I am a second semester Junior at Seven Lakes High School(Katy,TX) and I was wondering If I have good chances for getting into Cockrell School of Engineering with these stats:
Ranking: In the 50s I believe
Unweighted GPA: 3.5
Weighted GPA: 3.7
SAT: Haven’t taken it yet but aiming above 1450(New SAT)
EC:
Quiz Bowl Team member
DECA
FBLA(3rd place at a district competition and two competitions coming up)
Robotics
150+ Volunteer Hours
Student Council
MUN(Model United Nations)
My Goals by the time I apply:
Above 1450 new SAT score(taking it in May)
300 or more Volunteer hours
FBLA officer(VP or Sec)
Good SAT II Math Level 2 and Physics score
Write an excellent college apps essay
If I manage to achieve all of the goals by the time I apply, will I have a good chance of getting into UT Austin?
Yes, I think you will have a solid chance, though nothing is guaranteed. I’m in the same UT boat as you so I hope you do well! Make sure to focus really hard on your college app essays and tests if nothing else. It also helps that you’re in state. I hear that Seven Lakes High is a pretty big school too, are you close to making top 7%? Also, are your classes you took the science and math ones they’re looking for? Also, have you considered taking the ACT as well?
Unless there is something very compelling in your application, getting into UT out of the 50th percentile is pretty much a stretch. If you read through the decision thread you’ll find that engineering requires very high stats. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from applying but please have a back up plan because so many people apply to engineering with very good stats and don’t make it.
UT engineering is very competitive and so is TAMU engineering. Your goal SAT score will be competive but your rank and GPA won’t be as competitive. Therefore apply to some true safeties like UTD or UH as your backup.
What engineering are you thinking about? Chemical is the most competitive at UT. Also you should consider the ACT which is much easier to improve on. Getting a 30 or above can put you above the average percentile. For TAMU apply asap. If you get an auto admit sat score apply soon as possible to earn a spot in Dwight.
TAMU is going to holistic acceptance for engineering next year, so the date on the application won’t be as important as prior years but it will become more competetive. Also, TAMU does not accept directly into your discipline of engineering. You have to apply late in your first year and there are no guarantees. Also, UTD’s stats for engineering are actually higher than TAMUs. They do get significantly less applications, so that would be helpful. Keep trying to raise your scores. Maybe take the ACT and try to score in the 30’s.
I think UTD higher score average reflect the fact that high stat kids go there for the full tuition and full ride scholarships. There is still more competition to get into the TAMU engineering.
The new holistic review policy will benefit non auto admits because autos won’t get in first come first serve. I’d think those who are also auto academic admits will move to the front of the line because their standing is based on rank plus test scores.
I agree with you about UTD with less competition, but my point was the kids that go there, for whatever reason, do have very competitive stats. Even the lower 25% average is the same or above TAMU depending on the test. They have high standards.
TAMU’s change to holistic will mean their selection process will be similar to UTs. All applications received as of a certain date will be compared to each other and the best or most desired will be accepted to their major vs. first come first in if you are over a certain threshold.
I’m sorry I meant they are changing their process of admissions to their engineering school not A&M. They are making the admissions to engineering holistic and more similar to UT’s process. Their process will be the auto admit to the university based on the stats above. Then a holistic admission to pre engineering. Then you have to apply to your specific major within engineering late in your first year if you have completed all the prereqs. Getting into that discipline is not a sure thing based on last year’s results. First round 750 students applied for 150 mechanical engineering spots (that was the worst one).