When to submit application?

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

I know the application for UT opens August 1st, but what’s the best time to submit? I’m applying for a competitive major (CS-possibly Physics) and the Plan 2/Dean’s Scholars honors programs.

I plan to retake my ACT (33 composite) this June and September. I might retake the SAT(740/750) in October.

When does UT start reviewing applications? Will they ever see my new scores if I submit early or only the old ones? Should I just wait to submit until the fall? I have automatic admission, so I am not worried about getting into UT (although my major is another story).

2

depends on the deadline. you can submit anytime from the open to the deadline. from experience, the earlier you submit the earlier you hear back. if you want to retake test and make sure you get the best scores, then submit it after you get it. put in the application and the essays first and they’ll ask for the rest later. dont submit 1 week before the deadline, leave some times so you can fix whatever problem that arise (late processing, transcripts take forever etc) not sure when they start reviewing application so can’t tell you much. i think whatever you submit to them, that’s what they see so if you have new scores, you need to submit it for them to see.

3

@Meiliu Thank you so much! Do you know anything about applying to the honors programs? Is it a separate application or do you check a box?

4

@Hamlon One big reason to apply early is to get in line for housing.

The honors program you mentioned has a December 1 application deadline.
https://cns.utexas.edu/honors/honors-programs-center/deans-scholars

Once they start reviewing applications, you should hear within a few weeks about your auto-acceptance. Getting your major acceptance could take until mid-February. IME, honors applicants hear back sooner.

Good luck!

5

For deans it doesn’t matter when you apply, I applied on Dec 8 last year which was on an extended deadline past the original and I got notified in January, and since you only gave your SAT and ACT its hard to evaluate for you, since Deans looks at the students with the highest grades first not based on when you turned it in since they want to respond to them ASAP to keep them from leaving. Like they barely started to review applications for Deans two weeks ago, I only know this cause I went to office hours and my professor was like “your in deans right” and told me how he was just a bit out of it since he had been reading through applications all morning.