Getting into UT Austin (not top 8%)?

<p>UT automatically accepts students ranking in the top 8% in Texas high schools, but what if I am just outside of that? (about 8.5%). A brief resume - I have a 2200 SAT, 5's on several AP exams, and close to 100 hours or so of community service, among other things. Assuming I have good, but not fantastic, essays, could I get into UT Austin, at the very least into the School of Undergrad studies?</p>

<p>if you are just outside of 8% you should make it based on your APs and SAT score. Just apply in August as soon as it opens.</p>

<p>bump…?</p>

<p>Definitely think you have a great chance for UGS. Your resume looks a lot like my friend’s (although he was an auto-accept), and he tried for Cockrell and McCombs, but surprisingly got put into Undecided at UGS. :/</p>

<p>Does it really help to apply right in August? Like ate your chances much higher then?</p>

<p>The only notable difference is that you’ll get a response more quickly, especially if you’re within the auto-accept range. Don’t do it all right away though. Definitely take your time on the essays and your resume, if you need it for one of your applications.</p>

<p>Alright, well I’d be OK with UGS, I would love to be somewhere in UT… How much of a difference would stuff added to the resume make? Like say I was Commended PSAT, worked at a physician’s clinic over summer, and have been playing a sport for 3-4 years? Because I hear UT really only deeply considers Rank? (considering im around 10%)</p>

<p>Thanks!!</p>

<p>There’s no real formal resume for the general application, but there is a section for extracurricular activities that you have to fill out, and my presumption is that it’ll hold a lot of weight if you’re not auto-accepted, since you’ll be reviewed holistically. I don’t see why you would ever leave those things out though, unless you really don’t feel up to entering all of those things in.</p>

<p>I wasn’t even in the top 10% when I applied. 10.5% to be exact and I got into the major of my choice, Mccombs. My ACT score was okay (28).</p>

<p>Make sure you write a unique and compelling essay. I’m sure that is what got me in considering that my friends with higher class ranks didn’t get in and/or didn’t get their choice major (even if they were in top 8%).</p>

<p>Alright, I’ve just heard scary stories about people not getting into UT, but still getting into other very prestigious universities, just because of the rank rule. I’ll be sure to work on that essay.</p>

<p>Also, would it make any difference if I sent in all my application materials about the last week of October? When do most people send in applications to UT?</p>

<p>Bump…</p>

<p>Like I said, if you want better chances, do it early in August. It is first come first serve until they fill the open seats.</p>

<p>But that just seems like a strange policy to me. What if they filled the spots with a bunch of underqualified kids in August and a slew of people with 2400 sat scores applied in November? I assumed they just look at all applications beginning at the application deadline. And a lot of my materials, such as new class rank, SAT scores, and a few awards won’t come until mid October. How much worsened are chances when not applying in August? Because I’ll definitely be sending the application October, would I still have a chance?
Thanks</p>

<p>welcome to the real world.</p>

<p>they are required to admit top 8%. They can use the rest to fill at their discretion and they don’t sit around waiting for miracle candidates with 2400 scores who usually get into other schools too.</p>

<p>I was a non-auto admit and found out in mid February that I was accepted, along with most everybody else I knew that applied to UT… I continue of anybody that found out earlier just because they applied earlier. I didn’t finalize all the materials for my app until October I’d say and I don’t think that’s really something that affects admission</p>

<p>meant to say *I don’t know of anybody that found out earlier</p>

<p>fruitloops - Are you instate? What are your numbers/rank.</p>

<p>Once you waited until late October, you became part of the regular pool. There is an early deadline for honors on October 15th.</p>

<p>oh well I didn’t apply for honors, sorry i thought you guys were talking about just regular admission? I’m in state</p>

<p>Dec 1st is the official deadline, October 15th is the early honors deadline.</p>

<p>They do admit instate students who are not in 8% early on too but as seats fill up the rest are considered along with OOS students at the end. So if OP wants to wait to find out in late February like you, OP can apply whenever too. When they have a lot of openings early, it is easy to say yes.</p>