UT Architecture School

I am currently going to be a senior and will be applying to the UT Architecture school this coming fall. I have heard its a very selective school and is ranked #7 in the US. I think it has 10% acceptance rate (maybe even lower.) However, to my surprise the average SAT score for the Architecture school is only 1983. I understand that colleges don’t only look at the SAT score. But after all if its so selective I would expect it to be higher? Especially since UT doesn’t even require a portfolio for undergraduate Architecture. If anyone of you had any experience with UT Architecture, can you list your stats and especially extracurriculum, because that’s what it seems like they will be looking at mostly. Most of my extracurriculum is Architecture based, will that help me? Some of it is: Art Club (Vase Competition, Scholastic Competition…) Technology Student Association (in which I did some Architecture projects and won 1st in state and went to nationals) another Arch Competition I participated in is MGMC where I won 1st place and scholarship. I have some others, but most are based on architecture.

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how can that be the avg?

Anyway…The UT system more heavily weighs GPA for instate students. Are you instate?

@mom2collegekids yes, I am instate and that is the SAT average for the UT Austin Architecture School. I saw it on the oficcial UT website, along with averages for all the colleges within UT Austin. I am in top 4% (27/824) in my class. The program supposedly is very selective 95/1000 get accepted every year. If the SAT is not that high and they do not require a portfolio what do they look for?

Per the common data set it says their average SAT scores were 614, 647 and 612 CR/Math and Writing). That is an average of 1873 out of 2400. https://www.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/files/IMA_PUB_CDS_2013_AY.pdf

Yes they are known for having lower SAT scores. However, it’s hard to get in simply because they accept all students that are the top 7% of your high school class and they have no space. My understanding is it doesn’t matter what your SAT score is. They are overcrowded.

They have a really good Architecture program though. It’s hard to get in simply because there are too many applicants and not enough spots.

This what they say on their website.

Under FAQs they mention that it’s the Office of Admissions that administers all admissions, even for architecture. In addition to general minimum course requirements for all admissions, the architecture department also recommends “AP courses (if available) including physics and calculus. In addition, we recommend humanities and elective art classes, such as drawing.”

Portfolios are not accepted, and recommendations and expanded resumes are optional. The SAT Subject Test in Physics is highly recommended.

Of special note are the required essays (C&D), described below. I guess this is where they ferret out demonstrated interest and dedication.

With such steep competition I would think that the subjective factors like essays, recommendations, and expanded resumes could be deal makers or breakers. Plus you’d best do well on that Physics SATII.

hi @russiaguy, I have been accepted into the ut architecture program and will be attending this fall. I am instate and went to school in a extremely competitive district in which ut is usually a back up school and about 60% of my district ends up attending. Anyways, meaning I wasn’t in the top 10% of my school, but I was in the IB program. I have also taken art all throughout school (K-12) and also competed in VASE. My ec’s did not have to do with architecture as much, they were more broad such as being an officer in science fair club known as laser (social officer) and nhs (secretary). I participated in many science fair competitions and went on to state. I also did debate, gymnastics, and dance. My volunteering included tutoring, coaching gymnastics, helping out at debate tournaments, and volunteering at an animal shelter. They do not accept portfolios so my art portfolio was not useful because they want to start with a variety of people who do not have an art background. It’s mainly about grades and sat/act I would believe. My act was a 31 and I took honors and ap courses all throughout 9th and 10th grade. Starting in 11th grade was when the IB program started, which meant all my classes were IB from then on, which can correlate with AP (5.0 classes) meaning I took all AP classes 11th and 12th grade (16 total all throughout high school). I also had work experience/internships working at a math and reading center and interning at a pediatrician’s office. According to the advisors this year they accepted 110 applicants and 68 of them are attending ut this fall.

@russiaguy Also I forget to mention, I did send in a complete resume, three recommendation letters and spent lots of time on my essays. Make sure to have people read and edit them before you submit them! Hope this helps, good luck!