What is the 6% rule in Texas?

The "6% rule" in Texas refers to the University of Texas at Austin's (UT Austin) automatic admission policy for top-performing Texas high school graduates, guaranteeing a spot for those in the top 6% of their class (though this is changing to 5% for Fall 2026 applicants), stemming from a broader state law (the "Top 10% Rule") designed to increase diversity in public universities by guaranteeing admission to the top 10% from other Texas high schools.

What is the 10% rule in Texas?

The Texas Top 10% Rule guarantees automatic admission to most Texas public universities for state residents who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class, a race-neutral policy enacted in 1997 to increase diversity after affirmative action bans. While most schools use the top 10%, UT Austin uses a smaller percentage (e.g., top 6% or 5%), and students must still meet general admission requirements and apply to specific, competitive programs like Engineering or Computer Science. 

What is the 6% rule at UT?

UT Austin's "Top 6% Rule" is a Texas state law provision that guarantees automatic admission for Texas residents who graduate in the top 6% of their high school class, though this is changing to the top 5% for students applying for Fall 2026; it ensures a significant portion of UT's in-state students come from diverse Texas high schools, but it doesn't guarantee entry to specific competitive majors, only to the university itself.
 

What is the new law on DEI in Texas?

Texas has implemented significant anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) laws, primarily Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), banning DEI offices, employees, and mandatory training at public higher education institutions starting January 1, 2024, and Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), restricting DEI activities and gender/sexuality discussions in K-12 schools, impacting parental rights and curriculum. Governor Abbott has also directed state agencies to eliminate DEI policies, with recent efforts focused on easy reporting of violations through a new state portal. 

What happens after 6 drops?

What happens once I use up my six (6) 'W's? After the six 'W's are used, students must then complete all courses in which they are enrolled regardless of academic performance in the class. Requests for more than 6 drops with a grade of 'W' will be denied.

Texas' Top 10% automatic admission rule for state schools isn't making student populations more dive

What are the exceptions to the 6 drop rule in Texas?

Exceptions to the six-class drop rule are possible:

You are caring for a sick or injured person. You have a death in your immediate family. Your work schedule changes. You go on active duty service with the U.S. armed forces or Texas National Guard.

Is 3 withdrawals too much?

If you're taking a class that you are likely to fail, now is the time to “withdraw.” Typically, students get 2-3 withdrawals to use over the course of their degree. They are better than an “F,” but worse than having a record with no withdrawals.

What is the Juliet law in Texas?

Texas's "Romeo and Juliet" law provides a "close-in-age" defense, protecting teens from sex crime charges if they have consensual sexual contact and meet specific criteria: both are at least 14, the age difference is 3 years or less, the older partner isn't a registered sex offender, and the activity is consensual. It shields individuals from prosecution but doesn't make the act legal, allowing for charges like sexual assault of a child if the defense isn't met, with potential for prosecution even if the defense could apply, depending on circumstances. 

Is Texas banning out of state abortion?

Texas Abortion Laws Overview

Abortion is completely banned in Texas because of a state law that went into effect July 1, 2022. You can travel out of state to get an abortion.

Why would DEI be illegal?

Finally, the AG Memo notes that DEI training programs that “stereotype, exclude, or disadvantage individuals based on protected characteristics or create a hostile environment” are unlawful. This includes trainings that exclude, penalize, demean, or stereotype individuals on the basis of protected characteristics.

What is the auto admit rule in Texas?

An automatic admission policy means that students who live in Texas can qualify to be automatically admitted to a university as long as they fulfill specific criteria. These criteria typically almost always include class rank, which is sometimes combined with GPA and ACT/SAT scores.

Is it better to EA or RD?

Neither Early Action (EA) nor Regular Decision (RD) is inherently "better"; the best choice depends on your application strength, timeline, and goals, with EA offering an early, non-binding decision and potential slight advantage, while RD provides more time to perfect your application for a broader pool, though both have pros and cons depending on the specific college. 

