Review & Decision Process
Each application receives an individualized holistic review as part of our decision review process. This process informs decisions of admission as well as major selection.
Decision Timing
We consider every application individually and in relation to the admission factors for the University and for the college, school and majors to which you apply. As a result, some decisions will be delivered earlier than others.
Summer/Fall Enrollment (Freshmen)
- Early Action Decisions ReleasedJanuary 15
- All Decisions ReleasedFebruary 15
Summer/Fall Enrollment (Transfer)
- Decisions ReleasedMid/Late-June
Spring Enrollment (Freshman + Transfer)
- Decisions ReleasedMid-December
What We Look for in Holistic Review
The University uses an individualized, holistic review process to consider each completed application. No specific class rank, test score or other qualification by itself—other than automatic admission based on section 51.803 of the Texas Education Code—ensures admission.
Items Reviewed for Freshman Applicants
- Class rank
- Strength of academic background
- Test scores
- Record of achievements, honors and awards
- Special accomplishments, work and service both in and out of school
- Essays
- Recommendations (although not required)
- Competitiveness of the major you applied to
Items Reviewed for Transfer Applicants
- Substantial coursework from a challenging academic institution
- Evidence of relevant coursework and experiences related to your field of study
- Required courses for specific areas of study
- Evidence of a positive academic trend (GPA)
Supplemental Items
If you believe that supplemental items will help convey information about your qualifications better, we encourage you to submit them with your application. Supplemental items include:
- Resumes of accomplishments and extracurricular activities (Note: Resume is required for transfer admission)
- Letters of recommendation
- Letters addressing your special circumstances
Automatic Admission Decisions
Freshman
The initial legislation, passed into law in 1997, offered automatic admission to eligible students in the top 10 percent of their Texas high school class. In 2009, the law was modified for The University of Texas at Austin. Under the new law, the University must automatically admit enough students to fill 75 percent of available Texas resident spaces. Each fall, the University notifies Texas school officials of the class rank that current high school juniors need to attain by the end of their junior year in order to be automatically admitted.
• Summer/Fall 2025 and Spring 2025 applicants: Top 6%
• Summer/Fall 2026 and Spring 2026 applicants: Top 5%
Transfer
If you graduated from a Texas high school, you may qualify for automatic transfer admission.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have graduated from high school in 2008 or later.
- Qualify based on Texas law for automatic freshman admission to a Texas university.
- Enroll at a Texas community or junior college after you graduate from high school.
- Complete the core curriculum at a Texas public junior college or other Texas public or private lower-division institution of higher education.
- Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale (or the equivalent).
- Apply for transfer admission to a term no later than four years after the academic year (e.g. 2014-15) in which you graduated from high school.
Requesting Automatic Transfer Admission
If you want to be considered for automatic transfer admission, check the box on your application to indicate that you believe you qualify. In addition to the regular application requirements, you must submit:
- A completed Automatic Transfer Admission Form Automatic Transfer Admission Form.
- An official high school transcript indicating your class rank at graduation.
- An official college transcript indicating your completion of the core curriculum.
After you apply, refer to MyStatus for additional details about your automatic transfer admission status.
Decision Types
1. Admit
Congratulations! You’ve been offered a place in the freshman class at UT Austin. You should submit your housing application if you haven’t already done so and submit your enrollment deposit.
2. Deferral
Due to the competitiveness of the applicant pool and limited space in high-demand programs, some applicants who meet the Early Action deadline may receive a defer decision by January 15. These applicants will continue to be considered for admission based on the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Students will receive a final decision no later than February 15.
3. Denial
We regret that we are not able to offer admission at this time.
4. Alternative Pathways
Some Texas students who are not offered admission to UT Austin may be offered an alternate pathway to enroll.
Appeals
UT Austin has a thorough and thoughtful review process. A reverse in an admissions decision is unlikely. However, students may submit an appeal in certain situations.