs are a good fit for you! After all, what’s a year? Students will be able to attend their dream school in no time!
If you will make the most of your year at your sister school. These programs guarantee admissions so long as students meet certain requirements, which include GPA and credit requirements, but you should also seek out research opportunities and other activities related to your area of interest!
** Please note If you know you want to attend CAP or PSA, you should confirm with your family as soon as possible and commit to your preferred campus. Popular campuses have enrollment limits and fill up fast!
Contact the Berkeley2Academy office if you need further guidance! A counselor can provide more advice on whether one of these programs is a good fit for you based on your specific circumstances. A B2A counselor can also help you find other schools or options that may be a better fit for you!