What is the 90% rule at UT Austin?

The "UT Austin 90 rule" refers to the state law requiring University of Texas at Austin to reserve about 90% of its freshman spots for Texas residents, with the remaining 10% for out-of-state/international students, making it harder for non-residents to get in. For in-state students, a separate rule, the Top 10 Percent Law, guarantees automatic admission to the top percentage of their high school class, a threshold UT Austin sets annually (currently the top 5% for Fall 2026, previously 6%) to meet the 90% residency requirement and the 75% auto-admit target for residents.
 

What is the 90% rule in Texas?

Understanding the 90% Attendance Rule in Texas

Under Texas Education Code § 25.092, students must be present for at least 90% of a class's days to receive credit. This rule applies even if the child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

What is the 51% law in Texas?

"51 law Texas" most commonly refers to either the "51% Rule" in personal injury cases (modified comparative negligence, where you lose if 51%+ at fault) or the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) rules for businesses deriving over 51% of income from alcohol sales, requiring specific signage for gun prohibitions. It can also refer to various Texas Statutes, like Occupations Code Chapter 51 (Equal Employment Opportunity) or Penal Code Chapter 51 (related to removal/deportation offenses). 

What is the 25 day law in Texas?

The patient will continue to be given life-sustaining treatment until the patient can be transferred to a willing provider for up to 25 calendar days from the time you were given a written notice of the first day of the 25-day period or a medical procedure is performed that delayed the 25-day period and for which you ...

Which state has the strictest abortion laws?

North Dakota

North Dakota enacted a total abortion ban in 2023 (with only very limited exceptions) after its previous ban was blocked by the courts. The state's law includes narrow medical exceptions and is one of the strictest in the country.

What is the heartbeat law in Texas?

The Texas Heartbeat Act is a 2021 law that prohibits a physician from performing or inducing an abortion after a "fetal heartbeat" has been detected. The law makes exceptions for medical emergencies.

In what states is abortion illegal now?

The Majority of States Have At Least One Restriction on Health Insurance Coverage for Abortion Services. Note: As of January 8, 2025, 12 states have banned abortion (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia).

What is the 7 year rule in Texas?

The Texas 7-year rule limits background checks by consumer reporting agencies to a seven-year lookback for most criminal history, civil suits, judgments, and tax liens, aiming to give people a fresh start. However, federal law (FCRA) preempts the conviction reporting limit, meaning convictions can be reported indefinitely, with an exception for high-paying jobs (>$75,000/year) or specific roles where both state and federal laws allow deeper checks, especially for safety-sensitive positions.
 

Is nudism legal in Texas?

Nudity in Texas is generally not legal in public and is heavily restricted, falling under Indecent Exposure laws (Texas Penal Code § 21.08) if done with intent to arouse or gratify sexually, or recklessly disregarding offense to others, leading to potential jail time and sex offender registration. While more privacy exists on private property, visibility from public spaces or neighbors' property can still cause legal issues, with some areas like certain beaches allowing nudity, but local rules always apply. 

What is the Erin's law in Texas?

"Erin's Law" in Texas requires public schools to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education for PreK-12 students and training for school staff, focusing on recognizing abuse, knowing when to tell a trusted adult, and reporting procedures, mandated by legislation like Senate Bill 9 and HB 105. The goal is to empower children with safety skills, shatter stigma, and equip adults to identify and respond to abuse, with resources available through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and school districts. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to skyrocketing costs, overwhelming student debt, and a perceived poor return on investment (ROI), especially with AI changing jobs and stronger alternatives like skilled trades emerging, leading many to seek faster, cheaper paths to financial stability and job security. They've seen Millennials' debt struggles, witness online success stories, and value hands-on training over traditional degrees, making college less of a guaranteed ticket to success.
 

Does one withdrawal look bad?

An occasional W on your transcript is a fairly common occurrence, and nothing that will jeopardize your future career or your plans for graduate school, professional school, etc.