<p>I'm going to be a senior in high school next year and I have a few questions regarding college applications since I'm going to be the first one in my family to attend college in the U.S.</p>
<p>I would like to attend UT Austin, but like I mentioned, I'm not in the top 8% so I know I'm not auto-admitted. I'm in the top quarter at a very, very competitive school in Houston. What does UT look at the most when it comes to applications? Rank/GPA? How important is the SAT score?
1) My SAT score: 650 in CR, 710 Math, 750 Writing= 2110. I was wondering if that score is good enough to be considered for UT. I know there are other factors involved, but strictly SAT speaking, is that good enough? Should I take it again and aim for say, a 2200+? </p>
<p>2) How does early decision work? When would I have to submit my apps for early decision? </p>
<p>3) Are SAT subject tests important for college application? If I want to be in time for early decision, I might have to take the SAT again in October, but then I can't also take subject tests. Does it matter what subject tests I take?</p>
<p>4) For recommendations, I'm supposed to get one from the counselor. However, my counselor doesn't really know me... I've only spoken to him a few times regarding my courses. Since he'll already have my grades, should I just submit a list of my extracurricular activities and achievements to him? These letters aren't limited to just school teachers/ admins, right?</p>
<p>You have decent scores, so you certainly have a chance. The shift from accepting the top 10% to the top 8-9% may work in your favor since it allows more room for strong applicants who aren’t auto-admits. I don’t know the answers to all of your questions, but I would say it definitely wouldn’t hurt to bring up your test scores. I would try to get each subscore at or above the 75th percentile for UT (CR- 670, Math 710, Writing 680). That just means you have to do a little work on your reading section, but don’t stress if you’re not able to bring it up. You just want to give them every possible reason to admit you. At my school, for counselor recs, since our school is so large they have students choose 5 teachers to fill out a form and write general info about you as a person and student. Then, you have to answer questions about yourself and your parents answer questions about you. Choose the teachers wisely, as I’ve heard that your teacher’s comments may end up verbatim in your counselor’s letter! Good luck :)</p>
<p>Rank is most important for Instate however your sat is super super good, I didn’t know there was early desision for UT, Subjext tests aren’t important unless you wanna apply to like the engineering school or something, and sure do that with your counselor but it wouldn’t hurt to pop in some this year and get acquainted! Also it depends on the school you’re applying to, for how difficult it will get in</p>
<p>@pinklam: I don’t know if I should retake it though, since this was already my second time. @Mlihp1: I want to apply to University of Texas UT, but like I said, I don’t know if I have a chance because I’m not in the top 8% and my SAT score isn’t phenomenal.</p>
<p>Top 25% is kind of stretching it but it really depends on which major/ program you’re applying to as well (in my opinion). If you think you have a good chance at 2200 I would. Also, try the ACT maybe? It was a far easier test for me. Good luck! 2100 is already fairly good for UT solely for admittance into the college, but better safe than sorry! (especially for a school that cares so much about numbers)</p>
<p>I know a few people from my school who got in who were not automatic acceptance. From what I know, your essays will play a really a big part as well as your extracurricular activities. However, it may also depend on what major you do. The people I know that got in did business. Also, I am not so sure if SAT means everything. There is this one person from my school who got a 2340 and was top 12% but did not get in.</p>
<p>When I say school I mean ex: “school of engineering, business etc” and you’re sat is really good don’t bring yourself down! I’ve seen people admitted with far worse stats</p>
<p>Also the business engineering and communication schools are hardest to be admitted to in that order! Like that person who didn’t get in probably tried for the hardest majors and didnt have much else going for them! Ut is really random in admission</p>
<p>@acoulatte: I don’t know how I can bring up my rank other than to just try to get as many As in my AP classes as possible. Since my rank isn’t that great, I was thinking that maybe having a high SAT score would make up for it. Would that work?
I want to major in psychology. @mas213: That is really weird. All I really know about UT’s admission process is that it’s unpredictable. @Mlihp1: What school would it be if I want to major in psychology? Thank you so much for your words or encouragement!</p>
<p>Majoring in Psychology would mean you are in liberal arts, so you’d just list College of Arts and Science. That’s the easiest school to get into, in fact, majority of those who are auto-admits and don’t get into Engineering/Business, immediately get placed into the liberal arts college. Also, I think your SAT score is awesome. IF you can raise it up then go ahead and take it in October. Since you’re not an auto-admit they’ll do a thorough holistic review so be sure to have nothing less than stellar essays, recs, extracurriculars, volunteering hours, etc. Good luck!</p>
<p>NO problem! And yah what they said^ I’m applying this year too and am in the same boat as you! But I have like a lot of extracurriculars but not as good of an sat but I’m taking it again in October. I have a good act though! Also I’m thinking about applying to psychol</p>
<p>If you want to be super sure make your first choice to what you wanna get into and psychology into a least popular major! Like psych is the most popular among liberal arts</p>
<p>If you<code>re from CVHS or DeBakey or a private school from here, there is a good chance you</code>re going to get in with those stats, but regardless, work on your ECs. Remember, UT non automatic in-state Admission is probably the MOST random chance you can possibly get.</p>