UT Austin's Requirements Stressing Me Out

Y'all, I'm pretty dead-set on attending UT Austin (Hook 'em Horns). But the thing I'm struggling with is understanding what they need from me. SAT, GPA, community service, determining factor, etc. — any clarity at all would be such a huge help. Cheers!

Hey there, great to hear you're interested in UT Austin! Let's break down the requirements:

Admissions Review: A great place to start is understanding that each application gets reviewed in the context of the high school you attended, and the opportunities available to you there.

Test Scores: For the 2024-2025 application cycle, UT Austin requires an SAT or ACT score from all applicants. The average SAT and ACT scores for recently admitted students are around 1230 - 1470 and 26 - 33, respectively.

GPA: Your GPA also carries significant weight. While a competitive GPA can vary depending on the rigor of your high school and classes, the average high school GPA of UT Austin's admitted students is around 3.83.

Course Rigor: UT Austin also values rigorous coursework. The more difficult the classes you take in high school (think APs, dual enrollment, honors), the better you portray your readiness for college-level work.

Extracurricular Activities: UT Austin, like many schools, will also consider your involvement beyond academics. They value a long-term, deep involvement with just a handful of activities where you demonstrated leadership, initiative, and commitment. So if you've been part of an extracurricular for several years and achieved significant success in it (like being a club president or winning awards), that'll be a key asset on your application.

Essay: The personal statements give the admissions committee a chance to get to know you. Make sure you tell your individual story — perhaps a singular experience that had a significant impact on you. Avoid common, overdone topics like sports injuries, grade challenges, etc unless you can present them from a unique perspective.

Short Answers: UT Austin has several mandatory short answer questions, so make sure you answer these in a thoughtful and compelling manner.

Optional: Letters of Recommendation: You can also submit one recommendation letter from your counselor and one academic letter from a teacher if you choose.

All these elements come together to paint a picture of who you are as a student and person, so make sure every part of your application helps to tell your unique story. Best of luck with your application!