Updated Information on All Things College Admissions

For decades, the University of Texas at Austin has been the dream school for many Texas families. With its nationally ranked programs, strong alumni network, and unbeatable Austin location, it is no surprise UT remains one of the most sought-after public universities in the country. But in 2026, with over 100,000 applications submitted and rising selectivity across nearly every major, it is important to pause and ask: Is UT Austin still the right fit for your student? 

Families often ask when they should begin preparing for UT Austin. The truth is, the most successful applicants in this year’s record-breaking admissions cycle didn’t wait until junior year to get serious. They started building strong habits, exploring academic interests, and growing into leadership during their early high school years. If your teen is in 9th or 10th grade and dreams of becoming a Longhorn, this fall is the right time to begin. Here are three high-impact areas to focus on now. 

Your student took advanced classes, earned excellent grades, stayed active in school clubs, volunteered on weekends, and maybe even scored above a 1450 on the SAT. They hit every benchmark. Their college list was thoughtful. UT Austin was the top choice. And still, they were denied. This story is more common than many people realize. Each year, UT Austin turns away thousands of highly qualified applicants. 

Choosing a college major often feels overwhelming because families ask the wrong question. Instead of asking what major guarantees success, students should ask better questions that lead to better decisions.

At The University of Texas at Austin, what you list as your second-choice major is not just a backup plan. It is a real part of your application strategy. In fact, for many students who are not automatically admitted through the top 5% rule, that second-choice major could be the difference between an offer and a denial. But it only works if you approach it with intention. UT does not view the second-choice major as a throwaway. It still gets reviewed through the same holistic process. If you choose it wisely and align your application materials accordingly, it can open another door into one of the most competitive public universities in the country. 

Applying as an undeclared student sounds appealing. Many families believe it preserves flexibility while reducing admissions pressure. Unfortunately, that assumption is not always correct. Many universities admit students directly into colleges or majors. Popular programs in engineering, business, nursing, and the sciences often have limited capacity. Once those spaces are filled, transferring internally can be difficult or impossible.

For some students, food is more than a quick bite between classes—it’s part of the college experience. From iconic local specialties to campus dining programs that emphasize sustainability and creativity, these colleges stand out for offering meals worth remembering. Whether you are drawn to global flavors, farm-to-table dining, or legendary local eats, these campuses give food lovers plenty to savor.  Here are 8 colleges for hardcore foodies:

For students passionate about becoming future educators, the best preparation often happens at colleges that take innovation seriously. These schools combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences, interdisciplinary coursework, and strong community partnerships. Beyond the well-known names in teacher education, there are hidden gems across the country offering creative, impactful pathways for students who want to make a difference in schools and communities.  Here are 10 hidden gem U.S. colleges and universities with innovative education programs:

For students dreaming of medical school, the undergraduate experience can be just as important as the MCAT score. Families often assume Ivy League or flagship universities are the only path, but many smaller or lesser-known schools provide outstanding preparation for future doctors. These colleges stand out for their quality advising, research opportunities, access to clinical experiences, and strong medical school acceptance rates. Students at these schools often benefit from smaller class sizes and closer faculty mentorship, making them excellent hidden gems for pre-med success. Here are 10 hidden gem colleges with strong pre-med preparation outside the Ivy League: 

For high-achieving students, an honors college can transform the undergraduate experience. These programs often provide smaller classes, seminar-style learning, faculty mentorship, and special research or travel opportunities. While many families immediately think of highly selective universities when considering honors programs, there are hidden gems across the country that offer exceptional honors education with more accessible admission rates. These schools combine strong academics with an environment where motivated students can thrive.  Here are 12 hidden gems with exceptional honors colleges:

Many families are leaning on ChatGPT for help with college admissions. It feels quick, polished, and always available. Type in a question about essays, activities, or deadlines, and an answer appears in seconds. For parents navigating the stress of applications, it can seem like a lifesaver.  But here is the truth. ChatGPT will not get your teen into Yale, Stanford, or any other highly selective school. AI can help in some areas, but it cannot replace originality, strategy, or the human insight that top colleges expect. To use it wisely, families need to recognize its limits. Here are five ways to spot them.

Many families assume students choose a major when they submit college applications. In reality, thoughtful major exploration often begins in ninth grade. Every class, activity, summer experience, and conversation helps students discover what they enjoy and where they thrive.

Parents often ask what activities matter most in college admissions. The answer is changing. Strong grades and rigorous coursework still matter, but in a world where AI can generate essays and automate routine tasks, authentic experience is becoming one of the clearest ways students distinguish themselves. Colleges and employers increasingly value students who have applied their knowledge through internships, research, entrepreneurship, service, creative work, and independent projects. 

When a college drops its supplemental essays, most families have the same reaction: Great. That's one less thing to worry about. The reality is almost the opposite.  When colleges ask fewer questions, they have fewer ways to distinguish one qualified applicant from another. That means every remaining part of the application carries more weight. The application may be shorter, but it has become more selective in a different way.

If you only followed the headlines, you might think artificial intelligence was the biggest story in college admissions this year. It wasn't. The biggest change was the emergence of a K-shaped admissions landscape . A K-shaped admissions landscape means college admissions are splitting into two very different markets. At one end, the nation's most sought-after colleges and flagship public universities continue to receive record numbers of applications, driving acceptance rates lower each year. At the other end, many colleges are working harder to attract students by increasing merit scholarships, extending deadlines, and expanding enrollment opportunities. The result is that two students with similar academic profiles can experience completely different admissions cycles depending on where they apply.  Understanding this shift may be more valuable than understanding any new admissions policy or AI tool.

