UT Makes Changes to Application for Class of 2025: What You Need to Know

By Adriel Morado

March 2024

Read Time: 3 minutes and 15 seconds

Longing to be a longhorn? The University of Texas at Austin officials have announced upcoming changes to their application for Class of 2025 students applying this Fall. So, if you are unsure of how to navigate these new adjustments, we are here to help. Here is everything you need to know.

Reinstating Standardized Testing Requirements

Since suspending the standardized score requirement in Spring 2020 due to testing limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, undergraduate applicants will no longer be able to apply test-optional. Beginning this Fall, UT will reinstate its standardized testing requirements for students applying during the August 1st–December 1st, 2024 application period. 

You may be wondering, why? “Our experience during the test-optional period reinforced that standardized testing is a valuable tool for deciding who is admitted and making sure those students are placed in majors that are the best fit. Also, with an abundance of high school GPAs surrounding 4.0, especially among our auto-admits, an SAT or ACT score is a proven differentiator that is in each student’s and the University’s best interest,” said President Jay Hartzell. Also, an analysis of the University's data revealed that those with higher standardized scores were more likely to perform significantly better in their first semester of college, relative to those that chose not to have their scores considered as part of their holistic review. 

UT will continue conducting holistic reviews, considering standardized test scores, transcripts, honors/awards, and personal qualities displayed through extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters for each applicant. Reinstating standardized test scores will not affect the admissions decision for students who qualify for automatic admission, instead, test scores will be used to match automatic admits to their choice of majors. 

What do I do if I am not happy with my test scores?

First, consider retaking the ACT or DSAT (digital SAT) and reaching out for academic assistance. Cram Crew offers in-home, one-on-one test preparation (TP) services where you will be matched with a TP consultant that will evaluate your current scores and identify specific areas in need of improvement. During TP sessions, your consultant will guide you through an extensive curriculum crafted in-house by our own development team and provide you with personalized testing strategies. As a TP client, you will also have the opportunity to register for complimentary Mock Exams. Our Mock Exams mimic a real testing environment and serve as a great place to start and track your growth along your TP journey. 

Here are the remaining standardized test dates for 2024:

ACT:

• April 13, 2024 
• June 8, 2024
• July 13, 2024 *No test centers scheduled in New York

DSAT:

• May 4, 2024
• June 1, 2024

Don’t want to take another standardized test?

We encourage you to write Essay S. Essay S is an optional supplemental essay that gives you the opportunity to provide details of circumstances or qualifications not reflected in other areas of your application within 250-650 words. Throughout your essay, be sure to explain why your test scores are not an accurate reflection of your student ability. You might also include exceptional hardships, challenges or opportunities that impacted your academic credentials. 

Similar to our test preparation services, Cram Crew also offers in-home, one-on-one college readiness (CR) services to help students and their families navigate the college admissions process from application to acceptance. Each student will be supported by CEO and Director of College Readiness, Deepak Thadani, an internal team of editors to refine your materials, and a college readiness consultant. Our college readiness consultants will assist you with essay writing, resumes, and other application materials. We understand that no two students are alike, which is why we create a customizable approach from planning to strategizing and executing applications.

Additional Changes to the UT Application Process

• Introduction of a new Early Action program. This optional deadline will require application submission by Oct. 15, with a guaranteed decision communicated to applicants by Jan. 15. The regular deadline for applications will remain Dec. 1, with a guaranteed decision communicated by Feb. 15.
• Modification of the required essay. This will provide greater flexibility in topic choice and enable students to leverage responses used on other applications, while expanding opportunity for a more personalized response.
• Reduction in the number of short answer responses. This reduction from three responses to two will maintain the currently used major-related question, while creating a new prompt that allows students to highlight a specific activity of their choice.
• Introduction of a waitlist. Applies to students who are not automatically admitted. Most students will be notified as early as March 1 if they are admitted from the waitlist.
• Narrowed scope for letters of recommendation. Applicants submitting letters of recommendation will be strongly encouraged to provide those letters from sources outside of their high school. This reduces the burden of this work on high school teachers and counselors and allows University staff to better leverage other materials.

For more information, visit: https://news.utexas.edu/2024/03/11/ut-austin-reinstates-standardized-test-scores-in-admissions/