How many letters of recommendation does UT Austin accept?

For undergraduate admission at UT Austin, letters of recommendation are optional, but you can submit up to two, with many suggesting that two strong, unique letters are better than several mediocre ones, as they can add depth to your application if they highlight qualities not apparent elsewhere. For some specific graduate programs, like the MSIS, three are required, so always check your program's exact requirements.

How many letters of recommendation for UT Austin?

You can submit up to two letters of recommendation with your application or after you've submitted your application. These letters may be from mentors or people who know you well, and can include teachers, although we encourage you to provide letters from sources outside your high school.

What is the 90% rule at UT Austin?

The UT Austin 90% rule refers to Texas state law requiring UT Austin to reserve 90% of its freshman spots for Texas residents, creating a separate, more competitive applicant pool for non-residents. This mandate means most Texas applicants qualify for automatic admission (currently top 6%) if in the top of their high school class, while out-of-state students face significantly lower acceptance rates (around 10%) through holistic review, making it much harder to get in.
 

What is the 5% rule at UT Austin?

The UT Austin 5% Rule means Texas high school seniors graduating in the top 5% of their class are guaranteed automatic admission, a change from the previous 6% threshold, effective for students entering Fall 2026; this policy, stemming from Texas's "Top Ten Percent Law," fills 75% of resident spots, with the rest decided holistically, though even top-ranked students need competitive scores for high-demand majors.
 

What is the 6% rule at UT?

The UT Austin Top 6% Rule guarantees automatic admission for eligible Texas residents who graduate in the top 6% of their high school class (this is changing to the top 5% for Fall 2026 applicants) under a state law promoting diversity, but it doesn't guarantee entry into specific competitive majors, which still require meeting additional requirements through holistic review. This rule, derived from the statewide Top 10% Law, allows UT Austin to fill 75% of its freshman class with auto-admit students, adjusting the percentage based on application volume. 

University of Texas Austin Letters of Recommendation

How do I increase my chances of getting into UT Austin?

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UT Austin

1. Aim to do well in the most challenging classes available. ...
2. Aim for a 1490 SAT and 33 ACT. ...
3. Aim to be in the top 5% of your high school class. ...
4. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”). ...
5. Write engaging essays.

Is 1480 a good SAT score for UT Austin?

Yes, a 1480 SAT score is very good for UT Austin, placing you at the high end of their middle 50% range (typically 1230-1480/1490), making you a strong candidate, especially for competitive programs, though holistic factors like GPA and essays are crucial for acceptance. 

Is a 1400 SAT score good for UT Austin?

Yes, a 1400 SAT score is a strong score for UT Austin, placing you well within the competitive range, especially for in-state applicants, though admission remains holistic and competitive, with higher scores (1470+) often preferred for out-of-state or top programs like Engineering. For Texas residents, a score of 1400 is very competitive and can be excellent, while for out-of-state students, it's good but aiming higher (closer to 1500) can significantly boost your chances, particularly if you're not auto-admitted. 

Is UT Austin first come first serve?

The University of Austin offers four-year Bachelor of Arts degrees in Liberal Studies via full-time enrollment at our downtown Austin, Texas campus. *Limited spots are reserved for deposited students on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is UT Austin difficult to get into?

Getting into UT Austin is very difficult, with a recent acceptance rate around 27-29% overall, making it highly selective, especially for popular majors like Engineering or Business, though Texas residents in the top 6% of their high school class get automatic admission to the university (not necessarily their major). Successful applicants need exceptional grades, high test scores (SAT ~1355, ACT ~29-34), compelling essays, and significant extracurricular involvement demonstrating leadership and passion for their chosen field, requiring a strong holistic profile beyond just stats. 

Can a guy and girl share a dorm at UT Austin?

