They don’t all enroll, and colleges are very good with their predictive math. : )
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They do holistic review and what matters most is your fit to major grades won’t make or break you.
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It surprises me that so many auto admits chose not to enroll, I can think of several scenarios
- Not the major student wanted
- Better schools such as Harvard / Yale
- Go to less prestigious universities with more scholarship / full ride
For me, I would not do #3 though
I personally know 2 students who got into UT last year from a highly competitive school in Texas that were not top 10%. One to McCombs and the other Gov. Did not submit SAT scores. They had super impressive ECs, were in swim team etc, their essays were great too. So, yes, it is possible to get in without being an auto-admit. Depends on how you are compared against the others applying I guess.
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My kid is homeschooled but has very high stats and lots of CC courses under his belt…maxed out Maths and Honors sciences there. Friends were told specifically by UT in writing that homeschoolers (though I did rank him in my school because I have the authority to do so) will not be autoadmitted to UT unless they meet a 1580 SAT or “at least” (?) a 36 ACT. He has a 35. So, he was not autoadmitted. They are saying this is how they determine rank, and so, without perfection, homeschoolers will not be autoadmitted. Perhaps this applies to other non-ranked students…who can say? Theoretically, this should not matter when getting his major since they holistically review competitive majors like his. But still. It would be nice to have been autoadmitted. If he were autoadmitted and perhaps had a change of heart to go into Mathematics or Physics, he would be in and secured. Plus, it’s a mental boost to know one was admitted, even if later rejected from chosen major. I’m sure autoadmit gives some type of advantage for major, too, though that is just my gut saying so, since there are autoadmits who’ve already gotten their competitive majors. Keep in mind I DID rank him as the Chief Administrator of my homeschool (homeschools are considered private schools in Texas). The bottom line is that no one knows the mysteries of how students are chosen or rejected. There will no doubt be plenty of students in my kid’s major with much lower stats, GPA, and achievements… I read about them all the time. I think the hard part for some of us could be the concept of fairness playing into any of this process. It doesn’t. Fairness probably isn’t even real anyway, just something each of us makes up according to our own ideas of fairness. I picture a lot of really haggard, tired, and thus scattered-brained Admissions Officers (who’ve dreaded this part of the year like CPAs dread tax time) high on Monster drinks and Cheetos taking the next file off of the digital pile and going, “Huh. Wait…did I text my mom back? Where’s my left shoe? Oh, crap… I left the stove on!” while accidentally paging over somebody’s file they didn’t (couldn’t) really focus on and moving to the next. Maybe they pick somebody because they have a cool name, or because they liked the font on their resume, or because they DIDn’t look like all the other files, or who knows why ; ) Imagining looking at thousands of resumes and files that really look almost identical (especially GPA and SAT/ACT) makes me feel wobbly, and I don’t even do that for a living. So, that’s why I have to realize that this is to be approached more like having your ticket chosen at a raffle. At less or non-selective schools, my kid is accepted right away with the highest level of merit. There’s no raffle there. At UT, his chances are basically the same as everyone else’s… mostly equal probability unless someone who applied has really low stats and no indication of a connection with their chosen competitive major. What it took to get into college “back when we was kids” is no longer the landscape. Not in top-tier schools, anyway.
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My D22 was admitted to UT ChemE (Non ranking, NON AUTO Texas schol, Test Optional) and opted to go to Trinity for flexibility, “what if I get into chem e and I’m stuck there” and because she could be on an athletic team D3. The $$ didn’t hurt either. Her grades are so good she will be able to get into a prestigious funded PhD program in a few years, so it worked for her. There are many paths to an end goal, so it’s so important for kids to understand that right now.
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That is so wonderful for your daughter! Yay for her! I would much rather my kid go to a really good school like Trinity with a smaller, more cohesive social environment, but Trinity doesn’t have a full engineering major. Bummer. I do love that somehow they all find their path, even if it is not always clear along the way!
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It has a fully accredited engineering program that is exceptional. I highly suggest you give it a closer look and have a conversation with Dr. Farzan Aminian. What my daughter has ended up appreciating is she is getting a holistic engineering science degree. It is extremely challenging because while she doesn’t enjoy circuits or mechanical, she is forced to learn it. There was a boy that left and went to Vanderbilt and kept espousing how much easier it was because he didn’t have to take as many classes. They are very challenged and have the ability to branch out and take other things as well. I understand it’s not for everyone, but it is a rigorous program and the kids go off to exceptional engineering PhD and Masters programs. Their core engineering classes are taught in small classes with brilliant research professors. it’s a hidden gem. We are super happy.
I am on this sub bc my S24 is applying for kinesiology and they do NOT have that at trinity. but he has merit and a trinity acceptance and if A&M or UT doesn’t happen for us, we will encourage a bio path at trinity. 
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Wow… I had researched and researched engineering science because I so wanted him to go there, but I kept reading that they don’t get hired for engineering jobs…unless they are going into higher ed and research. Would love to be able to chat with you more : ) WE LOVE that campus, and I was going to do my Master’s in psych years ago there, but they ended the program just before I was ready to go! So, a doctorate instead!
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I am happy to talk on the phone if you want or have my daughter answer any questions you have! Her advisor, Dr Treadway is another good person to talk to. She gives the kids research opportunities in biomedical engineering as she researches and designs prosthetics. They are definitely hired for jobs out of undergrad! I can try and find numbers for you.
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Thanks to all for the great information and thoughts shared. The more I learn about it, the more I wish we knew this earlier. 
Guess we still have a few days before RD is over for other alternatives. Thanks again and good luck to all our wonderful children!
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I don’t know about y’all, but I miss you guys. ; ) Hope everyone has been enjoying a lovely break from whatever you need a break from!!!
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I just about had a heart attack when I opened my email to see a UT Austin email but they just told me to watch the sugar bowl. I wish they would not email me till they have a decision for me.
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The way they handle communications during sensitive times is NOT really sensitive, is it? 
I was in line at a bank and for sure the Sugarbowl message gave an immediate jolt to my heart beat. Happy Holidays!
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I just took it as, “He hasn’t been kicked off the list yet.” And that’s a yay in my book!
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I took it as, “Yay, we made it on to the list at least!”
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I don’t know if you can accurately draw that conclusion, but I hope you’re right. If you are still on the list at this point, you probably have a good shot since final decisions are usually out mid-Jan.
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Yes. I think they only update the mailing list once they have officially posted decisions (sent them out). But I pray it is a good sign. Fingers crossed for all.
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Has anyone been through an interview for the CS Turing Program? And how’s your experience?
Not personally but I’ve spoken with people who have. Heard it’s almost like a technical interview you’d get for a job. You get one?
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