@gohorns98 That’s a lot of assumptions! Remember that the Top 6% is not the Top 6% of students in Texas. Rather, they are the top 6% of their particular high school. This means they may not have as many other opportunities outside of Texas AND they know their getting in to UT so probably apply to fewer schools - perhaps only UT. I would guess in-state non-Top 6% at their high schools apply to more schools so their yield would actually be lower at UT. In other words, no guarantees of getting into UT so applied to 5-7 colleges which then means UT would be competing for their acceptance, if offered.
The College of Fine Arts is usually one of the last to release it’s acceptances, along with Architecture. In the past it has even had to informed the early applicants that it needs time beyond Feb 1.
I think last year they all came out right on Feb 1.
@Jennibc She is considering Accounting. If you don’t mind sharing what courses your son did and/or standardized test scores and what you think worked for your son’s application, I’d appreciate knowing that for our younger kids. Thanks.
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Yes, there are assumptions, but based on this report from the 2018 freshman class 45% of the auto admits enrolled while 62% of non-auto admits enrolled.
(https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Futexas.box.com%2Fs%2F9nsecsdhsmwxh775cima680nu30hh32h)
@AustinDad2 He got into McCombs back in early December. He took almost all of his high school classes at the community college. He has a 4.0 and a 1590 on his SAT. For homeschoolers the SAT or ACT are most critical because according to an admissions rep I talked to, home school students are given a fictional class rank based on an algorithm where the test score is factored in. As part of that algorithm, they take the three closest high schools and compare his standardized test score to those student bodies and figure out where he would likely have landed in those schools had he attended there. They also look at the grades and give special weight to those given by teachers other than the parent. So for homeschoolers it is critically important to have some dual credits.
By the time he applied, he’d completed about 60 dual credits which included Calc 1, Stats, and Micro econ and fundamentals of programming. He had Calc 2, General College Physics in process (in addition to Chemistry at a local math and science academy) and Spanish IV and General College College Physics 2, a service project, and the second semester of Chemistry planned for this semester. We were extremely careful to make sure he EXCEEDED the number of credits required for the ‘distinguished level’ high school diploma in the state of TX. I think the 7 credits of math really helped for business. We also had him sit for for a couple of SAT subject test (Math Level 2 and Biology) even though not required.
I think most importantly though was that he seemed like a natural fit for business. We attended some panels last year and they hit home how important it was at UT to make a case for why you belong in that major in your essays and short answers. While he started his own small home based business at the end of his sophomore year most of his ECs were not business related so I think some of his other experiences came in to play. He was a professional actor for several years (although not a name, he worked on some notable projects) and as he put in one of his essays, being a professional actor is like running a business. As things winded down for him in the acting world at 16 (it’s a tough age to find work) he spent more time out in the community. He works weekly at a non profit organization and after six week of volunteering they promoted him to a leadership position, so having that kind of community leadership probably helped for McCombs. Honestly, I think he was more of a shoe in for RTF which he is planning to bring on his second year as a double major but he wanted to roll the dice and try for McCombs. I think he was VERY lucky to get in. Had he applied to engineering or CS, even with his very high stats, I don’t think he would have gained admission.
So for homeschoolers, practice, practice practice for those standardized tests. My son used Khan academy because frankly, I was too cheap to have him to take one of those overpriced classes. And all that practice really paid off as he’s national merit semifinalist and only had to take the SAT once. It silly that a single test plays such a big role for our kids, but that’s how it goes and we accepted that risk when we chose an alternative path. Also make good use of the dual credits that are available at the local community colleges. While it’s unfortunate that our kids don’t have the opportunity to participate in a lot of the academic competitions that other traditionally educated students do, they can go out into the community and be bright shining stars in other ways. Take advantage of that!
Most importantly remember that where ever our kids land, they are going to be just fine!
We homeschooled for years. SAT Subject Tests were a big thing in the homeschool community. Of course I live in NOVA and tons of the kids take and submit subject tests here too from public school.
where did u find the video w the stats
This was put out by UT Admissions on Thursday.
@AustinDad2 it sounds like she might still be undecided. Do you think she’ll take the CAP offer and transfer to UT Austin next year?
@jennibc I think this is excellent advice for not only home-schoolers, but for traditionally educated high school prospects as well. One of the data points in the AI (academic index) calculation gives weight to whether or not the student exceeded the state minimum requirements to graduate, in core subjects.
@Gohorns98
(https://m.box.com/shared_item/https://utexas.box.com/s/9nsecsdhsmwxh775cima680nu30hh32h)
The link you provided is really interesting. I see what you mean. I think you are also saying all Auto Admits need to Apply but not Accept because that shrinks the pool of OOS spots? Is that right? Also, who do you think the 19% TEA district type non reported are that show in the data table 1.1c?
It feels like other steps could be taken, too. For example, I’m wondering why the university allows any part time, grad rates need to be encouraged at 4-5 years, etc.
Someone else mentioned the campus already feels crowded and I agree with that. Maybe scheduling logistics or a new vertical tower could help, also creating more spots.
Thanks for your thoughts. You’ve obviously studied the issue.
