ut austin essay guide

Essays & Short Answers

Summer/Fall 2025 Essay

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

The Common App personal essay will complete the UT Austin essay requirement.

Spring 2025 Essays

All freshman Spring 2025 applicants must submit Topic A in ApplyTexas.

Please keep your essay between 500–700 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Spring 2025 Essay Topic

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Submitting Your Essay

You can submit your essays:

• In conjunction with your application.
• Using the Document Upload System in MyStatus.

*Students do not need to submit other Common App essays. We’ll only review what is required.

Short Answers

Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application. Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

Summer/Fall 2025 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 student s: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

Spring 2025 Prompts

• Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.
• The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Submitting Your Short Answers

You can submit your short answers with either your Common App or Apply Texas application. Short answer responses must be completed in order to submit your application.

Transfer applicants must submit one essay responding to Topic A. Applicants to the School of Architecture are required to upload Topic D in addition to Topic A. 

Essay Topics

Topic a (required).

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school/college or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admission committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and the other application information cannot convey.

Topic D (School of Architecture majors only)

Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study, describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space effected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?

Submitting Your Essay(s)

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

June 26, 2024

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top public universities in the United States, and its ultra-elite business, engineering, and computer science programs attract brilliant teen minds from all over the world. It’s no wonder that close to 73,000 students applied for a chance to join the Longhorn Class of 2028. This enthusiasm has caused the annual acceptance rate to drop significantly. Thanks to a state policy that guarantees admission to Texas high schoolers who finish in the top 6% of their class, close to 90% of UT Austin’s 40,000+ undergraduate students placed in the top decile of their high school cohort. Additionally, the mean SAT for entering freshmen is over 1400. That brings us to the immense importance of the UT Austin supplemental essay prompts.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into UT Austin? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into UT Austin: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In a rare move, UT Austin reduced the number of supplemental essays that students need to write for the 2024-25 admissions cycle. However, the UT Austin supplemental section still affords applicants an excellent opportunity to showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are the University of Texas at Austin’s three supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with advice on how to address each one.

UT Austin Supplemental Essay — 2024-25

1. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (500-650 words)

It doesn’t get more open-ended prompt than “topic of your choice.” Feel free to take this in whatever direction produces the most compelling and personal essay you can compose. What do you want the admissions office to know that they couldn’t possibly glean from anywhere else in your application? Don’t be afraid to share your struggles just as freely as your triumphs. An emotionally honest essay that showcases your unique personality is the desired product here.

One additional tip from an essay writing efficiency standpoint…if you are applying to a number of schools through the Common and/or Coalition App, you can “recycle” your Common App essay here (or vice versa).

UT Austin Short Answer Prompts — 2024-25

Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

Share your authentic story of why you are interested in a particular discipline. For example, what books have you read on the subject? What documentaries have you watched? Which podcasts have you listened to? What subtopics most intrigue you? Did a teacher excite you about a topic or was it a parent or outside mentor? Do you know where you want to take this knowledge post-bachelor’s degree? Do you aim to one day go on to pursue a graduate/professional degree or is there an occupation you are shooting for right out of undergrad? Include as much detail as possible.

You can structure the narrative of this essay as a soup-to-nuts chronicling of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest or you could share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc.

UT Austin Essay Prompts (Continued)

 2. 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.)

Perhaps you are the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, or the president of a club. On the other hand, you may simply be a valuable contributing member. Regardless of whether you are a leading man/woman or a still-essential bit player, make sure that you use your writing ability to show the admissions officer what type of involved team member you are and why you are proud of your contributions.

You can also discuss how you have engaged with your high school local/community. Share what you have learned from interacting with people of a different ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, etc. Draw on past evidence of your commitment to being a positive force in the context of your activity/activities. Finally, you can draw a link between your past efforts and future aims by researching and citing UT Austin organizations or initiatives. The admissions committee wants to understand precisely how you will contribute to their campus community.

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

This section functions similarly to the Additional Information section of the Common App . Feel free to use this space if you encountered any hardships that impacted your academic performance. This could be anything from dealing with a divorce to challenges faced from a learning disability.

However, this prompt is truly optional and you should only take advantage of the space if you need it. If your high school performance has not been majorly impacted by special circumstances or events, you do not need to write this essay.

How important are the essays at UT Austin?

In essence, UT Austin’s admission staff “uses an individualized, holistic review process to consider each completed freshman application. Applications from students who qualify for automatic admission are reviewed to determine admission to specific colleges, schools, and majors. Applications from students who are not eligible for automatic admission are reviewed to determine admissibility and to make decisions about admission to specific colleges, schools, and majors.”

The following items are considered during the holistic review:

• Strength of academic background
• Test scores
• Record of achievements, honors, and awards
• Special accomplishments, work, and service both in and out of school
• Special circumstances that put the applicant’s academic achievements into context, including his or her socioeconomic status, experience in a single-parent home, family responsibilities, experience overcoming adversity, cultural background, race and ethnicity, the language spoken in the applicant’s home, and other information in the applicant’s file
• Recommendations (although not required)
• Competitiveness of the major to which the student applies

UT Austin Essay Prompts – Want Personalized Assistance?

To conclude, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UT Austin supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Need more writing-related resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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University of Texas at Austin 2024-25 Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Oct 15

Regular Decision Deadline: Dec 1

University of Texas at Austin 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500-650 words; 2 short essays of 150 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Activity , Additional Info ,   Personal statement

Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. it can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design..

UT Austin used to ask applicants to tell a story about opportunities or challenges that shaped who they are today, but this year, admissions is opening the essay up to be about anything you like. This is a great place to recycle your Common App essay , regardless of which prompt you decided to respond to. If, on the other hand, you haven’t drafted a Common App essay, you may still find inspiration in the seven prompts. Ultimately, this is an opportunity for admissions to get to know the person behind the application data better, so you’ll want to tell a story that offers insight into who you are and who you hope to become.

Short Answers

Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application., answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph., why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major.

This prompt sounds simple enough: describe what you want to study and why you like it so much that you’re willing to dedicate four years of your life to it (at the very least). While you might be tempted to get technical or poetic in your response, your reader will expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion. In other words, tell a story. Lucky for you, we would have advised you to start with an anecdote anyway. The most memorable essays spring from concrete descriptions of your experiences. What excites you and why? When was the last time you got drawn down a Reddit rabbit hole – and what was the topic? While you don’t need to pinpoint the exact moment you became interested in ancient history or calculus, try to zero in on some inspiring experience. What was the best TED Talk you ever watched? The first time you spoke to your new friend in ASL? Your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study. And don’t forget to talk about UT Austin! By the end of your essay, your reader should not only know why you are passionate about your chosen major, but also what excites you about Austin’s program. In admissions, we call that your fit!

Oh and a quick shoutout to all the undecideds out there: don’t worry! If you can’t decide, then tell a story that demonstrates your wide range of interests or natural curiosity. Focus on the opportunities UT Austin offers across departments and how you plan to explore once you arrive on campus. It’s normal to want to try new things at the start of college!

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.)

Next up is a fun twist on the classic Activity Essay, which asks you to expand on an extracurricular endeavor that you are most proud of. Although we usually urge students to write about items that haven’t appeared elsewhere on their application, the Activity Essay is an exception. The trick here is to be authentic. The activity you want to write about will likely catapult to the front of your mind rather quickly, but if it doesn’t, take a moment to review your activities list (or start making one if you haven’t already) and reflect on each of those experiences. 

Maybe you want to write about your experience in the Debate Club, how you started with a fear of public speaking and, over the course of a few years, developed a knack for not only capturing the attention of a crowd, but thinking on your feet, as well! Or, perhaps you want to write about the Saturday mornings you spent volunteering in your neighborhood and the pride you take in serving your community. (Just make sure to avoid common Volunteering Essay pitfalls !) 

Whatever activity you choose to write about, be sure to infuse your story with specific, personal details so that no one else could have written it.

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance. (40 lines, or about 250-300 words).

This essay is perfect for students who have encountered outstanding challenges, and need an opportunity to explain them. In fact, we recommend saving those details for an Additional Info essay, so that you can use the rest of your application to highlight other parts of your amazing personality. So, if something has happened that affected your academic performance, this is a great opportunity to explain the circumstances. Did a COVID-19 infection during your junior year cause your participation in clubs and activities to take a hit? Did a family emergency cause an overall drop in your GPA? A drop in grades or a gap in your resume does not define you. Remember to make this essay not about the things you couldn’t control, but the actions you took to improve the situation. You don’t want to come off as a victim of circumstance, but as a resilient person who can take steps to positively affect their situation.

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2 Awesome UT Austin Essay Examples

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the hardest colleges to get into in Texas . With a competitive acceptance rate, the school is moderately selective. Writing strong essays, however, will certainly boost your chances. 

UT Austin requires one long essay and three short answers, with an additional optional short answer question. There are also a handful of program-specific prompts. 

In this post, we’ll analyze sample essays written by a real applicants, sharing what they did well and what could be improved.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our UT Austin essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

Essay Example #1

Prompt: Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a starting point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation, title and author at the beginning of your essay (prompt from the 2020-2021 cycle). 

“Fortunately, among these people a man was judged according to his worth and not according to the worth of his father.”

– Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart 

Like most children, I aspired to my father. 

I saw my dad as an image of whom I wanted to be. Charismatic, genuine, respected among his peers – he embodied the qualities I saw essential to being a successful person. 

The most appealing to me, however, was my father’s medical background. As the first person to attend university in our extended family, he had always been revered for his accomplishment of becoming a doctor. 

As a direct consequence, biology was a keen passion during my childhood. I remember how each evening, as I was being tucked into bed, I would unload an avalanche of questions on my dad, many of them amusingly simple such as: If my body is 70% water, why don’t I have water spilling out of my finger every time I get a papercut? In school, I’d stay after class to probe my teachers about the topics I had read of but did not yet comprehend. And anytime I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I, without a whiff of doubt, bolted out I was going to be a doctor. 

