Get Admitted to Your Dream University – UT Austin

Founded in 1883 the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It is one of the largest schools in the USA with a total undergraduate enrollment of 40,916 (fall 2021).

UT Austin Mission

The mission of UT Austin is to achieve excellence in the interrelated areas of undergraduate education, graduate education, research and public service. The university provides superior and comprehensive educational opportunities at the baccalaureate through doctoral and special professional educational levels.

The university contributes to the advancement of society through research, creative activity, scholarly inquiry and the development and dissemination of new knowledge, including the commercialization of University discoveries. For example Researchers at UT Austin have discovered three new species of groundwater salamander living in Central Texas, including one that is critically endangered. These species are key for preserving water quality in the aquifers that local residents depend on for nearly all the fresh water supplying nearby cities, industries and agriculture.

The MasSpec Pen is a handheld instrument that gives surgeons precise diagnostic information about what tissue to cut or preserve during cancer surgery. Researchers at UT Austin worked with others around the country to develop this exciting medical device and initially tested it using animals.

The university preserves and promotes the arts, benefits the state’s economy, serves the citizens through public programs and provides other public services.

How to Improve your Chances of Getting into UT Austin

1. Achieve a high GPA while taking the most challenging classes available

It’s extremely important for UT Austin applicants to not only possess outstanding grades but for those grades to come in challenging courses. International students accepted to a top 10 school like UT Austin typically complete between 5 to 8 advanced courses in high school.The main aim of AP (Advanced Placement) exams is to test your ability and acumen to measure up to the rigors of undergraduate curriculum in US and other global universities. Typically, international students appear for AP exams at the beginning of their grade 11 and 12. Students interested in Engineering usually appear for Calculus, Physics, Computer Science or Chemistry. Students interested in Business Studies usually appear for Calculus, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Statistics. Students interested in Medicine usually appear for Biology, Psychology, Chemistry and Environmental Science.

Another reason why UT Austin applicants need great grades is that selective schools use a tool called the ‘Academic Index’ to filter out their enormous number of applicants. At its most basic, the Academic Index is a distillation of a student’s academic performance (grades and test scores) into a single number. This is a single score that represents the strength of your GPA, test scores, and class rank (if your school ranks). Highly selective universities use this (or a similar) metric to filter out students that don’t meet their academic standards.

2. Aim for a 1500 SAT or a 35+ ACT

The middle 50% of UT Austin’s class of 2025 earned SAT scores between 1230 and 1500 or an ACT score of 29 and 35+. Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, the higher the score, the better your odds of admission. UT Austin is SAT optional so the students have a choice on whether they should submit their scores or not. UT Austin does not superscore test scores instead the highest composite scores are considered. For example Student A has given three different SAT exams and has scored 1510, 1530 and 1500 respectively. The highest composite score here is 1530 so the student will submit those scores to the university.

3. Explore your favorite subjects via Research Papers

One common factor that we have noted in the resumes of students admitted to the Ivy Leagues and other top colleges is the prevalence of research work while still in high school.

There are three main reasons, as to why research papers help students stand out. A high-quality research paper shows that you have the energy and the initiative to go beyond what is taught in the class and apply it to real life problems. It shows that your interest in the subject extends beyond the questions provided at the end of the chapter. Secondly, you learn the discipline of not rushing intuitively to the likely answer, instead using a deliberate process in which you are guided by the data. Lastly, in working with a skilled professor or mentor you learn how to organize your thoughts better, ask the right questions and try to answer those questions in the best way possible subject to the constraints. A good work product provides an insight into your mind, thought process and way of working.

4. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “niche”)

For selective institutions like UT Austin extracurricular activities can play a larger role in admission decisions. Up to 25% of an admissions decision can be determined by a student’s activities outside of the classroom. While it’s true that there is no such thing as a bad extracurricular activity, some extracurricular activities are more impressive than others.

