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<p>That is not exactly true. You are confusing automatic admission based on rank and holistic admission. Nothing precludes someone with a high unweighted GPA to be admitted to one of the most competitive programs that are not subject to automatic admission.</p>
<p>For instance, UT at Austin looks at the High School Coursework:</p>
<p>“When making admission decisions, we look positively upon students who show their commitment to academics by taking the most rigorous coursework available to them. Level of coursework taken is considered in context with the availability of coursework in your high school.”</p>
<p>See [Application</a> Review | Be a Longhorn](<a href=“http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/freshmen/after-you-apply/review]Application”>Review & Decision Process - University of Texas Admissions)</p>