However, as I got older, I developed new interests – in particular, social science and leadership – which did not always align with my childhood goals of medicine and biology. 

With this dichotomy in my mind, I decided to spend my sophomore summer volunteering at a hospital. 

Once there, it suddenly dawned on me that, for my entire life, I had viewed being a doctor through rose-tinted glasses since the reality of being a medical professional differed wildly from my perceptions. The dozens of biology textbooks I had read had not prepared me for a single drop of blood, as seeing just one could send me into an exhausting realm of dizziness. With every additional day of volunteering, it became painfully clear – I could not follow in my father’s footsteps. 

Disappointed, I began contemplating what made my experience in the hospital so bad and if anything could be done to improve people’s – whether patients’, doctors’, or volunteers’ like myself – experience. Then, a light-bulb switched on: what if I could improve the look of the hospital? As it stood, the hospital was incredibly run-down and inspired depression rather than hope. 

With a goal to improve the hospital’s appearance and thus create a friendlier environment for the people inside, I started the Better Setting – Better Getting project, which was going to decorate the hospital with photographs of nature. Having done so, there was a question of financing ー with the hospital administration over-budget, I had to source the funding entirely from the private sector. It was challenging but, a few dozen cold-calls and a handful of live-pitches later, I found a corporate partner that recognised my vision. Finally, I was ready to make my goal a reality. Legal roadblocks and printing nuances still stood in the way, but, with the enthusiastic support of the hospital community, I was able to navigate my way through. Today, dozens of wall-sized nature photos emit joy and hope into the halls of the hospital. 

My hospital volunteering, which had begun with heartbreak and disillusion, turned out to be a defining experience of self-discovery. It helped me close my chapter on medicine, a chapter I had so often doubted, and helped me validate my passion for leadership; it allowed me to operate free of doubt, knowing that I don’t have to follow my father’s footsteps. Above all, it made me realise that, although I would never be a doctor, I could nonetheless have a positive impact on society in my very own way.

What the Essay Did Well

The author begins with a quote from a historical fiction novel that the author has read. Although their essay topic doesn’t tie directly in with the novel’s plot, the quote they chose is profound and serves as a hook that piques the reader’s interest about the essay subject. 

The author starts the essay by mentioning their father. Their use of first person and writing style makes their first lines seem like the narration at the beginning of a film. This introduction draws the reader in as it seems like the author is building up to something. Similarly, your introduction should start as if you are telling a story to provide the most engaging experience for the reader. 

The author then delves more into their father’s background and describes his medical prowess by showing, rather than telling, readers about it. Instead of saying that his father is exceptional, the author presents a specific detail about how he was the first in his family to attend university. Phrasing your writing like this allows the reader to infer through descriptive detail rather than simply absorbing your words at face value. Ensuring that you create this immersive writing style might take more time, but it is worth it as it will make your essay more memorable to admissions officers.

Eventually, the third-to-last paragraph is the climactic point the reader has been waiting for. It is the most important part of the essay ー it’s time for the author to describe how they grew from the incident. During this portion of your essay, you should take readers through your thought process as you begin to formulate a solution for your conflict. It is not enough to say that you learned something new or to merely state that you felt like a changed person. You must provide concrete examples of how you reached a solution and what that solution entailed. Here, the author mentions their distaste for the hospital, specifically, its aesthetic. This sets readers up to hear their solution. 

In the next paragraph, the author describes how they resolved part of their issues with the hospital and were able to grow into their new career path. When detailing your solution, make sure you are centering yourself as the agent of change and give specific details as to your specific impact in your environment. In this essay, the author doesn’t just say “I learned that I had a passion for business.” Rather, they show readers how their skills developed and mention specific steps they took, like live pitching and navigating legal roadblocks. 

The author concludes this essay by summarizing their journey and bringing their essay back to their chosen quote. By wrapping up their essay in this manner, they underscore their growth in a way that flows well and is easy to read. Furthermore, their open-ended, future-facing final thoughts demonstrate that they intend to continue growing. This inclusion is a key part of any good essay; ending your essay on a strong, future-facing note evokes confidence and illustrates a readiness for the challenges that come with college and beyond.

What Could Be Improved

One area of improvement for this essay is that the section on their transformation is relatively brief. The author spends multiple paragraphs giving context but only dedicates one to the actions behind their growth. The author might want to trim other areas of the essay in order to fully develop this paragraph. They could describe what they did more thoroughly, and really delve into the steps they took to carry out the mentioned processes like so:

Essay Example #2

Prompt: Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

I woke up. The curtains filtered the sun rays, hitting my face directly. I got up, looked from the bathroom to the kitchen, but my dad wasn’t there. I plopped on the couch, then the door opened. My dad walked in, clutching a brown paper bag with ninety-nine cent breakfast tacos. After eating, we drove to a customer’s house. He sat me in a chair, lifted the floorboard, and crawled under the house to fix the pipes. As he emerged, he talked, but my mind drifted to the weight of the eleven-millimeter hex wrench in my hand. My interest in mechanical engineering originates from my dad, who was a plumber. When I was fifteen, my dad passed away from cancer that constricted his throat. Holding his calloused hand on his deathbed, I wanted to prevent the suffering of others from cancer. Two years later, when I was given a topic of choice for my chemistry research paper, I stumbled upon an article about gold nanoparticles used for HIV treatment. I decided to steer the topic of gold nanoparticles used for cancer treatment instead, entering the field of nanotechnology. After reading numerous articles and watching college lectures on YouTube, I was utterly captivated by topics like using miniscule devices to induce hyperthermia as a safe method of cancer treatment. Nanotechnology is multi-disciplinary, reinforcing my interest in pursuing mechanical engineering as a gateway to participate in nanoscience and nanotechnology research at the University of Texas at Austin. I have learned that nanotechnology is not limited to stories like mine, but to other issues such as sustainable energy and water development that I hope to work towards. It is important for me to continue helping others without forfeiting my interest in nanotechnology, working in collaboration with both engineering and the medical field.

The introduction of this essay stands out for its narrative style. The first sentences only give hints of the story to come, which builds intrigue and keeps the reader engaged. The introduction transitions seamlessly into a vivid, personal story that shows where the author’s academic interests come from. Using a short anecdote like the one in this essay is the most effective way to explain your major choice.

The author then guides readers through their intellectual journey of discovering their academic passions. They demonstrate their passion by discussing specific details about cancer treatments and nanotechnology. Indeed, “nerding out” over your intellectual interests is an excellent way to prove that you are highly motivated to learn about them in college.

Lastly, the end of the essay looks forward to the future. We learn that the author’s dream is to cure cancer, and they want to do it by gaining multidisciplinary knowledge about engineering and medicine. We learn too that UT Austin is a part of the author’s vision. They show their interest in the school by discussing more than the major they want to pursue at UT Austin, highlighting research and the opportunity to explore new applications of nanotechnology.

The main area for improvement in this essay is its formatting. While formatting is far less important than the content of an essay, it can do much more than you would think to make your essay more impactful. This essay only needs one formatting change — paragraph spacing. Here is an example of the improvements:

I woke up. 

The curtains filtered the sun rays, hitting my face directly. I got up, looked from the bathroom to the kitchen, but my dad wasn’t there. I plopped on the couch, then the door opened. My dad walked in, clutching a brown paper bag with ninety-nine cent breakfast tacos. 

After eating, we drove to a customer’s house. He sat me in a chair, lifted the floorboard, and crawled under the house to fix the pipes. As he emerged, he talked, but my mind drifted to the weight of the eleven-millimeter hex wrench in my hand. 

My interest in mechanical engineering originates from my dad, who was a plumber. When I was fifteen, my dad passed away from cancer that constricted his throat. Holding his calloused hand on his deathbed, I wanted to prevent the suffering of others from cancer. 

Two years later, when I was given a topic of choice for my chemistry research paper, I stumbled upon an article about gold nanoparticles used for HIV treatment. I decided to steer the topic of gold nanoparticles used for cancer treatment instead, entering the field of nanotechnology. After reading numerous articles and watching college lectures on YouTube, I was utterly captivated by topics like using miniscule devices to induce hyperthermia as a safe method of cancer treatment. 

Nanotechnology is multi-disciplinary, reinforcing my interest in pursuing mechanical engineering as a gateway to participate in nanoscience and nanotechnology research at the University of Texas at Austin. I have learned that nanotechnology is not limited to stories like mine, but to other issues such as sustainable energy and water development that I hope to work towards. 

It is important for me to continue helping others without forfeiting my interest in nanotechnology, working in collaboration with both engineering and the medical field.

This new paragraph spacing makes the essay much easier to read. Separating certain parts into paragraphs puts powerful emphasis on the ideas that need them; for example, turning the sentence “I woke up” into its own paragraph creates a captivating hook that intrigues readers into finding out what happens next.

With the new format, it is also easier to see that the fourth paragraph would benefit from a few transitional phrases. To connect the author’s interests in mechanical engineering and cancer solutions, the paragraph could be reworded like so: 

My interest in mechanical engineering originates from my dad, who was a plumber. My interest in finding solutions to cancer — and how mechanical engineering could create them — comes from my dad too. When I was fifteen, he passed away from cancer that constricted his throat. Holding his calloused hand on his deathbed, I wanted to prevent the suffering of others from cancer. 

Where to Get Your UT Austin Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UT Austin essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. In fact,  Alexander Oddo , an essay expert on CollegeVine, provided commentary on the essays in this post. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

The Common App is Open! Get your application done over a weekend with the College Application Booster​®.

Command Education Guide

How to write the ut austin essays, updated for 2024-2025.

