does ut austin require supplemental essays

Essays & Short Answers

Summer/Fall 2025 Essay

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

The Common App personal essay will complete the UT Austin essay requirement.

Spring 2025 Essays

All freshman Spring 2025 applicants must submit Topic A in ApplyTexas.

Please keep your essay between 500–700 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Spring 2025 Essay Topic

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Submitting Your Essay

You can submit your essays:

• In conjunction with your application.
• Using the Document Upload System in MyStatus.

*Students do not need to submit other Common App essays. We’ll only review what is required.

Short Answers

Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application. Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

Summer/Fall 2025 Prompts

• Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
• Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? ( Guidance for student s: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

Spring 2025 Prompts

• Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.
• The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

Submitting Your Short Answers

You can submit your short answers with either your Common App or Apply Texas application. Short answer responses must be completed in order to submit your application.

Transfer applicants must submit one essay responding to Topic A. Applicants to the School of Architecture are required to upload Topic D in addition to Topic A. 

Essay Topics

Topic a (required).

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school/college or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admission committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and the other application information cannot convey.

Topic D (School of Architecture majors only)

Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study, describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space effected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?

Submitting Your Essay(s)

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

June 26, 2024

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top public universities in the United States, and its ultra-elite business, engineering, and computer science programs attract brilliant teen minds from all over the world. It’s no wonder that close to 73,000 students applied for a chance to join the Longhorn Class of 2028. This enthusiasm has caused the annual acceptance rate to drop significantly. Thanks to a state policy that guarantees admission to Texas high schoolers who finish in the top 6% of their class, close to 90% of UT Austin’s 40,000+ undergraduate students placed in the top decile of their high school cohort. Additionally, the mean SAT for entering freshmen is over 1400. That brings us to the immense importance of the UT Austin supplemental essay prompts.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into UT Austin? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into UT Austin: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In a rare move, UT Austin reduced the number of supplemental essays that students need to write for the 2024-25 admissions cycle. However, the UT Austin supplemental section still affords applicants an excellent opportunity to showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are the University of Texas at Austin’s three supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with advice on how to address each one.

UT Austin Supplemental Essay — 2024-25

1. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (500-650 words)

It doesn’t get more open-ended prompt than “topic of your choice.” Feel free to take this in whatever direction produces the most compelling and personal essay you can compose. What do you want the admissions office to know that they couldn’t possibly glean from anywhere else in your application? Don’t be afraid to share your struggles just as freely as your triumphs. An emotionally honest essay that showcases your unique personality is the desired product here.

One additional tip from an essay writing efficiency standpoint…if you are applying to a number of schools through the Common and/or Coalition App, you can “recycle” your Common App essay here (or vice versa).

UT Austin Short Answer Prompts — 2024-25

Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph.

1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

Share your authentic story of why you are interested in a particular discipline. For example, what books have you read on the subject? What documentaries have you watched? Which podcasts have you listened to? What subtopics most intrigue you? Did a teacher excite you about a topic or was it a parent or outside mentor? Do you know where you want to take this knowledge post-bachelor’s degree? Do you aim to one day go on to pursue a graduate/professional degree or is there an occupation you are shooting for right out of undergrad? Include as much detail as possible.

You can structure the narrative of this essay as a soup-to-nuts chronicling of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest or you could share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc.

UT Austin Essay Prompts (Continued)

 2. Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work, or a family responsibility.)

Perhaps you are the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, or the president of a club. On the other hand, you may simply be a valuable contributing member. Regardless of whether you are a leading man/woman or a still-essential bit player, make sure that you use your writing ability to show the admissions officer what type of involved team member you are and why you are proud of your contributions.

You can also discuss how you have engaged with your high school local/community. Share what you have learned from interacting with people of a different ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, etc. Draw on past evidence of your commitment to being a positive force in the context of your activity/activities. Finally, you can draw a link between your past efforts and future aims by researching and citing UT Austin organizations or initiatives. The admissions committee wants to understand precisely how you will contribute to their campus community.

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

This section functions similarly to the Additional Information section of the Common App . Feel free to use this space if you encountered any hardships that impacted your academic performance. This could be anything from dealing with a divorce to challenges faced from a learning disability.

However, this prompt is truly optional and you should only take advantage of the space if you need it. If your high school performance has not been majorly impacted by special circumstances or events, you do not need to write this essay.

How important are the essays at UT Austin?

In essence, UT Austin’s admission staff “uses an individualized, holistic review process to consider each completed freshman application. Applications from students who qualify for automatic admission are reviewed to determine admission to specific colleges, schools, and majors. Applications from students who are not eligible for automatic admission are reviewed to determine admissibility and to make decisions about admission to specific colleges, schools, and majors.”

The following items are considered during the holistic review:

• Strength of academic background
• Test scores
• Record of achievements, honors, and awards
• Special accomplishments, work, and service both in and out of school
• Special circumstances that put the applicant’s academic achievements into context, including his or her socioeconomic status, experience in a single-parent home, family responsibilities, experience overcoming adversity, cultural background, race and ethnicity, the language spoken in the applicant’s home, and other information in the applicant’s file
• Recommendations (although not required)
• Competitiveness of the major to which the student applies

UT Austin Essay Prompts – Want Personalized Assistance?

To conclude, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UT Austin supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Need more writing-related resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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University of Texas at Austin 2024-25 Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Oct 15

Regular Decision Deadline: Dec 1

University of Texas at Austin 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500-650 words; 2 short essays of 150 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Activity , Additional Info ,   Personal statement

Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. it can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design..

UT Austin used to ask applicants to tell a story about opportunities or challenges that shaped who they are today, but this year, admissions is opening the essay up to be about anything you like. This is a great place to recycle your Common App essay , regardless of which prompt you decided to respond to. If, on the other hand, you haven’t drafted a Common App essay, you may still find inspiration in the seven prompts. Ultimately, this is an opportunity for admissions to get to know the person behind the application data better, so you’ll want to tell a story that offers insight into who you are and who you hope to become.

Short Answers

Submit the required short answers to prompts in your admission application., answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt, typically the length of one paragraph., why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major.

This prompt sounds simple enough: describe what you want to study and why you like it so much that you’re willing to dedicate four years of your life to it (at the very least). While you might be tempted to get technical or poetic in your response, your reader will expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion. In other words, tell a story. Lucky for you, we would have advised you to start with an anecdote anyway. The most memorable essays spring from concrete descriptions of your experiences. What excites you and why? When was the last time you got drawn down a Reddit rabbit hole – and what was the topic? While you don’t need to pinpoint the exact moment you became interested in ancient history or calculus, try to zero in on some inspiring experience. What was the best TED Talk you ever watched? The first time you spoke to your new friend in ASL? Your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study. And don’t forget to talk about UT Austin! By the end of your essay, your reader should not only know why you are passionate about your chosen major, but also what excites you about Austin’s program. In admissions, we call that your fit!

Oh and a quick shoutout to all the undecideds out there: don’t worry! If you can’t decide, then tell a story that demonstrates your wide range of interests or natural curiosity. Focus on the opportunities UT Austin offers across departments and how you plan to explore once you arrive on campus. It’s normal to want to try new things at the start of college!

Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

Next up is a fun twist on the classic Activity Essay, which asks you to expand on an extracurricular endeavor that you are most proud of. Although we usually urge students to write about items that haven’t appeared elsewhere on their application, the Activity Essay is an exception. The trick here is to be authentic. The activity you want to write about will likely catapult to the front of your mind rather quickly, but if it doesn’t, take a moment to review your activities list (or start making one if you haven’t already) and reflect on each of those experiences. 

Maybe you want to write about your experience in the Debate Club, how you started with a fear of public speaking and, over the course of a few years, developed a knack for not only capturing the attention of a crowd, but thinking on your feet, as well! Or, perhaps you want to write about the Saturday mornings you spent volunteering in your neighborhood and the pride you take in serving your community. (Just make sure to avoid common Volunteering Essay pitfalls !) 

Whatever activity you choose to write about, be sure to infuse your story with specific, personal details so that no one else could have written it.

Optional Short Answer

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance. (40 lines, or about 250-300 words).

This essay is perfect for students who have encountered outstanding challenges, and need an opportunity to explain them. In fact, we recommend saving those details for an Additional Info essay, so that you can use the rest of your application to highlight other parts of your amazing personality. So, if something has happened that affected your academic performance, this is a great opportunity to explain the circumstances. Did a COVID-19 infection during your junior year cause your participation in clubs and activities to take a hit? Did a family emergency cause an overall drop in your GPA? A drop in grades or a gap in your resume does not define you. Remember to make this essay not about the things you couldn’t control, but the actions you took to improve the situation. You don’t want to come off as a victim of circumstance, but as a resilient person who can take steps to positively affect their situation.

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UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

By Eric Eng

Are you setting your sights on the University of Texas at Austin for the 2023-2024 academic year? If so, you’re probably aware that crafting standout supplemental essays is a crucial part of your application. These essays are your opportunity to show UT Austin not just your academic strengths, but also your unique personality, interests, and what you can bring to their vibrant community.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essay prompts. You’ll find practical tips and insights to help you create essays that resonate with the admissions committee. Whether you’re a natural at writing or find it a bit challenging, this guide is tailored to make the essay-writing process clear and less daunting for you. So, let’s get started and turn those blank pages into your ticket to UT Austin !

How Many Supplemental Essays Does UT Austin Have?

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, the University of Texas at Austin has set specific requirements for freshman applicants in terms of essay and short answer responses. Here’s a detailed look at what’s required:

Firstly, there is a mandatory essay for all freshman applicants. This essay is a chance for you to share your personal story. It focuses on the unique opportunities or challenges you’ve encountered throughout your high school journey that have shaped your identity.

In addition to the required essay, there are three short answer prompts that you must respond to. The first prompt asks you to explain your interest in the major you’ve selected as your first choice. The second prompt invites you to describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, or leadership activities will contribute to your impact both inside and outside the classroom at UT Austin. The third prompt is centered around UT Austin’s core purpose, prompting you to reflect on how you expect your experience at the university to equip you to “Change the World” after graduation.

Moreover, there is an optional short answer question. This provides you with an opportunity to discuss any special circumstances or events that may have influenced your academic performance in high school. This optional prompt is an excellent chance to provide more context to your application, particularly if you’ve faced challenges that have impacted your academic journey.

These essay and short answer prompts collectively offer a comprehensive platform for you to showcase various facets of your personality, experiences, and goals, allowing the admissions committee to gain a deeper understanding of who you are and what you aspire to achieve at UT Austin. The total number of supplemental essay prompts for the 2023-2024 application cycle at UT Austin is five. This includes one required essay and four short answer prompts (three required and one optional).

What are the 2023-2024 UT Austin Supplemental Essay Prompts?

Required essay: 500-700 words.

“Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?”

Short Answer Prompts: 250-300 Words Per Prompt

“Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

“Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.”

“The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, ‘To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.’ Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to ‘Change the World’ after you graduate.”

Optional Short Answer Prompt: 250-300 Words

“Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.”

How to Write the 2023-2024 UT Austin Supplemental Essays

Required essay, understanding the question.

This prompt is asking you to think about how you have grown and what you have learned during your high school years. It gives you a chance to talk about what makes you unique, how strong and adaptable you are, and the ways your experiences have made you who you are today. You can share stories about important events or moments that have had a big impact on your life, teaching you valuable lessons and helping you grow as a person. This is a great opportunity to tell your own story and show how your past has prepared you for the future.

