Chances For University of Texas - Austin

<p>I am applying Dec. 1 for Cockrell Electrical Engineering, </p>

<p>GPA: 4.5 (weighted) 3.5 (unweighted)
ACT: 26, E: 30 M: 27 R: 20 S: 25 W: 11, Comb. E/W: 31 (bad i know, but I am re-taking in October for a 28+)
AP: World History, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, Spanish Language, Microeconomics, Statistics
Rank: School does not rank</p>

<p>EC's
Political Action Internship (2 yrs, but only eligible in junior year)
Concert Band (3 yrs)
Jazz Band (1 yr)
Volunteer at local hospital (4 yrs - 2 yrs as head supervisor)
Volunteer as AYSO Soccer Referee (3 yrs)
Over 200 hrs of total volunteer work
Student Ambassador (4 yrs)
Junior/Senior Class Council (2 yrs, Treasurer both years)
Debate Team (2 yrs)
Class Advisory Leader (2 yrs)
Architectural Apprenticeship (1 yrs - Quit because I hated architecture)</p>

<p>Awards
Questbridge College Prep Scholar (Junior Year)
Perfect Attendance (Grade 9, 10, 11 (maybe 12))
Church Essay Contest Winner (9, 10)</p>

<p>Background
Ethnicity: African American
State: IL
School: Top 3 public school in IL. Top 50 in country.</p>

<p>So what are my chances? This is a target-safety school.</p>

<p>well… heres my credentials for this-- i got in as a freshman (non-auto admit) and my highschool college counselor was a UT admissions counselor so she gave me some insight then for when i was applying as a freshman:</p>

<p>UT cannot be a safety school unless you are in top 7-8% of your class-- more than 75% of their student body comes from Tx schools (there are tons of em, which is why its really hard to get in non-auto admit)</p>

<p>UT looks a LOT at numbers- they have so many volumes of applicants that its a quick way for them to easily eliminate a lot of applicants-- I had a 31 ACT / 3.97 GPA unweighted. It put me at a very high rank though I was actually 9% and NOT in top 8% </p>

<p>My school said they “dont rank” but they actually do-- they rank the top percentages for the purposes of texas schools- you can double check with your advisor to see if you fit in that range</p>

<p>Also, your acheivements will count/draw their attention but she told me that ESSAYS, really really impressive essays, make the big difference if you’re a candidate they are on the fence about! Take your time and write good ones— they don’t have to be super long (there are a few threads that talk about how long they are… mine were each LESS THAN TWO PAGES-- they have to read so many essays that a well-written concise essay will be most effective to them. would you want to read thousands of three page essays?)</p>

<p>If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me! I can always ask my old counselor too! Even though I got in, i got a good scholarship to another school… but I’m transferring back to UT (fingers crossed) for next fall! GOOD LUCK!</p>

<p>Right now, UT-Austin (according to my counselor) is a target and if I nail my essay, my chances should be ok.</p>