Hey guys I’m trying to get into UT Austin, but I’m scared that I won’t get in I blew off my freshman year, and first semester of sophomore year in high school. I’m currently in my second semester of sophomore year improving doing much better than before. I’m ranked 50% in my class since I was careless for 3 semesters, I’m panicking thinking I don’t know if I’ll get in. What matters most when getting into UT?, is there still time to fix up. What are the requirements for getting into UT, i know there’s a cap program what are the requirements for that. Are SAT scores, recommendation letters, etc. just as important as class rank? What about extracurricular and volunteering. I also take all Advance classes(Pre-AP) all throughout high school so far, one AP. So can I still get in? I got my whole junior year ahead. If not what are the requirements for cap?
As a senior who recently just got accepted in UT Austin, I would say you have plenty of time to show UT who you really are. Colleges like it when a student has a positive trend when it comes to grades so keep up doing well in school. You do not necessarily need to have a cumulative 4.0 or above gpa but you do need to have at least a 3 most likely. As well, schools will generally check the rigor of your courses based off of what is available to you. Being a military dependent, I did not have the same class opportunities moving around compared to my peers causing me to have a lower GPA but I still took hard classes anyways which is what colleges want. AP’s are a good way to present rigor but don’t go and take AP’s that do not fit your need or interest like AP Art if you want to become an engineer. The AP’s and honors classes you want to take are usually the academic ones like English, math, and history, but if you like something like computer science then take it. Recommendation letters are not really relevant unless you are looking to get into a school that requires them or an early admissions program elsewhere. SAT or ACT scores are important as they differentiate you as an applicant. Again like the GPA, you do not have to do amazing to get accepted into UT Austin but the higher, the more likely you will. Anything above a 1350 well definitely get you going. And, do not be afraid to take the SAT multiple times in senior or junior year as they only look at one score. I took the SAT twice and I really studied for it the second time and I got a 1500. Just keep pushing for a higher score until you get one that you are satisfied with (or at least in reason. Don’t go beating yourself up because you cant get above a 1450 or something). Finally, UT Austin and every other school will be looking at whether you do extracurricular, clubs, or volunteer work. What they want to see is passion and dedication to a few clubs or services that take up a significant amount of your time. They do not want to see you spreading to thin and participating in every club. Find an extracurricular you love and stick with it. College applications will want to know about what you do and the achievements you have accomplished so sticking with an extracurricular is worth it. I have done robotics the last few years as well as swim team which most likely helped me get accepted. Hope the tips helped and good luck in high school.
Well, I would say give it a try, but have backup schools. If you’re not auto-admit, it really is hard to get in. Rank is VERY important to UT. My nephew was top 15%. He had amazing ECs and took tough classes, but didn’t get in. His appeal was unsuccessful, even though my family has lots of connections at the school (his grandfather was a professor there for 40 years and knew many people).
Nothing is 100% and there is always an exception to every rule. So, take with a grain of salt.
In a nutshell, most elite schools has certain criteria and also matches highly successful student traits
- No Excuses, No Low, Not Lazy, Not Afraid and Not a Bookworm
important threshold
- PSAT above 1380(No Excuses)
- SAT/ACT high scores 1450/33 (No Low)
- 4 years GPA and Class Ranking near the top (Not Lazy)
- Rigor classes AP (Not Afraid)
- EC (Not a Bookworm)
Considerations to put you over the top. Essays, Interview, Minority status, Volunteer, Work experience, First Gen.
UT is a great school, but getting into the school is only half the battle. If you want to do something employable like business, computers, nursing, etc, they usually only take the top students. Getting into those majors as a UT student is near impossible unless you can maintain a 4.0. Otherwise, you’re majoring in sociology. You’re better off getting an employable degree at another university.
@Titusdls Really? You told an applicant that recommendations are irrelevant and don’t take AP classes outside of one’s interest. That has got to be the most pathetic thing I’ve heard on here.
First of all, recommendations are always relevant, especially if they are written well & provide an insight into students’ life and abilities.
Second, AP classes (whether or not one likes Bio, Physics, Chem, or whatever else) is always important as it shows rigor and ability to perform in a variety of classes.
(Hopefully, this doesn’t sound too mean, but oh well)
You can definitely still get in. But listen - and this is important - you can’t screw around anymore. A lot of people say stuff along the lines of “I’ve been goofing off, but now, it’s time to get serious.” Then they focus for a few days, but revert back to their old habits and do badly. Keep your focus on your goals.
If you want to get into UT Austin, you still can. But right now, your stats are not good. Over 90% of the people who get in are in the top quarter, and 75% of people are in the top 10%. You’re going to have to put in a lot of work to raise your rank. I can guarantee you that the few people who aren’t in the top quarter, who get in, have extremely good extracurriculars - sports, awesome awards, etc.
The good news is that you’ve caught on early. Freshman year matters the least, with, to my knowledge (correct me if I’m wrong) junior year being the most important. As others in here have said, if you can show steady signs of progress, colleges will consider and like that. Especially a jump from top 50% to, say, top 10%. And you can explain this jump in your essays - how you got serious, etc.
“What matters most when getting into UT? Is there still time to fix up. What are the requirements for getting into UT, I know there’s a cap program what are the requirements for that.”
To my knowledge, rank matters the most. There is time to start fixing up, but you have to start now. UT doesn’t have any “hard” requirements, i.e. a rank or SAT score, nor does the CAP program have requirements. There are somewhat unspoken soft requirements - like I said before, you must be at least top quarter, top 10% for best chances. Since your rank isn’t very good, you’ll need something to compensate. SAT, extracurriculars, will do. Do some volunteering - anything to fill up that application bar. The other answer by texaggie gives some examples of things that will help you a lot.
“Are SAT scores, recommendation letters, etc. just as important as class rank? What about extracurricular and volunteering.”
They’re not as important, but still not something to take lightly. UT doesn’t require nor recommend rec letters, but you should still ABSOLUTELY submit two of them to be competitive. Get on good relations with some teachers. Extracurriculars matter for literally every college. Join some clubs - as many as you can, maybe win a few awards. Since your rank is so far out of UT’s range, you need to have excellent SAT, extracurriculars.
I was in a situation similar to you, though not as extreme. I was top 17% freshman year and top 12% sophomore year. For UT, these stats are very bad. According to this site, I had virtually no chances. I still got in, cause around the same time, I got serious about my grades and stuff (although I had ADHD, so it didn’t actually help that much).
Don’t get discouraged. That’s extremely important. If you get discouraged and lose hope, and accept your perceived chances of never getting in, then you won’t. Change your chances. You still have half of sophomore year and junior year to do this. If you feel you’re ready, stack up on AP classes, but be prepared to do work.
Don’t aim for CAP, aim to get in. Some people are overly arrogant and this shows up in their grades - they won’t ask for help. If you must, swallow your pride and go in for tutoring. Now is not a time to be timid or arrogant. Get a private tutor, go in for tutoring sessions after school, whatever it takes to bring those grades up. Identify what’s holding you back - distractions, boredom, and fix those problems.
Keep in mind what I said at the beginning - you’re going to want to revert back to laziness, etc. Don’t.
Good luck. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
The average SAT listed on the McCombs website for the last class of admits is a 1324…is it possible I’m looking in the wrong place? And I’ve also been told schools don’t even look at your PSAT unless you’re national merit…