Crafting Your Response

1. Unique Personal Experiences: Think about events or situations that have had a significant impact on you. This could be a family circumstance, a cultural event, a personal challenge, or a moment of triumph. Describe these experiences vividly, focusing on how they contributed to your personal development. Reflect on the emotions, lessons learned, and how these experiences have influenced your outlook or aspirations.

2. Academic and Intellectual Growth: You might want to discuss an academic challenge or a project that sparked your interest in a particular field. Explain how overcoming academic hurdles or engaging deeply with a subject has shaped your educational journey. This is not just about listing achievements but reflecting on the process of learning and growing intellectually.

3. Extracurricular Activities and Leadership: Share how your involvement in activities outside the classroom has contributed to your personal growth. This could include sports, clubs, volunteering, or any form of leadership. Highlight specific instances where you made a significant impact, learned valuable skills, or developed new perspectives.

4. Overcoming Adversity: If you’ve faced and overcome significant challenges, this prompt is an excellent place to share that story. Explain the situation, how you dealt with it, what you learned from it, and how it has prepared you for future challenges. Be honest and introspective, showing your resilience and strength.

5. Future Goals and Aspirations: While the prompt focuses on your past, it’s also a chance to connect your experiences to your future goals. Explain how your unique experiences during high school have shaped your ambitions and how these align with what you hope to achieve at UT Austin. This link between past experiences and future aspirations can demonstrate purpose and direction.

Remember, the key is to be authentic and introspective, providing a window into who you are and how your unique experiences have shaped you.

Short Answer Prompt 1

This prompt is asking you to explain why you want to study a particular subject in college. It’s a chance for you to talk about how your past experiences, the things you’re interested in right now, and what you want to do in the future all relate to the major you’ve picked. Think of it as a way to show how your life story and your goals are connected to the subject you want to study.

1. Personal Passion and Interest: Begin by reflecting on what personally attracts you to this major. Perhaps you’ve always been fascinated by a particular subject, or you had an experience that sparked your interest. Describe this passion in detail. Explain how your interest developed over time, what specific aspects of the subject intrigue you, and how pursuing this major aligns with your personal interests and strengths.

2. Relevant Experiences and Achievements: Think about experiences in your life that relate directly to your chosen major. These could be academic projects, extracurricular activities, internships, or even personal projects. Discuss these experiences in depth, highlighting how they strengthened your interest in the field and prepared you for further study. Describe any challenges you faced and how overcoming them reinforced your commitment to this major.

3. Career Aspirations: Link your choice of major to your long-term career goals. Explain how this major is a stepping stone to your envisioned future. Discuss the skills and knowledge you hope to gain and how they are essential for your career path. Be specific about your ambitions and how the major will equip you for your desired role or industry.

4. Connection to UT Austin: Research how UT Austin’s program in this major is particularly suited to your goals and interests. Discuss specific courses, professors, research opportunities, or unique aspects of the program that attracted you. This shows that your choice is well-considered and that you are informed about what UT Austin specifically offers in your field of interest.

5. Personal Growth and Future Contribution: Reflect on how studying this major will contribute to your personal development and how you, in turn, plan to contribute to the field. Think about the broader impact you want to make in your area of study and how your unique perspective will add value. This could be in terms of innovation, addressing societal challenges, or advancing knowledge in your field.

Remember, the key is to demonstrate a deep and genuine interest in your chosen major, supported by personal experiences, achievements, and a clear vision of your future. This prompt is a chance to show the admissions committee not just why you chose the major, but also how you are prepared and excited to dive into it at UT Austin.

Short Answer Prompt 2

This prompt asks you to show how the things that make you special and the experiences you have had will add value to the University of Texas at Austin. It’s about sharing what makes you different, like your talents, ideas, and life stories, and explaining how these can have a positive impact on the university’s community. Think about what you can bring to the table that will help make UT Austin a more diverse, interesting, and enriching place for everyone.

1. Leadership Experiences: Reflect on any leadership roles you’ve held, whether in school clubs, sports teams, community groups, or even within your family. Discuss specific instances where you demonstrated leadership skills like problem-solving, teamwork, or innovation. Explain how these experiences helped you grow as a leader and how you plan to apply these skills at UT Austin. For example, if you led a community service project, discuss how it impacted your perspective on social issues and how you plan to engage in similar initiatives at UT.

2. Unique Perspectives and Diversity: Think about the unique perspectives you bring due to your background, experiences, or worldview. Discuss how these perspectives have shaped your understanding and approach to various situations. Explain how this diversity of thought will contribute to classroom discussions, group projects, or campus life at UT Austin. For instance, if you come from a multicultural background, share how this has given you a broader understanding of different cultures and how you plan to promote inclusivity on campus.

3. Talents and Skills: Identify any special talents or skills you possess and how they could be beneficial in a university setting. This could be anything from artistic abilities to tech skills, or even exceptional communication or organizational skills. Discuss how you have developed and utilized these talents in the past and how you envision using them at UT Austin. For example, if you’re a talented musician, you might talk about joining the university orchestra or contributing to the campus’s cultural life.

4. Academic and Intellectual Contributions: Consider how your academic strengths and intellectual curiosity will contribute to UT Austin’s academic community. Discuss any subjects or projects you are particularly passionate about and how you plan to pursue these interests further at UT. Highlight any relevant achievements or projects that showcase your academic abilities. For instance, if you excelled in science fairs or research projects, explain how you intend to bring that enthusiasm and expertise to your studies and potentially research opportunities at UT.

5. Community Involvement and Impact: Reflect on your involvement in community service or other volunteer activities. Discuss how these experiences have shaped your understanding of community needs and social issues. Explain how you plan to continue being involved in community service at UT Austin and the impact you hope to make. For example, if you’ve been active in environmental causes, talk about how you plan to engage with sustainability initiatives on campus.

Short Answer Prompt 3

The question wants to know how you plan to make a difference in society and how attending the University of Texas at Austin will help you achieve this. It’s about explaining your goals for helping others or improving your community and how you think the university will support you in this mission.

1. Alignment with UT Austin’s Values: Start by discussing how UT Austin’s core values and mission resonate with your personal beliefs and aspirations. Explore how the university’s emphasis on societal transformation aligns with your goals. Mention specific aspects of UT Austin – be it its academic environment, community initiatives, research opportunities, or campus culture – that you believe will be instrumental in preparing you to make a positive impact in society.

2. Academic and Professional Development: Elaborate on how you anticipate your chosen major or academic program will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to society. Discuss specific courses, faculty, research opportunities, or interdisciplinary programs at UT Austin that you are excited about and how they will help develop your expertise in areas you are passionate about. Highlight how this academic preparation is crucial for your plans to ‘Change the World.’

3. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery: Reflect on how you expect your time at UT Austin to contribute to your personal growth. This might include developing leadership skills, fostering a global perspective, or enhancing your understanding of societal challenges. Discuss how participating in university activities, such as clubs, organizations, or community service projects, will help you grow personally and understand the role you can play in societal transformation.

4. Community Engagement and Networking: Consider how engaging with the UT Austin community and beyond will prepare you for your future goals. This could involve collaboration with diverse groups, participation in community service, or networking with professionals and alumni. Explain how these interactions will provide you with a broader perspective, enable you to build meaningful connections, and prepare you to work effectively for the betterment of society.

5. Vision for the Future: Conclude by articulating a clear vision of how you plan to ‘Change the World’ post-graduation. This should be a forward-looking statement that ties together your academic interests, personal growth, and experiences at UT Austin. Discuss specific issues or challenges you are passionate about addressing and how your education and experiences at UT Austin will empower you to make a tangible impact in those areas.

Optional Short Answer Prompt

The prompt wants you to explain your school grades, especially if you had tough times or problems that made school harder for you. It’s asking you to tell more about what was going on in your life that might have made it difficult to do well in school. Maybe there were things happening at home or with your health that made learning tough. The idea is to help the people reading your application understand why your grades might not tell the whole story about how hard you worked or how much you can achieve. They want to know about any big challenges that impacted how you did in school.

1. Identifying Challenges: Start by identifying any significant challenges or special circumstances you faced during high school. These could include personal or family issues, health problems, a learning disability, financial hardships, or any other situation that had a direct impact on your academic performance. Be clear and specific about the nature of these challenges.

2. Impact on Academic Performance: Explain how these challenges affected your studies. This might include difficulties in concentrating, missing school, lack of resources, or emotional stress. It’s important to detail not just the challenges, but specifically how they impacted your ability to perform academically, such as affecting your grades or limiting your ability to participate in certain activities or courses.

3. Response and Resilience: Discuss how you responded to these challenges. This is a chance to showcase your resilience and problem-solving skills. Talk about any strategies you used to cope or overcome these difficulties, any support you sought, and how you managed to continue your education despite these obstacles. This part of your response can highlight your determination and adaptability.

4. Lessons Learned and Personal Growth: Reflect on what you learned from dealing with these challenges. Discuss any personal growth you experienced as a result, such as gaining a new perspective, developing coping skills, or becoming more empathetic towards others. Admissions officers are interested in seeing how you’ve grown through your experiences.

5. Current Status and Future Focus: Briefly mention where you stand now in relation to these challenges and how you are preparing for college. If applicable, explain how your experiences have influenced your future goals or choice of major. This helps to connect your past experiences with your future at the university.

When answering this prompt, honesty and introspection are crucial. It’s about providing context to your academic journey, showing how you’ve navigated challenges, and demonstrating your readiness for college despite any obstacles you’ve faced.

Materials to Read Before Writing Your Supplemental Essays

Before diving into writing your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays, there are several key resources and materials you should read to ensure your essays are effec tive and resonate with the admissions committee.

1. UT Austin’s Website: Start with the University of Texas at Austin’s official website . Pay special attention to the admissions section, where you’ll find detailed information about the essay prompts. Understanding the exact requirements and expectations for each prompt is crucial.

2. Course Catalog and Major Descriptions: If you’re writing about your intended major, it’s beneficial to read up on UT Austin’s course catalog and major descriptions. This will help you articulate why you’re interested in a specific program and how it aligns with your goals. 

For example, if you’re interested in the Computer Science major, you could read through the course catalog to see what courses are required and what topics are covered. You could also read the major description to learn more about the program’s goals and objectives. By doing your research, you’ll be able to write a more informed and compelling statement of purpose.

In addition to reading the course catalog and major descriptions, you can also learn more about a program by talking to current students and professors. This can give you a firsthand perspective on what the program is like and what you can expect. You can also attend departmental events and informational sessions to learn more about the program.

3. University Mission and Values: The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university with a mission to “promote the advancement of knowledge, preserve human values, and develop human potential.” The university’s values include academic excellence, diversity, innovation, and integrity.

Students who are interested in applying to UT Austin should familiarize themselves with the university’s mission statement and values. By understanding how these align with their own values and aspirations, students can write essays that stand out from the competition.

4. Writing Guides and Tips: Utilize writing guides, especially those focused on college admissions essays. These resources often provide valuable tips on structuring your essays, choosing topics, and refining your writing style.

5. Feedback from Others: After you have written your drafts, it might be helpful to read feedback or advice from teachers, counselors, or trusted individuals who have experience with college admissions. They can offer insights you might not have considered.

Remember, the key to these supplemental essays is to reflect your unique personality, experiences, and aspirations. You’re not just answering questions; you’re painting a picture of who you are and why you would be a great fit for UT Austin. So, take your time to read and research thoroughly before you begin writing your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays.

