<p>I visited Austin on a family vacation two months ago, and I really liked the school. I'm just concerned if I can get in. I go to a pretty competitive school in Illinois, but did not really start trying until junior year, regrettably. I have a 3.3 UW GPA, and a 33 ACT (w/ 2190 SAT, but whatever). I am hopeful, however, for I remember at the admissions presentation that the representative mentioned that for potential applicants they weigh both the academic and non-academic portions of one's application equally. I think my extracurriculars are pretty strong - I've played in infinite music-related things (multiple orchestras, first chair, etc.) and I've been on Varsity in two sports, as well as other various notables (writing tutor, random community service). Any advice/chances would be appreciated.</p>
<p>~RD</p>
<p>If you really want to go to the University of Texas as an Out of State applicant you should pick the least selective major(s) possible when applying. Don't apply for business, engineering, architecture, etc. (the competitive majors) Instead apply to Geosciences or the Liberal Arts college. This will allow your exceedingly good standardized test scores to shine light on your relatively weak class rank. It's important to realize that while initially you are applying to perhaps programs and majors that you don't necessarily want, you can easily transfer to other programs/majors if you do well enough at UT for your first year. So, apply to an easy major and do as much as you can to improve your class rank. I think you have about a 50/50 which isn't too bad.</p>
<p>Pretty good SAT's/ACT's.
But UT doesn't even look at your GPA. Considering you a 3.3 UW GPA, I'd say you probably don't have a good class rank b/c getting in to UT is all about Class Rank.
You'll probably need to be in the top 15% at the least to have a shot at any of UT's colleges, excluding McComb's School of Business and Cockrell's School of Engineering.
You'll probably need to be in the top 5% for those colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks, both. Comments - </p>
<p>manifesto - That's my general plan for most of the places that I'm applying to. I've heard from many sources that it's very simple to transfer majors in any school.</p>
<p>Xcellerator - My school doesn't rank. I'm assuming this'll be a helpful thing.</p>
<p>~RD</p>