Class rank demonstrates how you compare to your peers in a given academic environment. Rank is an important factor for all applicants, even those who are not eligible for automatic admission under Texas law.

If you graduate from a non-ranking high school or an atypical high school (if you were home schooled, for example), it is still possible for you to be considered for admission. Your school will need to send us information about its ranking policy and provide us with a school profile to help us consider your academic achievement without an explicit rank for you.

Although test scores aren’t everything, considered with other academic information they can be a meaningful indicator of academic ability.

• No minimum test score is needed for an applicant to be considered for admission.
• No score by itself, no matter how high, guarantees admission to any applicant.
• If you submit more than one official score report, the Office of Admissions will use the score from a single test date that will benefit you the most when your application is reviewed.
• The Office of Admissions does not combine scores from different test dates (a critical reading score from one test date with a mathematics score from another test date, for example) to come up with a better score.

SAT Subject Test Scores

SAT Subject Test scores are not required when applying for admission. However, any information submitted as part of an applicant’s record, including any submitted test scores, may be considered during the evaluation of an individual application.

The university does use certain SAT Subject Tests for placement. Scores are used to determine which university courses are appropriate for entering students.

When making admission decisions, we look positively upon students who show their commitment to academics by taking the most rigorous coursework available to them. Level of coursework taken is considered in context with the availability of coursework in your high school.

Visit the Required High School Courses page for details.

Your two essays offer an opportunity for you to provide insight about what matters to you. Use the essays you submit to show off your skill as a writer but also to display your creativity and your ability to think through issues and problems.

Take the time needed to write clearly and reflectively. Your essays will be read and reviewed holistically (rather than with a red pen in hand) to evaluate the quality of your writing and to uncover personal information about you.

For help in writing your essays, visit the Hints & Tips page.

One indicator of likely college success is the extent of a student’s involvement in his or her community. As a result, it’s important for your resume information to show your long-term commitment to and leadership in extracurricular activities, community service, and work and employment experiences. Include details about your talents, honors and awards.

We encourage you to submit an expanded resume if you need to do so to provide us with a complete picture of your activities.

Although not required for a complete application, sometimes a well-written letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well can enhance your application. Such letters can provide additional information about your personal and academic achievements or about things you may not have been able to tell us about yourself.

• Recommendations should be mailed or faxed to the Office of Admissions.
• Applicants who don’t submit recommendation letters are not penalized.