Structuring Your UT Austin Supplemental Essays

The structure of your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays plays a vital role in how effectively you communicate your ideas to the admissions committee. A well-structured essay not only makes your writing more coherent and engaging but also showcases your ability to organize thoughts and convey messages clearly. Here are three key points on how you can structure your UT Austin supplemental essays:

1. Start with a Strong Introduction: Your introduction is your first chance to capture the reader’s attention. Begin with a compelling hook – this could be an intriguing question, a brief anecdote, or a unique statement related to your essay topic. The introduction should set the tone for your essay and provide a sneak peek into what you’re going to talk about. For UT Austin essays, it’s particularly important to connect your introduction to the specific prompt you’re addressing.

2. Develop a Clear Body with Specific Examples: The body of your essay is where you dive deep into your topic. For each paragraph, start with a clear topic sentence that relates back to the prompt. Then, elaborate on this with specific examples from your experiences, achievements, or aspirations. 

For instance, if you’re discussing your intended major, you might talk about a particular project or class that sparked your interest in this field. Remember, UT Austin is looking for students who can bring unique perspectives and experiences to their campus, so use the body of your essay to showcase what makes you stand out.

3. Conclude with Reflection and Forward-Thinking: Your conclusion should not just summarize what you’ve written, but also reflect on what you’ve learned and how it applies to your future at UT Austin. This is your chance to tie all your points together and reiterate why you’re a great fit for the university. Perhaps, discuss how you envision applying your learnings at UT Austin or how being a part of their community will help you achieve your long-term goals.

Remember, while creativity is important, clarity and relevance to the prompt are key in your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays. Use your structure to guide the reader through your thoughts and experiences in a way that’s engaging an d leaves a lasting impression.

How to Effectively Revise and Proofread

Revising and proofreading your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays are crucial steps in ensuring your application stands out. These pro cesses help refine your ideas, correct errors, and enhance the overall quality of your writing. Here are detailed strategies to effectively revise and proofread your essays:

1. Take a Break Before Revising: After completing your first draft, give yourself a break before starting the revision process. This short break – it could be a few hours or a day – allows you to return to your essay with fresh eyes. You’ll be more likely to catch awkward phrasing, inconsistencies, or areas that need more detail.

2. Read Aloud for Flow and Clarity: Read your essay out loud to yourself. This technique is incredibly effective in identifying sentences that are too long, awkwardly structured, or difficult to understand. Your ears can catch what your eyes might miss. As you read, pay attention to the flow of your essay. Does each paragraph smoothly transition to the next? Do your sentences convey your thoughts clearly and concisely?

3. Check for Relevance to the Prompt: Every sentence in your essay should serve a purpose and be relevant to the prompt. UT Austin is looking for specific information about you and how you fit with their community and values. Ensure that each part of your essay directly responds to the prompt, and remove or rewrite any parts that wander off-topic.

4. Seek Feedback from Others: Sometimes, it’s hard to be objective about your own writing. Ask a teacher, counselor, or someone you trust to review your essay. They can provide valuable feedback on the content, structure, and clarity of your essay. Remember, while it’s important to consider their suggestions, the final essay should still reflect your voice and ideas.

5. Pay Attention to Grammar and Spelling: Lastly, thoroughly proofread your essay for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. These mistakes can distract from the content and give an impression of carelessness. Utilize tools like spell checkers, but don’t rely solely on them. A careful, manual review is essential to catch subtle errors that automated tools might miss.

By meticulously revising and proofreading your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays, you ensure that your application is polished, professional, and reflective of your best self. This attention to detail can make a significant difference in how your application is perceived by the admissions committee.

Why You Should Study at the University of Texas at Austin

When considering where to pursue your higher education, UT Austin stands out as a top choice, especially as you prepare your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays. As of November 2023, UT Austin boasts remarkable achievements and rankings that highlight its excellence in various aspects of higher education.

UT Austin has proudly ascended to the No. 9 spot among public universities in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. This significa nt ranking underscores the university’s dedication to delivering a superior educational experience. Moreover, it holds the prestigious position of being the No. 1 public university in Texas, demonstrating its leadership and prominence in the state.

The university is not just recognized for its overall excellence but also for its outstanding academic programs. For instance, the McCombs School of Business, a well-respected name in the realm of business education, is ranked 5th nationally, with its accounting program leading the nation at No. 1. The Cockrell School of Engineering is another gem at UT Austin, ranking 11th in the country, and featuring several top-10 specialties. The university’s computer science program, particularly renowned for areas like artificial intelligence, is also ranked 11th nationally.

Beyond just academic rankings, UT Austin is a hub of innovation and research. It’s ranked as the 16th “Most Innovative School” in the U.S., reflecting an environment that fosters creativity, cutting-edge research, and groundbreaking projects. This innovative spirit is a core part of the UT Austin experience, offering students like you opportunities to engage in transformative projects and research endeavors.

UT Austin also boasts a wide variety of top-ranked specialties across different disciplines, ensuring that no matter what your interests are, there’s a place for you to excel. The university’s commitment to student success is evident in its support for various programs, including undergraduate research and study abroad initiatives. It’s also recognized for its efforts in supporting veterans, ranking No. 16 nationally and No. 1 in Texas for veterans.

In summary, choosing UT Austin is about more than just joining a prestigious academic institution. It’s about being part of a university that is actively shaping the future through its commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and student success. As you write your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays, consider these points to understand the unique opportunities and experiences that await you at this distinguished university.

UT Austin’s Application Deadlines and Key Metrics

As a student considering the University of Texas at Austin, it’s important for you to know the latest admission trends and statistics. For the year 2023, UT Austin has an acceptance rate of 31%. This indicates a highly selective admission process, meaning only about 31 students for every 100 applicants are admitted. The average SAT scores for admitted students range between 1230 and 1500, and the ACT scores range from 29 to 34.

Regarding application deadlines for the 2023-2024 academic year, if you’re a first-time college student, your application for Fall 2024 should be submitted by December 1, 2023. For external transfers, the deadlines are March 1st for fall admission and October 1st for spring admission. However, it’s highly recommended to complete the ApplyTexas application by December 15, 2023, even though the official deadline is January 10th. Early action deadlines are also important if you’re applying as a freshman, with the deadline being November 1, 2023, and decisions released by February 1, 2024​​​​.

In terms of academic performance and retention, UT Austin boasts impressive numbers. The university has a freshman retention rate of 95%, significantly higher than the national average. This rate reflects the percentage of first-year students who return to the university for their second year. The overall retention rate stands at 96%. For graduation rates, 57% of students graduate within four years, and 79% graduate within six years. The six-year graduation rate is 87.6%, demonstrating the university’s commitment to supporting students through to the completion of their studies​​​​.

As you prepare your application, remember to focus on the 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays, which are a crucial part of your application. These essays give you a chance to showcase your unique personality, experiences, and motivations for choosing UT Austin. Make sure to express yourself clearly and authentically, as this is your opportunity to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

How Important are Supplemental Essays in the College Admissions Process?

Supplemental essays play a pivotal role in the college admissions process, especially for institutions like The University of Texas at Austin. When you’re working on your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays, it’s crucial to understand their significance and how they can enhance your chances of admission .

These essays are more than just a formality; they’re a unique platform for you to present yourself beyond grades and test scores. Think of your supplemental essays as a personal interview on paper. They offer you the opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, values, and how you think. This is your chance to let the admissions committee hear your voice and see the person behind the application numbers.

One key aspect of supplemental essays is that they allow you to demonstrate your fit with the university’s culture and values. UT Austin, like many prestigious universities, looks for students who will contribute positively to their campus community. Through your essays, you can illustrate not just why you want to attend UT Austin, but also how you will add value to the university. This could be through leadership experiences, community service, personal projects, or unique perspectives you bring to the table.

Moreover, supplemental essays provide a platform for you to explain any anomalies in your academic record. If there were circumstances that impacted your grades or extracurricular involvement, the supplemental essays give you a space to provide context. This helps the admissions committee understand your journey in a more holistic manner.

In crafting your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays, creativity and authenticity are key. Avoid generic responses; instead, dive deep into your personal experiences, beliefs, and aspirations. Make your essays specific to UT Austin by tying your narrative to specific programs, professors, or opportunities that align with your academic and career goals. This shows the admissions committee that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in what UT Austin has to offer.

Remember, quality trumps quantity. It’s better to have a few well-crafted, thoughtful essays than several superficial ones. Each essay is an opportunity to stand out and make a compelling case for why you belong at UT Austin. Take your time to brainstorm, draft, and revise until your essays truly reflect who you are and why you would be an excellent fit for the university.

Overall, the 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays are a crucial element of your application. They are the gateway for the admissions committee to get to know you on a personal level. Utilize this opportunity to highlight your unique story, demonstrate your fit with the university, and articulate your enthusiasm for becoming a part of the UT Austin community. Remember, your essays can significantly influence your chances of admission, so give them the attention and effort they deserve.

How Do UT Austin’s Supplemental Essays Compare to Other Top Universities?

Understanding how UT Austin’s supplemental essays compare to those of other top universities is vital. Unlike some universities that have generic prompts, UT Austin’s supplemental essays often have a distinctive focus on understanding your fit with the university’s specific environment and ethos.

For example, while Stanford University might ask you to write about intellectual vitality, UT Austin’s prompts tend to delve deeper into how you align with their unique values and community. This means your responses should be tailored not just to showcase your strengths and experiences but also to reflect a keen understanding of what makes UT Austin unique among its peers.

Comparatively, Ivy League schools like Harvard or Yale often focus on broader aspects of your personality and intellectual curiosity, allowing more leeway to explore diverse facets of your identity and interests. Their prompts might encourage you to reflect on your formative experiences or intellectual pursuits without a direct link to the university’s specific programs or culture.

On the other hand, UT Austin’s supplemental essays might ask you to discuss how specific programs, resources, or aspects of the university resonate with your goals and values. This approach requires you to research and understand UT Austin’s offerings deeply, making your essays not just a reflection of who you are but also how you see yourself thriving and contributing specifically to the UT Austin community.

Moreover, UT Austin’s supplemental essays tend to demand a level of specificity and clarity about your future aspirations that is not always emphasized to the same degree at other top universities. For instance, while a university like MIT might prompt you to discuss a past project or a creative endeavor, UT Austin’s essays might ask you to articulate your future goals and how specific aspects of the university will help you achieve them.

This forward-looking perspective is crucial in your UT Austin essays, as it demonstrates not just self-awareness but also a strategic vision of how UT Austin fits into your long-term plans. Remember, while the core of your application – showcasing your achievements, personality, and potential – remains constant across universities, each school, including UT Austin, seeks to uncover different facets of your candidacy through their supplemental essays. Tailoring your responses to align with each university’s unique prompts, especially UT Austin’s, is key to crafting a compelling and effective application.

Final Thoughts

As you wrap up your 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essays, remember that these pieces of writing are more than just answers to prompts; they’re reflections of who you are. You’ve put in the effort to share your story, your aspirations, and how UT Austin fits into your future. It’s a big step towards your college journey, and you should be proud of the work you’ve done.

Keep in mind, your essays are a way for the admissions team to get to know you beyond your grades and test scores. So, as you give your essays a final review, make sure they truly represent your voice and your story. If you’ve done that, you’ve already succeeded in a major part of your application.

We hope this blog has been a helpful guide in navigating the 2023-2024 UT Austin supplemental essay prompts. Good luck, and here’s to hoping to see you as part of the Longhorn community! Remember, your unique perspective is what makes your application stand out. Go for it!

