<p>^ UT's a large school, but non-auto admits like grav123 compete for roughly 15% of the spots in the freshman class (because the statutory admission scheme sets aside the first 75% of the entering freshman class for auto admits and a maximum of 10% is reserved for OOS and international applicants).</p>
<p>grav123, my kids graduated from a Texas non-ranking HS, so I know where you're coming from. If I understand you correctly, you have just completed freshman year in HS, and what you presented is actually your <strong>projected</strong> application profile, including test scores you've already earned and your predicted scores (denoted with a leading ~). Is that correct? </p>
<p>If yes, understand that admission to UT involves two review processes: (1) admission to UT generally (I think you are on track with the performance goals you've set--the best resource for you will be your HS college counseling staff, they can tell you how you stack up against kids from your school who've been admitted to UT in recent years); and (2) placement into a major. Your performance goals are pretty high, so if you meet them, you will probably be hoping for admission into a very competitive major and even the honors program within that major. As TheKiwi said, "McCombs or Cockrell could be a fight." Per a new admission process effective this year, admission to UT's most competitive majors will be based 100% on holistic review, i.e., rank will not prioritize admission or otherwise be determinative for anyone. So you will compete against everyone who wants to get into that program.</p>
<p>As long as you are in goals-setting mode, in addition to shooting for top test scores and GPA on the most rigorous curriculum, I think you should aim a little higher with your ECs, personal development and community involvement. What you've outlined is perfectly fine; but you'll need to do more quality not quantity to stand out from the crowd. Listing a 10th grade internship is a good start. Ideally, both 10th and 11th summers...plus any extended periods of time in your after-school life that aren't committed to tennis, AcaDec or similar...you'll be engaged in a meaningful internship, academic program, competition related to your interests, e.g., if you're interested in exploring an engineering path, then something like JETS, volunteer opportunity, job (especially if you're considering business), peer tutoring, etc. These things don't often fall in your lap--you have to take the initiative to find them and go get them. And actually, if you're at the kind of school where grads go to Ivies, then some of these things will come your way--be the one to grab them.</p>
<p>You've listed 1 year for each of BPA (FBLA), MUN and STEM--do those things because you like them, or they expose you to a wide range of things and thus help you narrow your pursuits [obviously, the three you mentioned roughly correlate to pursuits in three directions, i.e., business, poli sci/int'l relations and engineering], but know that 1 year of the usual school clubs and activities doesn't do much to show passion, dedication, skill and talent mastery, leadership, etc. NHS adds no value--students who have the grades to apply to UT's most competitive programs will be in NHS if their school sponsors NHS. </p>
<p>You've prepared a great roadmap for your high school years ahead. As long as you are engaged in long-term planning and forcing yourself to visualize how you will look on paper two years from now, download a preview app from the ApplyTexas website. Ditto the Common App. Note how your honors, awards, leadership and activities are organized and presented. What will you be able to put in those blanks? Develop personal relationships with teachers along the way--you'll get better recs, and they can be a terrific referral source for internships, sponsor your research project or that new club you've decided to found, etc. Prepare a UT "expanded resume" based on your freshman year activities and other relevant accomplishments, e.g., foreign language, and keep it handy so you can fill it out as you go through the years ahead. Expanded</a> Resumes | Be a Longhorn</p>
<p>Bear in mind this statement by UT about their holistic review process: "Thus, merit includes the ambition to tackle rigorous high school coursework, the production of quality prose, and a civic commitment to make a difference in one’s school, home, or community. Evidence of employability (work), and some sense of having excelled in any number of areas are also considered. Moreover, admissions officials place these attributes in the context of the circumstances under which the student lived." <<-- That last sentence is significant and means, Did you avail yourself of the opportunities presented by your school, home and community environment? Did you push yourself to excel within that context? UT will be well-familiar with your non-ranking HS and the kinds of kids who graduate from it. You'll be measured against your peer group. How will you stack up?</p>