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Explanation:

This prompt is unique in that it provides students complete freedom to write extensively (the word count is as long as the Common App Essay) about a topic of their choosing. This open-endedness makes this prompt both exciting and particularly challenging. Since UT Austin does not consider the Common App essay, this could be an ideal place to reuse that piece of writing.

However, if you would like to write a distinct essay or revise the content of your Common App essay for UT Austin, there are a few things to keep in mind. While, as the prompt notes, you may select a topic that you have tackled elsewhere, it is best to take advantage of the creative license you are allowed in this prompt. Consider writing about something that adds depth and dimension to your application. Think about what makes you unique. Is there a passion, challenge, or life experience that has significantly shaped who you are? What is something important to you or central to your identity that admissions officers may not have seen a glimpse of thus far?

Whatever you choose to write about, keep in mind that admissions officers are using the openness of this prompt as a window into who you are—it is not only what you choose to write about, but how you choose to present your topic that matters. Whether you’re writing about a personal achievement, a significant challenge, or a quirky hobby, be honest and reflective. Use the essay to reveal your thought processes, motivations, and distinct way of navigating the world.

Optional Short Answer (250-350 words):

1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major? Please limit your response to 250-300 words.

With this essay prompt, the admissions committee wants to know where your passion stems from. Provide some background details about how your interest in your intended field came about. A brief, engaging anecdote could be a helpful way of illustrating this in the beginning of your essay. You could also look back at your activities list and include experiences that demonstrate your interest and dedication to honing skills necessary for your major of choice. Do not forget to actually include the name of the specific UT Austin major—rather than speaking in general terms about your field of interest, connect your answer to the specific program at UT that interests you.

What specific resources and opportunities would you pursue should you be admitted? Include details such as courses that interest you, hands-on learning opportunities, renowned professors, or research opportunities. Lastly, write about how majoring at UT Austin will help you successfully achieve your career goals.

The error on my screen seemed to mock me—how, in all my years of coding, had I never heard of it? My frustration alchemized into intrigue when I realized the error was related to a topic completely foreign to me: computer hardware. I’ve always loved problem-solving, but the mystery of this unexplored subject was undeniably motivating. The solution was far more complex than a forgotten parenthesis or a mistake in logic, and what started as a rabbit hole of research became my introduction to a whole new field of study. Solving the error yielded much more than a successful build: I became enthralled by Computer and Electrical Engineering.

I quickly enrolled in my local community college’s introductory Digital Electronics class to pursue my burgeoning curiosity and was immediately captivated by learning how to create the mechanisms that ran the codes I had been designing for years, mechanisms I had previously taken for granted. Piqued interest bloomed into a passion for this field when I was tasked with increasingly advanced computer engineering projects. Problem-solving and theory combined with physical creation elevated my love for mathematical thinking, research, and analysis. Embracing both the theoretical and the tangible renders computer engineering the ideal field for me.

UT ensures that both elements of this intellectual balance are bolstered both through its academics and through its plethora of opportunities available beyond the classroom. Coupled with rigorous technical courses such as “Computer Organization and Architecture” and the boundless opportunities offered through the Turing Scholars program, I will be empowered to explore the limits of what’s possible in this ever-expanding field. Through my pursuits at UT, I hope to not only debug any coding error that stands in my way, but to pioneer new advancements to debug our world.

2. 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.)

This question is designed to give college admissions officers insight into what you believe is the most meaningful activity you have engaged in—rather than what is most impressive on your resume. When answering, you should explain not just what you did, but why it was meaningful and how it shaped you. This is your chance to showcase your dedication, leadership, creativity, or other qualities that make you unique. Be specific about your role and the impact of your involvement on yourself and others. Remember, the goal is to give the admissions team a clearer picture of what you truly value and illustrate the kind of student you will be on their campus.

I’m the President of my school’s Best Buddies chapter. I’m proudest of this extracurricular not because of the title, but because of the friendship I have fostered with my buddy, Jack. What started as a random assignment has been amplified into a friendship that includes both of our families (we often celebrate birthdays and holidays together), and Jack will be among my hardest goodbyes when I leave for college.

My professional goals involve solving society’s greatest problems through a combination of tech and legislation; however, my passion springs from a devotion to community. Best Buddies does not use a typical mentor/mentee model, meaning that my friendship with Jack is organic. We don’t talk about heavy topics like current events or report cards. Instead, he offers me play-by-plays of last night’s Yankees game, we debate our favorite pizza toppings, and we hatch schemes to get as many arcade tickets as we can on our next trip. Jack loves to surprise me with pop quizzes about the latest science facts he’s learned, and my family rushes to surround me whenever I receive a FaceTime from him—far past all of our bedtimes.

Our endless conversation has unfolded for years, reminding me that the foundation of every endeavor worth pursuing is humanity—individuals who contain so many facets that deserve recognition, but are too often simplistically categorized, then stigmatized or ignored.

Through its exemplary academics and inspiring environment, UT will prepare me to be an effective scientist and change-maker—and the ability to continue volunteering with Longhorn Best Buddies and Austin Unite will ensure I am an empathetic one.

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Getting into Texas Universities: Create your Perfect Apply Texas and UT-Austin Applications

•   Welcome to my course! (2:15)
•   Course Walkthrough (3:47)
•   UT-Austin First-Time Freshmen Admissions Presentation FAQs Answered (57:24)
•   Helpful resume, essay, and other resources
•   Your Ticket to the Forty Acres, Third Edition (2023)
•   Surviving the College Admissions Madness
•   Introduction: Stumbling into Admissions
•   Section I: Introducing Holistic Review
•   Chapter 1: What are my chances?
•   Chapter 2: The Personal Achievement Index
•   Chapter 3: Factors you can control
•   Chapter 4: The Academic Index
•   Section II: What Does the Reviewer See?
•   Chapter 5: Who is your admissions reviewer?
•   Chapter 6: College fairs and high school visits
•   Chapter 7: Admitting for "fit"
•   Section III: Dispelling Myths: Race, Privilege, and Affirmative Action
•   Chapter 8: A brief legal history of affirmative action
•   Chapter 9: Why does UT-Austin consider race?
•   Section IV: Putting Your Application Together: A Tactical Approach
•   Chapter 10: Correcting Misconceptions
•   Chapter 11: Crafting Compelling Essays
•   Chapter 12: Building Effective Resumes and Recommendation Letters
•   Section V: College, School, and Honors Admissions Data
•   Chapter 13: Regular Admission Data and Statistics
•   Chapter 14: Honors Admission and the Application Process
•   Section VI: What Comes Next? Receiving Your Decision
•   Chapter 15: The Transfer Guide
•   Architecture, Business, Communications, Computer Science, Geosciences, Natural Sciences, Nursing
•   Cockrell School of Engineering by Major
•   College of Fine Arts by Major
•   Honors Programs Data and Application Advice
•   Introduction to File Review (4:25)
•   Computer Science AD (12:03)
•   Communications and Leadership AN (9:53)
•   Business Honors AR (8:29)
•   Moody Communications AS (11:15)
•   Computer Science AT (10:21)
•   Business Honors CV (10:56)
•   Moody Communications GT (8:27)
•   Business HJ (10:13)
•   Computer Science KG (9:32)
•   Business and Plan II MC (9:42)
•   Computer Science NR (9:15)
•   Business and Plan II NZ (16:13)
•   Computer Science RG (9:10)
•   Chemistry and Plan II SJ (10:40)
•   Computer Science SW (11:39)
•   Liberal Arts Honors SY (9:50)
•   Introduction and Advice from Former Applicants (12:00)
•   Diversity and Fit for Major (14:29)
•   Writing and Editing your Essays (69:37)
•   Essay A Brainstorming Worksheet
•   Expanded Resume and Recommendation Letters (31:21)
•   Recommendation Letter Templates
•   Beware of overediting!
•   Application Workshop Introduction (3:17)
•   Rajanathan Skills Resume (10:10)
•   Johnson Education Resume (4:46)
•   Schmidt Fine Arts Skills Resume (7:18)
•   Harris Transfer Skills Resume (5:04)
•   Recommendation Letter Forms
•   Resume Template