AdmissionSight , a college consulting firm, offers personalized assistance to students in their college admissions journey. We help you create a strategic plan for your applic ation process, identify suitable schools aligned with your academic and personal goals, and prioritize your application strategy. 

Our experts review your application, providing constructive feedback to enhance its quality and uniqueness. We also assist in crafting compelling essays that reflect your personality and achievements, guide you through the writing process, and offer feedback on drafts. In addition, we provide interview coaching to boost your confidence and readiness for college interviews, offering tips on professional presentation and answering common questions. 

We aid in optimizing your extracurricular activities to align with your interests and goals, emphasizing leadership and initiative. Overall, AdmissionSight offers valuable guidance and support to increase your chances of college acceptance. With a strong network and a success rate exceeding 75% in the past decade, book a free initial consultation today!

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How to Write the UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is known as a trailblazing research institution ranked in the top ten of U.S. public universities. In addition, UT Austin’s vibrant student life and impressive athletics attract over 70,000 applicants . UT Austin can also count accomplished individuals like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Durant, and Stacey Abrams among their alumni. Hoping to join their ranks? You’ll need to nail your UT Austin supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

UT Austin’s Spring 2024-2025 Prompts

Ut austin long essay question, tell us your story. what unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today (500–700 words), ut austin short essay questions.

Each of the following prompts has a maximum length of 300 words.

• Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
• Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.
• The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.

UT Austin Optional Short Essay Question

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance. (300 words or fewer), we’ll review your essay.

Receive edits in as little as 24 hours

General Tips

Your story is yours . In other words, these essays will benefit from your personal touch. Bring your own unique experiences, personality, and identities to the page. If you’re vulnerable without specificity, it’s hard to make heads or tails of your story. But if you share the concrete details underpinning your experiences, your UT Austin supplemental essays will leave a lasting mark upon the reader.

What does this look like in practice? Here are a few ways you can make your essays more personal and vivid:

• Focus on the details. Without sharing the concrete details of your experience and the specifics of your worldview and experiences, your story could sound like anyone else’s. Therefore, try to write an essay that could only be written by you. Being specific will make the difference between a general experience that many people have had and a personal story that is special to you. Even if you feel like you’ve lived a boring life, your story is still not the same as anyone else’s.
• Outline, outline, outline. An organized essay is easy to read and easy to follow. If your reader is puzzling over how your points connect and your plot comes together, then they won’t remember all the details you included (as mentioned in the point above, these are crucial to the success of your essay).
• Pretend you’re talking to a friend. If you’re having trouble writing a vulnerable, personal, or even humorous essay, then perhaps try brainstorming out loud or imagine you’re writing the essay as a letter to a friend. This exercise will force you to tell the story naturally, without any of the usual essay-writing inhibitions. Although this version of the essay may not be submission-ready, it’s a draft that can be revised until it’s something you’re proud of.

This essay prompt is akin to a Common App personal essay question. In this longer essay, you’re expected to share your academic journey, with a focus on your high school experience. If you had an untraditional high school experience, this might be a great place to write about it. If not, you’ve likely had some very formative experiences that have made you who you are today. This essay is your opportunity to share your story so that the admissions team sees who you are as a whole person.

The prompt specifically mentions “unique opportunities or challenges.” Therefore, these are the types of topics you should focus your essay on. If you’re stuck on what to write about, try to list five unique opportunities you’ve had while in high school, and five unique challenges. These opportunities and challenges should be distinctive: most of your peers haven’t had these opportunities or challenges, or your experience of them was somehow particular to you.

Once you’ve got your list, consider if you can pair one opportunity with one challenge in your essay. Perhaps you faced an obstacle in your life that you managed to turn into an opportunity by learning and growing from the experience. If so, this would make for an optimistic and even inspiring essay. Alternatively, maybe life presented you with an opportunity that ended up backfiring and causing more challenges in your life. Whatever direction you take this story, be sure to focus on the ways you’ve grown, learned, and developed resilience.

Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major? (300 words or fewer)

This is a relatively straightforward prompt, but it’s important that you provide a compelling answer. Consider the following questions:

• Have you been interested in this subject since childhood?
• Are you seeking a career that is linked to this major?
• Does this degree provide you with a jumping-off point for graduate school?
• Are you an activist seeking to enact change by learning more about the subject of your activism?
• Are you a natural creative looking to further your creative endeavors?

You can also zero in on the opportunities UT Austin uniquely provides to students in your prospective major. In other words, add on why you’d like to pursue this particular major at UT Austin . How would pursuing this major at UT Austin bring you closer to your goals?

In sum, try to list at least five reasons to pursue this particular major. Then, focus on providing detailed explanations of your reasons in your essay response.

Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT. (300 words or fewer)

This prompt often trips students up because they focus on past experiences while neglecting future experiences. This essay requires a balance between past, present, and future leadership activities. In other words, be sure to write descriptively and clearly about your past leadership roles and experiences. Feel free to consider leadership roles you’ve had in a variety of contexts. Then, describe how you currently act as a leader in certain contexts. Finally, comment on how these past or present experiences influence the way you’d like to be a leader in the future, specifically while at UT Austin.

When describing your future intended impact at UT Austin, though, you need not limit yourself to discussing leadership roles you hope to fill. The prompt only asks how your past and present experiences in leadership activities will influence your future impact on the UT Austin community. Be specific in this response. How will you interact with teammates, classmates, roommates, and others you meet on campus? Lastly, remember to maintain humility. While telling the reader about times when you have served as a leader and how you intend to serve the UT Austin community in the future, stay modest.

The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate. (300 words or fewer)

This is perhaps the most challenging of the UT Austin supplemental essays. This is because it requires you to not only envision your future at UT Austin, but also your future beyond graduation from UT Austin. In addition, you may want to research the origins of UT Austin’s “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society” motto. Understanding the university’s mission may help you see how your ambitions fit in to the UT Austin community, goals, and context.

You may want to try beginning your writing process by brainstorming the ways you hope to change the world after you graduate from college. Then, work backward to understand the steps you’d need to take at UT Austin so you’re ready to pursue your goals upon graduation. Alternatively, you can first focus on what you’d like to do at UT Austin and then explore the possibilities enabled by that education.

This prompt is optional for students to respond to, as there may be no “events or special circumstances… [that] have impacted your high school academic performance.” If you don’t relate to this prompt, you should feel no pressure or expectation to respond to it.

That said, if there are some lower grades, interrupted semesters, school transfers, transcript discrepancies, or the like in your history, UT Austin won’t hold these against you. That said, you’ll first need to explain why those discrepancies or other special circumstances came to be in your academic history. Here’s your opportunity to do so.

The key in this essay is to be specific and to-the-point. Don’t try to downplay situations or avoid providing proper context. The UT Austin admissions officers are experienced application reviewers able to identify any lies or obfuscations, so honesty is the best policy. You’re a high school student, and you’re human. If you share the proper context for your academic history, the admissions team will understand.

If you need help polishing up your UT Austin supplemental essay, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 UT Austin Supplemental Essay Prompts

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The University of Texas at Austin requires all applicants to submit a set of UT Austin supplemental essays. These essays are a great way to utilize creative writing to make yourself memorable and unique. Take this chance to tell your story and run with it. In this article, we will be breaking down each prompt to make each one easier to understand. Let’s go!

See also: How to write a great supplemental essay

Before you begin

• Multiple writing samples are required, including a supplemental essay and then four short answers (two of the four are optional)
• UT Austin offers students the opportunity to submit additional materials to strengthen their applications, such as letters of recommendation or an expanded resume

The UT Austin main essay prompts

“Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.” (500-650 words)

This prompt gives students the opportunity to showcase their best writing. To start out, think about an essay that you felt particularly proud of (and perhaps a teacher agreed and graded accordingly!). Your selected essays should reveal something about you that other parts of your application do not show. Your transcript will tell your academic story, but you are more than a list of classes and grades! While for some it may take a bit of time to go through their writings, chances are most students have the ideal essay just waiting for submission to UT Austin!

Students can also share an essay that they wrote for the Common App as well.  

The Spring 2025 Essay Topic prompt is as follows:

“Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?” (500–700 words)

Basically, this is an essay all about you. UT Austin wants to hear about your story and what makes you special. This is an easy topic to write about your personal experiences versus an essay that asks you to connect it back to the university. 

With that being said, you don’t have to connect it back to the university, but… it  is always a good idea to do so. This way, the people reading it are able to see what you have to offer the University of Texas, and what you bring to the table as a student. 

So, what makes you unique? If you are planning on talking about challenges for this question, we recommend thinking twice about writing about the Pandemic. This is because although you may have a unique experience, the pandemic was a challenge that everyone had to live through. Pick a challenge that is unique to you, one that makes you you !

Supplemental short answer questions

For this section, you’ll need to write two short answer questions (and have the option to write one additional one). These can be quick and easy, but extremely influential to the college admissions process. Each response should be between 250 and 300 words.

Short answer #1

“Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

This is a simple question, and easy to answer in less than 300 words. Maybe you have always known what you wanted to study in college, or maybe you are still figuring it out– whatever the case may be, just be open, honest, and concise when you speak about this topic. 

Short answer #2

“ Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why?” (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

In this short answer, they are offered  the opportunity to talk about the things you are involved in. Take this and run with it! This is one of the things that makes students stand out among the crowd– what they are passionate about and why. The trick here is connecting it back to how you spend your time currently benefits you as a student, and how it will continue to benefit you as a student. 

An example of this could be your involvement in a particular student organization that taught you about accountability. From being in a leadership position in this organization, you learned accountability, which helped you to be a better student because you were more apt to be on time with assignments, get ahead on your schoolwork, and to hold yourself accountable. Learning these things early on helped you to build healthy learning habits that you will carry with you into college. 

Short answer #3 (Optional)

“Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance. If your response to this question is similar to one of the Common App Personal Essays, feel free to simply copy and paste the important parts of your essay here. Please limit your response to 250-300 words.”

This one is quick, easy, and a short answer that everyone should answer if their situation warrants. This is your opportunity to let UT Austin know about your struggles and help them understand your story a bit better. 

Closing thoughts for students

It is completely understandable if you are feeling overwhelmed after reading through all of these prompts. The only thing that you can do is try your best and be honest about who you are–in other words, stay true to yourself. The college admissions professionals at the University of Texas – Austin simply want to get to know you as a person, and that is why they are asking you so many questions! Remember, the prompts are not meant to make you feel overwhelmed or scared by any means. 

Additional resources

At Scholarships360, we understand that the college admissions process is a long and strenuous process. We want to make things easier for you, so we’ve curated a pretty extensive list of tips and tricks to help you out. Learn how to write an essay about yourself and perfect writing both 250 or 500 word essays. We can help you figure out how many colleges to apply to , and after, how to make your college application shine . We wish you luck, and remind you to apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for! 

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How to Write the UT Austin Supplemental Essays + Examples

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 6/17/24

Writing the UT Austin essays requires introspection, creativity, and time! To learn how to ace this application component, read on!

If you’re planning on applying to the University of Texas and are making your way down your application checklist, you may hit a roadblock when it comes to the supplemental essays . 

These essays often prove to be the most demanding aspect of college applications, as they call for transforming your thoughts into captivating words and leaving a lasting impression on the admissions committee. But fear not! This guide has got you covered! In it, we’ll break down each of the UT Austin essays. 

