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We have a unique approach at College MatchPoint. It all begins and ends with our ultimate goal: for our students to thrive in their selected college.
The college application process can feel overwhelming, no matter how strong the student. But at College MatchPoint, we believe it should be organized, personal, and even fun, and we provide a framework that reduces the stress throughout the journey.
DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE TO
Applying to the University of Texas at Austin
It's hard to believe that a school as large as the University of Texas at Austin actually reviews every part of every student's application. But it does: UT is deeply committed to the holistic review of its applicants. This guide covers all required essays, as well as provides detailed information on the expanded resume, letters of recommendation, and evaluating fit-to-major and honors programs.
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For years, many families treated public flagship universities as the stable middle ground. These schools were seen as strong, respected, and more predictable than the Ivy League. A place where high achieving students could feel confident they would land if the most selective options did not work out. In the 2026 admissions cycle, that assumption no longer holds. The most selective public flagships now compete directly with Ivy level schools in both demand and selectivity. Campuses like UCLA, Michigan, Georgia Tech, UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, and UT Austin are turning away students who would have been clear admits just a few years ago. Families are often shocked when straight A students with strong resumes receive denials from schools they believed were solid matches. Understanding why this shift happened, and how admissions offices now make decisions, is essential for families planning for 2026.
For many families, test-optional felt like a relief. After years of stress around the SAT and ACT, it sounded like permission to step off the treadmill. Strong grades would be enough. Testing could be optional in practice, not just in name. That assumption no longer holds. As we head into the 2026 admissions cycle, families are discovering that test optional has quietly evolved. It is still the policy at many colleges, but it is no longer neutral. In a year defined by record application volume, rising GPA inflation, and increased competition for selective majors, skipping test scores is costing many students an edge they did not realize they were giving up. This is not about returning to old pressure. It is about understanding how colleges are making decisions right now.
If your student is aiming for UT Austin, you are likely feeling the pressure building. Admissions today look very different from when most parents applied. The process is more selective, more complex, and shaped by forces that did not exist even five years ago, including artificial intelligence and a rapidly shifting job market. The good news is this. Families who understand how UT admissions is changing can make smart, calm, and strategic decisions. The 2026 cycle will be competitive, but it will also be predictable if you know where to focus. Here are the four trends that will most shape your student’s chances at UT Austin in 2026, along with clear steps families can take now.
College planning can often feel like following Google Maps: every turn planned, every step predictable, all aimed at one specific destination. But the journey to college isn’t a straight line — it’s more like a road trip filled with detours, discoveries, and unexpected opportunities for growth. Colleges aren’t looking for students who follow a rigid formula; they’re searching for individuals who explore their passions, embrace challenges, and reflect on their unique paths. It’s about finding meaningful destinations along the way, not just arriving at the endpoint.
Welcome to January. If you are like most of the families we work with, you are probably looking at the calendar and wondering how summer is already on the horizon. We know the feeling. The holiday decorations are barely packed away, the second semester is just revving up, and suddenly, summer program applications are opening. It is a busy time, and adding summer planning to the academic mix can feel overwhelming. But take a deep breath. You are right on time.
"Does this college have learning support?" We hear this question from parents every day. It seems like a simple "yes" or "no" question, but in the landscape of higher education, the answer is often "it depends." Securing the right academic assistance for a learning-different student means understanding a spectrum of offerings. "Learning support" is a broad term that can range from a drop-in writing center to a dedicated specialist who meets with your student every morning.