  Main Essay and Supplement Examples

•   Essay A Tell Us Your Story Workshop (60:07)
•   Transfer Essay A and E Drafting Workshop (42:10)
•   Freshman Essay Drafting Workshop (121:05)
•   Short Answer Essay Workshop (19:23)
•   Essay A Personal Statement
•   Essay C Special Circumstances
•   Expanded Resume
•   Recommendation Letters
•   Introduction to Transfer Admissions Review (6:30)
•   Transfer: Tomlinson Communications / RTF (12:28)
•   Transfer: Harris Communications / Public Relations (12:08)
•   Transfer: McGill Liberal Arts (9:22)
•   Transfer: Sethu Business (9:57)
•   Spring Transfer: Diehl Natural Sciences (15:15)
•   Spring Transfer: Evensen Liberal Arts (13:55)
•   Transfer Essays A and E Brainstorming Worksheets
•   University resources and reports
•   Book Recommendations (13:12)
•   Identifying Anxiety and Managing Stress with CBT
•   Interview Tips
•   Disclaimer
•   Argument part 1
•   Argument part 2
•   Argument part 3
•   Chapter 1 College Essay Madness
•   Chapter 1.1 Most college essays are not very good
•   Chapter 1.2 Students—the madness isn’t your fault
•   Chapter 1.3 You get an essay! And you get an essay! Everybody gets an essay (requirement)!
•   Chapter 1.4 Introducing a new measurement unit for essay length: a Princeton
•   Chapter 1.5 Not-optional optional options
•   Chapter 1.6 Authenticity and many other institutional values
•   Chapter 2 Can Anything Stop the Madness?
•   Chapter 2.1 A brief overview of admissions anxieties and worries
•   Chapter 2.2 Parents are not the primary problem
•   Chapter 2.3 Independent educational consultants are also not the primary problem
•   Chapter 2.4 My intentions
•   Chapter 3 A College Essay
•   Chapter 3.1 Where's Bobina?
•   Chapter 4. Stoicism and the Gap Theory of Happiness
•   Chapter 4.1 A few cognitive traps and distortions to avoid
•   Chapter 4.2 Less-obvious anxiety sources
•   Chapter 4.3 Life and death decisions
•   Chapter 5. Historical Perspectives and Admissions Systems Abroad
•   Chapter 5.1 Admissions systems abroad
•   Chapter 5.2 Decentralized application portals and requirements contribute to the madness
•   Chapter 6. Holistic Review is Bullshit
•   Chapter 6.1 A note on definitions
•   Chapter 6.2 Reliably selecting talent is impossible
•   Chapter 6.3 Community college transfer applicants are especially screwed
•   Chapter 6.4 Cheaters often win
•   Chapter 6.5 Reviewing files as a UT-Austin Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
•   Chapter 6.6 Shaping the class and related hocus pocus
•   Chapter 6.7 Bias, errors, and privilege
•   Chapter 6.8 Do recommendation letters make a difference?
•   Chapter 6.9 The truth about interviews
•   Chapter 6.10 “Chance me” and the ludic fallacy
•   Chapter 7. Avoiding Application Mistakes
•   Chapter 7.1 Minimizing debt
•   Chapter 7.2 Building a reasonable college list
•   Chapter 7.3 More cognitive distortions to avoid
•   Chapter 8. Questionable Enrollment and Recruitment Practices
•   Chapter 8.1 The Early Decision racket
•   Chapter 8.2 Admissions purgatory: deferrals, waitlist, appeals, and letters of continued interest
•   Chapter 8.3 Dashboard and the darkside of big data
•   Chapter 9. Rethinking Diversity
•   Chapter 9.1 Diversity-themed essay topics are problematic
•   Chapter 9.2 Professional ethics revisited
•   Chapter 9.3 Antiracism in college admissions backfires
•   Chapter 9.4 Poverty matters more than race
•   Chapter 10. Meritocracy Madness
•   Chapter 10.1 On moral luck
•   Chapter 10.2 Admissions by partial lottery?
•   Chapter 10.3 Nietzsche’s gap year
•   Amrita Vasanti McCombs Business (13:34)
•   Adriane Kerr Liberal Arts (13:35)
•   Bhavika Farha Natural Sciences (Environmental Science) (14:25)
•   Cecilia Baines McCombs and Plan II (18:05)
•   Christopher Donadio Business Honors Program (15:22)
•   Javed Sikh Business Honors Program (11:58)
•   Lauren Sanders Liberal Arts (12:23)
•   Jackson Pettigrew Aerospace Engineering (11:41)
•   Louis Mehl McCombs Business (11:46)
•   Mahir Arya Computer Science (14:57)
•   Meredith Fredrickson Liberal Arts (11:55)
•   Russ Lyle Plan II and Engineering Honors (17:25)
•   Tiana Mahati Computer Science (14:26)
•   Travis Honeycutt Mechanical Engineering (11:27)
•   Will Eide Computer Science (18:09)
•   Zach Saiki Computer Science (8:12)

How to Write the UT Austin Supplemental Essays + Examples

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 6/17/24

Writing the UT Austin essays requires introspection, creativity, and time! To learn how to ace this application component, read on!

If you’re planning on applying to the University of Texas and are making your way down your application checklist, you may hit a roadblock when it comes to the supplemental essays . 

These essays often prove to be the most demanding aspect of college applications, as they call for transforming your thoughts into captivating words and leaving a lasting impression on the admissions committee. But fear not! This guide has got you covered! In it, we’ll break down each of the UT Austin essays. 

UT Austin Supplemental Essay Prompts 2024-2025

Before we delve into how to write the UT Austin supplemental essays , let’s go over the prompts. You’ll be required to answer one essay prompt and a few short answers. These essay prompts differ based on which semester you’re applying for. We’ll go over the essay prompts for Spring 2025. 

The required essay prompt should be around 500-700 words , typically two the three paragraphs. However, your responses to the short answer prompts should be no more than 40 lines or 250-300 words . 

Required Essay Prompt #1

“Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?”

Short Answer Prompt #2

“ Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

Short Answer Prompt #3

“ Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.”

Short Answer Prompt #4

“ The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is ‘To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.’ Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to ‘Change the World’ after you graduate.”

Optional Short Answer Prompt #5

Students may also answer the following short answer if it applies to them:

“Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.”

How to Write Each Essay Prompt for UT Austin

Now, we’ll delve into how to answer each of UT Austin’s prompts to ensure your responses are original, insightful, and interesting! We’ll go through specific UT Austin essay requirements and also provide successful essay examples to begin your creative process. 

How to Write UT Austin Required Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of UT Austin’s required essay prompt : This prompt, by asking you to “tell your story,” calls for some personal reflection on your life so far. UT Austin wants to get to know you as a well-rounded person beyond your application materials. They want to know the things that have shaped and formed you in your life. 

The various opportunities and challenges you’ve experienced say a lot about who you are. By asking you to tell these anecdotes, the admissions committee wants to see you display humility, self-awareness, gratitude, and a desire to learn and grow. Think deeply about significant moments in your life and how they have made you different. 

UC Berkeley grad Brittney provides some insight into how to get started in our personal statement webinar : 

“You want to identify a central theme for your admissions essays, and I often tell students to think about themselves as a brand and a narrative - who are you, and how are you going to communicate who you are, what you've achieved, and where you're going across all of your admissions essays and across all of your application You may want to think about a particular experience, a passion, a value that shaped who you are, that has run through your academic and extracurricular experiences."

To write a strong essay for UT Austin, consider following these tips:

Tip #1: Dig into Your High School Memories

Time for a little throwback session! Sit down with a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever else floats your boat, and start digging up all those unique experiences you had during high school. For most of you, you’re likely in your senior year, so this shouldn’t be too hard!

Remember those times when life threw something special at you or maybe even knocked you off your feet? Jot all of these memories down so you can go through them and pick the most meaningful ones to talk about. 

Tip #2: Find the Common Thread

Now that you've got a bunch of high school memories in front of you, see if there's a common theme or a big idea that ties them together. It could be a passion, a challenge you faced head-on or a turning point that changed the game for you.

Tip #3: Be Descriptive!

Get creative with your writing! Paint a picture with your words. Make your essay engaging and fun to read. You want those admissions officers to be hooked from the start to the finish. 

Tip #4: Get Real and Vulnerable

No need to put on a show here to worry about what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Be yourself! 

Share your stories and feelings with authenticity. The admissions committee wants to see the genuine you, not some perfectly polished version. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, share your feelings and emotions, and demonstrate your growth.

Admissions expert Brittney expands on this point: 

“Always write from an authentic place and tell your story. Don’t try to tell the story that you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Tell the story that is true for you.” 

Tip #5: Talk About Unique Opportunities

Share those opportunities that set you apart from the crowd. Maybe it was an internship, a special extracurricular , a passion project , or a chance to travel. 

Show them how these experiences opened up new doors and helped you grow.

Tip #6: Face the Challenges, No Holding Back

Life's not always rainbows and sunshine. The admissions committee wants to hear about your struggles and your ability to overcome them. So, discuss those tough moments that you thought you’d never get through, how you pushed on, and what you learned along the way.

Show the committee how all these experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly—shaped the awesome person you are today. 

Tip #7: End On a High Note

End your essay with a forward-looking approach. You’ve spent most of your essay reminiscing about high school and the lessons you learned from it. Now think about what’s next! 

Offer the admissions committee some insight into your academic and career aspirations. Talk about how you plan on fulfilling these goals at UT Austin and what you plan on contributing to this school!

Here’s what one of our admissions experts, Brittany , had to say about looking to the future: 

"It’s helpful to end your conclusion with something that’s futuristic and forward-looking. How will what the reader learned about you help prepare you for what you want to achieve and how you will succeed when you’re at a college or university?"

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #2 + Analysis and Tips

Short answer #2 analysis : The first short answer is relatively straightforward. There’s a reason you chose your intended major, and now’s your time to demonstrate your passion and explain why your selected program interests you! 

UT Austin is dedicated to making a real difference in the world, so it’s essential you take your essay beyond the realms of your immediate college career. Think about what you’ll do with your education and how you’ll impact those around you!

Keep these tips in mind to ensure you nail this short answer:

• Showcase your passion and genuine interest : Avoid essay topics that you think the committee wants to hear. Instead, ensure your sincere passion for the major you've selected is evident throughout your essay. Explain why it excites you and what specific aspects of the subject matter resonate with you.
• Connect to your background : Reflect on any relevant events, challenges, or opportunities that influenced your decision. Share one or two brief anecdotes or stories that demonstrate how your experiences have shaped your aspirations and academic path. This will make your essay personal and engaging. 
• Highlight your skills and alignment with UT Austin : Explain how your skills, strengths, and natural abilities align with the chosen major. Describe specific talents or aptitudes that you possess and how they complement the demands of your academic program and profession.
• Emphasise UT Austin's program and opportunities : Demonstrate your knowledge and interest in UT Austin's program. Research its offerings, faculty members, research opportunities, and distinctive features related to your chosen major. Explain how these aspects appeal to you and align with your goals.
• Discuss your future aspirations : Share your long-term aspirations and how pursuing this major will enable you to make a positive impact in your chosen field and beyond. Discuss how you envision using the knowledge and skills gained from this program to contribute to society or address real-world challenges. 

