Hey everyone, I’m about to go into my senior year of high school and I have wanted to go to UT Austin for as long as I can remember. Particularly their crazy good engineering school.
However, whenever I read about admissions, it always gets me down. “Top ten this!” “Top ten that!” Is a phrase that many will come by when perusing any Texas school admissions forum. This, of course, makes me very sad considering that I am currently at the top 20% in my rather competitive high school.
Lets break it down:
ACT - 32
GPA (unweighted) - 3.77
GPA (weighted) - 4.22
Class Rank - 75 out of 392 (top 20%)
Now I won’t lie, I’m pretty proud of these numbers! I just took the ACT again a few days ago and I’m anxiously waiting to receive a potentially better score than a 32…which would be great. Are there any non-top 10th admitted out there? Am I alone in my quest for admission? Please help guide me through this college roller coaster! What are my chances, guys?
Yep a friend of mine is actually attending to UT Austin CS with lower stats than yours. 1940 on the SAT probably like 29 or 30 on the ACT and 3.60 UW GPA. Apply EA if you can. It’s not easy to get in but your stats aren’t bad.
Note that UT Austin offers automatic admission for the top 7% (top 8% for next year) of in state students at their high school. This policy has filled up 75% of the spots in the school making it extremely competitive for OOS students. I am not surprised to see students with much lower stat to get in as long as they meet the 7% cut off. Getting into the engineering school would make it even more difficult.
Hard to know your chances, but you aren’t a sure thing. Apply and do it as early as you can and see what happens. Your high scores make you more likely. If you live in Texas, you can do CAP or PACE.
There is no EA at UT. The average ACT composite is 30 for Texas students not automatically admitted (the average for the school of engineering is 31 but that includes auto admits). They’ll fill 75% with top 8% next year and @ 9% OOS/international, leaving @ 16% for Texas non auto admits. You apply for first and second choice majors, but they’ll really look more heavily at your first major request. Engineering will be more competitive than some other majors, so just make sure you look like you will succeed in engineering and have a demonstrated interest in it. Hopefully you’ve taken and aced the most challenging curriculum your school offers in math and science. Make sure your senior course work includes such courses. Do any of your ECs reflect engineering/math/science? If you haven’t, considering participating in math competitions/science fairs. What was your ACT M score? Also, maybe consider taking the SAT Subject Math II test and submit if you ace it. You have a chance, but you also still have an opportunity to tailor your application to boost your chances. Good luck!
I know a student with similar stats who was wait listed at UT (he applied to engineering) and then offered a spot but not in any major he wanted. This student is going to a well-regarded OOS school to study engineering.
You are a good student. You may get accepted or get CAP. I know of quite a few students who are doing CAP. Good luck! You probaly have a much better chance at A&M engineering.
Wow, I’ve never even thought about SAT subject tests, but I’m sure they could really help show off my math and physics skills. Yeah I’ve taken all the hard math/science classes that my school has to offer. I’ve taken my school’s engineering course and my senior year I will be doing AP calc 2 along with AP physics 2.
My math score on my ACT was a 33, but it may be even higher after I receive my June scores. I’m feeling pretty confident.
Sooo things that I should do my senior year:
- take math/physics SAT subject tests
- join math honors society
- join science honors society
- join some clubs that may strengthen the engineering transcript (computer science club?)
So right now, this list seems pretty achievable. Anything else I can do to get ahead of the competition? Thanks!
Good luck with those scores.
Do your best on the personal statement. Are you OOS?
Definitely take the subject tests to show strengths in those areas. It will also show you’ve gone above and beyond since they’re not required with the ACT. Hopefully you’ll have a higher math and composite score on the ACT and can use score choice to submit those (current good, but the higher the better). If you’re involved in anything now, run for leadership. UT places a heavy emphasis on leadership. Don’t just join a bunch of things senior year. They look for involvement and depth more than quantity. So if you add, make it very deliberate and get involved. Research competitions and fairs you can participate in. Another idea is to spend your summer wisely. Look into a related job/internship or take a related college course or college camp. Rice, for example, offers some STEM camps, but you can also look into a local college/online for a STEM course (will show interest and ability). On your expanded resume highlight STEM activities, honors, awards, etc. Also, UT doesn’t require recommendations but allows two. Choose them wisely. Math/science teachers that think you’re a stand out or if you do something STEM related in the summer like a college course/camp and do well then that might be a good rec source.
I think you’re a good candidate and honing in will help you stand out.
You’ve run the Net Price Calculator on the school’s web site to see if your family can afford it, right?