Recommendation letters generally don't hold much weight (unless your teacher has written things like "Z is the best and most extraordinary student I have had in my 37 years of teaching"). However, a bad recommendation definitely can and will hurt you. So it's one of those things that won't add, but will subtract (if negative) from your application. I do think, though, that when using a rec, it is probably better to use one from a teacher (perhaps one that has had you for more than one year; one that has seen you grow) because they spend more time with you than a counselor (whose recs tend to be more generic).
No, I wouldn't say your stats are out of reach for McCombs, but you better have the EC leadership roles (and AP scores, in this case would be beneficial) to compensate.
I heard back roughly two weeks after I submitted my application (notified by snail mail). However, I know this year UT is being slower with applications. Last year, admissions for McCombs (and UT) were done on a rolling basis and the general rule was the longer you didn't hear back, the less likely it was good news. If they don't do that this year, I want to say some people should hear back by December, and the rest around February/March.
I do think you stand a decent chance of being accepted.
Definitely apply to Mays so you have a back-up. I think it's up to you. If you think you are capable of making a high gpa, then stay at UT. You can also apply for a transfer to Mays during your first year just in case McCombs doesn't work out. Or you can go to Mays and try to external transfer to McCombs, but in the event it doesn't work out, you still have Mays. Which risk are you willing to take? Would you be okay in the event that you wouldn't be able to transfer in or the event that you wouldn't receive a business education? This has to be your decision. My advice would be to weigh the pros, cons, and outcomes of various scenarios and choose the one you are happiest with.
Unless they've changed the application, I'm pretty sure the five sentences are for Plan II honors, not BHP. The application process for BHP was just applytexas, teacher rec, resume, submit button.
If it's for Plan II honors, just be yourself! It's very open-ended. They just want to see how your mind works and who you are. I guess the best advice is to be weirdly creative.
-----edit
Okay, never mind. The website does say that all honors programs write the five sentences. Hmm. I didn't realize that was for BHP as well. In that case I guess it doesn't matter too much for BHP (but it does for Plan II) because I BSed those 5 sentences when I turned in my application. Literally wrote them in ten minutes and then hit submit. So don't over think it and you'll be fine.
Last edited by Hayacostbh; 11-12-2012 at 10:33 AM.
I'll just post a semi version of my Resume I sent them... please tell me if I have a fairly good shot at McCombs and/or BHP
School and Grades:
Pflugerville High School: G.P.A.: 4.50638 (4.00 out of 4), Rank: 3/563
SAT: 2060
Math: 770 (790 on the first try) Reading: 590 (***) Writing: 700
Work Experience:
1)Texas State Independent Living Council (Austin, Texas)
Marketing and Advertising Intern (This June - present)
2)City of Pflugerville's Lifeguard (Summer 2011)
3)Private Home (Round Rock, Texas)
Tutor (For over 4 years now)
EC:
1) Sierra Student Coalition
Founder, past Treasurer (9th-11th: elected), and Campus Organizer (12th: elected)
• Organized environment-friendly activities such as tree planting and park/creek cleanups
• Worked with the Sierra Coalition for anti-coal demonstration in Austin
2)Science Olympiad
Member (10th-11th) and Historian (12th: elected)
3)Key Club
• Volunteered in activities around the school like recycling, Little League Baseball, and more
4)National Honor Society
5)Austin Korean Presbyterian Church
Worship Leader
6)Lord's Church of Austin
Worship Leader
7)Pflugerville Assisted Living
• Volunteered on Bingo Nights, morning prayers, and assisted elderly
8)City of Pflugerville
• Volunteered in creek cleanups, marathon races, and more
School Academic Awards in subjects of: Math, Science, History, English, Spanish, Technology, etc.