In our webinar on how to write college essays , admissions official Kayla Kirk gives insight into how to answer major-specific essay prompts: 

“This is all about what work have you done up to this point to prepare yourself for a particular major. So it could be a student who wants to study engineering. They could use this opportunity, this particular essay, to talk about their experience with their robotics club that they've been so passionate about. And through those background experiences, we’ll start to get the sense that you’re passionate, you’re an independent student who’s done work up to this point to lay the foundation for whatever your course of study will be.” 

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #3 + Analysis and Tips 

Short answer #3 analysis : With this prompt, UT Austin wants to see drive and commitment to make a difference in the university community as well as proof that you’ve made a difference in other spaces as well. 

This question should demonstrate self-awareness, passion, and motivation. UT Austin wants to know how your past experiences have brought you to where you are, and they also want to know more about your future aspirations. 

By demonstrating your potential to have a positive impact both in and out of the classroom, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who will make great contributions to the UT community!

Implement these tips into your second short answer response:

• Highlight your key qualities and experiences : Provide an overview of the experiences, perspectives, talents, and leadership activities that define you as an individual but avoid listing them without adding context and depth. Explain how they contribute to your overall character and worldview.
• Emphasize leadership skills and potential : Discuss your involvement in leadership activities. Illustrate how you have taken initiative, influenced others, or demonstrated a commitment to creating positive change. All of these traits are highly valued by UT Austin!
• Talk about your future : Demonstrate how your specific attributes and experiences will allow you to make a positive impact both in and out of the classroom at UT Austin. Explain how your perspectives and background have shaped your understanding of different issues and will enrich class discussions.
• Connect back to UT Austin : Show that you have done your research on UT Austin's values, culture, and community. Explain how your experiences, perspectives, and talents align with the university's mission and how you plan to contribute to the campus environment. 
• Be genuine and specific : Throughout your essay, be authentic and avoid any vagueness. Share specific anecdotes and examples to illustrate your points, and be descriptive! Show, don't tell, and immerse your readers into your experiences so they connect to them better.

Kayla Kirk offers some further insight into what universities are looking for in these kinds of prompts: 

They want to know that you are willing to go beyond your own experiences up to this point. They want to know that you're going to be a productive and positive contribution to their student body, that you'll be willing to engage with people whose experiences are different from your own."

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #4 + Analysis and Tips

Short answer #4 analysis : This short answer is one of the more challenging UT Austin essays. It requires students to look ahead past their college career and think critically about how they plan on bettering the world. 

While the previous questions are focused on your passions in a more general sense, this prompt asks you to think about your aspirations at UT Austin specifically. How does your desire to attend UT Austin connect to your dreams and goals? 

Here are some tips on how to approach this question:

Tip #1: Be Realistic

The admissions committee isn’t looking for any sappy or exaggerated goals. They aren’t expecting you to cure cancer or find life on Mars. 

Think about what realistic impact you want to have on the world. Whether it be changing the lives of your patients as a healthcare worker, helping address social issues, or simply being a strong advocate for the environment, any effort to better the lives of others counts!

Tip #2: Be Specific

Don’t make vague statements about your passion to change the world, healthcare, poverty, or any other broad topic. Be specific and clearly state your long-term aspirations and the specific ways you envision changing the world after graduation. 

Think about who exactly you want to help, what issue you aim to address, and the tools you’ll use to do so. 

In our college essay webinar, Tufts University Admissions Director Darryl Tiggle gives insight into how to be specific in college essays: 

"They want to know things that go deeper than the surface level of knowing about the college, especially so that when you're writing about the college, you couldn't supplant another school's name in that essay and then have the essay still ring true. You want the essay to really be tailored towards the school that you're writing about so that you're addressing those issues and writing unique-to-those-institution essays."

Tip #3: Connect UT Austin's Offerings to Your Goals

Showcase your understanding of UT Austin's unique offerings and how they align with your ambitions. Discuss specific academic programs, research opportunities, clubs, or organizations that UT Austin offers and explain how they will support your personal and professional growth towards your goal of changing the world.

Tip #4: Discuss Your Commitment to Impact

Emphasize your dedication and commitment to creating a positive impact. Demonstrate that you are not just interested in pursuing your career for personal gain, but that you genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others and improving society.

Tip #5: Be Ambitious

Be ambitious in your goals, but also be realistic about the steps you'll take to achieve them. Demonstrate that you have a clear plan for how your experience at UT Austin will serve as a stepping stone to creating a lasting impact on a broader scale. Demonstrate you have direction and know what it’ll take to reach your goals.

Tip #6: Wrap Up with Confidence and Gratitude

Conclude your essay with a strong and confident statement that reinforces your commitment to changing the world and your gratitude for the opportunity to do so at UT Austin. Leave a lasting impression on the reader that highlights your passion and determination.

How to Write UT Austin Optional Essay #5

Answering the optional essay is simple; stick to the facts and be honest. There is no need to be overly descriptive or create a compelling narrative out of your circumstances. 

This essay should only help the admissions committee learn more about the extent of your circumstances, how they prevented you from achieving your best, and how you attempted to overcome them. As such, you’ll want this essay to be relatively short. It should not exceed one to two paragraphs. 

Examples of UT Austin Supplemental Essays That Worked

It can be really helpful to look at examples of successful essays for inspiration. Below, you’ll find essay examples from accepted UT Austin applicants! We’ll look at each example closely to examine what worked about it. 

Sample Essay #1

Your UT Austin essays need to be concise, captivating, and creative to effectively answer this prompt:

Take a look at this example essay:

“‘Gone but never forgotten’---the solemn inscription on the plaque dedicated to my best friend, displayed prominently in our high school. A phrase intended to offer comfort, but one that will always ring hollow for me. The reality remains stark; gone is still gone. No matter how many times I replay his infectious smile or reminisce about our sunlit summers spent surfing until sundown, he remains forever confined to the realm of memories.

Losing my best friend to cancer was a heart-wrenching blow that shattered my world. We had shared dreams, laughter, and endless plans for our future. His untimely departure left an emptiness in my heart and a void in my life that seemed impossible to fill. Grief consumed me, and the once vibrant light of my high school years dimmed significantly. Coping with the loss of such a young, budding life was a challenge unlike any other, and it tested my emotional strength to its limits.

But, In the face of this overwhelming and seemingly unending pain, I found solace in the support of my family and friends. Their unwavering presence and understanding helped me navigate through the darkest times. I realized that I was not alone in my grief and that reaching out for support was not a sign of weakness but an act of bravery. This experience taught me the power of empathy and the significance of connection, shaping my understanding of the value of relationships in life.

While the loss of my best friend left a permanent scar, it also sparked an awakening within me. I became acutely aware of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. As I struggled to regain my sense of purpose, I sought solace in volunteer work at a local cancer support center. Being able to offer comfort and empathy to patients and their families on their own journeys was a cathartic experience that helped me heal and provided me with a newfound sense of direction.

Amidst the challenges, high school also offered unique opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. I found inspiration in the arts, particularly through music and painting. These creative outlets became my refuge, allowing me to express emotions that words could not convey. Art became a powerful medium through which I could heal and explore my own emotions, and it ignited a passion that continues to fuel my aspirations.

As I delved deeper into my artistic pursuits, I discovered my ability to inspire others through storytelling. I started sharing my experiences through writing and public speaking, aiming to bring hope and awareness to those facing similar struggles. This newfound purpose motivated me to excel academically and to embrace every opportunity for growth that high school offered.

With newfound resilience, I became an active member of various clubs and organizations that focused on cancer awareness and support. I initiated fundraisers and awareness campaigns, determined to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this dreadful disease. In doing so, I found strength in unity, as we came together as a community to support a common cause.

Through the highs and lows of high school, I have evolved into a compassionate, determined, and empathetic individual. The loss of my best friend has taught me that life is fragile and unpredictable, urging me to make the most of every opportunity and to embrace challenges with unwavering resolve.

As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my journey at UT Austin, I am filled with a sense of purpose and determination. I aspire to study medicine, combining my love for the arts with my passion for healthcare to bring comfort and healing to those in need. The experiences of my high school years have shaped me into a resilient individual who values empathy, compassion, and the power of connection. I am confident that my journey through grief and self-discovery will not only enable me to excel academically but will also empower me to change lives and make a lasting impact both in and out of the classroom. So, while my best friend may be gone forever, his legacy will live on; through me, the sunsets I now surf through alone, the patients I will heal, and the grieving families I will support when all they have left to hold are intangible memories.”  

Why It Works

This essay stands out because of its deeply personal exploration of the writer's journey from grief to resilience, fueled by a passion for cancer awareness and healing. 

The unique fusion of art, medicine, and storytelling highlights the writer's distinct personality, aspirations, and well-roundedness. Their commitment to community engagement, coupled with a clear academic focus on medicine, also aligns well with the university's values. 

Short Answer #1 Example

Below, you’ll find an example essay answering the following prompt: 

“Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

Here’s another example essay to draw inspiration from:

“In 'The Alchemist,' Paulo Coelho writes, 'And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.' This profound sentiment resonates deeply with my decision to pursue an English major at UT Austin. For me, the study of English is a transformative journey of self-discovery and a pursuit of understanding the interconnectedness of humanity through the written word.

Like Santiago, the protagonist in 'The Alchemist,' I believe that our desires and dreams can shape our destinies. In the enchanting world of literature, I find myself constantly drawn to the power of storytelling, where words become vessels for ideas, emotions, and shared experiences. 

Choosing UT Austin as the home for my academic pursuits was an easy decision. The English program's reputation for fostering intellectual curiosity and nurturing creativity aligns perfectly with my academic goals. The diverse range of courses, from classic literature to contemporary poetry, promises to provide a comprehensive understanding of literary traditions, nurturing my ability to critically analyze and interpret texts.

Beyond the curriculum, I am excited about the vibrant literary community at UT Austin. Engaging with like-minded peers in literary clubs, workshops, and events will undoubtedly enrich my perspective and encourage meaningful discussions on the intricacies of literature. Moreover, I envision utilizing my passion for writing to contribute to UT Austin's literary publications and participate in creative writing workshops. Embracing opportunities to share my voice, whether through poetry or prose, is essential to my growth as a writer and communicator.

