<p>I loved the essay Catherine…UT will be lucky to have you… and “that” is fair…</p>
<p>Wow, great essay cynic_olives.</p>
<p>Come to think of it, I was just “a bit” raged. Gig 'em guys ;]</p>
<p>ok so i applied to UT back in december. i’m in-state and my stats are 1860 SAT/ 28 ACT/ top quartile (top 30% when i actually applied). had plenty of ECs and alright essays. i got my acceptance letter to Cockrell School of Engineering last week 
woo hoo, miracles do happen.</p>
<p>My son was wait-listed and CAP’d. He is a National Merit Finalist, SAT 1490/2190, GPA 3.78 unweighted, 4.46 weighted, class rank 39/361. He applied for architectural engineering. Oh, and he is attending a very competitive magnet high school. But, we are out of state (I’m Texas resident serving in the military).</p>
<p>He’s going to A&M on a full ride National Merit scholarship, and I’m frankly very glad. UT’s National Merit program is a pittance compared to A&M. In a way, this makes a very difficult decision much easier for him.</p>
<p>I’m just floored that he didn’t make the cut with these stats. I definitely think the top 10% thing is a joke.</p>
<p>buffdriver -</p>
<p>So much that those of us who post on here thought we knew about how UT admits students does not seem to be working this year:</p>
<p>1) National Merit finalist turned down/waitlisted at UT - never seen that before - you would think they would still want as many National Merit Scholars as possible - they are hurting themselves</p>
<p>2) Out of State student offered waitlist and CAP - never seen that before either - I am guessing it is because everyone who is put on the waitlist is also offered CAP? I am just really surprised your son was not admitted…</p>
<p>Congratulations on the A&M scholarship. A&M is great.</p>
<p>And I agree - the top 10% system really is not working.</p>
<p>buffdriver, that’s a shame your son wasn’t admitted. I forwarded your post to my dad, who is a prof in the ArchE department (he was its head for quite a few years). I’m sure he will be disappointed in UT’s decision, also. Very hard to understand. UT’s loss is A&M’s gain!</p>
<p>Accepted Undeclared, OOS from Illinois</p>
<p>33 ACT
2200 SAT
No rank (3.3 UW)</p>
<p>EC’s: 4 yrs Swimming/Water polo, LOTS of music, decent essays (nothing really outstanding or heartbreaking).</p>
<p>Makes up a little for being rejected by UIUC.</p>
<p>congrats! :)</p>
<p>Accepted - School of Music</p>
<p>24 ACT
1040/1490 SAT
129/288 Rank</p>
<p>Sorry :(</p>
<p>i’m beginning to think some people are lying</p>
<p>imowlawns09 - You must be one hell of a beast playing an instrument.</p>
<p>I doubt that people would go out of their way to lie to other nameless, faceless people that they most likely will never meet. There’s just such an element of luck and so many other indeterminable factors involved that regardless of stats or whatever else somebody can type out here, nearly anything is possible. An application is in the eye of the beholder.</p>
<p>I think a lot of people lie actually.
Between the cheating to get into the top 10% (or just to get the A) and the unverified ECs, Community Service hours, the potentially false essays, and idiotic standardized tests (including SAT/ACT), I don’t know how admissions can actually make qualified decisions.</p>
<p>I think the only tests that show college readiness are the SAT IIs, and UT doesnt even ask for those.</p>
<p>I didn’t lie just because I’d rather not get in than have to lie to be accepted - but I’m know of people that “exaggerated” and got in.</p>
<p>But that happens everywhere. And it could be argued that people that know “exaggerating” will get them in and actually do it have the balls to do what it takes to succeed. And all the truthtellers will go to A&M
Gig 'em!</p>
<p>I believe a fraction of what I read - esp. from people with fewer that 20 posts.</p>
<p>There have definitely been ■■■■■■ with all their ill intentions participating on this forum.</p>
<p>It is weird though, provided some of these posts are true, that admissions have been so capricious this year. I keep going back to the idea that UT (and Powers) is going for “Shock Value” in some of these rejections - I mean, rejecting someone who is barely out of the top 10%, with outstanding test scores and ec’s, gets a much bigger rise out of folks than rejecting someone in the top quarter with decent scores, essays and ecs.</p>
<p>It just doesn’t make any sense otherwise… I mean a great essay is wonderful, but who’s to say that the guy with fabulous stats didn’t write a killer essay too??</p>
<p>To me, it’s like they say one thing, and then this year - when the legislature is in session and Powers is putting the pressure on - they are doing another. That’s why it has been so hard to predict chances.</p>
<p>Then—
To do away with the summer program because they don’t have enough room for people out of the top 10%, then admit someone (who albeit wrote a great essay) who is in the top 30%, is just hypocritical and in my opinion - Grandstanding…</p>
<p>I was admitted into the School of Music before being admitted into the university so that helped a lot.</p>
<p>& also for those of you who don’t believe me I’m native american and have over 400 community service hours.</p>
<p>and TONS of honors/awards</p>
<p>Now I believe you. You should have revealed earlier that you’re a URM and very active volunteering.</p>
<p>Sorry :/</p>
<p>But I feel like most of you guys deserve it just as much as I did. & I’m sorry and I sympathize for you all.</p>