Test Scores vs GPA vs Essays

<p>Which do you think is the most critical to the admissions department of UT? Rank these 3 criteria (Test scores, GPA, Essays) as to importance of admission. I know other things are considered too like course rigor, the high school's success, etc but I'm curious about just these 3.</p>

<p>My son has a 3.88/4.00 UW GPA and a 33 ACT. But for the writing section he only got a 7 once and an 8 once. Since writing is not his strength will a "normal" essay instead of the outstanding essay keep him out of UT? He is not a 7% auto-admit from our non-ranking school.</p>

<p>I've heard differing opinions on essays and EC's. Some think they are very important while others say no due to the fact that admissions officers are reviewing thousands of applicants and they don't have time to spend reviewing essays and EC's of each applicant. Maybe just a cursory look to see if they have any EC's and leadership and a scan of the essays.</p>

<p>@kidat1 from my personal experience, i’ll say schools like UT,A&M focus first, GPA. Second,Test scores and lastly essays(but they are important too and should be under looked). However, the order reverses when you apply to MIT…and other Ivies</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/research/HB588-Report11.pdf[/url]”>http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/research/HB588-Report11.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This contains the multiple regression model used for each school for admission. If I figured it out correctly, essays look like they are worth a little less that 25% of your overall score. High school rank looks like it is weighted less than essay’s.</p>

<p>Class rank at ut is obviously very important because it can determine if you are auto admit or not. In my conversation with the dean of the college of natural sciences, however, he said essays and test scores were far more important for scholarships and admissions to honors programs.</p>

<p>bro, getting into UT doesnt mean jack. if you go on facebook to the class of '17 page, you can see that just about any average idiot gets in because of the top 7% rule. don’t sweat it if you dont make it, they reject a bunch of good people every year because of the stupid rule - I personally know many people with 2100+ on their SATs who got rejected</p>

<p>Can someone tell me how those factors (essay, gpa, etc) affect transfer applicants? I understand things in high school aren’t huge, so I’m more so talking about essay, gpa, ECs, etc in college.</p>

<p>There is a kid who posted on the MIT Forum stating he was rejected at UT and accepted at MIT. There is also another post about a kid who had over 2200 on the SAT and eight 5s on the AP Tests (and one 4) who was rejected at UT, but accepted to a prestigious East coast uni. Therefore, I feel UT does not value the SAT, SAT Subject and AP Test scores in the same way as other top schools. UT, I believe, places a significant emphasis on GPA.</p>

<p>Have him write from the heart and with passion while showing the writing skills of a HS graduate (or soon to be) An honest essay with base writing skills will not hold him back.</p>

<p>GPA is definitely the most important thing for UT. and if you’re hispanic or have a sketchy major or are loaded…</p>