Honors AP Scholar
Science Olympiad Regional Gold Medalists for Fermi Questions and Dynamic Planet
1 of 3 in Region to qualify for State competition for Science Olympiad
Languages (other than English... duh)
• Fluent in Korean
• Conversational Speaking level in Spanish
Musical Instruments
• Piano (from age 5 - present)
Logo Creating & Branding
• Health/Fitness Brand for TxSilc (2012)
Communication and Presentation Skills
• Many experience presenting documents in organization (TxSilc) and leading meetings
It's really hard to say because I don't know what your definition of "perfect" means. I will say that they've constantly mentioned how they've rejected tons of vals/1600s in favor of us. Based on the high rank/low test scores position, it would probably come down to your resume, which you didn't provide, but hopefully you've had lots of experience being a leader.
Your SAT is 120 points lower than the average of BHP last year (1480). And if it follows the trend, CO2017's SAT average will be even higher.
If you didn't have your internship, I'd say no admission to either. But since it's semi-business related, I'd say it significantly increases your chances to McCombs. For McCombs, you're in the middle. Definitely not a shoo-in, but not a reject, either. It'll depend on how impressive everyone else is. They'll probably take a look at the general admissions pool before making a decision. For BHP, I'd say it is very unlikely.
I don't know if you just pasted the info from your CV, but if you did, you might want to clean up the formatting a little. It's a little bit cluttered. UT has a really good example of an extended resume; you could copy the template. And try to expand a little more and be specific in your descriptions.
Lastly, as a word of caution, be really careful what you put on the Internet. It would be incredibly easy for me to find out who you were if I wanted to. I don't want to leave on a creepy note, so just be aware! Also, sometimes admissions comes on to CC to look around, haha.
In the interest of time, it'd be awesome if everybody could keep to specific questions. If you want a chance, make a thread. I hate to leave questions unanswered, but I never really liked chancing. You're either in or you're out, and a year from now, you'll be exactly where you need to be.
Does Mccombs look mostly at Test scores?
I have a 1810 on my SAT and I am worried that is what will keep me from their school.
Otherwise, I am 1.2% of class, 4.0 gpa, TONS of ECs/Awards/volunteer, Pretty good essays.
I haven't been able to take many tests due to band conflicts and I have only one more shot at SAT in two weeks (no time to study!!)
@Hayacostbh: I've applied to UT Mccombs, Plan II, BHP, and the Liberal Arts Honors on October 8. When should I expect to hear back from them regarding my decision?
I feel that I might not receive the good news from BHP or Mccombs at this point, as I have not received any response for the past month and a half.
Seems like you have a pretty good chance! I don't think they look "mostly" at test scores. It's definitely a factor in the admissions process (if you have a 200, no matter how amazing your resume is, they're not going to let you in), but it's not the only factor. I think the high rank + leadership in EC's will more than compensate for it. As for the December SAT, try your best! Two weeks is still plenty of time to raise your score.
I can't tell you anything terribly specific about Econ because I'm not too familiar with the program; I have heard that it is a very good department, so I assume Econ supplemented with Business will result in job offers.
If admissions works the same way it did last year, this is how the timeline should look:
UT McCombs: rolling admissions; anytime from when you applied until March(?); the later your hear, the less likely it is good news, though this is NOT always the case.
Plan II: Comes out in waves; The first wave has just come out, so if you've been accepted, you should receive notification. If it's an acceptance, you should hear soon since you applied early (either now, december, or february). If you don't hear back, it is probably a rejection (which they release once all the acceptees have been notified in Feb/March):/
BHP: Since you applied priority, you will hear back by December whether it be acceptance, deferral, or rejection. However, if you haven't had an interview, it is probably unlikely.
Liberal Arts Honors: Not sure
Well in terms of leadership, I am a section leader and historian in band, secretary of HOSA, secretary of Keyclub, an officer/designer for CHISPA and Spanish club, an orientation leader, camp counselor, and for one year I was the year book's copy editor. And 300 hours of community service. My essays are very strong about band, art, and funding for fine arts. I'm just worried that my profile isn't really business oriented... possibly detracting from acceptance?
Darned for working too hard on grades/EC and forgetting about SAT scores.
Plus a 26 on my ACT kind of sucks too.
