@CodeNinjaTX Ha! I reversed the digits! My son is the one that keeps up on all of this. So I was just going from memory. Every year the number of actual scholars changes too based on how many positions they get funded. Two years ago they had 21 scholars which was the biggest group they had ever had and last year they had 15.
Congratulations to the semi-finalists!!! And, good luck for the next round! The UT Class of 2024 is shaping up to be an amazing one!
Do a large number of kids reject consideration for 40 acres? 190 to 50 seems like a lot of whittling for a phone interview…
What distinguishes one applicant from the other for 40 acres in your opinion?
@GreatRaft they probably lose a few to early decision but I think they interview a lot. My guess is that they all have a score at this point and then the interview is the final part of the score and that they end up going from that. But I don’t really know how it works. That’s just a guess.
Last year, there were over 4000 applied, and they chose 120ish semi-finlists. This year, there are 3800 applied, and 190 are chosen. I wonder why they upped the number of semifinalists to whittle them down after the phone interview stage.
@junebug20 Applicant pools change from year to year - this year the pool might have been particularly impressive and they may have 190 applicants that are all being seriously considered. If they have the resources to interview them all, then why not? Additionally, it may be that they already know many of those students are going to decline further consideration because they are bound elsewhere by Early Decision. I imagine many of the students who are realistic contenders for 40 Acres have a good shot at getting into a school as an ED student if they chose to participate in that.
Have any of the semi finalists received a confirmation email with interview date and time?
Not yet.
Just got confirmation for one hour window. Told to let the office know if interviewer doesn’t callby the end of that window.
Thanks @junebug20. Confirming that my daughter received her interview time slot as well.
@chicagobears, did your daughter receive a time? I am still waiting and starting to get worried.
@Tableandchair, yes she received a specific 20 minute time slot for tomorrow, but they asked her to be available for the whole hour. Maybe check junk or spam folder, in case it went there.
I think people who got interview confirmation today are mostly the people who indicated that tmr is their only availability plus some more with availability on both days. I know C couldn’t do it the following day.
@chicagobears Was the 20 minute slot specified in the table listing the interviewer name, phone number, etc? I only received an hour interval, not down to the specific.
C only got a one hour time slot and the name of the interviewer.
@hurricane314, I re-read the emails that my daughter had forwarded me and the official email with the table in it had the interviewers name and an hour time slot. However, she received a second email directly from the interviewer with exact 20 minute slot specified. Sorry - I should have been clearer.
People interviewing tomorrow, can you guys post the interview questions they ask? My interview is Thursday, and I’m just a little nervous. The specific questions would be very helpful.
It’s great that your daughter actually has the time slot nailed down. The direction my C got was to get in touch with Kristy Parks (TX Exes Scholarship Director) as soon as it’s at the end of the interview window but the interviewr hasn’t called. The email has her office number and email. I hope she checks her emails often.
Some of the interveiwees weren’t notified until late tonight because there was a glitch in the system and the mail merge dropped some people. Fortunately, the alum seem to be on top of things.