Hi so I’m a junior in Texas and I want to major in aerospace engineering to work at NASA. My dream school is UT but I understand getting into engineering there is really difficult so I’m considering A&M too and I wouldn’t mind considering any other schools in state if there are suggestions.
My Stats:
White/Chinese female
22/516 - Top 4% but this will probably fall to 5% since I got a couple Bs this semester and my school doesn’t weigh dc as high as ap
PSAT- 1200 sophomore year,
1270 junior year- 700 writing, 570 math (I was not feeling well that day, on the actual sat I can get around 50 pts higher in math.)
Classes: Dual credit program with my local community college, I will graduate with an A.S. I’m taking all the core classes, Composition, History, etc. and some bioscience classes. My city does not offer many opportunities for engineering/astronomy over health sciences.
I’m also taking APs: Spanish IV, 3d studio art, Physics 1 and in senior year I plan to take Spanish V, Chem or Bio and I’ll need a second year of studio art.
My school offers IB, AP, and the DC program so I’m not sure these are the most rigorous classes I could take but I made a mistake when signing up and I was not aware you had to apply to a major at UT if you auto-admit. Have I ruined my chances of getting into UT?
ECs- I know these are bad, but they are mostly all demonstrated interest so will that make up for my relative lack of clubs, band, sports?
Mu alpha theta (11-12)
NASA HS aerospace scholars summer program (11
Part-time retail job (11-)
20 hrs Community Service and Job shadowing required by college program by summer year
I also plan on applying to UT MITE summer program, can’t say if I will get in
I am confident in my essay-writing skills and I know at least 2 teachers that will give me good rec letters so hopefully, that will help with my lack of ecs.
Being top 4-5% gains you auto admission into both universities. However, Engineering is out for UT. You do not satisdy the SAT math requirement of 620 minimum. http://www.engr.utexas.edu/undergraduate/admissions/calculus
With A&M being holistic review, your SAT math score is once again, low for the major. Have you had Calculus AB or BC? Getting into A&M engineering is one thing. Staying in is another. Engineering had a 55% retention rate and thus they are in their second year of holistic review, to try to select the applicants most likely to be able to handle the math and science.
And, at A&M, you are not accepted into the major. You are placed in general engineering and you apply to your major during second semester freshman year. Applicants will again, undergo holistic review for each major and you may not get it.
Definitely apply to other schools that are less competitive and which you are directly admitted to your major.
I am still a junior so I think I can still get at least a 620 on the SAT, which I am studying for and will take for the first time in February or March. I just took college algebra this semester and will take pre-cal next semester.
But AFAIK if I pass my dual credit Calculus class next year I don’t even need a certain SAT score correct?
I am afraid that I’m not naturally good at math but I can study and I really want to do aerospace, I have a passion for designing things and astronomy so I really don’t think I will drop out.
Even if I got a bit lower than 620 on the actual sat, does UT have a holistic review for major admission, and would a ~600 math disqualify me (again assuming I pass college Calculus 1 next year)? I really have my heart set on UT. Thanks
Minimum scores are not competitive for UT Engineering. The scores in that link are minimums. They will take all of your application into consideration and determine your math readiness and fitness for the program and your stats will be compared to every other engineering applicant for one of the available freshman seats. The competition tough.
Apply and see what happens. You have time to study and get your math up into the 700’s. Work on that to improve your chances.
But don’t neglect to pick some safety schools for admissions to the major you want.