<p>At my school I am currently ranked in the top 15%, which makes it pretty difficult for me to get accepted into UT. However, one of the worst high schools (academically) is right by my house. A friend of mine that used to go there said that I would easily be in the top 3-5% if I transferred there (He was in the top 1% at this school and in the top 8 at mine.) By the way I am a high school junior. Would my sneaky plan work? If so, when should I transfer? When should I apply to UT? am trying to get in for an undergrad. law program.</p>
<p>Really need the help. I might not even consider becoming a lawyer, if I can not get into UT.</p>
<p>It is totally ethical to switch schools. For a couple of reasons. First off… that is the process that the Texas state government created when they enacted the 10% rule. Second of all it is not prohibited by the University of Texas or Texas Board of Education. Third if the school is the closest to your house you would generally have been zoned to attend there anyway. Don’t forget the goal of the University of Texas is to get the best students available despite the restrictions the Texas Legislature imposes on them (10% rule). Your goal is to attend the best school available to you. So if you need to switch schools to be an auto admit go for it and don’t look back.</p>
<p>Oh and it not that sneaky, kids all over the state do it, it is a well know practice and not deterred. Generally the gaining schools benefit from higher quality students which tend to help bring up the overall grades of the school.</p>
<p>There were a few people from my high school that were not going to be auto admits to UT but they switched high schools and easily got auto admission. Remember that being an auto admit doesn’t mean that you will get the major of your choice. Anything in the natural sciences (and I believe the liberal arts) is an open college which will take anyone that got into UT (all auto admits). But other competitive colleges like engineering, business, architecture, and a few others will not necessarily accept you so that is something to recognize when thinking about switching high schools.</p>
<p>I’d be surprised if such a loop hole exists. Considering that you will be a senior transfer, it is likely that you will be unranked in your class (UR). BTW being an instate student still gives you a big advantage at UT. Good luck (Hook em horns)</p>
<p>The only issue is that when applying to UT - you will be applying during the fall of your senior year so the transcript that you send them will be up through the end of your junior year. You will not have a class ranking in your new school in time. Some school districts even have rules that you have to have been at a school for a certain period of time to be ranked - so you might check into that.</p>
<p>UTMother is right, they may want you to be there for a certain amount of time before granting you a rank. So look into it. There is nothing unethical about integration. My son had the choice of four schools. One in which he would be in the top 1% (recommended by the district). Two in which he would be in the top 8%. One in which he would not make the top 25%. He took the last one, where he thought the students were strongest and would push him to do his best. He is not in the top 25%. However, he did take 5 AP courses in junior year (4,5,5,5,5). He is a National Merit Semifinalist and scored in the 700s in all his SAT and SAT Subject Tests. He will graduate with 10+ AP courses and 10+ Honors courses. If UT sees value in what he did, they can accept him thru the review process. If not, then so what? It is not like anyone can take his PSAT, SAT, SAT Subj Test and AP Test scores away.</p>
<p>Do I think it would have been better to not take honors and AP courses, earn a high rank with a 1500 on the SAT to get into UT, absolutely not.</p>
<p>I don’t get what would be unethical about this, if kids at the school with worse academics get into UT more easily because they don’t have to do as much work, someone who has been working really hard at a more challenging school should have every right to transfer.</p>
<p>Another question for you guys. If I transfer within the next month (during junior year) should my rank be in my new high schools ranking system? Another question. My parents are very poor, they make under 35k for sure, and possibly less than 30k, so I am heavily relying on financial aid(applying for the FAFCSA thing). Because I am having to switch schools, relying on financial aid as well, how early can I apply for these colleges? </p>
<p>I forgot to mention A&M is also a prospective school that I am interested in attending for their petroleum engineering program. Their auto admits are top 10% or 600 on both Reading Comprehension and Math of the ACT. However, I am not completely certain I could attain a 600 on the Reading section. I am however reviewing with Barron’s and the Blue Book for this SAT. I am probably about 120-150 points from making a 600 on the reading section and this was without studying/ preparing at all.</p>
<p>MY question is… How early can I apply for these colleges, with the whole fafsa situation and the transferring schools situation in my way. </p>
<p>I really appreciate everyone’s help btw. I am a first generation dude attending college in this country.</p>
<p>@perazzimin… I completely understand that from a intellectually beneficial standpoint attending this bad school is not my best option. However, I’m willing to make this sacrifice, so I can attend one of these great schools. I’ve also taken 4 AP courses, taking 3-4 test this year, should do well hopefully, and am taking a couple more next year. I’ve always taken almost all Pre-AP, not sure why I did not take all pre-AP the whole times</p>
<p>You can apply as soon as the applications are opened and you have all the necessary materials (probably sometime in August/Sept, i think).</p>
<p>Also (pardon me, but i’m going to thumb my nose here for a second) don’t do pre-law as an undegrad degree. Do english, history, maybe criminal justice, you said you were considering engineering (i think science and law degrees are going to pair quite nicely in the coming years) – something that will expose you to and hone skills that you’ll need for law (reading and analytical comprehension, mainly). Being in Austin, too, there’s the legislature a pretty healthy private practice scene around town (near school, think internship here).
In short: don’t limit yourself to pre-law. It’s unnecessary.</p>