UT Austin Supplemental Essay Prompts 2024-2025

Before we delve into how to write the UT Austin supplemental essays , let’s go over the prompts. You’ll be required to answer one essay prompt and a few short answers. These essay prompts differ based on which semester you’re applying for. We’ll go over the essay prompts for Spring 2025. 

The required essay prompt should be around 500-700 words , typically two the three paragraphs. However, your responses to the short answer prompts should be no more than 40 lines or 250-300 words . 

Required Essay Prompt #1

“Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?”

Short Answer Prompt #2

“ Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

Short Answer Prompt #3

“ Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.”

Short Answer Prompt #4

“ The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is ‘To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.’ Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to ‘Change the World’ after you graduate.”

Optional Short Answer Prompt #5

Students may also answer the following short answer if it applies to them:

“Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.”

How to Write Each Essay Prompt for UT Austin

Now, we’ll delve into how to answer each of UT Austin’s prompts to ensure your responses are original, insightful, and interesting! We’ll go through specific UT Austin essay requirements and also provide successful essay examples to begin your creative process. 

How to Write UT Austin Required Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of UT Austin’s required essay prompt : This prompt, by asking you to “tell your story,” calls for some personal reflection on your life so far. UT Austin wants to get to know you as a well-rounded person beyond your application materials. They want to know the things that have shaped and formed you in your life. 

The various opportunities and challenges you’ve experienced say a lot about who you are. By asking you to tell these anecdotes, the admissions committee wants to see you display humility, self-awareness, gratitude, and a desire to learn and grow. Think deeply about significant moments in your life and how they have made you different. 

UC Berkeley grad Brittney provides some insight into how to get started in our personal statement webinar : 

“You want to identify a central theme for your admissions essays, and I often tell students to think about themselves as a brand and a narrative - who are you, and how are you going to communicate who you are, what you've achieved, and where you're going across all of your admissions essays and across all of your application You may want to think about a particular experience, a passion, a value that shaped who you are, that has run through your academic and extracurricular experiences."

To write a strong essay for UT Austin, consider following these tips:

Tip #1: Dig into Your High School Memories

Time for a little throwback session! Sit down with a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever else floats your boat, and start digging up all those unique experiences you had during high school. For most of you, you’re likely in your senior year, so this shouldn’t be too hard!

Remember those times when life threw something special at you or maybe even knocked you off your feet? Jot all of these memories down so you can go through them and pick the most meaningful ones to talk about. 

Tip #2: Find the Common Thread

Now that you've got a bunch of high school memories in front of you, see if there's a common theme or a big idea that ties them together. It could be a passion, a challenge you faced head-on or a turning point that changed the game for you.

Tip #3: Be Descriptive!

Get creative with your writing! Paint a picture with your words. Make your essay engaging and fun to read. You want those admissions officers to be hooked from the start to the finish. 

Tip #4: Get Real and Vulnerable

No need to put on a show here to worry about what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Be yourself! 

Share your stories and feelings with authenticity. The admissions committee wants to see the genuine you, not some perfectly polished version. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, share your feelings and emotions, and demonstrate your growth.

Admissions expert Brittney expands on this point: 

“Always write from an authentic place and tell your story. Don’t try to tell the story that you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Tell the story that is true for you.” 

Tip #5: Talk About Unique Opportunities

Share those opportunities that set you apart from the crowd. Maybe it was an internship, a special extracurricular , a passion project , or a chance to travel. 

Show them how these experiences opened up new doors and helped you grow.

Tip #6: Face the Challenges, No Holding Back

Life's not always rainbows and sunshine. The admissions committee wants to hear about your struggles and your ability to overcome them. So, discuss those tough moments that you thought you’d never get through, how you pushed on, and what you learned along the way.

Show the committee how all these experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly—shaped the awesome person you are today. 

Tip #7: End On a High Note

End your essay with a forward-looking approach. You’ve spent most of your essay reminiscing about high school and the lessons you learned from it. Now think about what’s next! 

Offer the admissions committee some insight into your academic and career aspirations. Talk about how you plan on fulfilling these goals at UT Austin and what you plan on contributing to this school!

Here’s what one of our admissions experts, Brittany , had to say about looking to the future: 

"It’s helpful to end your conclusion with something that’s futuristic and forward-looking. How will what the reader learned about you help prepare you for what you want to achieve and how you will succeed when you’re at a college or university?"

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #2 + Analysis and Tips

Short answer #2 analysis : The first short answer is relatively straightforward. There’s a reason you chose your intended major, and now’s your time to demonstrate your passion and explain why your selected program interests you! 

UT Austin is dedicated to making a real difference in the world, so it’s essential you take your essay beyond the realms of your immediate college career. Think about what you’ll do with your education and how you’ll impact those around you!

Keep these tips in mind to ensure you nail this short answer:

• Showcase your passion and genuine interest : Avoid essay topics that you think the committee wants to hear. Instead, ensure your sincere passion for the major you've selected is evident throughout your essay. Explain why it excites you and what specific aspects of the subject matter resonate with you.
• Connect to your background : Reflect on any relevant events, challenges, or opportunities that influenced your decision. Share one or two brief anecdotes or stories that demonstrate how your experiences have shaped your aspirations and academic path. This will make your essay personal and engaging. 
• Highlight your skills and alignment with UT Austin : Explain how your skills, strengths, and natural abilities align with the chosen major. Describe specific talents or aptitudes that you possess and how they complement the demands of your academic program and profession.
• Emphasise UT Austin's program and opportunities : Demonstrate your knowledge and interest in UT Austin's program. Research its offerings, faculty members, research opportunities, and distinctive features related to your chosen major. Explain how these aspects appeal to you and align with your goals.
• Discuss your future aspirations : Share your long-term aspirations and how pursuing this major will enable you to make a positive impact in your chosen field and beyond. Discuss how you envision using the knowledge and skills gained from this program to contribute to society or address real-world challenges. 

In our webinar on how to write college essays , admissions official Kayla Kirk gives insight into how to answer major-specific essay prompts: 

“This is all about what work have you done up to this point to prepare yourself for a particular major. So it could be a student who wants to study engineering. They could use this opportunity, this particular essay, to talk about their experience with their robotics club that they've been so passionate about. And through those background experiences, we’ll start to get the sense that you’re passionate, you’re an independent student who’s done work up to this point to lay the foundation for whatever your course of study will be.” 

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #3 + Analysis and Tips 

Short answer #3 analysis : With this prompt, UT Austin wants to see drive and commitment to make a difference in the university community as well as proof that you’ve made a difference in other spaces as well. 

This question should demonstrate self-awareness, passion, and motivation. UT Austin wants to know how your past experiences have brought you to where you are, and they also want to know more about your future aspirations. 

By demonstrating your potential to have a positive impact both in and out of the classroom, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who will make great contributions to the UT community!

Implement these tips into your second short answer response:

• Highlight your key qualities and experiences : Provide an overview of the experiences, perspectives, talents, and leadership activities that define you as an individual but avoid listing them without adding context and depth. Explain how they contribute to your overall character and worldview.
• Emphasize leadership skills and potential : Discuss your involvement in leadership activities. Illustrate how you have taken initiative, influenced others, or demonstrated a commitment to creating positive change. All of these traits are highly valued by UT Austin!
• Talk about your future : Demonstrate how your specific attributes and experiences will allow you to make a positive impact both in and out of the classroom at UT Austin. Explain how your perspectives and background have shaped your understanding of different issues and will enrich class discussions.
• Connect back to UT Austin : Show that you have done your research on UT Austin's values, culture, and community. Explain how your experiences, perspectives, and talents align with the university's mission and how you plan to contribute to the campus environment. 
• Be genuine and specific : Throughout your essay, be authentic and avoid any vagueness. Share specific anecdotes and examples to illustrate your points, and be descriptive! Show, don't tell, and immerse your readers into your experiences so they connect to them better.

Kayla Kirk offers some further insight into what universities are looking for in these kinds of prompts: 

They want to know that you are willing to go beyond your own experiences up to this point. They want to know that you're going to be a productive and positive contribution to their student body, that you'll be willing to engage with people whose experiences are different from your own."

How to Write UT Austin Short Answer #4 + Analysis and Tips

Short answer #4 analysis : This short answer is one of the more challenging UT Austin essays. It requires students to look ahead past their college career and think critically about how they plan on bettering the world. 

While the previous questions are focused on your passions in a more general sense, this prompt asks you to think about your aspirations at UT Austin specifically. How does your desire to attend UT Austin connect to your dreams and goals? 

Here are some tips on how to approach this question:

Tip #1: Be Realistic

The admissions committee isn’t looking for any sappy or exaggerated goals. They aren’t expecting you to cure cancer or find life on Mars. 

Think about what realistic impact you want to have on the world. Whether it be changing the lives of your patients as a healthcare worker, helping address social issues, or simply being a strong advocate for the environment, any effort to better the lives of others counts!

Tip #2: Be Specific

Don’t make vague statements about your passion to change the world, healthcare, poverty, or any other broad topic. Be specific and clearly state your long-term aspirations and the specific ways you envision changing the world after graduation. 

Think about who exactly you want to help, what issue you aim to address, and the tools you’ll use to do so. 

In our college essay webinar, Tufts University Admissions Director Darryl Tiggle gives insight into how to be specific in college essays: 

"They want to know things that go deeper than the surface level of knowing about the college, especially so that when you're writing about the college, you couldn't supplant another school's name in that essay and then have the essay still ring true. You want the essay to really be tailored towards the school that you're writing about so that you're addressing those issues and writing unique-to-those-institution essays."

Tip #3: Connect UT Austin's Offerings to Your Goals

Showcase your understanding of UT Austin's unique offerings and how they align with your ambitions. Discuss specific academic programs, research opportunities, clubs, or organizations that UT Austin offers and explain how they will support your personal and professional growth towards your goal of changing the world.

Tip #4: Discuss Your Commitment to Impact

Emphasize your dedication and commitment to creating a positive impact. Demonstrate that you are not just interested in pursuing your career for personal gain, but that you genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others and improving society.

Tip #5: Be Ambitious

Be ambitious in your goals, but also be realistic about the steps you'll take to achieve them. Demonstrate that you have a clear plan for how your experience at UT Austin will serve as a stepping stone to creating a lasting impact on a broader scale. Demonstrate you have direction and know what it’ll take to reach your goals.

Tip #6: Wrap Up with Confidence and Gratitude

Conclude your essay with a strong and confident statement that reinforces your commitment to changing the world and your gratitude for the opportunity to do so at UT Austin. Leave a lasting impression on the reader that highlights your passion and determination.

How to Write UT Austin Optional Essay #5

Answering the optional essay is simple; stick to the facts and be honest. There is no need to be overly descriptive or create a compelling narrative out of your circumstances. 

This essay should only help the admissions committee learn more about the extent of your circumstances, how they prevented you from achieving your best, and how you attempted to overcome them. As such, you’ll want this essay to be relatively short. It should not exceed one to two paragraphs. 

Examples of UT Austin Supplemental Essays That Worked

It can be really helpful to look at examples of successful essays for inspiration. Below, you’ll find essay examples from accepted UT Austin applicants! We’ll look at each example closely to examine what worked about it. 

Sample Essay #1

Your UT Austin essays need to be concise, captivating, and creative to effectively answer this prompt:

Take a look at this example essay:

“‘Gone but never forgotten’---the solemn inscription on the plaque dedicated to my best friend, displayed prominently in our high school. A phrase intended to offer comfort, but one that will always ring hollow for me. The reality remains stark; gone is still gone. No matter how many times I replay his infectious smile or reminisce about our sunlit summers spent surfing until sundown, he remains forever confined to the realm of memories.

