What does it take to get into Honors?

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>Buriedalie posted on another thread that he/she was worried about making it into an honors program so I thought that would make a good thread on it's own.</p>

<p>So, what does it take to get into Honors? Sure, high rank/GPA/EC/fabulous essay but what if you can't make it out of the 600s on your SAT or you can't write mindblowing essays? Is there a formula like LoneRanger posted for admissions or is it gut feelings of the profs after interviews?</p>

<p>Also, how many are given out every year? What are your odds?</p>

<p>After reading the websites for each, here's all I could gather: </p>

<p>BHP - is it all about top 2% and perfect SATs?</p>

<p>Dean's Scholars - generalities about high scores but does anyone know cut off numbers or something more concrete?</p>

<p>Engineering - nothing concrete but 1 in 10 of the freshman class makes it</p>

<p>Liberal Arts - high achievement but nothing concrete. </p>

<p>Plan II - it's all about a mindblowing essay?</p>

<p>Turing Scholars - nothing concrete other than be a math whiz</p>

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<p>Engineering is all about class rank and SAT scores, not much else. Plan II is definitely all about mind blowing essays.</p>

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<p>Plan II:
20% All numbers–SAT, AP scores, and rank
20% Essay #1
20% Essay #2
20% ECs and Leadership
20% How Plan II are You–how does your application show that you value what Plan II is all about</p>

<p>LAH is mostly rank, test scores, and essays showing high achievement in English and Social Studies from what I know.</p>

<p>BHP is largely rank and SAT score, plus your performance in the interview.</p>

<p>I don’t know much about the rest.</p>

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<p>I got a 1420/1600 SAT and my friend got a 1490/1600 SAT and neither of us got into engineering honors. It’s extremely hard to get in there.</p>

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<p>good luck with dean’s scholars. lol</p>

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<p>I felt that my application to engineering honors was very strong, but I only had a 1440/1600 and was rejected. I later emailed the director asking why and she said that (this year at least) you had to have a 1500/1600 to even have your ap looked at, so complete waste of time for me. I think it’s easier to get into sophomore year, but not sure.</p>

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<p>I got a 34 on my ACT, and got into engineering honors. (36 Math, 34 Science)</p>

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<p>I know with LAH at least that they want good writers, thats what they told me at orientation at least…they also stress that if you apply for LAH that you put it as your FIRST CHOICE honors program, if not its highly unlikely that they even look at your application no matter how spectacular.</p>

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<p>Why good luck with the Dean’s Scholars? How bad is it?</p>

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<p>Dean’s is a LOOOOTTT of work.</p>

<p>And LAH can’t be listed as a first choice Honors program–you don’t rank honors programs. I listed Plan II as my first choice and Linguistics as my second and got in to Plan II and LAH.</p>

<p>I know Plan II specifically tells you to place the program as your second choice if you’re applying for anything competitive.</p>

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<p>i know this guy who was initially on the wait-list to UT then got into Honors Business after visiting the business honors advisor personally =p. So who knows?</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info.</p>