Can I get into these schools with a 33 ACT?

I’m tryna get into UT Austin, USC, NYU (ED II), and that’s kinda it. I’m a texas resident btw.

school doesn’t rank, but out of 714 students, I’m roughly in the top 20%. If you’re not in the top 10%, our school provides no rank, which is kinda weird, but I guess it forces colleges to look at our transcripts.

-12 AP classes (don’t need to read them all out, but all have been 4’s and 5’s)
-33 ACT (12 on essay)
-99.1 GPA (out of 100)
-AP National Scholar
-Drum major in marching band
-nhs/nshs vice presidents
-Writing club president/founder (tons of time spent with this, most of my essays involved this club)
-Political club founder
-150+ hours of community service
-job at chipotle

I did other EC’s that I spent lots of time with but you guys probably don’t wanna read them all, I know whenever I see them on other peoples pages I sorta gloss over them, so I hit the most important ones I put on my resume.

I applied as a Journalism major, and my essays really reflected my passion for it and how I would like to develop myself in that field. So, you know, I’ve already submitted the apps, but it’d be nice to know what my chances are anyway.

I think UT austin and USC should be kinda easy for you… NYU could be hard depending on your essays and recommendations

UT Austin will not be easy. UT takes the top 7% of Texas schools as auto-admits. It leaves very little room for additional students who are not paying OOS or recruited athletes - however qualified. They do have programs where you are admitted to a feeder UT & then transfer in at the beginning of your Junior year.

I think you have a shot at USC and NYU. But, they are two of the most expensive schools in the U.S. What is your budget? Just as important, what is your safety? Outside top 10%, UT may be tough.

If money is a consideration, check out the University of Missouri. They have a top 10 Journalism program that is very competitive. Your stats would qualify you for merit scholarships and the honors college. The deadline is Dec. 15 to compete for scholarships.

@oakland818

you are asking the wrong question. sure you CAN get into those schools.

the real question is, “WILL I get into any of these schools?” no one here can answer that. you might – but then again you might get shut out of all 3.

which leads us to the next real question: “What’s my backup plan?” maybe you could apply to Texas A&M as well. UT-Dallas would probably have some big scholarships based on your stats.

I bet you could get a full-ride to Ole Miss and their Meek School of Journalism. probably you could get into their Honors College too.

https://meek.olemiss.edu/
https://finaid.olemiss.edu/scholarships/
http://www.honors.olemiss.edu/
https://finaid.olemiss.edu/prospective-freshmen/

@oakland818
Ditto Wien2NC advice. You have great stats, but many great stat students have to be passed over by competitive schools simply due to numbers.
My guess is you will get into USC or NYU, but I would really encourage you to look at other schools, especially given that you have stats that could get you money/honors college at some other schools.

I think students often under-appreciate how much the added attention some schools give to scholarship students or honors college/regents type programs give a student.

Just make sure you have some true safties on your list and that your family can afford some of the schools you apply to. (ideally all, but since you’ve applied already, run the numbers with your parents, just in case.)