Real profiles & essays — University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas · 26.6% acceptance · tier 3
Student profiles
Representative applicants for University of Texas at Austin — a mix of admits, waitlists, and rejects across the admit pool. Stats, hooks, and outcomes shown for each.
Ava R. - Admitted
- GPA / Test: 3.95 / SAT 1460
- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Geography: Texas (suburban Austin)
- Hooks: First-generation college student, Texas resident
- Standout: Led a multi-school robotics program that placed top 10 in a regional competition and secured community sponsorships
- Other: Internship at a local manufacturing firm, president of STEM club
- Why Admitted: Very strong GPA and test score for UT Austin, demonstrated sustained leadership in engineering-related ECs and strong local ties as a Texas first-generation applicant.
Carlos M. - Admitted
- GPA / Test: 3.78 / ACT 32
- Major: Business (Finance)
- Geography: Mexico City, international applicant
- Hooks: Hispanic/Latinx, recruited club soccer player
- Standout: Captained a top club soccer team and committed to play club-level soccer while contributing to campus life
- Other: Founded a small e-commerce business selling sports gear, bilingual community outreach tutor
- Why Admitted: Athletic recruitment plus solid academics and entrepreneurial background made him a desirable mix of talent and campus contribution.
Priya S. - Admitted
- GPA / Test: 3.70 / SAT 1300
- Major: Biology
- Geography: California
- Hooks: Underrepresented minority, strong demonstrated interest in public health
- Standout: Interned for two summers with a city public health department, helped design a vaccine outreach campaign for immigrant communities
- Other: Volunteer EMT trainee, research assistant on a community health survey
- Why Admitted: Fit with UT Austin’s public service and diversity priorities, clear trajectory toward health careers compensated for sitting near the lower-middle of GPA/test ranges.
Ethan L. - Waitlisted
- GPA / Test: 3.90 / ACT 33
- Major: Computer Science
- Geography: Texas (Dallas)
- Hooks: None
- Standout: Regional programming contest finalist, several high-level school CS projects
- Other: Peer mentor for CS classes, part-time teaching assistant at a coding bootcamp
- Why Waitlisted: Strong academic metrics but applying to a hyper-competitive major with limited spots, likely edged out by applicants with national awards or higher-level research experience.
Maya T. - Rejected
- GPA / Test: 3.98 / SAT 1500
- Major: Economics
- Geography: New Jersey
- Hooks: Legacy (parent alum)
- Standout: Intern at a boutique investment firm, high-level coursework (AP micro/macro, calculus)
- Other: Debate team captain, volunteer tax-assistance for low-income households
- Why Rejected: Despite near-top academic credentials, competitiveness for out-of-state spots in popular majors and limited space led to rejection; institutional priorities favored in-state applicants and majors with specific capacity constraints.
Jamal K. - Rejected
- GPA / Test: 3.40 / ACT 25
- Major: Engineering (undecided)
- Geography: Texas (rural East Texas)
- Hooks: First-generation, low-income
- Standout: Founded a local mentoring program for middle school students interested in STEM
- Other: Part-time job to support family, solid teacher recommendations
- Why Rejected: Demonstrated strong character and fit, but academic metrics were below UT Austin’s usual mid-50% range for competitive STEM programs, limiting admission chances despite compelling background.