Losing my best friend to cancer was a heart-wrenching blow that shattered my world. We had shared dreams, laughter, and endless plans for our future. His untimely departure left an emptiness in my heart and a void in my life that seemed impossible to fill. Grief consumed me, and the once vibrant light of my high school years dimmed significantly. Coping with the loss of such a young, budding life was a challenge unlike any other, and it tested my emotional strength to its limits.

But, In the face of this overwhelming and seemingly unending pain, I found solace in the support of my family and friends. Their unwavering presence and understanding helped me navigate through the darkest times. I realized that I was not alone in my grief and that reaching out for support was not a sign of weakness but an act of bravery. This experience taught me the power of empathy and the significance of connection, shaping my understanding of the value of relationships in life.

While the loss of my best friend left a permanent scar, it also sparked an awakening within me. I became acutely aware of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. As I struggled to regain my sense of purpose, I sought solace in volunteer work at a local cancer support center. Being able to offer comfort and empathy to patients and their families on their own journeys was a cathartic experience that helped me heal and provided me with a newfound sense of direction.

Amidst the challenges, high school also offered unique opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. I found inspiration in the arts, particularly through music and painting. These creative outlets became my refuge, allowing me to express emotions that words could not convey. Art became a powerful medium through which I could heal and explore my own emotions, and it ignited a passion that continues to fuel my aspirations.

As I delved deeper into my artistic pursuits, I discovered my ability to inspire others through storytelling. I started sharing my experiences through writing and public speaking, aiming to bring hope and awareness to those facing similar struggles. This newfound purpose motivated me to excel academically and to embrace every opportunity for growth that high school offered.

With newfound resilience, I became an active member of various clubs and organizations that focused on cancer awareness and support. I initiated fundraisers and awareness campaigns, determined to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this dreadful disease. In doing so, I found strength in unity, as we came together as a community to support a common cause.

Through the highs and lows of high school, I have evolved into a compassionate, determined, and empathetic individual. The loss of my best friend has taught me that life is fragile and unpredictable, urging me to make the most of every opportunity and to embrace challenges with unwavering resolve.

As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my journey at UT Austin, I am filled with a sense of purpose and determination. I aspire to study medicine, combining my love for the arts with my passion for healthcare to bring comfort and healing to those in need. The experiences of my high school years have shaped me into a resilient individual who values empathy, compassion, and the power of connection. I am confident that my journey through grief and self-discovery will not only enable me to excel academically but will also empower me to change lives and make a lasting impact both in and out of the classroom. So, while my best friend may be gone forever, his legacy will live on; through me, the sunsets I now surf through alone, the patients I will heal, and the grieving families I will support when all they have left to hold are intangible memories.”  

Why It Works

This essay stands out because of its deeply personal exploration of the writer's journey from grief to resilience, fueled by a passion for cancer awareness and healing. 

The unique fusion of art, medicine, and storytelling highlights the writer's distinct personality, aspirations, and well-roundedness. Their commitment to community engagement, coupled with a clear academic focus on medicine, also aligns well with the university's values. 

Short Answer #1 Example

Below, you’ll find an example essay answering the following prompt: 

“Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?”

Here’s another example essay to draw inspiration from:

“In 'The Alchemist,' Paulo Coelho writes, 'And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.' This profound sentiment resonates deeply with my decision to pursue an English major at UT Austin. For me, the study of English is a transformative journey of self-discovery and a pursuit of understanding the interconnectedness of humanity through the written word.

Like Santiago, the protagonist in 'The Alchemist,' I believe that our desires and dreams can shape our destinies. In the enchanting world of literature, I find myself constantly drawn to the power of storytelling, where words become vessels for ideas, emotions, and shared experiences. 

Choosing UT Austin as the home for my academic pursuits was an easy decision. The English program's reputation for fostering intellectual curiosity and nurturing creativity aligns perfectly with my academic goals. The diverse range of courses, from classic literature to contemporary poetry, promises to provide a comprehensive understanding of literary traditions, nurturing my ability to critically analyze and interpret texts.

Beyond the curriculum, I am excited about the vibrant literary community at UT Austin. Engaging with like-minded peers in literary clubs, workshops, and events will undoubtedly enrich my perspective and encourage meaningful discussions on the intricacies of literature. Moreover, I envision utilizing my passion for writing to contribute to UT Austin's literary publications and participate in creative writing workshops. Embracing opportunities to share my voice, whether through poetry or prose, is essential to my growth as a writer and communicator.

Ultimately, my decision to pursue an English major at UT Austin is driven by a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, a desire to understand the complexities of human existence, and a conviction that words possess the power to change lives.”

Why Essay #1 Worked

This essay begins with an interesting quote that intrigues the reader from the very first line. Then they artfully connect this quote to their personal and academic aspirations, which reflects a thoughtful consideration of the applicant's choice of major and resonates with the transformative power of education.

The alignment of their academic interests with UT Austin's English program also showcases a well-researched understanding of the university's offerings. 

Short Answer #2 Example 

You’ll need to do some serious brainstorming and reflecting to write an essay that answers this prompt well: 

“Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.”

You can use the following UT Austin essay to guide you in your brainstorming process:

“My journey leading up to UT has been shaped by a tapestry of experiences: my responsibilities at home, my passion for basketball, and my commitment to community service. Balancing two part-time jobs throughout high school to ease the financial burdens at home has instilled in me a strong work ethic and a determination to excel both academically and personally.

As a devoted basketball enthusiast, the court has become my sanctuary, teaching me invaluable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. The discipline and dedication required in sports have translated into my academic pursuits, where I strive for excellence with the same fervor I bring to the game.

My commitment to community service is deeply rooted in my family's legacy of veterans, who have instilled in me the importance of giving back. Volunteering at local animal shelters, soup kitchens, and hospitals and organizing charity events has allowed me to witness the transformative power of service firsthand. As such, I am driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, both in and out of the classroom.

At UT, these experiences and perspectives will serve as my compass for engagement and leadership. As a student-athlete, I intend to contribute my skills to the campus basketball team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. On the academic front, my diverse background will enrich classroom discussions, bringing unique perspectives to the table.

Outside the classroom, I aspire to collaborate with service-oriented organizations, amplifying their impact on the community. Moreover, my leadership experience, gained from organizing charity events and coordinating community initiatives, will be instrumental in rallying fellow students to join forces for common causes. I am eager to embrace the enriching opportunities that UT has to offer, using my talents to foster a nurturing environment where empathy, determination, and teamwork thrive.”

Why Essay #2 Worked

The essay effectively highlights how all of this student’s experiences have shaped their character, instilling qualities like a strong work ethic, determination, teamwork, and leadership. 

Their commitment to community service reflects a genuine desire to give back, and their intention to bring this commitment to UT's campus showcases their dedication to making a positive difference in the university community. 

Short Answer #3 Example

For UT Austin’s third short answer essay, it’s important to include meaningful details. However, remember to be concise when answering the following prompt: 

“The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, ‘To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.’ Please share how you believe your experience at UT Austin will prepare you to ‘Change the World’ after you graduate.”

Below is a sample essay to help you craft your own detailed and concise response: 

“Aspiring to become a nurse, I am driven by a profound sense of compassion and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin resonates deeply with my aspirations, and I believe my experience at UT Austin will empower me to change the world through the profession of nursing.

UT Austin's esteemed nursing program will provide me with a comprehensive and cutting-edge education, equipping me with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality care to diverse populations. The renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities will cultivate my clinical expertise, enabling me to make a tangible difference in patients' lives.

Through hands-on experiences and clinical rotations, UT Austin will offer me invaluable opportunities to work with real patients and understand their unique needs and challenges. These experiences will shape me into a compassionate and empathetic caregiver, dedicated to advocating for the well-being of each individual.

Additionally, UT Austin's commitment to community engagement and service aligns perfectly with my vision of making a difference in society. Participating in health outreach programs and volunteering at local clinics will provide me with a broader perspective on healthcare disparities and strengthen my commitment to serving underserved communities. The diverse and inclusive environment at UT Austin will enhance my cultural competence and foster my ability to provide patient-centered care to individuals from different backgrounds.

My experience at UT Austin as a nursing student will be transformative, preparing me to be a compassionate and skilled healthcare professional. Rooted in the university's core purpose of transforming lives for the benefit of society, I am confident that I will graduate as a competent nurse ready to embrace the challenges of the healthcare field and positively impact the lives of those I serve.”

Why Essay #3 Works

The student grounds their aspiration to become a nurse in a genuine compassion for others and a desire to create a positive impact, which resonates well with the university's core purpose. 

The essay also effectively outlines how UT Austin's nursing program is a perfect fit for the applicant, highlighting the comprehensive education, renowned faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities that will prepare them to deliver high-quality care. 

These points present a strong case for how UT Austin’s program will empower this student and how she will contribute to the university’s community. 

If you’re looking for assistance on how to write the UT Austin essays, or how to apply to UT Austin in general, we can help! Our experts have helped countless students get into their dream schools, and you can be one of them. With our help, you can become a Longhorn!

Optional Essay Example

Remember, you only need to respond to this prompt if it applies to you: 

For your reference, here’s a sample essay explaining the circumstances that prevented a student from achieving the GPA they intended to:

“During my high school years, I encountered a unique set of circumstances that significantly impacted my academic performance. After my single mother was unexpectedly fired from her job and faced challenges finding another, our family's financial stability became uncertain. In order to support my mother and contribute to household expenses, I took on multiple part-time jobs, which demanded a substantial portion of my time and energy. As I juggled work commitments alongside my academic responsibilities, I found it increasingly challenging to maintain the GPA I had envisioned, a 3.8. While my determination to succeed academically remained steadfast, the added responsibilities and time constraints hindered my ability to dedicate as much time to my studies as I desired.

Despite these challenges, I persevered, ensuring that I gave my best effort in every aspect of my life. Balancing work and studies taught me invaluable time management and prioritization skills, but it also meant sacrificing some extracurricular opportunities that could have enriched my high school experience further. While my academic performance may not have reflected the 3.8 GPA I initially aimed for, I am proud of the resilience I demonstrated in the face of adversity. The experiences I gained from shouldering responsibilities beyond academics have shaped me into a diligent and empathetic individual. I believe these life lessons will undoubtedly serve me well as I embrace new challenges and opportunities in the future.”

Why This Optional Essay Works

This answer sticks to the facts and clearly articulates the circumstances the student faced, how they tried to improve their situation, and what they learned from it. The student keeps a positive tone throughout and does not place blame or try to evoke pity from the admissions committee!

Get More Sample Essays Here!

Looking at sample essays can work wonders for your own inspiration and motivation. If you want to check out more college application essays written by admitted students, take a look at our college essay database down below! 

FAQs: UT Austin Essays

Below, you’ll find the answers to any remaining questions about the UT Austin essays!

1. How Many Essays Does UT Austin Require?

UT Austin requires all of its applicants to answer one long essay and three short essays. There is an additional optional essay for students who faced circumstances that negatively affected their high school experience. 

2. Does UT Look At the Common App Essay?

Yes, the Common App essay will be considered in the admissions committee’s evaluations. 

3. Does UT Look At Coalition Essays?

No, UT Austin only uses the Common Application or the Apply Texas application . 

4. How Long Does the UT Austin Supplemental Essay Need to Be? 

The UT Austin required essay should be between 500-700 words. However, the short answer essays only need to be 250-300 words. 

