UT-Austin for Mechanical Engineering
high school GPA: 3.9something
Ap chem
Honors physics
AP calculus ab
Dual credit: history,government,english, biology
Robotics
Beta club, Interact club, FFA
summer job about 1-2 months
first ACT score :27, 19 writing
second ACT: october 22
I’ve been practicing for the ACT so far and I am getting in 30-33 range fairly consistently now. Problem is, my writing isn’t too good and the fact that a lot of people have had misgraded essays doesn’t help either. Realistically, my essay will probably be a 7 or 8 out of 12. My question is: will a low essay score hurt my chance of admission assuming that i do make a 30-33 composite?
What is your class rank? Are you in-state?
@MaineLonghorn - in state, 5/115, gpa on high school scale 5.11
I don’t know enough about the ACT to comment. Your class rank is good, so that will help.
The Cockrell School of Engineering is extremely competitive. Your HS rank is good, making you an auto admit to UT. However, as you know, you will be holistically reviewed like everyone else for your major. I’d say it is important for you to get that ACT score up higher. Did you take the SAT? It is good you are taking Calculus because you have to demonstrate Calculus readiness for engineering at UT. Good luck!
@NotSoPatient yea I’m working on the ACT. They way it’s going i should be around 30-33. With that being said, would a low writing score affect me if i did score that (or maybe higher)?
@NpHighTeK I have seen a lot of low scores on the ACT writing. I would not worry about that as much as the composite score and your math subscore. I would advise you the same as my own children - apply to more than one school to give yourself options. My DD has applied to 5 schools (admitted to 3 so far). Good luck!
@NpHighTeK Texas Tech, Texas A&M both have engineering programs as well.
@NotSoPatient a little bit too far away… i just took a practice and made a 32 from the Red Book. Unfortunately, i wasted almost a week’s worth of time because of a random 200+ question biology assignment… and I had a test today, will have one tomorrow, the day after, and the ACT after that so I would say that I’m just a LITTLE bit low on time.
Good thing is that I have about 99-98% content down. It’s just the small human error mistakes I’ve been making since probably my existence