Yes, UT Austin, through its "Family & Friend Expanded Roommate Option," offers gender-inclusive housing in specific residence halls like Blanton, Duren, Dobie Twenty21, Jester East/West, San Jacinto, and Moore-Hill where students can live with roommates of any gender identity, a program started as a pilot but now a standard option in those halls. This allows for coed living arrangements in rooms or suites with private bathrooms, differing from traditional gender-separated floors.
 

Does UT consider legacy?

After the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, legacy admissions have come under a lot of scrutiny – but at UT, it's not a factor.

Is a 3.9 GPA good for UT Austin?

To be competitive for admission, transfer students need to have an outstanding GPA as most applicants who are admitted have a 3.9 out of 4.0 GPA (or higher).

Does UT Austin look at recommendation letters?

Letters of recommendation can help us to learn things about you that aren't available from other application items. If you do submit them, they will be considered when we review your application. But they are optional, and you will be considered for admission whether you submit letters of recommendation or not.

How many letters of recommendation do I need for Texas A&M?

Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. The recommendation letters are important. Choose recommenders who can adequately and fairly assess your potential, both as a student and a researcher.

What is the 90% rule for UT Austin?

The UT Austin 90% rule mandates that 90% of first-year students at The University of Texas at Austin must be Texas residents, creating a significant advantage for in-state applicants, while only 10% of spots go to out-of-state and international students. This law also requires automatic admission for top Texas high schoolers (currently the top 6%) to fill 75% of those in-state spots, with the remaining students admitted through holistic review, making admission highly competitive, especially for non-residents.
 

How can I increase my chances of getting into UT Austin?

What We Look for in Holistic Review

1. Class rank.
2. Strength of academic background.
3. Test scores.
4. Record of achievements, honors and awards.
5. Special accomplishments, work and service both in and out of school.
6. Essays.
7. Recommendations (although not required)
8. Competitiveness of the major you applied to.

How long do waitlists last in UT Austin?

For students and instructors, lists are active from the start of registration through the fourth class day (second class day in summer), if they've been turned on by the department. After the fourth/second day, students need approval to add a class.

What SAT score is required for UT Austin?

UT Austin SAT Score Analysis

In other words, a 1240 places you below average, while a 1470 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at UT Austin, but they really want to see at least a 1240 to have a chance at being considered.

Is 1370 a good SAT score for UT Austin?

As anticipated, SAT scores at UT Austin are competitive. The average composite UT Austin SAT score stands at 1370, out of a possible 1600. The 25th percentile for SAT scores falls at 1230, while the 75th percentile rises to 1490. This means that the lowest 25% of scorers scored a composite score of 1230 or below.

What is the easiest school to get into at UT Austin?

The "easiest" major at UT Austin generally involves choosing less competitive programs within the College of Liberal Arts (like English, History, Sociology, Government) or certain engineering fields (Civil, Architectural, Petroleum) for transfers, or non-audition/portfolio Fine Arts/Education majors, often requiring lower GPAs (around 3.5-3.8) compared to hyper-competitive ones like Computer Science or Business. For freshmen, the Top 6% Rule (now Top 5% for some years) guarantees automatic admission to UT Austin for Texas residents in the top of their high school class, which is the easiest path.
 

What percentile is a 1470 SAT score?

It places you in the 97th to 99th percentile, meaning you performed better than almost all test takers nationwide. For context, the national average SAT score is roughly 1050, and most students fall within a wide midrange of 900 to 1200.

What was Bill Clinton's SAT score?

Bill Clinton

The 42nd president of the United States scored a 1032—12 points above average—on his SAT. Still, Clinton excelled at Georgetown University, where he majored in Foreign Service and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Later, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned a Juris Doctor in 1973.

Should I retake a 1480 SAT?

Should I Retake the SAT if I Got a 1480? You might not need to retake the SAT if you scored a 1480, especially if your target schools fall within or below that range. A 1480 is more than enough for most public universities and many private colleges.

Is 1320 a good SAT score for UT Austin?

Half the applicants admitted to The University of Texas--Austin who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1320 and 1530 or an ACT score of 29 and 34. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.