I'm looking at schools in Texas and realized some are harder to get into than others. Does anyone know which Texas universities have the toughest admission processes? Trying to see where I might fit and what I should be aiming for!
In Texas, the most competitive and challenging schools to gain admission to are generally Rice University, The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), and Southern Methodist University (SMU).
Rice University, located in Houston, is renowned for its STEM and arts programs. Despite its small campus, Rice maintains an 7.5% acceptance rate, making it one of the most selective universities in Texas. The middle 50% SAT scores for admitted students are 1500-1560, and the middle 50% ACT scores are 34-36.
UT Austin in the state's capital is another top choice for many students, known for its strong programs across the board, but particularly in business and engineering. UT Austin is slightly more accessible with a 31% acceptance rate, but for certain competitive programs like Business, Computer Science, and Engineering, the acceptance rates can be much lower. The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1230-1500, and the ACT scores range from 27-33. However, this is from a time when submitting scores was optional. Beginning with the 2024-2025 application cycle, UT Austin will require all applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas is another highly competitive school, known for its programs in business, performing arts, and engineering. With a 60% acceptance rate and middle 50% SAT scores of 1340-1470 and ACT scores of 30-34, SMU offers a challenging application process, but not as hard as Rice or UT Austin.
Remember, these are general stats and can vary from year to year. Always make sure to check the most recent admissions statistics offered by each school. I would also recommend taking a comprehensive look at each school's culture, size, location, and available majors to find the best fit for you. Good luck!
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