I think grades, SAT, rigor, class rank are all important for getting in.
I think essays are very important for fitness for major. They shed light on you and why you should be in a certain major. I see them as helping put you where you need to be after you’ve shown you are qualified to get in.
I know a kid who started in 2021 who had horrible freshman year grades due to a terrible family issue (Cs and a D). Steady improvement and great kid - he got in McCombs even when many of the kids at our high school who ranked way ahead of him did not.
My first-choice major is biology! I was thinking about switching to environmental science in the COLA to have a higher chance of getting in, but MyStatus says I can’t change majors because my application is ‘under review’.
My main essay connects a lifelong interest of mine (birds) to my curiosity about the world around me, and I think it does a pretty good job of revealing my personality to the admissions officers. One of my supplementals is about my love for biology and laboratory work, and I did use the optional prompt to explain the circumstances that led to me getting bad grades my first year.
I put zero stock in the opinion of a college consultant from UChicago when it comes to UT applications. I do value Kevin Martin’s opinion. I think rankings and affordability are the big drivers.
I think yes rankings and affordability. I see a lot of people online talking about the stability of the SEC schools right now, a lot of the smaller, Northern Schools have been in upheaval over the last year. I think Texas comes across as consistently positive to people from OOS. (We are In State but have a lot of family OOS)
Counter argument would be rankings and affordability do not change in a year to warrant a 48% increase in OOS apps. Colorado did see a huge increase in apps last year because of Coach Prime.
In my very small pocket of California… two years ago my daughter applied (and was accepted) to UT and she didn’t know anyone else who was applying. This year, my second daughter applied and has recruited many of her high school friends, given what an incredible experience my first daughter has had at UT. Word of mouth? Increasing diversity and ranking? Incredible football success? It is a GREAT school and just seems to keep on getting better!
TCU had a huge spike in admissions the year they went to the championship. Arch Manning may influence football fans too, and Matt M. on the sidelines? What I hear from out of state families is a combination of: Students like the perceived quality of the college, they like the football program, they like the addition to the SEC this year, “texan, country, cowboy boots and the appropriate use of the word ‘y’all’” are in, they like the Longhorn, they like the city of Austin, they like that companies are moving there for internships, and there is still a big (BIG) fear of another pandemic and lockdowns and not wanting to be in a state that is restrictive if that happens.
Agree it is usually a combination of factors, but the media always frame the question that there should be one main reason. It makes sense that the university says it is academics, after all they are an academic institution.
The rankings in a lot of specific areas did change a lot from last year to this year. I was shocked. For example in my son’s chosen major they went from 9th to 5th in the entire country, which is a huge jump.
I think news like this is impactful, along with published acceptance rates which are deceivingly high. I think the increased selectivity of the UCs is pushing kids to look a “affordable” publics that are similar.
I knew about the 1/15 date, but tell me about the new early acceptance and waitlist thing? Is it just the CAP program or is there something more you’re referring to? Looked at UT’s website and it didn’t seem all that different from a few years ago (other than 1/15 vs. 2/1 decision release date)