re: Record number of LSU applicants, most from out of state

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And more students =/= better.

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LSU doesn't give two shits about "better". All they see is the revenue generated. And that is the ONLY thing that matters. Its pathetic.

It’s virtually all major colleges/universities this year and will continue for at least another two years. 2007 had the highest number of births since the early 60’s surpassing much of the original Baby Boom era. 2008 was also quite high before tapering off in 2009.

So the Class of 26’ is already enormous plus graduation rates are improved nationally; as a result, the number of college applicants is gargantuan.

As the parent of a HS Senior you’d be shocked to see the number of applications at some Universities and how selective it’s allowed them to be.

My daughter will be heading to USF this Fall. Their freshmen Nursing program had 4,000+ applicants for less than 200 spots. Average SAT accepted to the University this year was a 1360 with an average GPA of 4.5+. FSU and UF were even higher.

There’s literally students about to get a degree this Summer who wouldn’t even be accepted into the same University today with their same HS transcripts.

The OOS applicants are due in large part to the fact that they often outperform in State applicants and get merit scholarships. Making it cheaper for them to go out of State than staying home.

It’s nuts; and in only 4-5 years the job market is going to be flooded with new college grads.

Read an article that says NE young ones want a real experience in college that SEC schools offer. You know, a little fun to go along with the studies.

So where are all the southern state kids ending up with all these SEC schools taking in the jersey trash over them? ULL, Memphis, Southern Miss?

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So where are all the southern state kids ending up with all these SEC schools taking in the jersey trash over them? ULL, Memphis, Southern Miss?

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I will say that there are a whole lot of angry Gators and Seminole alumni in my area. Many believe because their children’s scholastic performance was better than their own that they were almost assured a spot. Legacy isn’t really used here in FL. Come to find out; their kids are being deferred or rejected en masse. Suddenly; FIU, FAU, or UCF is their destination.

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Transfers don’t get into the Business or Engineering programs, regardless of their GPA.

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I asked Grok to confirm. The reply:

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It is possible to transfer into the Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin from UT Arlington (or any other accredited institution) after completing two years of engineering coursework, provided you are in good academic standing and meet the specific requirements. Transfers from other UT System schools like UT Arlington are handled as external transfers—there's no special internal pathway for inter-UT transfers beyond the standard process.

Key Eligibility and Requirements

Minimum to apply: You need at least 24 semester hours of transferable credit (most students after two years have 50–60+ hours, qualifying as junior-level transfers).

Engineering-specific prerequisites (must be completed or in progress by the application deadline, shown on your transcript):

Calculus equivalent to UT Austin's Math 408D, 408L, or 408M (typically Calculus I and II).

Physics equivalent to Physics 303K + lab (Physics 103M; engineering physics I with lab).

At least four technical courses total (including the above math and physics; additional ones like chemistry, more math/physics, or engineering courses strengthen your application).

GPA minimum: UT Austin requires a 3.0 overall to submit an application, but Cockrell Engineering is highly competitive—admitted external transfers often need much higher (e.g., 3.75+ overall, ideally 4.0 in STEM/technical courses for many majors).

Good standing: Being in good academic standing at UT Arlington (no probation, etc.) is assumed and helps, as they'll review your full record.

Competitiveness and Realities
Admission to Cockrell is very competitive and space-limited, with priority often going to internal transfers (current UT Austin students changing majors). External transfer spots are limited, and many sources note that even strong applicants (e.g., 4.0 GPA) get denied, especially for high-demand majors like electrical/computer, biomedical, or mechanical engineering.
Less competitive majors (e.g., civil, architectural, petroleum) sometimes admit students with 3.5+ GPAs.

Two years of engineering coursework at UT Arlington positions you well if those credits transfer (use UT Austin's Automated Transfer Equivalency tool at admissions.utexas.edu to check how your specific courses map—UT Arlington's engineering courses often align decently as a Texas public university). However, completing prerequisites doesn't guarantee admission—it's holistic, factoring in GPA (especially technical/STEM), essays, resume, and available spaces.

Application Details

Deadline: March 1 for fall admission only (no spring entry to Cockrell via external transfer).

Process: Apply as an external transfer through ApplyTexas or Common App, select engineering as your first-choice major (you can pick a second choice, ideally a less competitive engineering major as backup).

Additional notes: You don't need an associate's degree. Most transfers complete their degree in 2–3 more years at UT Austin (they require at least 60 hours in residence there for graduation).

If your GPA is strong (especially in math/physics/engineering courses) and you've completed the prereqs with high marks, it's definitely worth applying—many students do successfully transfer this way. For the most accurate advice on your specific situation (e.g., course equivalencies from UT Arlington), check the official Cockrell external transfer page (cockrell.utexas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/external-transfer), use the transfer equivalency tool, or contact UT Austin admissions directly.

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So likely, you're correct, but not accurate, as some students do make it in. If he doesn't make it that's okay, but it would be nice since my other son and my daughter now live in Austin.

Hopefully this crowds out the type of people who

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go to OU.

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Texas is so huge that they go to LSU, OU, Arkansas, and OSU and probably the schools on the west side of the state.

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Texas is so huge that they go to LSU, OU, Arkansas, and OSU and probably the schools on the west side of the state

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Tech, Houston and Texas State are both huge schools too.

Met lots of students from out of state in my time there, mostly from Texas. They said it was cheaper paying out of state than in state at A&M or UT.