I’m really interested in applying to UT Austin as a CS major. I’m out of state, and from what I’ve heard, admission to UT for CS is super competitive. I’ve heard that only applicants with experience in research or app development or knowledge of multiple programming languages get in.
How true is this? In case you’re wondering, my weighted GPA is 4.17 and I got a 31 on my ACT on April (32 English 32 Math 31 Reading 30 Science). I retook the ACT earlier this month and suspect I did better but have not gotten my scores back yet. I go to a small private school where CS classes aren’t offered nor are technology clubs like robotics. I did take AB Calculus last year and got a 5 on the exam. I am taking BC this year.
Legacies are not considered. CS is very competitive whether you and I state or OOS. I don’t think you are required to have done research etc. to get in although it would help. I just think you will have a harder time than others explaining why you want to do CS with so little exposure to it. You’ll have to explain that in essay C very well.
Does your school rank? Any idea where you fall? That and test scores will be important. UT does not look at GPA.
My school doesn’t rank (I think it’s because I’m in a class of 30 total students). If I had to guess I’d tell you that I’m probably first or second. Does the fact that my school doesn’t rank hurt me?
I think I have a few good things to talk about in essay C. I built my own PC and since then I’ve dabbled in some Python and right now I’m learning JavaScript. Anyways, I’ll do my best… thanks for the reply!
I think UT will assign you a rank. I have not seen this in writing but based on their common data set saying 98.6% of people submit a rank and the number of people saying their schools don’t rank, I have to believe that is what they are doing. That is what A&M does. Not having a rank hurts you if UT assigns you a lower rank than you really have. There really isn’t anything you can do about that.
Do a really good job on the resume and the essay and have a safety. OOS at UT is tough. Good luck on your ACT score.
I heard UT tends to assign a higher approximate rank, so maybe the fact that your school doesn’t rank will play to your benefit? I’m an OOS chemical engineering major, and I can attest to the fact that it is a lot harder to get in OOS (and scholarships/honors/other programs prioritize in-state students, I’m pretty sure). I think you have a pretty good shot of getting in. I have quite a few friends who are CS majors, so if you want someone to talk to, feel free to ask me Good luck!
@imthereal What do you mean by a higher approximate rank? And yeah – UT seems especially hard to get in OOS because of the 7% rule… oh well. Thanks for the help
@mrstat I meant that they tend to approximate ranks higher than they actually would be, if that makes sense? Sorry for not being able to explain it well, haha.
Good luck!