Should I apply on August 1st (when the application opens)?

Neonb88
Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:06:33 +0000

I am a rising high school senior and want to apply to UT. My rank is 20th of 189 (I may be able to raise it by the end of my first semester of senior year), and I attend (one of) the most rigorous high school(s) in Austin. My latest SAT scores were: 750 math, 720 verbal, and 680 writing, with an essay score of 6, but I am scheduled to take the ACT on September 10th, 2011. According to practice tests, I should be able to get a 34-35 pretty easily. My question is: should I send in my application on the day it opens?

If I do so, it will be difficult to write two (do I need three?) truly meaningful essays that will help my chances, and my test scores won’t be as good. Is it crucial for applicants in review status to submit as early as possible (I know they have a rolling admissions policy, like many large schools)? I’m not even sure if my counselor and registrar at school are ready to send off all my scores, transcripts, etc, and my teachers certainly won’t be able to write recommendations that soon.

I guess what I am really asking is this: when UT reviews applicants, as opposed to automatically admitting them, is it more important to have a top-notch, thoughtful, well-edited application (like selective, small liberal arts schools want) or should I just turn in my application as early as possible?

Other info about me:
I took 4 APs junior year, got 5s on Physics B and Japanese, and 4s on US History and English Lang, and will take 5 APs senior year (Env Sci, BC Calc, Gov, Econ, and English Lit).
I have taken three SAT subject tests (800 Math 2, 800 Physics, 790 US History) and will probably take Japanese on November 5th (I anticipate over a 750)
I have plenty of extracurriculars: Marching Band (since freshman), Jazz Band (since freshman), Japanese competitions (since freshman), Environmental club (since freshman), and other minor ones I dabbled in.
I have little recorded volunteer service (all through environmental club)
I probably got national merit commended but not semi or finalist (PSAT 73 verbal 80 math 63 writing, 216 in all)
No work experience
UT probably knows my school pretty well, and I’m well above the median accepted student from my school in test scores and GPA, even without better ACT scores
UT is a target for me, I prefer smaller schools in general

So, please give tips, criticism, anything as long as it relates to UT.
For example:
Should I even bother to write a good essay (will they look at it)?
Do they care if I have a 2150 SAT versus 35 ACT?
Should I apply to the college of engineering, or apply to UT in general and transfer later?
Is there anything important that I have not mentioned which I might not know about UT or the college application process in general?

Sorry that was so long, you don’t have to read all of it, but I thank you for your time and help, regardless of how much you read or respond.