<p>I've been looking around to see how hard it is to get accepted but couldn't really find anything. Considering only 30 are accepted (enroll?), I was wondering if anyone knows how many apply and the caliber of the students applying. Also, I read somewhere that there are about 180 students in the program total. That (i think) would speak to its high yield. anyway, if someone could make maybe an analogy to a university that would be fine, or an average SAT score, or just an acceptance rate.
thanks</p>
<p>DS is extremely competitive - this year they’re accepting about 10% of applicants (only around 100 are offered acceptance out of 1000 applicants). Around 50 enroll each year. Nearly everyone in DS was accepted to Ivies or other top schools but came to UT for financial reasons (myself included–Columbia wanted 40k a year after financial aid!). Average SAT or ACT scores would probably be in the 2200’s for SAT and the 31+ for ACT (I was 2290 (math, verbal, writing) / 1520 (math, verbal) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT). The caliber of student in DS is analogous to any Ivy league institution, but the mentality is probably a little different since none of us chose to go to an Ivy. But for the natural sciences (a forte of UT anyway), the kind of reputation a program like DS commands places it on par with essentially any university in the country.</p>
<p>Thanks I just found out that I was accepted. I was kind of nervous because i didn’t know that much about ds when I applied so I wound up not taking the application too seriously, but I guess I just got really lucky. Anyway, hopefully this is a good sign for my other applications, but if not, then see you next year!</p>
<p>gpjkoo could you tell me what your credentials were? SAT/ACT scores, AP tests, GPA, rank etc.</p>
<p>i dont know how much itll help but i got a 34 on the ACT, im 1 outa about 500. um 6 fives and a four on aps, im nationally ranked in a sport and my team has won district for 13 years in a row now (state semifinalists this year; UT’s team is way too good though, i would never be able to be recruited) , TX state champ in econ for acadeca, but what i think really mattered was my research experience at my local university. hope thatll help</p>
<p>gpjkoo do you happen to be a swimmer from friendswood?</p>
<p>haha no…</p>
<p>sorry haha i asked because we just had our district swim meet and friendswood has won for 13 years straight. And i know UT has a Superior swim team. I just saw a correlation lol</p>
<p>Congrats on getting into DS!</p>
<p>Lol. I know the swimmer from Friendswood, because he went to my school. xD</p>
<p>Haha thats cool. And yeah, good job on getting into Deans Scholars.
I hope i get in as well.</p>
<p>@betelguese05: I was always curious about the DS selection process. I definitely consider DS as one of the best (if not the best) honors program at UT. Mine feeling has always been that DS selection is based more on well-roundedness and luck than on scores/GPA. Do you have any insights?</p>
<p>To everyone else, you should not be intimidated by the stats. DSers are just regular kids. Some have very regular stats. One of my close friend was in DS, so I happen to know that he only scores in the 1300s (out of 1600) on the SAT. Not everyone got into Ivies or even applied for Ivies. Although DSers are generally overachiever, you do not get that air when talking with them. I think the interview process weed out the arrogant ones.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments liu02bhs 
I hope that Dean’s Scholars are chosen because they are well rounded. My 29 on the ACT kinda sucks but i have great ECs and an aptitude for science in general.</p>
<p>Has anybody else received notification of acceptance yet?</p>
<p>I called in about a week ago and they said they have yet to send out the letters.</p>
<p>I haven’t received any notifications either =(</p>
<p>There’s an interview we have to go through for this?</p>
<p>I’m so anxious! Haha. But I highly doubt I got it… :(</p>
<p>Umm, not that I have heard. I think if you just receive a letter you’re in!</p>
<p>So, you’re looking at going to UT Austin too? Awesome!</p>