5. How Important Are Essays for the University of Texas at Austin? 

According to UT Austin’s most recent common data set , the application essays are taken into consideration. This means that you’ll have to make sure your essays are stellar so that your application stands out! 

Final Thoughts

Overall, your UT Austin essays are not just about showcasing your achievements but also about how your unique journey has shaped you into the person you are today. Embrace the challenges you've faced and the lessons you've learned along the way. 

Be confident in your abilities and potential. Show them how you can make a positive impact both inside and outside the classroom at UT Austin. UT Austin is looking for a diverse array of individuals, so let your personality and potential shine brightly in your essays!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, university of texas austin supplemental essays tips.

Hi guys! I'm planning to apply to UT Austin this year and could use some advice on their supplemental essays. What are some important points or aspects to focus on?

Hello! UT Austin's supplemental essays are a great opportunity to showcase your personality, interests, and experiences in a more in-depth manner than the Common App. CollegeVine has written an in-depth article on tackling these essays, which you can find here: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-ut-austin-essays

Best of luck with your UT Austin application! Remember to stay true to yourself and let your personal experiences shine in your essays.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Command Education Guide

How to write the ut austin essays, updated for 2024-2025.

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. Please keep your essay between 500–650 words (typically two to three paragraphs).

Explanation:

This prompt is unique in that it provides students complete freedom to write extensively (the word count is as long as the Common App Essay) about a topic of their choosing. This open-endedness makes this prompt both exciting and particularly challenging. Since UT Austin does not consider the Common App essay, this could be an ideal place to reuse that piece of writing.

However, if you would like to write a distinct essay or revise the content of your Common App essay for UT Austin, there are a few things to keep in mind. While, as the prompt notes, you may select a topic that you have tackled elsewhere, it is best to take advantage of the creative license you are allowed in this prompt. Consider writing about something that adds depth and dimension to your application. Think about what makes you unique. Is there a passion, challenge, or life experience that has significantly shaped who you are? What is something important to you or central to your identity that admissions officers may not have seen a glimpse of thus far?

Whatever you choose to write about, keep in mind that admissions officers are using the openness of this prompt as a window into who you are—it is not only what you choose to write about, but how you choose to present your topic that matters. Whether you’re writing about a personal achievement, a significant challenge, or a quirky hobby, be honest and reflective. Use the essay to reveal your thought processes, motivations, and distinct way of navigating the world.

Optional Short Answer (250-350 words):

1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major? Please limit your response to 250-300 words.

With this essay prompt, the admissions committee wants to know where your passion stems from. Provide some background details about how your interest in your intended field came about. A brief, engaging anecdote could be a helpful way of illustrating this in the beginning of your essay. You could also look back at your activities list and include experiences that demonstrate your interest and dedication to honing skills necessary for your major of choice. Do not forget to actually include the name of the specific UT Austin major—rather than speaking in general terms about your field of interest, connect your answer to the specific program at UT that interests you.

What specific resources and opportunities would you pursue should you be admitted? Include details such as courses that interest you, hands-on learning opportunities, renowned professors, or research opportunities. Lastly, write about how majoring at UT Austin will help you successfully achieve your career goals.

The error on my screen seemed to mock me—how, in all my years of coding, had I never heard of it? My frustration alchemized into intrigue when I realized the error was related to a topic completely foreign to me: computer hardware. I’ve always loved problem-solving, but the mystery of this unexplored subject was undeniably motivating. The solution was far more complex than a forgotten parenthesis or a mistake in logic, and what started as a rabbit hole of research became my introduction to a whole new field of study. Solving the error yielded much more than a successful build: I became enthralled by Computer and Electrical Engineering.

I quickly enrolled in my local community college’s introductory Digital Electronics class to pursue my burgeoning curiosity and was immediately captivated by learning how to create the mechanisms that ran the codes I had been designing for years, mechanisms I had previously taken for granted. Piqued interest bloomed into a passion for this field when I was tasked with increasingly advanced computer engineering projects. Problem-solving and theory combined with physical creation elevated my love for mathematical thinking, research, and analysis. Embracing both the theoretical and the tangible renders computer engineering the ideal field for me.

UT ensures that both elements of this intellectual balance are bolstered both through its academics and through its plethora of opportunities available beyond the classroom. Coupled with rigorous technical courses such as “Computer Organization and Architecture” and the boundless opportunities offered through the Turing Scholars program, I will be empowered to explore the limits of what’s possible in this ever-expanding field. Through my pursuits at UT, I hope to not only debug any coding error that stands in my way, but to pioneer new advancements to debug our world.

2. Think of all the activities — both in and outside of school — that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why? (Guidance for students: This can include an extracurricular activity, a club/organization, volunteer activity, work or a family responsibility.)

This question is designed to give college admissions officers insight into what you believe is the most meaningful activity you have engaged in—rather than what is most impressive on your resume. When answering, you should explain not just what you did, but why it was meaningful and how it shaped you. This is your chance to showcase your dedication, leadership, creativity, or other qualities that make you unique. Be specific about your role and the impact of your involvement on yourself and others. Remember, the goal is to give the admissions team a clearer picture of what you truly value and illustrate the kind of student you will be on their campus.

I’m the President of my school’s Best Buddies chapter. I’m proudest of this extracurricular not because of the title, but because of the friendship I have fostered with my buddy, Jack. What started as a random assignment has been amplified into a friendship that includes both of our families (we often celebrate birthdays and holidays together), and Jack will be among my hardest goodbyes when I leave for college.

My professional goals involve solving society’s greatest problems through a combination of tech and legislation; however, my passion springs from a devotion to community. Best Buddies does not use a typical mentor/mentee model, meaning that my friendship with Jack is organic. We don’t talk about heavy topics like current events or report cards. Instead, he offers me play-by-plays of last night’s Yankees game, we debate our favorite pizza toppings, and we hatch schemes to get as many arcade tickets as we can on our next trip. Jack loves to surprise me with pop quizzes about the latest science facts he’s learned, and my family rushes to surround me whenever I receive a FaceTime from him—far past all of our bedtimes.

Our endless conversation has unfolded for years, reminding me that the foundation of every endeavor worth pursuing is humanity—individuals who contain so many facets that deserve recognition, but are too often simplistically categorized, then stigmatized or ignored.

Through its exemplary academics and inspiring environment, UT will prepare me to be an effective scientist and change-maker—and the ability to continue volunteering with Longhorn Best Buddies and Austin Unite will ensure I am an empathetic one.

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2 Awesome UT Austin Essay Examples

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the hardest colleges to get into in Texas . With a competitive acceptance rate, the school is moderately selective. Writing strong essays, however, will certainly boost your chances. 

UT Austin requires one long essay and three short answers, with an additional optional short answer question. There are also a handful of program-specific prompts. 

In this post, we’ll analyze sample essays written by a real applicants, sharing what they did well and what could be improved.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our UT Austin essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

Essay Example #1

Prompt: Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a starting point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation, title and author at the beginning of your essay (prompt from the 2020-2021 cycle). 

“Fortunately, among these people a man was judged according to his worth and not according to the worth of his father.”

– Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart 

Like most children, I aspired to my father. 

I saw my dad as an image of whom I wanted to be. Charismatic, genuine, respected among his peers – he embodied the qualities I saw essential to being a successful person. 

The most appealing to me, however, was my father’s medical background. As the first person to attend university in our extended family, he had always been revered for his accomplishment of becoming a doctor. 

As a direct consequence, biology was a keen passion during my childhood. I remember how each evening, as I was being tucked into bed, I would unload an avalanche of questions on my dad, many of them amusingly simple such as: If my body is 70% water, why don’t I have water spilling out of my finger every time I get a papercut? In school, I’d stay after class to probe my teachers about the topics I had read of but did not yet comprehend. And anytime I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I, without a whiff of doubt, bolted out I was going to be a doctor. 

However, as I got older, I developed new interests – in particular, social science and leadership – which did not always align with my childhood goals of medicine and biology. 

With this dichotomy in my mind, I decided to spend my sophomore summer volunteering at a hospital. 

Once there, it suddenly dawned on me that, for my entire life, I had viewed being a doctor through rose-tinted glasses since the reality of being a medical professional differed wildly from my perceptions. The dozens of biology textbooks I had read had not prepared me for a single drop of blood, as seeing just one could send me into an exhausting realm of dizziness. With every additional day of volunteering, it became painfully clear – I could not follow in my father’s footsteps. 

Disappointed, I began contemplating what made my experience in the hospital so bad and if anything could be done to improve people’s – whether patients’, doctors’, or volunteers’ like myself – experience. Then, a light-bulb switched on: what if I could improve the look of the hospital? As it stood, the hospital was incredibly run-down and inspired depression rather than hope. 

With a goal to improve the hospital’s appearance and thus create a friendlier environment for the people inside, I started the Better Setting – Better Getting project, which was going to decorate the hospital with photographs of nature. Having done so, there was a question of financing ー with the hospital administration over-budget, I had to source the funding entirely from the private sector. It was challenging but, a few dozen cold-calls and a handful of live-pitches later, I found a corporate partner that recognised my vision. Finally, I was ready to make my goal a reality. Legal roadblocks and printing nuances still stood in the way, but, with the enthusiastic support of the hospital community, I was able to navigate my way through. Today, dozens of wall-sized nature photos emit joy and hope into the halls of the hospital. 

My hospital volunteering, which had begun with heartbreak and disillusion, turned out to be a defining experience of self-discovery. It helped me close my chapter on medicine, a chapter I had so often doubted, and helped me validate my passion for leadership; it allowed me to operate free of doubt, knowing that I don’t have to follow my father’s footsteps. Above all, it made me realise that, although I would never be a doctor, I could nonetheless have a positive impact on society in my very own way.

What the Essay Did Well

The author begins with a quote from a historical fiction novel that the author has read. Although their essay topic doesn’t tie directly in with the novel’s plot, the quote they chose is profound and serves as a hook that piques the reader’s interest about the essay subject. 

The author starts the essay by mentioning their father. Their use of first person and writing style makes their first lines seem like the narration at the beginning of a film. This introduction draws the reader in as it seems like the author is building up to something. Similarly, your introduction should start as if you are telling a story to provide the most engaging experience for the reader. 

The author then delves more into their father’s background and describes his medical prowess by showing, rather than telling, readers about it. Instead of saying that his father is exceptional, the author presents a specific detail about how he was the first in his family to attend university. Phrasing your writing like this allows the reader to infer through descriptive detail rather than simply absorbing your words at face value. Ensuring that you create this immersive writing style might take more time, but it is worth it as it will make your essay more memorable to admissions officers.

Eventually, the third-to-last paragraph is the climactic point the reader has been waiting for. It is the most important part of the essay ー it’s time for the author to describe how they grew from the incident. During this portion of your essay, you should take readers through your thought process as you begin to formulate a solution for your conflict. It is not enough to say that you learned something new or to merely state that you felt like a changed person. You must provide concrete examples of how you reached a solution and what that solution entailed. Here, the author mentions their distaste for the hospital, specifically, its aesthetic. This sets readers up to hear their solution. 

In the next paragraph, the author describes how they resolved part of their issues with the hospital and were able to grow into their new career path. When detailing your solution, make sure you are centering yourself as the agent of change and give specific details as to your specific impact in your environment. In this essay, the author doesn’t just say “I learned that I had a passion for business.” Rather, they show readers how their skills developed and mention specific steps they took, like live pitching and navigating legal roadblocks. 

