So I’m a sophomore right now in Texas and I want to go to UT Austin. They auto admit the top 7% to fill 75% of their undergrad seats and my high school is really competitive.
By the time I start applying for colleges I’ll probably be around the top 10% with a 4.15 GPA give or take, Full IB diploma candidate, around a 1450 SAT out of 1600 (I’m scoring around 1380 right now), hopefully a comparable ACT score, and multiple extracurriculars.
Someone please tell me I am crazy for worrying too much but an honest response would be appreciated. Thanks.
Of course your SAT score looks great especially for a sophomore. However, auto admit is your friend - bring up that rank because it will be factored in twice for review admits. Once for admission to the university and again for admission to your major.
Sadly, your IB diploma won’t move the needle except where it improves your rank. Focus on test scores and rank and ECs (related to your major if possible).
Frankly, I really don’t think I’ll be able to get up to top 7% for auto admit. I intend on going Pre-Med and am going to be doing clinical rotations at my school next year. I participated in HOSA (the competition for “future health professionals”) this year and intend on doing so again next year and senior year if possible. Would my IB diploma really not help me whatsoever? That’s pretty disappointing.
The trickier part these days for UT Austin is getting admitted to the major of your choice. We have been learning recently how crazy competitive some majors have become. You can’t do 'pre-med." What major do you think you may choose?
Something under biology most likely