This year, UT Austin broke records again. More than 90,000 students applied. Admit rates dropped across every college, with competitive majors like business, engineering, and biology turning away highly qualified applicants. The message from the Class of 2025 admissions cycle was clear—students who moved early, built intentional alignment with their majors, and showed impact in their communities had the strongest results. If your teen dreams of becoming a Longhorn, junior year is not the time to wait and see. It is the time to act. This is your jumpstart plan.

This fall is your student's chance to take control of their journey to a highly selective college. The students who got results last year were the ones who moved early. They set goals, got focused, and built momentum while others were still waiting. The Class of 2025 faced record-low admit rates—Northeastern admitted just 5 percent, Caltech dropped below 3 percent, and Boston University came in under 12 percent. Even schools like USC, Tufts, and Emory, once considered possibles a few years ago, are now highly selective. What set successful students apart was not perfection. It was direction. If you want to stand out, now is the time to begin.

If your student is applying to Texas A&M, understanding their admissions timeline is essential. While many universities operate on traditional deadlines, Texas A&M uses a rolling admissions model with some important differences. Knowing how and when to apply can help your student stand out, especially if they are not in the top 10 percent auto-admit group. 

If you are the parent of a teenager, it may feel like the rules keep changing. For years, families worried about choosing the "right" major. Then came test-optional admissions. Then record application numbers. Now artificial intelligence has entered the conversation, bringing a new round of questions. Should my student avoid computer science? Is healthcare a safer bet? Will AI eliminate jobs before my teenager even graduates from college?

Parents are about to see something that feels completely backward. Schools like the University of Georgia, Tulane University, and Texas Christian University are removing supplemental essays and short-answer questions from their applications. On the surface, this sounds like good news for stressed teenagers. Less writing. Less pressure. Faster applications. But these changes may actually make admissions even more competitive at these schools. "Easier" applications mean more students apply, which creates larger applicant pools filled with academically qualified teenagers who often look very similar on paper. In that environment, transcripts and SAT or ACT scores may matter more than ever because they remain two of the clearest signals colleges use to measure academic preparation and rigor. Students should focus less on collecting random resume lines and more on building real depth in the classes, activities, and interests that connect to who they are and what they may want to study.

For many LGBTQ teenagers, the college journey is about more than academics. It’s about finding a place where they can live authentically, safely, and fully—where their identity is affirmed, their rights are protected, and their community is celebrated. Choosing the right college can shape not only their academic path but also their mental health, sense of belonging, and personal development. This guide is designed to help LGBTQ teenagers and their families identify colleges where students can find safety, support, and community. It spotlights 20 campuses that have consistently shown up for queer and trans students—in policy, programming, and culture.

A summer job can be one of the most valuable experiences a teenager has in high school. It offers a real-world setting to practice responsibility, solve problems, and work with people of all ages. Teenagers who show up with curiosity and purpose often build skills that shape their confidence, character, and future plans. The right mindset can turn even a simple job into a powerful story of growth.

The University of Miami asks this year's applicants: “Reflect on a community that has influenced you… What significance did that community hold for you, and in what ways did you contribute to it? How will you bring those experiences, values, and insights to enrich our campus community at the University of Miami?”  AI might answer this prompt with polished generalities about teamwork, culture, or perspective. But real admissions readers are looking for depth, clarity, and humanity.

Purdue asks this year's applicants: “How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom?” This is one of those prompts where it’s easy to play it safe. List a few programs, name a major, mention a club or two, and call it done. But that’s exactly the kind of answer a chatbot could write in under a minute. Purdue is looking for students who have done the research, connected the dots, and can clearly picture themselves in the community.  The key to standing out? Go beyond the brochure.

This year's University of Wisconsin–Madison supplemental prompt asks: “Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.” You’ve got 650 words. And a big opportunity.

This year’s college list is about more than where a student can get in. It is about where they will be understood, supported, and prepared for what comes next. Politics, belonging, and technology are all shaping the process, but the most important voice is still the student’s own. Choose colleges that reflect who you are and where you want to grow. That is how you build a list that truly fits. 

If your student is planning to take the August SAT or September ACT, weekly summer practice tests can be one of the most effective tools in their test prep strategy. But the goal is not just to take test after test. It is to use each one as a step toward building the skills, stamina, and confidence needed for real results this fall. Here is how your student can move from weekly practice to peak performance in eight to ten weeks.

When it comes to SAT and ACT prep, summer often gets overlooked. Families assume students need a break or believe fall is the better time to start. But the truth? Summer is one of the most strategic seasons to build momentum. Let’s bust five common myths about summer test prep—and explore the realities that can help your student walk into the August SAT or September ACT confident, calm, and prepared. 

If your student is planning to take the SAT or ACT in August or September, there’s no better time to start preparing than this summer. With school out of session and schedules a little more flexible, summer offers a unique opportunity to build a testing plan that’s both focused and low-stress.  Here are five reasons why summer test prep can make all the difference—and why starting now puts your student in the best position to succeed.