Stuck in a weird (difficult?) situation

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>Alright guys, so I'm in the top 8-9 % and will be admitted to UT, but my sat score is just above a 1900, and I can't seem to improve the critical reading section (mostly because of the vocab words...-.-) </p>

<p>Anyways, my sat score is too low, and my rank isn't in the top 1,2,3, heck not even 5%, so my chances of getting into McCombs are really low. I've worked hard and go to a competitive school (ranked in the top 100 in the nation) but on the timed-test I just cannot finish. It's like, if i had 5 more minutes, i would have improved dramatically - but so would have everyone else i guess. </p>

<p>And yes I can always do a internal transfer after my freshman year. Now here's the dilemma. With AP credits, dual credit, and sat/act/subject tests, I'll have anywhere from 50-60 hours of college credit, and almost all of the basic university core done. The only classes i need are science and tech part 2 , VAPA, and UGS. And i plan to take those 3. </p>

<p>Now, my real question is what classes should I take my freshman year at UT? What classes are easy-going and don't require much work to make an A? (ill need these to have a high gpa and successfully transfer into the business school) . </p>

<p>Also, can I take classes like accounting even if I am not in McCombs as a freshman? Or can I take classes for Business Foundations (the minor) without actually declaring it as a minor? Or should I declare it as a minor to show my interest from the start? </p>

<p>Sorry for all of the questions. I am really not sure what to do and am in a tough spot. I have to go with electives that will help me have a 3.7+ to get into McCombs. Once I'm in, I'm not afraid of the workload and will do 15-17 hours and all the classes. I know i can handle it, but there will be minimal risks at that point. My first year is my make or break. I'm also afraid of the 90 hour requirement. It seems like I have just one shot, and if not, I'm not sure what to do . </p>

<p>All feedback is greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Especially about classes and professors I should sign up for so I can work and get the A without any trouble. </p>

<p>Again, thanks for all the help.</p>

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<p>For your freshman year focus on getting a 4.0, no lower than a 3.7-3.8 for safe admissions to McCombs, no lower than a 3.5 to be considered. You can not take any business classes outside of McCombs unless you petition to do so and even then its only 1 maybe 2 classes if your lucky but, I’m not sure how that works you might be able to talk to the college and see if they will let you take a class each semester or maybe just one Spring semester. I also dont know about doing the business foundations minor, might want to talk to a counselor at McCombs or your UGS counselor about that. For your science part 2, take chemistry in context I, its considered the easiest science class at UT. Your UGS will be easy regardless, as long as your not unlucky. Your VAPA should also be an easy A as well, you will probably only be able to get into something like art history since the rest ofthe more fun classes like yoga will be taken up by seniors who havn’t done their VAPA yet. Then if you can get a business class in by petitioning youd have 12 hours for first semester. Second semester you will either have to waste a semester taking whatever classes interest you or start working on a different major/minor outside of McCombs incase you are not admitted, I guess an Econ degree would be the closest to a business degree but you might want to do something like Gov or Com sci really anything that interests you. With so many hours being credited you will probably have to do a double major to stay at 12 hours each semester so might as well start that now. You say you’ve finished the Core classes but just to be sure, have you finished Macro and Micro economics as well as Calculus I & II? Those classes are required to be finished to even be considered for McCombs.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the help. Yeah, I believe I should have credit for both macro and micro economics with APs (scores pending) and then I already got a 5 on the BC AP. Are economics classes after macro/micro easy-going at UT? I’m fairly interested, but again like you mentioned, I need to play my cards right and make sure I have the highest possible GPA i can obtain. As far as double majoring, I’ve thought about Applied Mathematics and/or Economics. However, I’m not sure how rigorous or widely recognized these programs actually are. </p>

<p>Oh and BHP Longhorn, if I can take a Business class by petitioning, which classes would you recommend? Maybe the intro accounting classes or MIS 301? </p>

<p>Any other suggestions? </p>

<p>Anyone else have any ideas? </p>

<p>All help is appreciated!</p>

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<p>As far as what business classes to take, thats a hard one to answer. I dont know what classes they would allow you to take. You couldnt go wrong with Acounting or Stats though</p>

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<p>Alright thanks. Don’t mean to bug you, but do you recommend any professors for accounting. I’ll do my best to have them let me take one class a semester, and if not, i’ll just start the BFP and take foundation classes for the heck of it. I hear they are easy, and at least will be somewhat close to what I ACTUALLY want to learn. </p>

<p>My freshman year seems like a waste almost. Hopefully I find something fun to do.</p>

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<p>Yeah I liked Lendecky, I believe he is the easiest and best at teaching. Best of luck with your freshman year!</p>

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<p>It may not hurt you to take one of the math sequences again instead of petitioning for the AP credit for a few reasons. What you took in high school is in NO way close to what you will take at UT. The classes that feed of that math sequence will expect you to have deep understanding of the material (like the UT courses teach v shallow on the high school level) and by the time you are able to be in those classes you will be one to two years removed. If you excelled in calculus, it could be a GPA builder but it could also be a GPA buster if you under estimate it.</p>

