I really want to study biology at the University of Texas. I am part of the class of 2019, which means that only the top 6% of our class gets auto-admit. I am likely in the top 6%, but it is hard to tell because my school is so competitive. It is arguably one of the most competitive school in Texas and definitely one of the Top 10 schools in the state. For example, if I went to the next school over in the neighboring (mediocre) district, my class rank would be 3, but at my school it’s likely 40/860 approx. Here are my stats:
4.6 weighted GPA (3.9 unweighted)
1470 on first SAT (will retake in December)
AP Exam Com Sci - 3
AP Exam Art History - 5
I’m taking 5 AP classes this year.
National Honor Society (officer)
Science National Honor Society (officer)
French National Honor Society
Art National Honor Society
Varsity track 4 years (area qualifier in Texas Class AAAAAA)
Newspaper 4 years (Editor in Chief)
UIL Journalism
I’ve done over 200+ hours of community service
Shadowed a physician for a year
I just want to get into regular UT, because I don’t think I have a chance with Honors. However, if you can think of any other schools I should consider, please let me know!
If you want to stay in Texas look at Rice & Trinity University (they just built $128 million STEM building). You could consider SMU & TCU. Of course there is always A & M and the other Texas system schools. The auto-admit is a killer. A lot of qualified applicants get passed over because they have auto-admit so many kids from under-performing districts.
I do think if you are in the top 6% and an auto admit, you will get into biology as your major. If you don’t make that auto cut then it becomes much harder. As far as other schools, what are your long term plans, in other words are you going premed or graduate school or something else. If it is premed, look at the statistics from the various schools for graduates getting into medical schools. Also, cost becomes more an issue because of the costs of medical school or graduate school. If you plan for additional schooling beyond a bachelor’s, I recommend you look at the state schools or privates that give you a large scholarship.
Try the ACT. You might score better and every little bit will help if you aren’t top 6%. Kids from really competitive schools tend to do well on it. I personally think with a little higher score you will get into biology from a good school. Maybe not business or engineering but the sciences aren’t quite as competitive.