Does UT, specifically McCombs, look at your transcript to see the rigor of your classes. Or do they just see your rank? The reason I’m asking this is because I’ve heard people saying that UT’s “holistic” approach isn’t really holistic- meaning that you could go to a less competitive school and be ranked in the top 2 percent vs going to a top state public school and being ranked in the top 6 percent and not getting a specific major although being an auto admit
I’m an auto admit, but it seems unfair how UT would not look at the transcript and get the context of the rigor/competiveness of the school.
Also, I heard that when you apply to a specific major, UT sizes you up with other people from your high school who also applied for that major and pick the best one. Is this true?
The University has a deal with the state that they will accept students ranked in the top 7% (or so) of their class into UT. Actually all Texas state schools have this, its just that others will take the top 10%. This does not mean you get your major request, just that you get in. To get into a specific college or major, your total transcript is looked out. Many top 7% students get into UT, but not into McCombs/Cockrell/Computer Science. In this case they either get their 2nd choice (depending on how their transcript fares against the competition) or into General Studies.
So not that many people get into McCombs?
I’m aiming for that school. Would you say I’m a strong candidate if I had a 2200 SAT and a lot of EC’s(lots of honor societies, student council, band, but only one elected position) but am only in the top 6%? Also does UT even consider GPA? It seems unfair how some people can go to less competitive schools but be higher ranks since UT is so rank based.
I have posted these links for you before but I am posting them again. So many of the questions you are asking are answered in these documents. You should read them closely.
Page 32 of the second document says the PAI is the holistic portion of the process. The AI is NOT holistic but the PAI is. It is a hybrid approach.
A computer is going to calculate your AI based on your test scores and your rank plus an additional increment if you have exceeded UTs minimum requirements based on data you provide in My Status after your ApplyTexas applications go through.
A person is going to read your file and give you a PAI. Write good essays, provide an expanded resume, highlight the things that UT says are important in their Common Data Set and the documents attached. That AI/PAI will be the same regardless of what major you are applying to. Some majors require very high AI/PAI combinations. Others require lower scores/rank.
You will be put in a grid along with other people applying to your major and they will work their way down that grid. Because the test scores can come in through the end of December, the majority of applicants won’t hear until February because they have to know how many people are in each grid.
For non-ranking schools, they use your school profile to estimate a rank for you for the purpose of the AI, but remember- non-ranked candidates are not eligible for auto admit.
Page 33 of the second document says that 65-75 percent of McCombs slots will be filled with auto admits.
It may bother you that someone from a less competitive school may not appear to be as qualified as you but remember that the school is there to provide an education to all Texans not just those from wealthier, resource rich school districts. Those high ranking kids from less competitive schools are also submitting test scores. Texas schools are highly segregated and the Top ten percent rule is set up to assist kids from across the state with getting into the flagship.
One thing that might make you feel better is to look at this the Texas School Feeder Supplement. It shows the number of students enrolled from each high school in Texas. Comparing that number to what 7 percent of the graduating class is will indicate how many kids get in from your school- remembering that this report is who enrolls and roughly double probably get in and choose to go elsewhere.
https://admissions.utexas.edu/research
No UT does NOT look at GPA. Look at the common data set. They tell you there that they do not.
You are a very competitive candidate. My S got into McCombs with very similar stats to yours but he worked very hard on his application. More importantly he had safeties. He applied to Texas A&M (they fill Mays first come first serve so he applied there on August 2). He applied to OU where you don’t have to choose a major as a freshman.
The other thing I would suggest is you call your regional admissions representative. Ask as many questions as you want. That is what they are there for. But if you go into the process with an attitude that the UT process is unfair, you probably will be extremely bitter by February.
I feel extremley confident on every aspect of my application except rank and some EC’s. I’m in Nafional Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Science National Honor Society, Student Council, Latin Honor Society, Junior Classical League, and Band. But I only have actual one elected officer position. I know McCombs looks at leadership, but I am very confused where the line is where leadership is defined in EC’s. Does it have to be elected? Or can it be other ways of leadership I can exemplify in a expanded resume. For example, I am a tutor in all the honor societies and a student mentor in marching band, but those aren’t elected positions. So I’m wondering if McCombs would consider that leadership. Does being in a lot of EC’s alone help with McCombs in your opinion?
@gettingschooled I also started an online business, though small. I don’t know if this would be an EC though.
