UT Austin Computer Science

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

Hey guys, I was wondering how hard UT Austin’s Computer Science program is to get into and approximately what my chances are. My biggest concern on my app is my lack of STEM extracurriculars, how much will that hurt my chances?

Major: Computer Science, College of Natural Sciences
GPA (4.0): 3.95
GPA (my school’s system): 5.52
Class rank: 42 out of 800 (almost top 5%), pretty competitive high school
ACT: 35 (sending)
SAT: 1530 (didn’t send)
Texas resident
Courseload: AP Human Geography freshman, AP World History sophomore, AP Calculus AB, Computer Science, English Language, U.S. History, Physics I junior, AP Calculus BC, Statistics, English Literature, Macroeconomics, Physics II senior, everything else GT/pre-AP.
Race: Asian
AP scores (if that matters): 5s on Human Geography, Calculus AB, Computer Science, English Language, Physics I, U.S. History.
Awards/Honors: Eagle Scout, AP Scholar, National Merit Commended, A Honor Roll

Extracurriculars:
Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, tuba player, toured US throughout the summer and placed 6th in DCI World Championships. 84 hrs/wk, 12 wks/yr.
Boy Scouts of America, troop guide, quartermaster, cook, 2 hrs/wk, 46 wk/year.
High School Band, tuba section leader, BOA and UIL state finalists, 16 hr/wk, 40 wk/yr
National Honor Society, member, 1 hr/wk, 40 wk/yr.

I think that my numbers are fine (class rank could be higher, will end up being in top 5% at the end of this semester), it’s just the extracurriculars that worry me. I know Java and Python but I have not attended any competitions or events in high school, band and scouting have taken up a large amount of my time.

2

Actually, I think your chances are good. You have all the academic requirements with that high ACT score. You did take CS and got a 5 on the exam. They do look for some diversity in the class. Both of my DD’s had similar resumes and both got accepted. They were girls which I think gave them an edge. I think your chances are good but make sure you apply to other schools as well. A&M and UTD both have good CS programs.

3

Thank you so much for the input! I have applied and have been accepted into A&M and UTD, so I know I have places to fall back on. I would still prefer UT Austin in the end however. Do you think that ECE (my second major option) at UT Austin is a good idea if I do not make computer science?

4

From what I have seen in the past, UT does not consider second majors if you are applying to CS or Engineering. I think they get enough quality students choosing those disciplines as their first choice that the spots are full. I’ve known numerous good students - high rank, scores, good EC’s - that did not get their first choice and were offered either something totally unrelated or were asked to pick an open major at the end of the process. Needless to say, they are not at UT. That is why it is so important to have other schools that you would be happy at. BTW, my youngest DD is at UTD studying CS among other things and is really enjoying it.

5

Huh that’s something I haven’t heard before. When was the last time you’ve heard this happen? I have a friend one year above me who applied CS first, ECE second, and got rejected from CS and is currently majoring in ECE. Is that a rare occurrence?

6

My DD graduated 2 years ago and that happened to 2 of her friends. There is another poster on this forum whose son was rejected from Chem Eng and his second major was Chemistry. He was not offered Chemistry but was told to pick from an open major at the end and Chemistry was actually open. This was last year or the year before. I believe all of these kids ended up at A&M.

7

You’re competitive, but I know similar people who have gotten rejected.

But I mean UT admissions, especially McCombs and Comp Sci are kind of a crap shoot (I’m sure you obviously know). I’ve legit heard counselors say some people have a better shot at Harvard, haha

8

Hey, I just wanted to get some of y’alls input on my situation. I am currently enrolled at UTSA and have differed my admission to UT Austin. After my freshman year i really want to peruse Computer Science. I know that UT Austin is a really great school for CS and i am greatful to have the opportunity to study there. However i also want to be close to my family who will be moving to the DC area. Will moving to Austin alone and studying at UT be worthwhile in the long run and get me more opportunities? Or will attending an accredited university near DC (like GW, VCU, UVA) with my family be okay close-by be better?

9

It is very hard to get a transfer into CS at UT. Your GPA needs to be close to a 4.0 so it is not a sure thing. There are other schools in Texas that are good for CS that you could transfer into as well.

A big question for you is residency. Have you researched what the requirements are for the DC area? I’m assuming you are a Texas resident now and could continue to be so even if your parents moved?? Could you be considered a resident in the DC area right away or would you need to live there for a year or so? I don’t know these answers. Can your parents afford OOS tuition? If not, you need to figure out which state you have residency in and look there for a program.

As far as whether the programs in the DC area will offer you the same opportunities as UT, I think so. The rankings are for the graduate level programs not undergrad. All of the schools you mention above are quality schools. You graduate with a CS degree from them, you will do fine.