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<p>I think did fairly well in Calculus. But, CollegeShopping, are there actually many Business courses that require quite a bit of Calculus? There will be some, but I feel like a basic understanding is good enough. But I know less than you on this topic so I was wondering if you had more details. Thanks</p>

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<p>Texashopeful, you will be fine with the AP credit for Calculus if Business is your intended major. Since you received a 5 on AP BC, you will place out of both M408K and M408L. That is all the Calculus required for McCombs so you are in good shape. </p>

<p>Contrary to what was intimated regarding previous Calc knowledge, none of your McCombs classes will require more than a rudimentary understanding of Calculus (think derivatives on your first test in high school), and even then that is relegated to STA 371 and ECO 420K.</p>

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<p>Don’t you want to wait and see what happens with your admission first at BHP before this elaborate contingency planning? The applications are not even open yet.</p>

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<p>I’m certainly applying and retaking the SAT, however I’m not sure how much higher I can get. Top 5% and 1900 SAT don’t give me a good chance. However, if I do get it, that’s great and it would be much easier on me to pick classes like accounting, MIS, and statistics. </p>

<p>I’m more or less planning a back-up and seeing if what I plan to do is feasible or not. And then i’ll weigh it against other schools …although I really want to be a Longhorn.</p>

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<p>I am not certain getting into McCombs is arbitrary in terms of having to be in top 5% but it is arbitrary for honors.</p>

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<p>Interesting…although being in the top 5% isn’t my problem. I think I should be well off with my rank. My main concern is about my testing scores. I excel in school, and believe me, i go to a top 50 school and the best one Austin. I haven’t actually studied much, if ever, for the tests so I had a question for anyone. </p>

<p>Would it be more beneficial to raise my test scores (30+ for ACT and 2000+ on SAT) than focus too much on my essays? Also, how important are the essays to McCombs? </p>

<p>I think i can focus my efforts on the October tests and raise my scores. Then have slightly above-average essays rather than spectacular ones. That seems more viable with below average test scores and amazing essays.</p>

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<p>DEFINITELY raise your test scores. I just got into McCombs this year and I was in the top 11% (12 when I applied) … I had no idea McCombs was so competitive then. Although my essays were pretty great (I say humbly), my volunteer and leadership sections
were pretty sad. Other than outside work and a fairly short internship, I think (arguably) the only thing that pulled me through were my SAT and ACT scores (2210 and 33, respectively).
On the other hand, my friend got in as well around the 17% mark rank-wise and with somewhere around 1900-2000 for her SAT (I think). However, she was in all these organizations outside of school, volunteered, and held leadership positions. I think that’s why she was admitted. And we both came from a school notorious for cutthroat GPA obsession who regularly sends a horde of kids to UT every year… I think they may go easier on ranks from our school because of that.
To the point, I know for sure McCombs is huge into rank and scores (I heard for internal transfer they literally just admit the first 250 with highest GPA top to bottom… Something like that) but I think they are trying a more holistic approach as well. So don’t lose all hope! Especially with all those AP scores. </p>

<p>Also MIS301 has a business major prerequisite, but freshmen can take it. There’s a version for people outside of McCombs but I’m not sure it would satisfy McCombs requirement. </p>

<p>If you have something like exam club from Testmasters where you are, take it! I basically just took mock SATs for a summer every weekend or so and ended up raising my score by 170 points… All prep. And take the ACT if you haven’t already. I found it to be much easier … Did it in one go with learning the test format the night before.</p>

<p>Hope this helps a bit!</p>

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<p>Have you tried the ACT? Some people test better on it.</p>

<p>Also, have you tried a test tutor who has looked at your past test results, targeted your problems and worked with you just on those areas? There’s a black belt in Austin who charges $150 per hour, but one hour was enough for my kids to achieve the bump they sought! There’s another I can also highly rec who charges less, but is terrific (and has also just completed first year at UT and can offer a lot of perspective on some of your issues). PM me if you want contact info.</p>

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<p>Alright, thanks for the suggestions guys. So the general consensus is that test scores are significantly more important essays, right? Hopefully I can get in the 1950-2000 on my SAT. And, TXArtemis, I did take the ACT but I got a 28 on the practice test. I am planning on taking it, and I think I can potentially get a 30 and definitely a 29. The Science section is troublesome for me since I run out of time (i’ve taken it twice now). </p>

<p>Oh, I had another question. I was planning on taking the ACT in October and the SAT in November. So if I send in my application at the beginning of November, would they wait on my November SAT scores or just flat out reject me (hopefully not …)? </p>

<p>Also, just checking. Is being in the top 5% and having a 1900 SAT (low…I know) out of the picture for McCombs or would I have a decent chance at getting accepted?</p>

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<p>I’d think you’d have a decent shot, but UT has been kind of random with their acceptances … Better safe than sorry!</p>

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<p>No, that’s an incorrect analysis. UT’s holistic review is based on two evaluations: Academic Index, made up of rank, test scores and rigor, and Personal Achievement, made up of essays, ECs and everything else. Please 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>

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<p>So what major would it make it easier for internal transfer into McCombs, or will and major be the same?</p>