Ultimately, my decision to pursue an English major at UT Austin is driven by a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, a desire to understand the complexities of human existence, and a conviction that words possess the power to change lives.”

Why Essay #1 Worked

This essay begins with an interesting quote that intrigues the reader from the very first line. Then they artfully connect this quote to their personal and academic aspirations, which reflects a thoughtful consideration of the applicant's choice of major and resonates with the transformative power of education.

The alignment of their academic interests with UT Austin's English program also showcases a well-researched understanding of the university's offerings. 

Short Answer #2 Example 

You’ll need to do some serious brainstorming and reflecting to write an essay that answers this prompt well: 

“Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.”

You can use the following UT Austin essay to guide you in your brainstorming process:

“My journey leading up to UT has been shaped by a tapestry of experiences: my responsibilities at home, my passion for basketball, and my commitment to community service. Balancing two part-time jobs throughout high school to ease the financial burdens at home has instilled in me a strong work ethic and a determination to excel both academically and personally.

As a devoted basketball enthusiast, the court has become my sanctuary, teaching me invaluable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. The discipline and dedication required in sports have translated into my academic pursuits, where I strive for excellence with the same fervor I bring to the game.

My commitment to community service is deeply rooted in my family's legacy of veterans, who have instilled in me the importance of giving back. Volunteering at local animal shelters, soup kitchens, and hospitals and organizing charity events has allowed me to witness the transformative power of service firsthand. As such, I am driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, both in and out of the classroom.

At UT, these experiences and perspectives will serve as my compass for engagement and leadership. As a student-athlete, I intend to contribute my skills to the campus basketball team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. On the academic front, my diverse background will enrich classroom discussions, bringing unique perspectives to the table.

Outside the classroom, I aspire to collaborate with service-oriented organizations, amplifying their impact on the community. Moreover, my leadership experience, gained from organizing charity events and coordinating community initiatives, will be instrumental in rallying fellow students to join forces for common causes. I am eager to embrace the enriching opportunities that UT has to offer, using my talents to foster a nurturing environment where empathy, determination, and teamwork thrive.”

Why Essay #2 Worked

The essay effectively highlights how all of this student’s experiences have shaped their character, instilling qualities like a strong work ethic, determination, teamwork, and leadership. 

Their commitment to community service reflects a genuine desire to give back, and their intention to bring this commitment to UT's campus showcases their dedication to making a positive difference in the university community. 

Short Answer #3 Example

For UT Austin’s third short answer essay, it’s important to include meaningful details. However, remember to be concise when answering the following prompt: 

“The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, ‘To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.’ Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to ‘Change the World’ after you graduate.”

Below is a sample essay to help you craft your own detailed and concise response: 

“Aspiring to become a nurse, I am driven by a profound sense of compassion and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin resonates deeply with my aspirations, and I believe my experience at UT Austin will empower me to change the world through the profession of nursing.

UT Austin's esteemed nursing program will provide me with a comprehensive and cutting-edge education, equipping me with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality care to diverse populations. The renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities will cultivate my clinical expertise, enabling me to make a tangible difference in patients' lives.

Through hands-on experiences and clinical rotations, UT Austin will offer me invaluable opportunities to work with real patients and understand their unique needs and challenges. These experiences will shape me into a compassionate and empathetic caregiver, dedicated to advocating for the well-being of each individual.

Additionally, UT Austin's commitment to community engagement and service aligns perfectly with my vision of making a difference in society. Participating in health outreach programs and volunteering at local clinics will provide me with a broader perspective on healthcare disparities and strengthen my commitment to serving underserved communities. The diverse and inclusive environment at UT Austin will enhance my cultural competence and foster my ability to provide patient-centered care to individuals from different backgrounds.

My experience at UT Austin as a nursing student will be transformative, preparing me to be a compassionate and skilled healthcare professional. Rooted in the university's core purpose of transforming lives for the benefit of society, I am confident that I will graduate as a competent nurse ready to embrace the challenges of the healthcare field and positively impact the lives of those I serve.”

Why Essay #3 Works

The student grounds their aspiration to become a nurse in a genuine compassion for others and a desire to create a positive impact, which resonates well with the university's core purpose. 

The essay also effectively outlines how UT Austin's nursing program is a perfect fit for the applicant, highlighting the comprehensive education, renowned faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities that will prepare them to deliver high-quality care. 

These points present a strong case for how UT Austin’s program will empower this student and how she will contribute to the university’s community. 

If you’re looking for assistance on how to write the UT Austin essays, or how to apply to UT Austin in general, we can help! Our experts have helped countless students get into their dream schools, and you can be one of them. With our help, you can become a Longhorn!

Optional Essay Example

Remember, you only need to respond to this prompt if it applies to you: 

For your reference, here’s a sample essay explaining the circumstances that prevented a student from achieving the GPA they intended to:

“During my high school years, I encountered a unique set of circumstances that significantly impacted my academic performance. After my single mother was unexpectedly fired from her job and faced challenges finding another, our family's financial stability became uncertain. In order to support my mother and contribute to household expenses, I took on multiple part-time jobs, which demanded a substantial portion of my time and energy. As I juggled work commitments alongside my academic responsibilities, I found it increasingly challenging to maintain the GPA I had envisioned, a 3.8. While my determination to succeed academically remained steadfast, the added responsibilities and time constraints hindered my ability to dedicate as much time to my studies as I desired.

Despite these challenges, I persevered, ensuring that I gave my best effort in every aspect of my life. Balancing work and studies taught me invaluable time management and prioritization skills, but it also meant sacrificing some extracurricular opportunities that could have enriched my high school experience further. While my academic performance may not have reflected the 3.8 GPA I initially aimed for, I am proud of the resilience I demonstrated in the face of adversity. The experiences I gained from shouldering responsibilities beyond academics have shaped me into a diligent and empathetic individual. I believe these life lessons will undoubtedly serve me well as I embrace new challenges and opportunities in the future.”

Why This Optional Essay Works

This answer sticks to the facts and clearly articulates the circumstances the student faced, how they tried to improve their situation, and what they learned from it. The student keeps a positive tone throughout and does not place blame or try to evoke pity from the admissions committee!

Get More Sample Essays Here!

Looking at sample essays can work wonders for your own inspiration and motivation. If you want to check out more college application essays written by admitted students, take a look at our college essay database down below! 

FAQs: UT Austin Essays

Below, you’ll find the answers to any remaining questions about the UT Austin essays!

1. How Many Essays Does UT Austin Require?

UT Austin requires all of its applicants to answer one long essay and three short essays. There is an additional optional essay for students who faced circumstances that negatively affected their high school experience. 

2. Does UT Look At the Common App Essay?

Yes, the Common App essay will be considered in the admissions committee’s evaluations. 

3. Does UT Look At Coalition Essays?

No, UT Austin only uses the Common Application or the Apply Texas application . 

4. How Long Does the UT Austin Supplemental Essay Need to Be? 

The UT Austin required essay should be between 500-700 words. However, the short answer essays only need to be 250-300 words. 

5. How Important Are Essays for the University of Texas at Austin? 

According to UT Austin’s most recent common data set , the application essays are taken into consideration. This means that you’ll have to make sure your essays are stellar so that your application stands out! 

Final Thoughts

Overall, your UT Austin essays are not just about showcasing your achievements but also about how your unique journey has shaped you into the person you are today. Embrace the challenges you've faced and the lessons you've learned along the way. 

Be confident in your abilities and potential. Show them how you can make a positive impact both inside and outside the classroom at UT Austin. UT Austin is looking for a diverse array of individuals, so let your personality and potential shine brightly in your essays!

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UT Austin’s New Essay Questions

• Sasha Chada
• October 22, 2021

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In a surprise move this summer, the University of Texas Austin changed their supplemental essay prompts. They added two new prompts, and combined two of their previous questions, resulting in students needing to write four essays. The abruptness of this change, and a lack of prior announcement, caused a great deal of shock for students.

So why did UT Austin make this change, and how should you try to answer these questions? While we can’t answer the first question, we can help you with the second. In this article, we’ll discuss the new prompts, give examples of how you can answer them, and show you what UT Austin is looking for when they ask these questions. 

We have a guide to answering supplemental essay questions generally , but due to the importance of UT Austin for many of our students, we thought it would be helpful to address these changes specifically.

“Change the World” Example

The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate. (250-300 words)

Because my goal is creating a life changing invention, I believe UT’s unique engineering program and focus on experiential learning will best prepare me for the future. As a biomedical engineering major, I’m eager to take advantage of opportunities to do research as an undergrad and potentially solve real world problems. One UT initiative that is perfect to help me accomplish my goals is the Inventors Program, which teaches entrepreneurial design and will help me make an immediate community impact.

Another aspect of UT engineering that excites me is the Senior Design project, a year-long course that allows students to design prototypes based on authentic biomedical engineering problems. While visiting my family in Honduras, I have seen firsthand the need for unique solutions to common healthcare problems. With resources like the Texas Inventionworks Makerspace, I hope to leverage my strong math and science background as well as my love of creativity to solve problems that are impacting the people I love.

In addition to the strong academics UT offers and their top-ranked engineering school, I was thrilled to learn that UT has a chapter of the Best Buddies program, and I plan to get involved immediately. In this program, peer buddies are paired with students with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and spend time together throughout the year. I have been lucky enough to be a peer buddy and eventually the president of the local Best Buddies chapter at my high school. I expect the UT chapter will continue to fuel this passion.  

UT will prepare me for a successful career, allow me to continue my love of volunteering with individuals with special needs, and help me achieve my goal of creating my own medical device. Me and UT are the kind of dream team that can change the world.

