UT Admissions Decisions 2017
I've got no idea what this sign means, and, like UT admissions, I often don't know who will and won't gain admission. At least in Africa, I resign myself to never knowing what is going on. As I stress throughout my blog and videos, this is a stressful, uncertain, and unpredictable process.
I know that yesterday was a stressful time for many of you, and a celebratory time for a lucky few. Congratulations to everyone who gained admission to UT. I know that, for many of you, it is your first choice major and dream school. I hope that you take advantage of UT's resources and make the most of your time on the 40 Acres.
I know that for many of you, this is a deeply disappointing time. I encourage you not to look at admissions decisions as a reflection of your self-worth. UT is looking out on a great number of students
UT released their decisions one week earlier than any time since I have been in higher education, since 2011. I stopped working for UT January 1, 2014.
Usually, they release the last week in February. This year, many more students found out earlier on a rolling basis than had occurred in previous years. UT released batches of decisions once monthly starting in November.
All regular decisions have been released. It is to be determined if all honors programs have released their decisions.
Last year, UT received 47,511 applicants admitting 19,074 students. Both numbers were records. Since 2006, UT has nearly doubled their applicants from 26,000. It's possible they exceeded 50,000 applications this year for fewer spaces than last. UT usually releases this number, but I haven't seen it yet.
Computer Science and Engineering seemed particularly competitive this year reflecting larger trends nationwide. In 2010, UT CS received 475 applicants for 269 spaces. In 2016, they received 2,691 applicants for 572 spaces - a 500% increase. I have no doubt that CS continued this steep upward trend this year.
The Cockrell School in 2010 received 6,194 applicants for 2,422 spaces. In 2016, 11,261 applicants competed for 3,066 spaces. Business, as always, is competitive, with an admissions rate around 25% for the past six years.
UT adjusted their admissions process this year where each application was read by two junior reviewers. Any large disputes are adjudicated by a senior reviewer. All borderline applicants are "reread" during January and February to determine how to draw the line at the margins.
Should you appeal? It probably won't work. It's like a 1% chance of working. Appeals can and do work, but unless you have a significant new piece of information, an error in your application, have a twin sibling that gained admission and you didn't, or you are an early college student who wants to appeal as a transfer student, UT will reconsider your application and most likely not change their decision.
PACE or CAP? Both can be good options. About 1/3 of enrolling transfers come through the CAP program. I still have no idea why some get PACE and others don't - it's a small number.