What Got Students Admitted to UT Austin This Year

With 90,000+ applications for Fall 2026—a 24% increase, including a 48% surge in out-of-state applicants—early strategic planning is more crucial than ever. Success, especially in competitive majors like Business, Engineering, and Computer Science, requires a thoughtful approach starting in 9th or 10th grade. Students should align coursework, activities, and leadership roles with their intended major to build a compelling application.

How Did UT Austin Evaluate Applicants This Year?

UT Austin continues to use a holistic review process, but this year's results made one thing unmistakable:

Academics were the baseline, not the deciding factor.

Most students who were offered admission met high expectations for GPA, class rank, course rigor, and required SAT or ACT scores. Many denied students looked strong on paper, including students in the top 5 percent. What separated admits from denials this year was how clearly a student demonstrated readiness for their first-choice major.

Admissions Decisions Were Made by Major

UT Austin evaluates applicants by major rather than overall profile.

Capacity varies widely across programs, and the first-choice major shaped how every part of the application was read, from transcript to activities to essays. This is why outcomes can feel confusing without understanding how UT allocates seats within each school and department.

Successful Applications Consistently Showed

🎯 Clear Major Alignment

• Coursework that supports the intended academic direction
• Academic preparation that matches the chosen major

🎯 Meaningful Depth

• Three to four experiences tied to the student’s first-choice major
• Activities that demonstrate skill building, curiosity, or exploration

🎯 Growth and Leadership Over Time

• Initiative that develops year over year
• Leadership that reflects responsibility and impact, not just titles

Fit to major was not about checking boxes or choosing an easier path. It was about demonstrating a student's authentic preparation and understanding of the field they had chosen.

UT's Expanded Resume Matters So Much

Grades and test scores show academic readiness. The UT expanded resume shows how a student has actually used their time.

This section of the UT application gives admissions readers a clearer view of:

• How a student pursued interests over time
• The depth and continuity of major aligned experiences
• Leadership, initiative, and follow-through
• Context around opportunities, constraints, and choices

For many applicants, the expanded resume provided the clearest signal of readiness beyond academics. It helped UT distinguish between students with similar grades by revealing intention, growth, and impact over time.

Class of 2026 Results Confirmed:

• Many strong students were competing against nearly identical profiles
• Outcomes feel unpredictable without understanding UT’s priorities
• Depth mattered more than volume
• Direction mattered more than perfection

The students with the strongest outcomes were not flawless. They were intentional. They started earlier, built coherence across their application, and paired strong academics with purpose, direction, and impact.

What Should STUDENTS Focus On?

Academic Excellence: The Foundation of a Strong UT Austin Application

UT Austin’s admissions process is highly competitive, with academics serving as the foundation of a successful application. While strong grades and test scores won’t guarantee admission, they are critical in demonstrating your readiness for college-level work—especially for selective majors.

Competitive Academic Targets

🎯  GPA & Rank: 3.8–4.0 (Unweighted), Top 5% Class Rank
🎯Target Test Scores: SAT 1400+ or ACT 32+
🎯Course Rigor: Take AP, IB, or Dual-Creditcourses to strengthen your application.
🎯Major-Specific Preparation: Enroll in courses that align with your intended major (e.g., Calculus for Engineering and Business).

Understanding the Auto-Admit Policy

✅ Top 5% of Texas public high school students earn automatic admission to the College of Liberal Arts at UT Austin.
✅However, admission to selective majors is not guaranteed—a strong application is still required.

How to Build a Winning Transcript

📖 Prioritize Academic Performance: Take the most rigorous courses you can succeed in.
📝Set Goals Aligned with Strengths & Interests: Choose challenging coursework that supports your college and career plans.
🙋‍♂️Seek Support When Needed: Build strong study habits, ask for help from teachers, and collaborate with peers.
💡Stay Motivated & Disciplined: A strong academic record is key to securing admission and thriving in college.

How to Achieve Competitive Standardized Test Scores

✅ Plan Early: Start preparing for the SAT/ACT in summer before 11th gradeto allow time for improvement.
✅Take Rigorous Math & English Courses: Strong performance in Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and AP Englishcan boost test readiness.
✅Use Targeted Test Prep: Take practice tests, review weak areas, and consider professional test prep programsif needed.
✅Retake for a Higher Score: Many students improve scores significantly with focused prep and a second attempt.
✅Know Your Target: Aim for SAT 1400+ or ACT 32+ to be most competitive.

By strategically planning coursework, preparing for standardized tests, and staying engaged in learning, students can build a competitive academic profile that sets them apart in UT Austin’s selective applicant pool.

Major Selection: The Key to Your Extracurricular Plan

When applying to UT Austin, students must select a first-choice major, which plays a key role in how their application is reviewed. The admissions team evaluates each component—transcript, class rank, essays, expanded resume, letters of recommendation, and test scores (if submitted)—through the lens of the chosen major. Their goal is to assess how well an applicant’s academic and extracurricular experiences align with their intended field of study.

While students can list a second-choice major, it is typically not considered for applicants outside the top 5% of their graduating class.

What Makes a Major Competitive?

UT Austin has several impacted majors—programs with more highly competitive applicants than available spots. Gaining admission to these majors requires more than strong academics; applicants must demonstrate a clear fit through coursework, extracurricular involvement, and essays.

UT Austin’s Most Competitive Majors

📌 McCombs School of Business– Unspecified Business
📌Cockrell School of Engineering– All majors
📌College of Natural Sciences – Computer Science and many science majors
📌School of Nursing– Highly selective due to limited space
📌School of Architecture – Requires strong academic and portfolio alignment

As competition for these programs increases, students should strategically align their academics, activities, and application materials to showcase their readiness and passion for their chosen major.

Learn More About Admissions at UT Austin