“Change the World” Analysis

This question is, quite frankly, a lot. Unlike many other essay questions that colleges ask, it is hard to single out what exactly UT Austin is looking for when they pose this question. Of course some colleges delight in asking purposefully hard-to-answer questions (looking at you UChicago), but this does not seem to follow in that vein. Instead, this question simply does not read as well thought out. 

The goal of college essays generally is for schools to learn about a student; who they are, what they’ve done, and how they can contribute to campus. This question seems to be asking how you will contribute to campus, and to society at large, through what UT Austin gives you. 

Therefore, the easiest way we have found to answer this question is as a “Why Us” essay. These essays are quite popular, and inquire why a student wants to attend this school in particular. While you can attempt to divine enough of the future to describe your post-graduation career, we do not recommend doing so.

In the example above, the student clearly discusses why they wish to attend UT Austin, and what the school’s specific programs will allow them to accomplish. The author discusses several programs, and provides clear examples of why they like these programs in particular.

The specificity of examples is important here; there are many schools with good engineering programs, but only UT Austin has the Inventors Program or the Texas Inventionworks Makerspace. The more concretely you tie your desires to the specific offerings of UT Austin, the more convincing your essay will be.

The author also discusses a non-academic draw to UT Austin. You don’t need to include one of these, but it can help make your essay more personal, and show the breadth of your interests. Mentioning specific clubs also shows you’ve done your research on the school; admissions officers like to see that you take their school seriously. We recommend not discussing the school’s city or location generally, as this is too generic and non-specific to the institution.

While this is not the easiest question to answer, by treating it as a “Why Us” essay, you will be well equipped to answer the prompt, and tell UT Austin something important about you in the process. Remember that this essay is not just for singing the praises of the school, but discussing why specific aspects of UT Austin appeal to you, and how their unique offerings will allow you to succeed, and change the world.

Academic Interruptions Essay

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance, including the possible effects of COVID-19. (250-300)

Even though my junior year was going to be virtual, I was excited to return to school and some sense of normalcy. I had a full schedule, with a mix of AP and IB classes, and hoped my teachers would be as effective through Microsoft Teams as they were in-person. Being at the height of the presidential election season, I was especially looking forward to AP Government class discussions.

 It was my teacher’s first year at Lamar, but he seemed excited to teach the course and wanted lots of class interaction — a nice change from sitting behind the screen in silence. Unfortunately, after six weeks of school, the teacher abruptly quit. The administrators told us he did not enjoy teaching over an online platform. The class was upset that he couldn’t at least finish our semester. Many of us did not enjoy learning virtually, but we all pushed through for the rest of the year. In typical Lamar fashion, not having enough time to arrange a replacement, they introduced us to our new teacher: the football coach. It was a dreadful semester filled with incomprehensible powerpoints and fill-in-the blank worksheets. Most people successfully completed the class without having to unmute their microphone once. The class transformed from an experience I enjoyed to a grating waste of time. Countless emails were sent by many students and parents requesting a different teacher, but all were dismissed. The coach did not want to teach us; therefore the students did not want to listen. Worst of all, his poorly composed lessons were killing everyone’s desire to learn. I tried to stay motivated and teach myself as much as possible but, as you can imagine, a coach reading powerpoints to a class of 64 people left us completely unprepared for the AP test.

Academic Interruptions Analysis

While this question is more straightforward than the other, that does not necessarily make it easier to answer. Last year, UT Austin had a version of this question as an optional prompt, as did the Common App. We touched on these, and writing about Covid 19 generally, before .

This prompt, however, is mandatory. We do not understand this decision, as the students who suffered notable academic setbacks already had a place to discuss these, and students without them had no cause for concern. Now, all applicants will have to write about stumbling blocks, which leads immediately to a problem.

Not all students have suffered academic setbacks or struggles in high school. This is normal, some students struggle more than others; thus an optional essay on academic challenges makes sense. By making this question mandatory, UT Austin seems to penalize students who have not suffered any academic struggles at all during their studies. 

Of course, due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, most every student will be able to write about some kind of academic interruption they suffered, be it virtual classes, AP test issues, or SAT and ACT cancellations. This is what the author does in the example above. 

While the author’s setback is not major in terms of grades, a rough course, especially when it impacts an AP exam as well, is notable. This story is far from unique, but the context it provides for the student’s academic achievement is important. While you don’t have to report low AP scores, colleges will still see that you took an AP class, and not reporting an associated score will often make them assume you either felt unprepared for the test, or you did poorly on the test.

While this essay would not be worth including in the additional information section under normal circumstances, the new prompt from UT Austin gives it a place to live. Notable as well is the author’s clear desire to continue learning, and attempts to remedy their situation, though they proved futile. Colleges like to see that you have shown initiative when pursuing your education, especially in the face of setbacks. 

While you may not have a great story to tell here, or a particularly original one, that doesn’t mean you can’t answer this prompt. When doing so, avoid giving too many excuses. Instead explain what happened, how it impacted you, and what you did about it. You should always focus on the third step if possible, as your actions demonstrate your drive and capabilities.

Final Thoughts

College essays are always a challenge to write, and even more of one when they are unexpected. While UT Austin’s new essays caught many students by surprise, we hope that these examples will help you when trying to answer them. The unfortunate truth of college admissions is that universities have far more power than students in the relationship, and they get to set the terms for how the process works.

If you want more individualized guidance when writing your essays, or have further concerns about your admissions journey, schedule a free consultation with us. We have deep experience helping students get into their dream schools, and are always happy to share what we know.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, ut austin supplemental essay advice.

Hey guys, I'm working on my UT Austin application and I'm a bit overwhelmed with their supplemental essays. Any tips on how to approach them to stand out? What are some dos and don'ts? Thanks!

Hey! I understand how daunting supplemental essays can be, but breaking them down and focusing on specific aspects can make it more manageable. I also recommend that you check out our complete guide to UT Austin's essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-ut-austin-essays.

Here are some overall tips to help you with your UT Austin supplemental essays:

1. Read the prompts carefully: Make sure you understand what each prompt is asking and take the time to brainstorm before you start writing.

2. Be specific: Admissions officers are interested in knowing what makes you unique. Focus on specific experiences, achievements, or goals that demonstrate your fit for UT Austin and the program you're applying to. For example, if you're applying to the business school, discuss a particular entrepreneurial project you led or an impactful business-related extracurricular you participated in.

3. Focus on the "why": Explain your motivation for choosing UT Austin and why their particular programs or resources align with your goals. Show your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the university – it'll make your essay much more compelling.

4. Be authentic and personal: Your essay should communicate your personality and your voice. Tell a story that demonstrates your values, passions, or unique qualities. This will help admissions officers get a better sense of who you are as an individual beyond your test scores and grades.

5. Show growth and reflection: Talking about how you've grown from an experience or how it shaped your perspective can be powerful. Reflect on the lessons you’ve learned and how these will contribute to your success at UT Austin and beyond.

6. Avoid clichés: Be mindful of overused themes or topics (e.g., sports injuries, immigrant stories, moving schools). Try to present a fresh and personal perspective that sets you apart from other applicants. If you must write about a common topic, find a unique angle or twist to your story.

7. Proofread and revise: It's essential to polish your essays before submitting them. Ask trusted friends, family, or teachers to read your essays and provide feedback to help you refine your message and improve the clarity of your writing.

Remember, the supplemental essays are a crucial opportunity to demonstrate your fit with UT Austin and showcase aspects of your personality and experiences that aren't already visible in the rest of your application. By approaching these essays thoughtfully and following the tips above, you'll be well on your way to crafting compelling responses that stand out. Good luck!

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How to Get Into University of Texas at Austin Guide

How to get into ut austin—general information.

The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university founded in 1883 . The school is located in Austin, Texas. It is home to more than 40,000 undergraduate students across 156 degree programs. Each year, UT Austin admissions strives to build a class of students that will help further UT Austin’s core mission to “transform lives for the benefit of society.”

What we’ll cover in this “How to Get Into UT Austin” guide:

• UT Austin average GPA and average UT Austin SAT scores
• Interpreting the UT Austin acceptance rate
• Requirements for the UT Austin application
• The UT Austin application deadline, including the UT Austin Early Action deadline
• And much more about the UT Austin admissions process!

We know that the UT Austin application process can feel intimidating. So, this “How to get into UT Austin” guide will answer your most asked questions. Questions like, “What is the UT Austin average GPA?” and “What is UT Austin admission’s review process like?”. Further, we’ll give you tips and resources to help guide you through the UT Austin application process and beat that UT Austin acceptance rate.

Figuring out how to get into UT Austin takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Want to maximize your UT Austin admissions odds?  Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

How can I get into UT Austin?

If this school is one of your top choices, you’ll want some concrete strategies on how to get into UT Austin. First, do some research Things like the UT Austin average GPA and average UT Austin SAT scores will help you build your strategy. Also, consider the UT Austin acceptance as you create your how to get into UT Austin plan.

In addition, you should make note of important deadlines, like the UT Austin Early Action deadline and the Regular Decision UT Austin application deadline. That way, you can begin your application with plenty of time to spare. Note that if you apply UT Austin Early Action, UT Austin admissions will share its decision about your UT Austin application by February 1 st.

In short, research, planning, and submitting your best work for your UT Austin application will give you a winning “how to get into UT Austin” strategy.

For help deciding whether UT Austin Early Action should feature in your “how to get into UT Austin” strategy, click here .

Is it hard to get into UT Austin?

As you think about how to get into UT Austin, you may wonder how hard it is to get in. 

Firstly, understand that UT Austin is a top-ranked school on a state, national, and global scale. In 2021, not only was UT Austin ranked in the top 10 public colleges in the US, it also ranked in the top 40 universities in the world . 