Admissions officers evaluate extracurriculars with one being the most exceptional and four being the most common. For example:

• Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership at a national or international level. Some examples are, 1) Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, a national prize awarded to top 20 pre-collegiate musicians, 2) Regeneron Science Talent Award, one of the most prestigious opportunities for high school students to present original scientific research in the USA, 3) World Robot Olympiad, a global competition where youngsters (13 to 19 years age) from different countries participate, 4) International Mathematical Olympiad, a math competition for pre- university students, 5) International Science Olympiads in various areas of the formal sciences, natural sciences and social sciences.

• Tier 2 extracurriculars show high levels of achievement and leadership but aren’t quite as rare as activities found in Tier 1 (they’re more of state-level achievements). These include making an all-state selection in athletics, serving as student body president, or being selected for a prestigious state-wide summer program like governor’s school.

• Tier 3 extracurricular activities are great for showing an applicant’s interest outside of the classroom but don’t have the cachet of higher-tiered extracurriculars. These activities are smaller leadership roles and achievements that often appear on applications. These include being captain of a sports team or holding a lesser officer position in a club.

• Tier 4 extracurriculars are the least impressive and most common activities seen by admissions officers. These activities include playing a sport or instrument, participating in a club but not holding a leadership position, and volunteering.

5. Write engaging essays

Essays are the best way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. UT Austin requires all applicants to submit one essay and three short answer question prompts as part of its application. The UT Austin required essay ‘Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?'(500-700 words)

There are three short answer prompts of 250-300 words each. These prompts change every year.

• Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

• Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.

• The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Research the university and the faculty of the department you are planning to join. Explain in your essay how your values tie with the expectations of the university and how you expect to utilize the knowledge to make the world a better place.

Also research the extra-curricular activities and the clubs at UT Austin and how you will spend your time outside the classroom. Some of the popular clubs at UT Austin are:

• Hum A Cappella: Hum A Cappella is one of the biggest A Cappella groups on campus. You will be able to sing your heart out with your friends. Although you may have to try out, this group is friendly to people with all talents.

• Longhorn Gaming: Longhorn Gaming, the central hub for casual gaming and competitive esports at UT. Here students with similar interests gather to play their favorite games.

• Longhorn Melee: The Smash Club’s purpose is to give UT students a home to play, practice, compete, and meet new people within the Super Smash Bros. franchise.

There are different extracurricular activities and clubs present in the campus. There is something for everyone. And best of all everyone is invited. Students could take up different activities or join a sorority. Joining a sport or activity helps students meet other like-minded people who share common interests with them. It is a good way to make friends.

6. Recommendation Letters

Letters of recommendation (LoR) help paint a complete picture of who you are in front of the admission officers. Like any good painter, you want to be in control of your whole application. It is important to ensure that you are approaching teachers, mentors etc. that know you well. The LoR provides an insight into your personality, behaviors and work ethic and are crucial to your application. UT Austin is looking for information that expands upon or isn’t available in other items you submit, such as your admissions application, resume, or essays—such things as:

• Your academic success and potential

• Your leadership contributions to your school, family or community

• Your persistence in response to challenging situations

• Your interaction with students and peers from different cultural backgrounds

• Your preparation for your selected first-choice major, both in school and out

UT Austin requires you to send recommendations from

Teachers – Optional 2

Other Evaluations – Optional 2 (Example: Art teacher, Clergy, Coach, College Access Counselor, Employer, Family Member, Peer etc.)

You should approach your high school teachers several months in advance. Requesting a letter of recommendation from a teacher is a big ask—they’re busy and don’t get paid to write recommendations. Make it easy for your recommenders by giving them plenty of time, providing them with as much relevant information as possible.

7. Apply Early Action/Early Decision

UT Austin has a priority deadline for US applicants. This is usually on November 1.

International students can apply only through the December 1 (Regular Decision) deadline.

UT Austin values students who are committed, dedicated, passionate, have potential to succeed and those students with a genuine interest in expanding their intellectual horizon. Following the guidelines above will help you present your best self to UT Austin and maximize your admission chances.