Additionally, I have a very high class rank (top 15% – extremely, extremely competitive school), but I have, in my honest opinion, very solid CS credentials. According to a friend, the Turing program places a huge weight on your class rank, and rarely admit people in my position. Do the reviewers indeed take this into account?
you applying in-state? top 15 may not be high enough, depending on what school you go to actually. UT has several “feeder” schools I believe that admit many students. Schools like this for example, Plano West in Dallas, Westwood in Austin, or LASA in Austin
Yes, in state. Not technically a “feeder” school, but a majority of my class has outstanding credentials compared to the rest of the years (5 perfect SATs, 2 MIT admits, etc.). I guess my question would be would they reject me solely on my rank, regardless of what school I’m from? I counted at least 9 turing applicants from my school.
That’s very tough to say. Turing Scholars Program admits have very high class ranks, disregarding the school you came from. The majority of those students maybe in the top 5% or higher in their class. Honestly, I believe that you have a 50/50 chance, based on what I see right now (just rank). Mind telling me your test scores and any EC’s worth mentioning? I can give you a more accurate chance
I’ve got a 32 on my ACT, I’ve been the VP of the CS club at my school for 2 years and president this year. My SAT Math score is a 780, total is a 2090. I’ve been programming for over 6 years and have a lot of side projects and national CS contest placements. Obviously not the best test scores, I kinda deluded myself into thinking that my background would get me through until reality hit.
Now that I have a clearer picture, I am thinking you have 60/40 chance of being admitted. Those are actually good scores. It is still the ranking that may deter you. Oh btw, I am applying in-state to engineering and physics back up though. My scores are pretty much the same, 2090 SAT (1450 Composite) and 790 Math Level 2. But my rank is like wayyyy worse even though my GPA is 4.45/5.0. Competitive school struggles! Let’s keep finger’s crossed friend, we can do this!
My second choice major is Economics, but I’m not sure I’d rather give up doing CS elsewhere to go to UT.
I’m perfectly content with just getting into the regular CS program, I’ve heard some horror stories of people just getting outright rejected with the same scores/rank – albeit not the same major or ECs as me. You think I’m at least safe for regular CS?
For regular CS, considering that you go to a very competitive school and you have very good scores AND you took the SAT II test, I would be surprised if they don’t accept you for regular CS. It’s just Turing that I am unsure about. Honors at UT is so incredibly difficult.
That eases my nerves a bit. Thanks a bunch for your input, and good luck to you too as well!
What do you think for me for regular Aerospace Engineering or Physics (CNS)
very difficult school (ranked 47th in nation, in state)
gpa: 4.45/5.0
rank: 244/617 (top 39%, so incredibly competitive bc of IB program)
SAT and SAT II: 2090 (1450 Composite) and 790 Math II
EC’s: Academic All-State and Academic All-District for football
3 years football
Co-Founder of Aerospace club
Internship at UT Cockrell for Aerospace (rec letter from professor)
Many medals for science olympiad @ state level and science fair
Did 4 essays really well (A,B,C, and S)
aerospace engn. independent research (4 years)
1000+ hours community service
Judging from what my peers have been talking about, Aerospace and ChemE are probably the two hardest majors to get into, but you’ve got sports and 1000 hours of community service (congratulations, btw, that’s a feat in itself). What stands out for you I would say is the internship and rec letter. My friend had a similar CS internship at a UT funded startup and while he really didn’t need that (perfect SAT, top 10), it definitely looks impressive and could very well put you above the rest in “academic fit” that these competitive majors look for. I would say you’re good for Physics, although I haven’t really looked into the stats for the major.
Thanks! Good luck to you 