Secondly, the estimated UT Austin average GPA and average UT Austin SAT scores are high. Also, the UT Austin acceptance rate is quite low. You’ll read more about these later in this “how to get into UT Austin” guide. These high scores and low UT Austin acceptance rate suggest a competitive UT Austin admissions process. So, be sure to prepare accordingly!   

If you are a Texas resident in the top 6% of your public high school class, you are eligible for automatic admission . However, UT Austin admissions will still use a holistic review process to determine your major.

If you are applying from out of state or from a private school, it may be harder to get into UT Austin. So, you need to be especially thoughtful in crafting your “how to get into UT Austin” strategy.

What is the average GPA needed for UT Austin?

Anyone who wants to know how to get into UT Austin will wonder how their grades compare to the UT Austin average GPA. 

There is no reported UT Austin average GPA. However, several indicators suggest that the UT Austin average GPA is high. These include the class rank and UT Austin SAT scores of enrolled students. 

Firstly, 781 students from their last admitted class were valedictorians. In addition, UT Austin admissions gave automatic admission to students in Texas who were in the top 6% of their public high school class.

The middle 50% of applicants that chose to send UT Austin SAT scores and ACT scores had the following scores :

• UT Austin SAT scores: 1210-1470
• UT Austin ACT scores: 26-33

Finally, UT Austin admissions gives academic requirements and prerequisites . These, along with the high average UT Austin SAT scores, suggests that the UT Austin average GPA is high. We suggest you strive to exceed a GPA of 3.8. 

For help meeting the estimated UT Austin average GPA, check out this guide . For help getting those top UT Austin SAT scores, click here . 

What is the acceptance rate at UT Austin?

The UT Austin acceptance rate for the class of 2025 was 29%, making UT Austin a competitive school. This UT Austin acceptance rate is based on the 18,994 admitted students out of a total of 66,077 applications.

If you are a Texas resident in the top 6% of your public high school class, you are eligible under Texas state law for automatic admission to UT Austin. So if you’re a top in-state performer at your public school, you don’t need to worry about the UT Austin acceptance rate. 

By contrast, if you are an out-of-state applicant, UT Austin admissions will be more competitive for you than the official UT Austin acceptance rate shows. Texas residents made up 88.7% of the class of 2025. As a public university with an automatic admissions process, fewer spots are available for non-Texan applicants—even the highly qualified. 

So, if you are applying from out-of-state or from a private school, make sure you build the lower UT Austin acceptance rate into your “how to get into UT Austin” plan. Submit a strong application—high UT Austin SAT scores, and grades exceeding the predicted UT Austin average GPA—before the UT Austin application deadline. This is how to get into UT Austin successfully. 

What does the UT Austin application look like?

A good UT Austin application is at the heart of the best “how to get into UT Austin” plans. 

The first step to completing your UT Austin application is to choose how you want to apply. You can use either ApplyTexas or the Coalition for College application. If your college list includes several Texas universities, ApplyTexas may be the better fit. If the UT Austin application is the only UT application you’ll submit, check if your other colleges accept the Coalition application.

When considering how to get into UT Austin, you will want to prepare your materials well before the UT Austin application deadline. Students can choose to apply by the UT Austin Early Action deadline ( November 1 ) or the Regular Decision UT Austin application deadline (December 1). Most students who apply before the UT Austin Early Action deadline will receive a decision by February.

Whether you apply by the UT Austin Early Action deadline or the Regular Decision UT Austin application deadline, your UT Austin application must include these materials :

• ApplyTexas or Coalition Application
• UT Austin Supplemental Essay and Short Answers
• Secondary School Report (including official high school transcript)

There are several optional components of the UT Austin application, including:

• UT Austin SAT scores or ACT scores
• Expanded Resume
• Up to 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Additional materials (extra writing prompts, portfolio, audition, interview, etc.)

UT Austin SAT scores and ACT scores are not required. However, a high test score can strengthen your application. Given the low UT Austin acceptance rate, we suggest you submit UT Austin SAT scores if they meet or exceed the average. If you choose not to send UT Austin SAT scores or ACT scores, UT Austin admissions will rely more on other aspects of your application.

Be sure to check if your selected major has any further requirements well before the UT Austin application deadline. You can find a full list of these requirements under “major-specific items” on this page . 

Finally, if you are applying to one of UT Austin’s Freshman Honors Programs , you may need to submit an expanded resume or a letter of recommendation.

What extracurriculars does UT Austin look for?

As you plan how to get into UT Austin, you may find yourself stuck comparing your profile to the UT Austin average GPA and UT Austin SAT scores. However, UT Austin admissions knows that scores and grades aren’t everything. This is why the extracurricular section of your UT Austin application is important. It shows off your accomplishments and commitments, both inside and outside of school.

In the class of 2025:

• More than 80% of students held a formal leadership role in a school organization or activity
• 63% had a job or internship experience
• Nearly 30% received awards at the state, national, or international level
• About 20% founded a company, non-profit, or school organization.

If your extracurriculars don’t line up with these categories, that’s okay! UT Austin admissions isn’t looking for specific extracurriculars. Instead, they are looking for students who have qualities that align with their core values . These include leadership, curiosity, and commitment to improving the community. This article  will help you evaluate your extracurriculars as you build your “how to get into UT Austin” plan.

Does UT Austin do interviews? 

UT Austin admissions will not give you an interview as part of your UT Austin application, even if you apply UT Austin Early Action. So, preparing for an interview shouldn’t feature in your how to get into UT Austin strategy. 

However, students may need to interview for some programs. For example, applicants for the B.F.A. in Theatre Education may be invited to interview with the faculty after the UT Austin application deadline.

With this in mind, be sure you do the following:

• Research the UT Austin application requirements for your specific program thoroughly
• Complete your UT Austin application well before the UT Austin application deadline
• After the UT Austin application deadline, keep a close eye on your email and application portal for any further communications.

How to write a UT Austin supplemental essay

Supplemental essays are a required part of your UT Austin application. These must be submitted before the UT Austin application deadline. Especially given the low UT Austin acceptance rate, make sure your “how to get into UT Austin” plan includes learning how to nail these essays.  

Firstly, UT Austin admissions asks for an essay. You can find this under Topic A in ApplyTexas or under UT Austin Required Essay in the Coalition App.

The UT Austin essay prompt for 2021-2022 year is:

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (500-700 words)

In addition, you must complete four short answers , each between 250-300 words. Above all, these give you a chance to tell UT Austin admissions about:

• Your preferred major
• The value you would bring to the UT student community 
• How your ambitions and values align with those of UT Austin
• Your demonstrated interest in the school

For an in-depth dive into UT Austin’s prompts, check out our UT Austin Supplemental Essay Guide .

The UT Austin application essays are a critical part of your “how to get into UT Austin” plan. Your essays can highlight your strengths! This is true even if you didn’t meet the average UT Austin SAT scores or the UT Austin average GPA threshold. 

Finally, as you make your “how to get into UT Austin” plan, set aside time to complete any additional writing. This includes essay prompts, portfolios, audition videos, or other materials required by your selected major or honors program.

How does UT Austin review applications?

When thinking about how to get into UT Austin, you are probably wondering what happens after the UT Austin application deadline. UT Austin admissions uses a holistic review process . They consider your academic strengths as reflected in your transcripts, honors/awards, class rank, and test scores. They also look at your achievements and personal qualities reflected in your extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations.

In addition, UT Austin admissions considers how competitive your selected major is. It takes into account any special circumstances that may provide context for your achievements. This can include details about your background—who you are and how you got to where you are today.

Will UT Austin consider my social media accounts?

As you research how to get into UT Austin, you’ve likely covered the basics, like the UT Austin acceptance rate and UT Austin average GPA. The question of social media might then cross your mind. Will UT Austin admissions consider your social media accounts when reviewing your UT Austin application? The short answer is “no.”

Although your social media accounts won’t be officially reviewed, keep in mind that anything you post online is public. In general, you shouldn’t post anything you wouldn’t want a future professor or employer to see. 

That said, UT Austin’s social platforms are a great place to learn more about what kind of school UT Austin is and what it has to offer.

Is UT Austin a good school for me?

Before you start thinking about how to get into UT Austin or worrying about the UT Austin acceptance rate, you need to decide if UT Austin is a good fit for you. Research the University of Texas at Austin and consider factors like size, cost,  financial aid, academic programs, and campus culture. This can help you make a decision based on your needs.

Take some time to explore UT Austin’s website. There, you can learn about academics , life in Austin , and student research opportunities . Attending one of UT Austin’s virtual sessions will also give you the chance to explore campus and learn more about what each academic school has to offer. 

Once you’ve decided UT Austin is the school for you, start preparing your materials well in advance of the RD UT Austin application deadline or UT Austin Early Action deadline.

This article will help you decide whether UT Austin Early Action is right for you. 

Additional tips to get into UT Austin

Here are our final tips for how to get into UT Austin. Bear them in mind as the UT Austin application deadline approaches!

Build good relationships

While recommendation letters are not required, giving UT Austin admissions an outside view on what kind of student you are can strengthen your UT Austin application. Whether you are applying by the UT Austin Early Action deadline or the RD UT Austin application deadline, give your recommenders enough time to write their letters.

Stay ahead of deadlines

Making a timeline for college applications will help you stay on track to submit your materials by the UT Austin application deadline. Plan who you’re going to ask for recommendations and give yourself time to draft, edit, and revise your UT Austin application essays. This is especially important if you plan to apply by the UT Austin Early Action deadline.

Make your application school-specific

There is no one way to make your application stand out to UT Austin admissions. However, making sure your UT Austin application aligns with UT Austin’s campus culture, values, and goals will give your reader an idea of what you’ll bring to UT Austin.

This guide was written by Stefanie Tedards. If you want to know how to get into UT Austin, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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