So I am planning to apply to the CNS honors programs at UT Austin, and the deadlines seem to be November 1 and December 1.
I’m hoping to submit my regular and honors applications by Nov 1, but due to my SAT score being in the 1400s, I’m retaking it one more time on October 7th. That means that by the time those SAT scores come out, the priority Nov 1 deadline will already have passed, but if I’ve already submitted both applications by Nov 1, will they still consider me a priority deadline applicant and consider both applications with my October SAT score?
Also, what exactly are the chances and opportunities for the 3 honors programs. I know Dean’s is the best and super competitive, but I’m top 2% of my class, and I have a long list of volunteering and extracurriculars.
My two non priority app kids heard about honors in the spring. I don’t think a late retake will hurt you, unless they have changed the rules and now you are supposed to hear about honors by a certain date. Even then I think your second test date will be okay. I can’t remember when they heard. It was later than I expected.
My info may be a bit dated, but all three programs offered a chance to be in honors activities and classes, both social and academic, and to do research early on. There was a special research class freshman year with a good deal of work but pretty easy grading. I recall there being a good deal of special help for kids who wanted to do research, including in the summers. The programs initially did a lot together, same basic courses, and the intro program even made it sound like kids could switch between them early on. Early like the first year; wait too long and they have diverged too much.
I believe all three write a thesis at the end. There is funding available to do research and/or travel to write the thesis. Kids do quit the programs in order not to write the thesis.
Chances? I have no idea. Anecdotally, high stats plus outstanding essays get you in. I know that wasn’t very helpful! Just don’t underestimate the essays.