@gettingschooled what is UT’s minimum requirements? I have done three year of languages and I have finished pre-cal at the end of junior year, meaning I do Calculus AB and BC next year-meaning I’m ahead in math.
Also, does senior course load have a influence on admissions when you apply? Rather than maintaining your admittance
https://admissions.utexas.edu/explore/prerequisites/general-requirements
Here are the minimum requirements. You will fill it out based on what you expect to have at graduation. That is about the limit of how senior coursework matters.
@gettingschooled Is McCombs first come first serve? Does applying early help to any extent in getting admission?
Also do you think letter of recommendations would make a difference for both McCombs and Mays?
@gettingschooled how do you know you get an additional increment? If you’re on track for the DAP plan is that synonymous with getting an addition increment/going above the minimum requirements?
McCombs does not read your file. Go back to what I wrote. Admissions reads your file. They don’t say- this person is going to COLA, we don’t care about leadership in COLA. They look at leadership for everyone. Leadership is one component out of MANY in the PAI. Here is what is in the PAI-
The Personal Achievement Index (PAI) o Scores on two essays o Leadership o Extracurricular Activities o Awards/honors o Work experience o Service to school or community o Special circumstances: Socio-economic status of family Single parent home Language spoken at home Family responsibilities Socio-economic status of school attended Average SAT/ACT of school attended in relation to student’s own SAT/ACT Race/Ethnicity (beginning with fall 2005) Thus, merit includes the ambition to tackle rigorous high school coursework, the production of quality prose, and the desire to make a difference in one’s school, home, or community. Evidence of employability (work), and some sense of having excelled in any number of areas are also considered. Moreover, admissions officials place these attributes in the context of the circumstances under which the student lived.
The Personal Achievement Index (PAI) is UT Austin’s holistic approach to admissions. Admissions officers are trained each year to conduct comprehensive reviews of every completed application. All applicants are required to submit two essays. They are encouraged to include a resume detailing their civic and academic activities during their high school years. The resume, including letters of recommendation and all other items an applicant chooses to include, is then reviewed and scored on a scale of 1-6.
Here is what a PAI of 4 says-
A score in this category means that the applicant demonstrates creditable achievement in terms of leadership, service, or special honors. This achievement can be demonstrated in any field or through unique circumstances. The applicant’s achievement shows a good level of maturity and commitment, though the achievement itself might not be extraordinary.
Here is a six-
A score in this category means that the applicant demonstrates superior achievement in terms of leadership, service, or special honors. This achievement can be demonstrated in any field: academics, athletics, the arts, or extracurricular activities. Or it can be demonstrated through extraordinary circumstances: working to help support a family, developing a life skill, or facing a personal crisis. The applicant’s achievement shows an unusually high level of maturity, commitment, and perseverance.
Yes you could count starting a business as an EC, work experience and leadership.
http://ddce.utexas.edu/schoolpartnerships/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Expanded-Resume.pdf
Here is an example expanded resume. Notice that you will be telling how many years you did an activity which will demonstrate level of commitment and how many hours you spent on the activity. Depending on the honor society some of them require very little time. So some might help and some will just be fluff.
@gettingschooled thank you. But I was asking if McCombs was a first come first serve or if applying early or too late could help or hurt admissions. Also, do you know if being on track for the DAP is the same as getting an extra increment?
@gettingschooled Also, I haven’t taken the ACT yet. Could I do it this September then send the score even AFTER I submitted my application? I have a feeling I could get a 33+, with a 36 in math. Or would it be too late to send ACT to boost admission chances, because my application would already have been sent.
Which brings me back to my first question. Does applying late to McCombs hurt chances like Mays?
No major at UT is first come first serve. Re-read what I said about the grid. Read the links I gave you. There is no first come first serve. HOUSING is first come first serve.
Some people get in earlier than others. If it makes you feel better, apply in August. Then you won’t have to wonder. But many people who applied last August and got in during February will tell you that it does not matter.
@gettingschooled
All the honor societies I was in required a fair amount of time. I guess I could use the expanded resume to show that?
@gettingschooled
In the PAI, extra curricular activities was a sector. So from this point, I guess quantity over quality could work in my favor theoretically? I do have leadership roles though in practically every EC( which I could show through the resume) but I am just wondering if being in a lot of EC’s helps.