UT Austin Raises Automatic Admission Threshold to 5% for Fall 2026
Exciting news for high school students in Texas! The University of Texas at Austin has announced a change in its automatic admission threshold – starting fall 2026, students will need to be in the top 5% of their graduating class to secure a spot at the prestigious institution. This adjustment comes after the university received an overwhelming 73,000 undergraduate applications for the upcoming academic year.
State law mandates that Texas public universities offer automatic admission to students in the top 10% of their graduating class. However, UT Austin was given the flexibility to set a higher standard to accommodate other factors like out-of-state students and athletes.
Currently, UT Austin reserves 75% of its freshman class for automatic admittees, with the remaining 25% admitted through a holistic review process that takes into account various factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.
The university has the authority to adjust the automatic admission threshold annually in order to maintain a diverse student body. In 2017, the threshold was lowered from 7% to 6% due to a surge in applications, and now, with a record 73,000 applications received, the threshold has been further reduced to 5%.
President Jay Hartzell highlighted the need for this change to address the growing number of applicants and ensure a balance in admissions. The move aims to uphold the university’s commitment to inclusivity and equity in higher education.
Introduced in 1997, the automatic admissions requirement was designed to promote diversity in Texas public universities. By admitting top students from high schools across the state, universities are able to create a more representative student body. While proponents praise the rule for providing equal access to top schools, critics argue that it can pose challenges for students in well-resourced schools.
As UT Austin continues to evolve and adapt to changing demographics, this adjustment in the automatic admission threshold reflects the university’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for all students.