Hi,
I recently moved to in the Houston area and will be starting my senior year this fall. Obviously, this is the time to seriously consider touring schools and which schools to apply to. I’m a tad bit lost regarding my chances of getting into the listed universities above and am hoping that some you guys have an idea as to where I stand. Keep in mind I am aware that I seem a little bit weak than other candidates, so you don’t have to sugarcoat it for me. I also don’t know my class rank as I haven’t met with my counselor yet, but will soon.
Male, Asian
10/11 APs by graduation (All core classes either honors or AP)
30 on ACT (35E 28M 29R 29S)
3.3 UW (I know)
4 levels of foreign language
Volunteer on a regular basis at the library and food bank
Volunteered at different events around the city (Around 100 hours total)
Lead volunteer for eye surgery camp in Guatemala
Teachers aide for a camp for young “Gifted and Talented” kids
Participated in Q+A sessions for parents of young children diagnosed with hearing loss
Tested various hearing aid models for hospital
Member of NHS, Junior Civitan, and Science Club
Soccer player
Yearbook team member
Published by state newspaper (Arkansas Democratic-Gazette)
Received full scholarship from AG Bell Association to cover the cost of summer camp
Hook: Diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at age 1, moved around a lot at a young age due to dad getting laid off
You seem like a resilient kid and I think it’s awesome that you have moved to Texas recently and have come up for air to get your thoughts together about college. The rank thing could work against you but the holistic review for some of the programs at your intended schools might work for you since you can highlight your resiliency, hearing loss, etc.
What is your intended major?
Thanks, I hope to major in either a Finance or Economics related major.
Hopefully someone well versed in finance or economics at these schools will chime in. Is there any chance you could pull it together and take the ACT one more time? A 32 would strengthen your application a lot.
How long since you moved? if it is less than 12 months before the applications are processed, you will be looked at as OOS and re assigned instate status after (unless you have some special exception as per the residency assessment). Know your dates. AFAIKS you are not considered in state until you have the 12 months.That works fine for tuition but not so much in the application.
Absolutely, I’ve been working really hard this summer on trying to pull it up. Also, do you know by any chance if colleges care about summer programs attended over the summer? For instance, I’m going to Vanderbilt next month to gain a better understanding of economics.
I recently moved here, but come November my dad will have lived here for 12 months if that means anything?
Apply texas is an early app. As you will be submitting it in July, you (your dad) won’t have met residency requirements before the applications are processed. IME the texas unis are very helpful. You should be visiting schools now and asking these questions. Call and speak with admissions. You can get to UH easily enough, there are A&M reps in Houston also (I read somewhere on A&Ms site). You would want a solid answer because it really affects your admission chances as rank and test scores are not in your favour for UT Austin and A&M college station. Do you have an IEP for your hearing loss?
I would assume UH and UTD would be OK either way.
Are you giving the ACT/SAT another shot?
Absolutely, I’m aiming for 32+.
Also, I forgot to mention that I’m interested in going to SMU as well.
I’m glad you are interested in SMU. If you like Vanderbilt this summer, SMU could be a good match for your stats. It would be worth checking out, especially since you live in TX now.
UT, probably not. Texas A&M, good shot with your ACT. Univ of Houston, yes. UTSA and Texas State are solid safeties if all else fails.
I agree with @azmomof3 : SMU is a potential match. I highly recommend signing up asap for one of their “Mustang Days” - it is a well done admissions program event, but it fills up fast - summer dates are here: https://admission.smu.edu/portal/mustangdays
Also, U of H Business Honors may be an option. They offer an excellent program that is deeply connected with Houston internships.
Thanks! Just signed up for next Monday 
My kids visited A&M and Houston as they are also relocation kids (but now HS grads ?taking a gap year) and they were told that while they
apply as per normal, the day after the parent has achieved the 12 month residency period they should write to the schools to let them know their status adjustment and ask for scholarship consideration. So for you, that is terrific, in November make sure to let your schools all know you are instate. It was implied to my kids that even in May the scholarship potential was still there (UH and A&M, UT Austin is just going to be a massive reach even for high stats kids, enough that I would question the point of applying, if it is no extra work on apply texas, then that seems worth a go, I have no idea how much help your 504 might be).