I am thinking about majoring in computer science and I really want to go to Ut Austin. I know it’s very competitive so I want to know my chances of getting in
Class rank 15% (took all on level classes freshman year but taking most pap/ap classes from sophomore year)
Sat score:1360/1600 (1st one)
English:590
Math:770
2nd SAT (no scores yet) but predicting 800 on math
Act (not taken yet) but predicting 29
Because you are not in the top 7%, your chances are lower. You have got a great math score, work on pulling up your English score. You did not mention your ECs and previous programming classes or projects. They do take a variety of students, not just students who have been programming since the 2nd grade, but you do need ECs. Write a great essay. Have a safety backup plan that you are happy with.
Classes taking:
Video Game Design
Ap Physics 1
Ap computer science
Ism (mentorship with a professional software developer)
Ap Calc BC
US history
Ap Language
PAP French 3
Clubs that I have been involved in high school:
Science Olympiad
Math UIL
NJHS
Student Council
Currently:
Nhs
Volunteering for library
Planning:
Getting a job in math institutes(like Mathnasium, Kumon, or eye level)
Classes taking:
Video Game Design
Ap Physics 1
Ap computer science
Ism (mentorship with a professional software developer)
Ap Calc BC
US history
Ap Language
PAP French 3
Clubs that I have been involved in high school:
Science Olympiad
Math UIL
NJHS
Student Council
Currently:
Nhs
Volunteering for library
Planning:
Getting a job in math institutes(like Mathnasium, Kumon, or eye level)
And also English is my 2nd language
The biggest impact you could make on your application is pulling into the top 7%. Texas law leaves 75% of their spots for top 7 percenters while in state non top 7 get 15%. A high SAT/ACT will most likely be needed to compensate for “low” ranking.
You really want to aim for a 32+ on your ACT. The higher the better. The acceptance rate for CS is in the low 20s, maybe in the high teens now, as explained by an admissions officer. Since a majority of the acceptances have to be in the top 7%, this lowers the acceptance rate for non top 7 kids even more.
Try to push into the top 10%, preferably the top 7. Luckily TX has some other good state schools such as A&M and UTD with great CS programs. Work hard on getting your rank and test scores up, and write some amazing essays. Essays really do say a lot.
Side note: take the writing portion of the standardized tests. Writing scores are required and play a large part in your application.
Is it easier to transfer to UT Austin after freshman year
It still is hard to transfer to CS after freshman year. You would need close to a 4.0 GPA to be considered and again I think the competition is pretty fierce. I would pick a backup school that you could spend 4 years at which, as mentioned above, Texas has many: UTD, UTA, UTSA (cryptosecurity), A&M, UH, TTU. All have reputable CS programs and I’m sure there is even more. Keep your GPA high, which is actually hard, and try to transfer after a year. If it doesn’t work, you are at a good school to complete your degree.
With your stats and resume, you should consider UT Austin CS an extremely high reach. Even students within the top 7% are rejected from CS at UT Austin, and anyone outside the top 7% will have an even tougher time getting in. Work with your guidance counselor to develop a college list that includes matches and safeties. As others have mentioned, Texas has many other good options for CS. I’m sure you can find a school where you can be happy and successful even if you aren’t able to transfer to UT Austin.
Is UTD better or Texas A&M for computer science? (UTD is only 30 min away from my house)
I’m biased, my daughter is a freshman (sophomore by hours) at UTD majoring in CS. So far, it has been a very good experience for her. There is lots of help available between upperclassmen and the CS mentoring center. There is flexibility in taking classes outside of CS. She has decided she is going to double major in CS and cognitive science.
A&M has the better ranking but I think UTD’s program and potential internships/jobs in the Dallas/Austin area is unlimited. She much prefers the Dallas metroplex to College Station, but that is a matter of taste.
Both would be great choices, it depends on the type of university you want. If you want Greek system and large sports, A&M would be a better choice. If you like a smaller environment in a vibrant metroplex, UTD could be your answer.
One more thing about A&M CS. You cannot enter directly into it. You go into a general engineering program and apply to CS late in your first year. I don’t think it is one of the most desired engineering disciplines there so the competition is not as difficult as others. I also think if you have a 3.5 GPA, your first choice is guaranteed. Getting that 3.5 does take alot of work. If your GPA is less, there is no guarantee. This has all the entry statistics. https://engineering.tamu.edu/academics/advisors-procedures/entry-to-a-major/resources/analysis-spring-2016-admission-cycle/cpsc
I was accepted a couple months ago to the CS program at UT. Although I am in the top 7%, it was a reach for me. Through high school, I wasn’t aware that you had to apply to your major. I thought that with my rank I would have auto acceptance despite any test score; hence me blowing off my SAT. I scored a 1260 so your score is definitely better and I can confidently say you’re more intelligent. I also don’t have much experience. Though I’ve dabbled in CS the past three years, I don’t have any extra-curriculars to show for it or any projects. Saying this, I don’t know how I got in. Maybe my essays. So my advice is boost your rank, beef up your resume with experience, and write some bomb essays. I hope to share the GDC building with you soon!
I’ll offer the opposite perspective - I wasn’t top 7% (school doesn’t rank, but probably top 10-15%) and was accepted into CS in December. However, my scores were high, perfect for math, and I think that’s your sole saving grace as someone non-auto admitted trying to get into one of UT’s most selective majors.
I’d retake your SAT and try and get your math score a little higher, since every point counts for the preliminary decisions.
My results came back for the 2ND SAT and I got a 1400.
Math-800(perfect score)
English-600
What are my chances now?
Nobody can predict your chances. You do have that perfect score in math that will definitely help. All you can do is apply, write a great essay and hope for the best. Now, you need to look for a safety school that you can also be happy at. There are no guarantees at UT.
You should try the ACT because the New SATdoes not concord favorably to the Old SAT and ACT. 1400 concords to 30 ACT but chances are you can score better on the actual ACT.
Look at your school’s Naviance data for the last 2-3 years. If you know approximately how many students graduated each year, you can figure out the percentage of students who get in from your school. This is only an approximation for the overall rank that might get into UT of course…not every student in the top 7% will apply to UT, and likely many (or most) of the students who get in on holistic review aren’t applying to competitive majors like CS. Locate your stats in the acceptance history scattergram, and see whether most of the data points near your stats are accepted or rejected. Again, remember that many students in your range could have applied for less competitive majors. I can tell you that at my son’s school although 15-20 percent of the class gets into UT, for competitive majors like CS or engineering nobody is safe. If your Naviance scattergrams appear to show that few outside the top 7% get into UT you must accept that your chances are very very slim, and even if many more than the top 7% get in you are still a reach for CS.
I recommend you take ACT and see if you can get a better score. 29 is unfavorable. My son got a composite score of 35 on ACT and 36 on science.