<p>Hi. I'm a junior in high school with a GPA of about 3.6 and in in the top 23 percentile of my class. I'm only taking one AP class this year but I plan to take 3 next year. I have a few extracurricular activities under my belt including Student Council and Honors Choir and I volunteer in my community a good amount. I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I came from Ethiopia and speak Amharic fluently. (I lived there for about three years). I haven't taken the SAT yet but I'm fairly certain I'll get at least a 2000 on it. </p>
<p>It is my dream to go to UT but i'm nervous I wont get in. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I’ve seen top 20%s get into UT Austin from my school. Make sure to keep your GPA and ECs up and you’ll have a good chance of getting in. Try to apply and do some research at UT this summer if you can.</p>
<p>I actually disagree with the above comments
Based off of recent info from collegeboard, only 75% of UT’s student body was of the top 10%
Another 16% was top 25% and top half was 7%-- they even go on to accept some students from bottom half and bottom quarter </p>
<p>Being in the top 7-10% of your grade would definitely qualify you for the the honors programs, but not hte college itself. </p>
<p>Work your butt off this year to have great grades, work your butt off next year. Do you take any honors or advanced classes? Or just those few AP’s? UT looks at rigor of courses as well </p>
<p>The fact that you are from Ethiopia is a bonus, since only 4% of UT’s students are either Black or African American. I would include that in your essay or the supps. </p>
<p>UT’s SAT ranges from 1690- 2060 (based off of what college board says) so I would aim to get higher than 2060, start studying ASAP. Also, you should take at least 2 sat subject tests. Even though UT doesn’t require them, you need all the help you can get. Try to get at least 700 in both of them. </p>
<p>Your EC’s are mediocre. Volunteering “a good amount” is not enough-- do more. Find more opportunities, maybe volunteer at the local hospital? An animal shelter? A homeless shelter? Anything! Take tutoring jobs, get a real job as experience. Try to win some awards. Join some more clubs, found some clubs if you can. Make yourself a better applicant by making yourself a more well rounded person-- the more you do, the more you will stand out. </p>
<p>You do have a shot at getting in, and if you do all of the above, you have a very good shot at getting in. Don’t be too stressed, because it will all be okay! Just work as hard as you can, apply ED, and you do have a good chance og getting in. You may not get into the honors program, but you want just the college i believe, so you’ll be fine! </p>
<p>@mom2collegekids Yeah, I’ve been told that a lot, but I’ve also heard they have holistic admissions for people with special circumstances and I believe I can write a killer essay about me and my family’s struggles when we first came here. Do you think that would make a difference? Also, do you suggest any safety schools I should apply to in Texas?</p>
<p>@jupp18 I did take basically all honors and pre-ap my freshman and sophomore year and i’m a year ahead in math, but I’ve been told colleges don’t really look at that. I was also planning on taking some classes at the community college over the summer and was wondering if that would make a difference or help to my benefit. Or should I just stick with volunteering and getting some work experience over the summer? Thank you by the way! Very helpful answer!</p>
</p>
<a href=“