I’m applying to Mechanical Engineering at UT Austin! I’ve already ready been auto-accepted but am anticipating the decision into my major.
I’m in-state and top 3% of my class. Rank 15/540.
My SAT is 1480, perfectly split between math and reading. Essay score: 20.
I’m IB Diploma and am taking the HL physics class but already tested in SL. I’m also in AP BC Calculus.
Both my sisters are currently attending the university, and my dad worked there as an ROTC professor for a couple of years.
Summer activities include the 7-week Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program that was on campus in my summer of junior year. I also attended the Women in Engineering 3-day summer camp (WEatUT) at UT that summer, and have toured twice in these programs. I’ve babysat and tutored during these summers. I worked on my 4000-word Extended Essay this past summer for my IB Diploma.
I’m in the typical Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and Key Club. Moreover, I was an officer for two years for my school’s HOSA, was the freshman class secretary, sophomore secretary, and am currently the student body treasurer. I am also the Key Club treasurer and have been a part of my yearbook staff for two years now.
Test Scores:
IB SL Physics: 6
IB SL Spanish: 5
AP Spanish Lang: 3
WHAP: 4
English Lang: 4
Honestly, I do not feel good at all about my ApplyTexas essay…my teacher even gave me an 85 on it. However, I was able to touch on my experience with UT a lot with GWC and the WEatUT program. My recommendation letters are at best typical and mundane.
Please let me know your honest thoughts. I have a lot of pressure from my parents to get into my major and have no idea what I would do if I didn’t.
I would think your chances are very good, but I am certainly no expert. My son is also applying to mechanical engineering and several of your scores are higher than his, so if you don’t get in, he’s in trouble, although I do not know much about IB. My son will have 14 AP classes by the time he graduates and has done very well in all, and has all 4/5 on the ones he’s taken so far. He has been automatically admitted, but is still waiting to hear about engineering major. I am anxious too, but, as a mom, I hope I can reassure you that I’m sure that your parents only want you to be happy. If worse comes to worst and he does not get into engineering, I will be disappointed FOR him, but not disappointed WITH him. I know he has worked his butt off and made sure he was in top 6% at his super competitive high school. He is a super bright kid with a great work ethic, and he will be an engineer, and I have no doubt a good one, no matter where he goes to school. No one school is the be all, end all. I can promise you that. They teach the same engineering principles at Texas A&M as they do at Stanford. I am sure that you will get good news soon, and I hope my son does as well, but even if you don’t, you will still be successful. I say that as a proud Longhorn alum–I have 2 degrees from Texas, and although I’d love my son to go there too and would not want him to go to A&M, I have no doubt, he could get just as good of an engineering education at A&M as he can at Texas. Try not to worry too much about things that are out of your control. As a chronic worrier, I know that is easier said than done, but you have done everything you have control of, and now it is out of your hands. Worrying about it won’t change the outcome, it can only drive you crazy. Try to stay busy and not stress about it! Good luck.
Where does your son want to go if he does not get into UT engineering? UT is 100% nonaffordable to us. My hs jr 1590 SAT, top 1% Texas girl wants to major EE but sadly won’t be able to apply. I am rooting for your son and the OP.
He has applied to several other good engineering schools, but it will be a while before he gets any admission decisions, so it all depends on where he gets admitted and what his options are. The only school where he knows for sure that he has been admitted to engineering is A&M. Unfortunately, that is his last choice. I am not bagging on TAMU. I have many, many highly successful Aggie friends. And that would honestly be my preference for him if he doesn’t get into UT Engineering, but he feels like he has worked too hard to “settle’ for TAMU. It’s a shame that he feels that way because TAMU is an excellent engineering school. I hate the whole top 6% thing. I think the fact that UT is top 6% and the other Texas state schools are less selective causes a false narrative that they are “lesser” to some kids who work hard to get into the top 6% (like my son). I would rather he stay in-state and go to TAMU than go to an out of state school that is more expensive where he would not be getting any better education, just a slightly more prestigious university name on his diploma. I think the major is more important than the school (within reason). Your daughter’s credentials sound like she would qualify for some very nice merit and/or need based scholarships. I wouldn’t rule anything out. You just never know. Texas is already a very affordable school, so you might be surprised, and if that really is not an option, getting an electrical engineering degree from any decent school will be fantastic. As long as she does well, she’ll be highly employable. There are never enough female engineers! I would think she’d be able to get a full ride to some of the satellite UT System schools with those stats, but I would definitely not count UT Austin out just yet.
@TexasEx1998 I have to say thank you for that compassionate response to the OP. What you said is so true - I will be disappoint for my son if he is not accepted to CS at UT, but not disappointed ABOUT him. Like the OP and your son, he is a bright kid and worked so hard for his top 7% rankings at his HS and test scores - not taking the easy route when he easily could.
@lacroixtower With your credentials, based on past readings of those who was admitted in 2018, I think you have a very good chance of being admitted to your major. Like TexasEx1998 said, I have no doubt you worked hard and done everything you can to present yourself as a great candidate for Mechanical Engineer. Everything now is out of your control so don’t stress over things that you can’t do anything about. Talk to your parents about how you feel - I am sure they probably didn’t even know that they are pressuring you - they are worried just as you and just want the best for you. Good luck … and let us know when you received that admission decision.
I used to have a different view at Texas schools. I looked into them more as my son was getting ready for application. They, ut and a&m, are both high on the marks esp for engineering. Ut is 11 and tamu is 15, tied to ucla. I thought that was very impressive. They are two very different schools but I think either will offer an awesome education. They have plus and minus. The rest is up to the individual.
@BingeWatcher UT does have a new tuition policy for families who make less than $65,000. Just FYI.
@txstella Yes, it is a wonderful policy, one of D’s friends will apply.
My son is also applying into Engineering (switch from CS) but his HS does not rank. (I have heard many schools, including many prestigious public school districts, like Plano, TX are already initiating this . It will be interesting how it will be handled, since it is not an auto-admit application.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2018/06/13/plano-isd-makes-changes-to-reduce-rank-obsessed-culture-among-high-schoolers/
@kirkhaven We are in a non ranking district (Frisco ) but they still rank the top 10% only for the purpose of auto admission.
I would tell you that the difference between in the engineering schools in the TOP 15 is minor. I have a engineering degree from TAMU and it is a great school. My daughter is an Junior in engineering at UT. They are both great schools and if you can make it through you will have good skills and a good job outlook. I agree the 6% thing makes it seem like TAMU is less. They take ~4500 in engineering vs Texas 1100 but I can say the quality of the education is the same from what I experienced and what my daughter is going through. Hopefully, he will get in but if not TAMU is still a great choice.
@BingeWatcher check out UTD. I know they offer some very good scholarships and with your daughter’s test scores, I bet she could get close to a full ride. Very good engineering school.
You do not have to be a perfect writer in order to get admitted into Engineering. Being an auto admit, puts you in a better position for chances of getting into your major, however it’s impossible to gage how competitive the applicant pool you’re in. If you feel as though you put forth your best effort and you were clear about your interest in your first choice major, then with a little patience you would hopefully receive a decision that is favorable. Good luck! You sound like a phenomenal individual! I hope you end up where you’re meant to be!