Admissions has been getting tougher each year. I think people underestimate how crazy holistic review can be. You might have better grades, test scores, and ECs, but if someone has a better story than you, you can get passed up. You might be a great applicant, but if you don’t bring something unique to the table that looks good on a brochure (race, gender, immigrant, first-generation) then it’s an uphill battle for you in admissions. You might have the best stats in the pool, but if your essays mention a selfish goal, you’re yanked. And don’t get me started on kids who get in through donations.
It’s easy to be bitter, but if you truly were the better applicant, then you won’t let this setback keep you from your final destination– which is certainly not college.
Accepted!! Got into my major (English) & Liberal Arts Honors!
-SAT: 1350
-ACT: 32
-Rank: Top 7%
-GPA (weighted): 105.03
-Gender: F
-PSAT National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor
-First gen (I think, I go by the definition that neither of my parents graduated college)
-In a lot of honor society clubs, but president of only one!
-Varsity swim since freshman year
-Worked for two summers
-AP Scores: Two 5s, one 4, two 3s
Just wanted to put my stats on here in case there’s anyone who feels overwhelmed by kids with higher scores not getting in. It IS possible for you to get in to UT. I really think that conveying your story well & effectively really helps to set you apart as a person from the fray, to not be seen as a number or a statistic. Sending my well wishes to everyone who’s still waiting for their decisions. No matter what happens, it’s going to be okay (:
States 3.90 Unweighted
1450 SAT
Ranked 21%
Only one AP classes, and a few pre-AP.
He got into A&M engineering but their financial aid package was disappointing - just $1500 need based scholarship for first year and max loans. We don’t like the risk of the compete for major at TAMU - he knows he wants electrical engineering.
Top choice is UT Arlington right now where he earned a scholarship that will cover tuition. Plus, he got electrical engineering.
Does any one know if you can accept CAP and a merit scholarship from the other UT campuses?
No you cannot. The CAP offer once you click through to the participating campuses says you are not eligible to apply/take loans from UTA if you are CAP. Those funds are reserved for those who apply directly to UTA with the intent of a four year plan there. Sorry.
DS rejected - CS
OOS
GPA-4.34 weighted; 3.98 unweighted
ACT - 36 (1st sitting)
AP Capstone Diploma; AP Scholar with Distinction
NMSF; good extracurriculars; 4 years XC and track; strong essays
Strong tech experience (awards, internship, Hackathons, advanced CS coursework)
High school does not rank
Daughter got accepted!
OOS
College of Education/Elementary Education
33 ACT
4.18 GPA
VERY strong extracurricular with leadership positions
Strong essays tied to major.
Hearing the results of other OOS applicants, intended major and school play a large part in decision. UT must take 90% of their entering class from Texas and it is extremely competitive to get into UT if intended major is business, engineering or CS (as examples). Good luck to those who still have not heard…Feb 1st is next week.
@LoneStarGuy, have your son start at UT Arlington and if he gets a great GPA the first year, he can try to transfer into UT EE. I don’t think CAP helps you at all for trying to get into engineering just COLA.
@LoneStarGuy I know a student from a few years ago in a similar situation. He took the UTA deal. He has a fantastic internship with Lockheed Martin and never looked back.
If you accept CAP is it binding? Meaning if another university gives me a better option, can my dd take that instead and withdraw? Also, is the CAP acceptance on that Feb date they have on the letter or can my daughter accept now?
I remember when my son got capped, being told to accept Cap quickly! Supposedly each participating school has a specific amount of slots to fill, and once filled, that’s it. You may want to call admissions to verify.
Also, never heard of anyone being capped with a guarantee for engineering program; may need to verify that info too.
Also, seems there are many disappointments over rejections or being offered CAP. Remember, you can always appeal! I’ve seen many students have luck with appealing admission decisions, even without any new information.
Worth a try!
1/24 email:
Son got capped. Computational Engineering.
We were surprised.
1520 SAT
AP Distinguished Scholar
10 AP Classes (all A’s, and all 4s and 5s)
Math Team Regional Winner (2x)
4.3 GPA (heavy STEM focus)
We live in state but he’s attending an OOS private HS that does not rank.
I was an UT alum so biased but he will not be attending UT Austin, bummer but very proud he has other great acceptances !
Oh, that’s right! We were given a date also to accept CAP! So on that date, you have to sign up right away or it closes. I’d still call admissions to verify.
Is anyone considering requesting their application profile to see what index score they gave your kids or you?
I am thinking of doing that. I am surprised that my daughter didn’t make it in. Not exactly bitter yet, just wanted to see what they scored my daughter on the achievement index.
but he will not be attending UT Austin, bummer but very proud he has other great acceptances !