Dreaming of Being a Longhorn? What You Really Need to Know About UT Austin Admissions
Over the past several years, I’ve seen continued and growing interest in applying to UT Austin - and not just from my Texas-based students. Last year, 90% of my California students had UT on their list too, echoing a broader national trend. But UT Austin isn’t just popular, it’s also increasingly competitive. In 2023 alone, UT received over 73,000 first-year applications, a steep rise from just over 50,000 in 2017. And acceptance rates? In some colleges and majors, they’ve dropped well below 20%, even for in-state applicants.
Understanding UT Austin Admissions by the Numbers
Here’s the first thing families need to know: UT Austin is required by Texas House Bill 588, known as the Top 10% Rule, to automatically admit the top students from Texas high schools. Per an additional Bill passed by the Senate, UT Austin has the ability to evaluate their increase of applications and adjust the threshold of what top percentage accounts for the 75% auto-admits. For the Class of 2026, that threshold is the top 5% of the class (not 6%, as in earlier years). Per Texas law:
75% of UT Austin’s incoming class must be filled by these automatic admits.
After that:
15% of spots are offered to Texas residents via holistic review
Just 10% of spots remain for out-of-state and international students
So, if UT guarantees 75% of their class to Texas auto-admits, how can other students, even high-achievers, stand out?
Here’s the secret: UT may guarantee admission to the university for top Texas students, but it does not guarantee admission to a student’s first-choice major. And UT Austin is a major-driven school.
Not All Majors Are Created Equal
When students apply to high-demand programs like Business (McCombs), Engineering (Cockrell), Computer Science, Nursing, or Pre-Health tracks like Biology, they’re competing in UT Austin’s most competitive applicant pools, regardless of whether they’re an auto-admit or not.
These flagship majors often have admission rates in the single digits and require more than just excellent grades and test scores. They want to see depth, clarity of purpose, and alignment between a student’s background and their future goals.
Building a Strong "Fit to Major" Application
Whether your student is top 6%, out-of-state, or somewhere in between, demonstrating a clear fit to their intended major is key. That means your application should show:
A genuine academic and personal interest in the major
Evidence of that interest through coursework, extracurriculars, summer programs, jobs, and research
A clear sense of how you plan to use your education to make an impact
This doesn’t mean everything has to perfectly align. Even unrelated experiences can showcase transferable skills like:
Project management
Team collaboration
Communication and presentation skills
Problem-solving
Time management and organization
Secrets to Strengthening Your UT Application
1. The Expanded Résumé (a.k.a. the Optional Must-Do)
The UT Expanded Résumé is technically optional, but in reality, it’s essential - especially for competitive majors. Unlike the Common App's activity list, this document is:
Multi-page
Detailed
Comprehensive (from the summer before 9th grade through senior year)
A space to highlight scope, impact, leadership, and time commitments
It’s also your opportunity to tie your experiences back to your major. Think about how your extracurriculars, academic projects, and personal interests align with your chosen field.
2. The Short Answer Questions
UT Austin requires two main short answers for 2025 (still waiting for officially 2026 prompts):
Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
Think of all the activities, both in and outside of school, that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)
Both should absolutely connect back to your future academic goals. Use these essays to showcase your passion, depth of exploration, and future ambitions. Bonus points if you can tie your answer back to UT’s mission: to transform lives for the benefit of society.
Let them see how you'll use your education to benefit Austin, Texas, or even the world.
3. Letters of Recommendation
UT Austin allows up to two recommendation letters, and they don’t need to come from teachers. In fact, UT values non-teacher recommenders, mentors, supervisors, or research advisors who can speak to your character, work ethic, and potential in your intended field. Look for someone who can highlight:
Intellectual curiosity
Resilience and drive
Collaborative skills
Passion for learning
Final Thoughts: Go Beyond the Rankings
UT Austin is an iconic, high-impact university and for good reason. But don’t just apply because it’s a big name. Go deeper. Research the department, connect with current students, attend virtual sessions, and understand what makes your major unique at UT.
Your application should show that you're not only academically prepared, but also genuinely excited to contribute to the UT community and make the most of everything it has to offer.
