Admissions Data and Tips for the Cockrell School of Engineering
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In this post, I share admissions statistics, application tips and advice, my recommendations for rank and test scores by major, Engineering Honors, sharing some client data, and a list of alternatives to Cockrell.
Interested in transferring? Visit this post.
Cockrell of Engineering Admissions Statistics
The Cockrell School is unique among UT-Austin colleges and schools because they admit students based on their first choice major. When applying, it’s important that you select two engineering disciplines.
Below is the most recent data I have from a few years ago of application and admission numbers from Fall 2010 - 2016. It’s possible that for Fall 2022, Cockrell received 15,000-17,000 applications for around 3,500 spaces for a similar admissions rate as 2016.
Check out my new book Surviving the College Admissions Madness and Youtube Channel
Watch the video for admissions data for each engineering major.
Cockrell School of Engineering Application and Essay Tips
It is critical that you do your research before applying. Reviewers have high expectations that you have a clear idea why you are applying to your desired engineering discipline and how you hope a UT education helps you after graduation.
Unlike other universities, UT requires students to choose an engineering discipline as a HS senior with the expectation that they remain with it for all four years. Mechanical Engineering is the most popular and in-demand option because it offers the most career flexibility. They also have flexible curriculum options through the Career Gateway Electives that may appeal to students who have interdisciplinary interests.
Consider discussing your physics and math classes and perhaps an influential teacher. Share an anecdote of a particularly memorable project or independent study. If you’ve taken engineering electives, discuss any relevant themes and how they’ve helped shape your future studies and goals. Write about robotics, engineering competitions, research projects, tutoring, and anything else relevant to STEM.
You should research the different curricula and resources for the many Engineering majors to choose the one that’s your best fit. One way to articulate why you want to study something or pursue a path is to, in your essays, acknowledge a few alternatives and why they interest you less.
In your essays, tell your reviewer Why UT by identifying a few specific professors, research opportunities, student organizations, etc., that interest you. Pinpointing reasons why you’re applying will help separate your application from others. Saying “UT is the best Engineering program in Texas” or “Austin is a wonderful city” is not enough.
Also consider discussing how you bring a unique perspective to campus and classroom discussions and how you see yourself as a leader on UT’s campus.
For your resume, it is important to expand upon and elaborate as much as possible any relevant Engineering specific or STEM experience generally and how they support your first choice major. I understand not everyone will have relevant experience, but a record of pursuing your interests can be a difference maker.
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Rank and Test Score Recommendations by Major
Since Cockrell admits based on your first-choice major rather than the overall school, the number of applicants and spaces changes each year. Some majors that used to be less competitive like Aerospace are much moreso nowadays.
Others like Petroleum used to be the most competitive Cockrell major ten years ago. I suspect with the emergence of climate change and green engineering, it’s become a lot less popular. Chemical, Biomedical, and Electrical/Computer are always more competitive than average. Civil and Architectural are below average competitiveness.
Check out this list of top Aerospace Engineering programs. Some of them might surprise you and are more affordable/less selective than UT-Austin.
Engineering Honors Program (EHP)
There is little information available publicly about how Engineering Honors admits their students or their admitted student profile. Competitive applicants to Engineering programs tend to come from the top 5% of their class scoring around 1500 on the SAT.
Some programs are more competitive than others, however, so what you select as your first choice will influence your regular admissions decision. I provide Engineering applicant and admitted student admissions data in this video.
Regardless of which program you wish to enroll, Engineering Honors admits students from all Engineering departments. I've been told, but I don't have any links to support this observation, that their admissions process is largely driven by a student's class rank and test score.
This chart shared recently from an Open Records Request on Reddit’s UT Austin Subreddit provides additional data that their process is driven largely by academics and the Personal Achievement Index score assigned by regular admissions. It is speculated a score of 21 or higher is a minimum requirement for admission.
They do not require an expanded resume or a recommendation letter. Unlike other honors programs that begin their review process as they receive their applicants, I'm informed that Engineering Honors waits until the Office of Admissions makes their decisions. Then, they select their honors students from the pool of admitted students.
In practice, admitted Engineering Honors students rank at the very top of their class scoring nearly perfect on the SAT/ACT especially on the math section. It also seems that, of the admitted Engineering honors students, the top third or quarter will also receive scholarships.
Unlike Plan II and Business Honors which are majors, Engineering Honors does not have many course requirements. Honors provides resources to supplement the Cockrell School's already extensive support services.
Engineering First-Time Freshman Client Outcomes
I’ve worked with 37 freshman clients since Fall 2017 across a variety of engineering disciplines. 26 gained admission for a 71% success rate.
Alternatives to the Cockrell School of Engineering
The School of Architecture
Science and Technology Management, McCombs School of Business
Supply Chain Management, McCombs School of Business
Environmental Science in the College of Natural Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, or the Jackson School of Geosciences
Geological Sciences or Geosystems Engineering, Jackson School of Geosciences
Urban Studies, College of Liberal Arts
Geography, College of Liberal Arts
Computer Science, College of Natural Sciences
Astronomy, College of Natural Sciences
Applied Mathematics, College of Natural Sciences
Space Sciences, Physics, College of Natural Sciences
Computational Physics, College of Natural Sciences