Do you think I could get into UT Austin?

[rolaskatox1]

I was wondering, what do you guys think my chances are of getting in?

Currently I have a 4.0909 GPA (which hopefully should rise to a 4.2 by the end of the second semester) and I’m a sophomore.

I go to a really competitive school and in order to make the Top 10% I would need a 4.4 GPA which I think I could achieve. However, I’m currently in the Top 25%

I’ve been on the school wrestling team for the past 2 years but I haven’t won any state titles or anything spectacular like that. However I plan to quit at the end of 2nd semester. I’m a member of National Honor Society. I hope to replace wrestling by joining National Science Honor Society, being a student athletic trainer, and joining Future Health Professionals of America.

My courseload for junior year:
AP US History
AP Physics 1
AP Chemistry

Classes I plan on taking by senior year:
AP Government/ Economics
AP Human Geography
AP Biology
…and some dual credit classes I’m not sure of yet.

I haven’t taken the SAT yet, but I scored a 1220 on the PSAT and my goal for the SAT is a 1330-1400.

Also I’m African American if that helps.

I would really like to consider my chances. Any advice would be extremely helpful. I know it’s hard to get in if you’re not in the Top 10%.

Thank you all so much.

[carachel2]

Are you in Texas or would you be out-of-state?

What major would you be applying for?

AA,hispanic and caucasian students in our area seem to be rejected, CAP’d and offered alternative majors on a very equal basis. I don’t think it matters.

[rolaskatox1]

I’m in Texas. I’m not sure about my major but something related to medicine.

[JAMCAFE]

If by medicine you mean a major in College of Natural Science then you need to meet the Calculus Readiness
requirement in order to be considered for admission by the December 1 deadline. From UT website:

Freshman applicants can show calculus readiness by submitting one of the following by the applicable admissions deadline:

An SAT Math score of 620 or above (600 or above if the test was taken prior to March 2016);
An ACT Math score of 26 or above;
An Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB or BC test score of 3 or higher;
An International Baccalaureate (IB) HL or SL Mathematics score of 4 or higher;
An official college or university transcript showing credit for a college-level Calculus I (or higher) course with a grade of C or higher; or
An ALEKS math score of 80 or above

[rolaskatox1]

Assuming I’m able to meet this requirement, what are my chances?

[JAMCAFE]

Top 25% reduces your chances significantly. Your rank will be set at the end of junior year so the part of your app you can affect will be your test scores, essays and, recommendations.

I point out the Calculus readiness to demonstrate that a SAT math 620 is a minimum for CNS. You’ll want to well exceed 620 and take AP calc if possible.

[Raynrayn327]

I would say you have a decent chance if you focus on writing bomb essays and getting as many hours of community service as you can. Stats are great, but to be able to surpass other applicants, you have to show them that you are different. “Stats are not everything”- a girl who thought she didn’t stand a chance of getting in to UT. Good luck! If you have any other questions, I would be happy to help!

[EngPII]

Try anyway. Have backup schools.

[austingal]

Our school had an exorbitant amount of students CAP’d (rejected) with stats much higher than yours this year. Just know that your chances are slim going in and if you are accepted it will be a great surprise.

[LucidDream]

Honestly, if you REALLY want UT then why don’t you transfer to a less competitive school to boost up your rank? I’ve seen people given up their coursework at another school just to grab a top spot at a far more populated school. Clocked the username though.

[nosyllaste]

You COULD transfer to a less competitive school, but 1) doing so to achieve a higher rank won’t make you any friends-trust me, this happened at my HS, and 2) there is no guarantee that you will still end up in the top 10% or the coveted top 7%. In addition, if the school is smaller, it will likely not have all of the advanced/AP courses or as many extracurriculars.
Keep studying and doing well in your classes. Don’t allow yourself to slack off at any point during your junior year. When you do take the SAT (and/or the ACT), make sure you study a bit for that too. If you take the test(s) during the second semester of your junior year, you allow yourself more time to study for them beforehand. (I did this, and I promise you that it helped a lot. If you can afford it, I also suggest taking it at least twice. I made a pretty satisfactory score on my first try, but I knew I needed to achieve a higher score to distinguish myself. I waited three-ish months and retook it. I scored over 100 points higher!!)

[anxnymous]

To be dead honest with you, it’s incredibly difficult to get into UT Austin if you’re not within the Top 7%. One of my friends, for example, was in the Top 8%, had strong SAT scores, but was not admitted. Top 25% in that matter will significantly hurt you because UT will take into consideration the Top 7% first and foremost. The remaining spots are left to fight over between Out of state students, international students, transfer students, etc. Good luck and work hard!