In my competitive 6A suburban high school, only the Top 6% received Acceptances. A Top 7% did not. The student who made it feels bad. Friends are in tears. The only good thing is that decisions came early enough to focus on other schools. CAP isn’t interesting given all of the limitations - acceptance into SOME Cola but not all Cola. Plus, miss out on that First Year experience.
It will be interesting to see if UT moves to more of a UC admission… where you are guaranteed admission to A campus but not THE campus…
Will BHP be posted by 2/1?
Okay… Why would students who (presumably) worked hard, achieved high, found fit, took the effort to apply, and gained acceptance “feel bad” for achieving what they set out to? Are you saying that the kids who made it feel sad on behalf of their friends, because some might be (temporarily) heartbroken by the admission decisions?
Kids who participate in CAP most certainly don’t miss out on the 1st year of college experience. The UT system schools are full four-year universities that offer 100% of the university experience.
Not unless the State statute changes.
@saltypretzel I THINK I remember reading or hearing that February 1 was the day for priority applicants to learn whether they are getting it, being passed on or maybe having a decision deferred. But I might be conflating that. I suspect the being admitted or rejected date is right because finalists for 40 Acres are being announced Feb 5 and if history is any indicator, a student is unlikely to be awarded a 40 Acres spot as a business major without being a part of BHP. I don’t know that they would want to move someone on to finals without knowing they are into the program. 40 Acres awards all comes down to the scholarship sources and it seems like BHP has some endowed funding sources specifically for that program’s students. When we did a tour of the business school last spring, they had big plaques in the lobby thanking donors and if I am remembering correctly, there were several that had funded 40 Acres scholars specifically for the BHP program. Of course, this is all conjecture based on bits of information gleaned from tours, panels, and my son studying the UT website so take it for what it’s worth.
We met up with some friends last night who have twins that are seniors. Both high stats and very well rounded. Their daughter is in the top 4% of their class, their son top 6.5% (soooo close!!).
Daughter, auto admit, got her first choice major in CNS. Son, who applied for McCombs (had done summer leadership programs at UT amongst other honors like Boys State etc) got CAP’d. Needless to say, lots of hurt feelings in that household.
Both kids also applied and were accepted at SMU (son got into the Cox business direct) and auto admits to UTD &TAMU (son got Mays).
The parents were hoping the twins would attend the same college. Daughter is taking UT, son will decide once his emotions subside.
@nomatter
“Okay… Why would students who (presumably) worked hard, achieved high, found fit, took the effort to apply, and gained acceptance “feel bad” for achieving what they set out to? Are you saying that the kids who made it feel sad on behalf of their friends, because some might be (temporarily) heartbroken by the admission decisions?”
Yes, that is what I am saying. I’m just reporting how last week went for us. Kids in the Top 6% (Accepted to UT) vs Top 7% (Not Accepted to UT) of a competitive high school school are differentiated by the smallest things. So - yes, these kids are amazing human beings and empathetic for one another. That’s a good thing, right?
The goal for admissions is to have a full freshman class filled with the most qualified students possible while fulfilling the mandate as a State institution. Traditionally the total size of UT has run between 48,000 and 52,000 (including grad and doctoral programs) with a freshman class between 7,000-9,000. These numbers have not really changed since 1988 when UT first hit 50,000. This website has a lot of good historical information: https://reports.utexas.edu/statistical-handbook
So what can we extrapolate from this information and what does it mean for those applying? Probably not as much I should, but first, the 10% rule has been reduced to the 6% rule in order to keep enrollment stable. In 2017 it was the 7% rule. For 2018-2021 it is the 6% rule and has a good chance of becoming a 5% rule in the future. This year we had around 11,000 auto admits, with a 45% yield means that around 5,000 of them will enroll in the fall leaving about 3,000 spots for other in-state and OOS applicants. If yield increases for auto admits then they will need to reduce the rule to a lower percentage in order to still meet enrollment targets. Second, the admissions office has a pretty good understanding of how to achieve their enrollment goal. They know from historical data that an engineering or business applicant is most likely not going to accept a COLA acceptance. Their process has proven to keep their freshman class at a stable number for many, many years. Third, the largest factor in the size of UT is the senior class. The senior class is generally 50-65% larger than the freshman class. This means that too many students are not finishing in 4 years. The more effectively and efficiently the University can matriculate students through their programs the more room that can be available for incoming students (freshman, transfers, and post-grad).
With the greater number of applicants each year, but with a consistent enrollment goal, the future does not look any better for in-state non-auto admits and OOS applicants. The best thing for these students is for the state of Texas to raise the profile of other in state schools that attract top tier students. A&M is a wonderful school, but is not seeing the competitiveness of UT (though it is competitive). Tech is a very good school, but it does not see the flow of applicants that UT does. These two are the best opportunities to relieve the pressure at UT, and they already are to some extent. The state of Texas has many good Universities for students to attend, but the state is large enough to increase the competitiveness at it’s other Flagship Universities to add to their attractiveness for top students.
Yes, empathy is a very good thing. It was the phrasing. I was concerned that you were saying that the kid(s) who were accepted were upset because they got in. That’s different from feeling upset on behalf of your friends that didn’t.