The author concludes this essay by summarizing their journey and bringing their essay back to their chosen quote. By wrapping up their essay in this manner, they underscore their growth in a way that flows well and is easy to read. Furthermore, their open-ended, future-facing final thoughts demonstrate that they intend to continue growing. This inclusion is a key part of any good essay; ending your essay on a strong, future-facing note evokes confidence and illustrates a readiness for the challenges that come with college and beyond.

What Could Be Improved

One area of improvement for this essay is that the section on their transformation is relatively brief. The author spends multiple paragraphs giving context but only dedicates one to the actions behind their growth. The author might want to trim other areas of the essay in order to fully develop this paragraph. They could describe what they did more thoroughly, and really delve into the steps they took to carry out the mentioned processes like so:

Essay Example #2

Prompt: Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

I woke up. The curtains filtered the sun rays, hitting my face directly. I got up, looked from the bathroom to the kitchen, but my dad wasn’t there. I plopped on the couch, then the door opened. My dad walked in, clutching a brown paper bag with ninety-nine cent breakfast tacos. After eating, we drove to a customer’s house. He sat me in a chair, lifted the floorboard, and crawled under the house to fix the pipes. As he emerged, he talked, but my mind drifted to the weight of the eleven-millimeter hex wrench in my hand. My interest in mechanical engineering originates from my dad, who was a plumber. When I was fifteen, my dad passed away from cancer that constricted his throat. Holding his calloused hand on his deathbed, I wanted to prevent the suffering of others from cancer. Two years later, when I was given a topic of choice for my chemistry research paper, I stumbled upon an article about gold nanoparticles used for HIV treatment. I decided to steer the topic of gold nanoparticles used for cancer treatment instead, entering the field of nanotechnology. After reading numerous articles and watching college lectures on YouTube, I was utterly captivated by topics like using miniscule devices to induce hyperthermia as a safe method of cancer treatment. Nanotechnology is multi-disciplinary, reinforcing my interest in pursuing mechanical engineering as a gateway to participate in nanoscience and nanotechnology research at the University of Texas at Austin. I have learned that nanotechnology is not limited to stories like mine, but to other issues such as sustainable energy and water development that I hope to work towards. It is important for me to continue helping others without forfeiting my interest in nanotechnology, working in collaboration with both engineering and the medical field.

The introduction of this essay stands out for its narrative style. The first sentences only give hints of the story to come, which builds intrigue and keeps the reader engaged. The introduction transitions seamlessly into a vivid, personal story that shows where the author’s academic interests come from. Using a short anecdote like the one in this essay is the most effective way to explain your major choice.

The author then guides readers through their intellectual journey of discovering their academic passions. They demonstrate their passion by discussing specific details about cancer treatments and nanotechnology. Indeed, “nerding out” over your intellectual interests is an excellent way to prove that you are highly motivated to learn about them in college.

Lastly, the end of the essay looks forward to the future. We learn that the author’s dream is to cure cancer, and they want to do it by gaining multidisciplinary knowledge about engineering and medicine. We learn too that UT Austin is a part of the author’s vision. They show their interest in the school by discussing more than the major they want to pursue at UT Austin, highlighting research and the opportunity to explore new applications of nanotechnology.

The main area for improvement in this essay is its formatting. While formatting is far less important than the content of an essay, it can do much more than you would think to make your essay more impactful. This essay only needs one formatting change — paragraph spacing. Here is an example of the improvements:

I woke up. 

The curtains filtered the sun rays, hitting my face directly. I got up, looked from the bathroom to the kitchen, but my dad wasn’t there. I plopped on the couch, then the door opened. My dad walked in, clutching a brown paper bag with ninety-nine cent breakfast tacos. 

After eating, we drove to a customer’s house. He sat me in a chair, lifted the floorboard, and crawled under the house to fix the pipes. As he emerged, he talked, but my mind drifted to the weight of the eleven-millimeter hex wrench in my hand. 

My interest in mechanical engineering originates from my dad, who was a plumber. When I was fifteen, my dad passed away from cancer that constricted his throat. Holding his calloused hand on his deathbed, I wanted to prevent the suffering of others from cancer. 

Two years later, when I was given a topic of choice for my chemistry research paper, I stumbled upon an article about gold nanoparticles used for HIV treatment. I decided to steer the topic of gold nanoparticles used for cancer treatment instead, entering the field of nanotechnology. After reading numerous articles and watching college lectures on YouTube, I was utterly captivated by topics like using miniscule devices to induce hyperthermia as a safe method of cancer treatment. 

Nanotechnology is multi-disciplinary, reinforcing my interest in pursuing mechanical engineering as a gateway to participate in nanoscience and nanotechnology research at the University of Texas at Austin. I have learned that nanotechnology is not limited to stories like mine, but to other issues such as sustainable energy and water development that I hope to work towards. 

It is important for me to continue helping others without forfeiting my interest in nanotechnology, working in collaboration with both engineering and the medical field.

This new paragraph spacing makes the essay much easier to read. Separating certain parts into paragraphs puts powerful emphasis on the ideas that need them; for example, turning the sentence “I woke up” into its own paragraph creates a captivating hook that intrigues readers into finding out what happens next.

With the new format, it is also easier to see that the fourth paragraph would benefit from a few transitional phrases. To connect the author’s interests in mechanical engineering and cancer solutions, the paragraph could be reworded like so: 

My interest in mechanical engineering originates from my dad, who was a plumber. My interest in finding solutions to cancer — and how mechanical engineering could create them — comes from my dad too. When I was fifteen, he passed away from cancer that constricted his throat. Holding his calloused hand on his deathbed, I wanted to prevent the suffering of others from cancer. 

Where to Get Your UT Austin Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UT Austin essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. In fact,  Alexander Oddo , an essay expert on CollegeVine, provided commentary on the essays in this post. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the UT Austin essay prompts? With tips from a Harvard graduate, CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the UT Austin essay requirements will give you the tools to write UT Austin essays sure to stand out in admissions.

If you need help responding to the UT Austin essay prompts, click  here  to create your free CollegeAdvisor.com account or  schedule a free advising consultation  with an Admissions Expert by calling (844) 343-6272.

UT Austin  Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• UT Austin has an acceptance rate of 32% —  U.S. News  ranks UT Austin as a most selective school.
• We recommend answering all of the UT Austin essay prompts authentically and thoroughly in order to maximize your admissions odds.

Does the University of Texas at Austin have essays?

Yes. All applicants to UT Austin must complete several UT essay prompts. You can access the UT Austin essay prompts through  ApplyTexas  or the  Coalition App . You can also review the full list of application requirements—including the UT essay prompts—on the UT Austin  website .

Keep in mind that UT Austin does  not  use the  Common App . All UT Austin application materials must be submitted through ApplyTexas or through the Coalition App. This includes your responses to the UT Austin essay prompts.

How many essays does the University of Texas at Austin require?

All fall 2021 applicants must complete five UT Austin essay prompts—one long-form essay of 500-700 words and four short answer questions of 250-300 words each.

Since UT Austin does not accept the Common Application, there’s no need to worry about the Common App personal statement. The Coalition App also has a personal statement—UT Austin applicants are not required to complete this, however.

So what does this mean? In the absence of a Common App/Coalition App personal statement, you’ll want to think about your long-form UT Austin supplemental essay the same way you’d think about your  Common App essay . In other words, your first UT Austin supplemental essay should give the admissions team a unique window into who you are and what matters to you.

We’ll discuss how to use the UT Austin essay requirements to your advantage throughout this guide.

How important are the University of Texas at Austin essays?

The UT Austin essay prompts are incredibly important in the admissions process. While UT considers a variety of factors when reviewing applications, your UT essays allow your readers to understand who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Think of the UT Austin essay requirements as a tool to help the admissions team understand who you are in your own words.

Strong UT Austin essays can make or break your applications. This means it’s important to draft, proofread, and edit your UT essays as much as possible before you press submit. Don’t underestimate the UT Austin essay prompts!

How do I write a University of Texas at Austin essay?

The UT Austin essay prompts are intended to help the admissions team learn more about you. At their core, your UT Austin supplemental essays should help UT admissions understand who you are.

To make your UT essays stand out, you’ll want to be as authentic as possible. Use the UT essay prompts to tell your story and help the admissions team understand why they should admit you.

Now, let’s discuss the UT Austin essay requirements!

UT Austin Essay Prompts: Long-form Essay (Required)

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (500-700 words)

The long-form UT essay prompt is entirely open-ended—and that’s the point! Let’s break down this first UT Austin supplemental essay.

The first of the UT essay prompts asks you to discuss “unique opportunities or challenges” that you’ve experienced throughout high school. With 700 words, this UT essay gives you plenty of space to tell a detailed story about how your identity has developed. Maybe you’ve struggled with dyslexia while pursuing an interest in poetry; maybe you’ve had to support yourself and your family by working a job throughout high school. Whatever topic you choose for the first of the UT Austin essay prompts, make sure it has “shaped who you are today.”

If you’re struggling to find a topic for this UT Austin essay, start with a timed  brainstorming  session. Set a timer for ten minutes. Then, write down every significant experience from high school that comes to mind. These experiences can be related to academic coursework, extracurricular activities, or personal experiences. Don’t hold yourself back—a strong topic for this UT Austin supplemental essay could come from anywhere.

Choosing an experience

Once you have this list, look for any experiences that have particularly defined who you are and how you operate in the world. Think about this list in the context of your overall application. What story can you tell in your UT essay that would complement the other aspects of your application, including your academic interests and extracurricular activities? For example, has a health challenge led to a desire to pursue a career in medicine? Or, did you have the opportunity to attend a famous art installation and it led to you pursuing art-centric extracurriculars during high school?

If you’re stuck between ideas, try a few timed freewrites for this first of the UT essay prompts. If you can’t stop writing about a certain topic, chances are that it would make a good UT Austin essay! Additionally, while this prompt does allow you to discuss multiple experiences, you’ll have the most luck if you stick to one topic.

Drafting your essay

Once you’ve chosen a topic, it’s time to start drafting. Since you have up to 700 words in this UT Austin essay, you have plenty of space to tell your story in detail. Like your Common App Personal Statement, you might choose to begin your first UT essay with an engaging anecdote to help draw your reader in. Then, explain your chosen experience or challenge. Discuss how this experience made you who you are, using as many specific details as possible. Finally, end your UT Austin supplemental essay with a glance into the future as you consider how this experience will inform your growth in college.

While you’ll want to provide enough context to help your reader understand your topic, you should spend most of your first UT essay talking about how this experience has informed your identity and worldview. What lessons did you take from this experience? In what ways did it shift your perspective? How have you grown as a result of this experience? How will this experience continue to influence you?

Telling your story

Keep in mind that this UT Austin essay prompts you to “tell  your  story.” This means that, fundamentally, your first UT Austin essay should be about you. While this might seem obvious, it can be easy to lose sight of this requirement. For instance, if you choose to describe a volunteering project, you might accidentally spend most of your essay describing the people you helped rather than your own experience. Similarly, if you write about an extracurricular club, you might spend more time detailing how that club runs rather than explaining your connection to it.

Remember, your reader should come away from your UT Austin supplemental essay with a solid sense of who you are and how you relate to the world around you. If your essay fulfills these two requirements, you’re on the right track. This same advice applies to many of the UT essay prompts!

UT Austin Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Does your response to the first of the UT essay prompts describe one experience or challenge that has made you who you are?
• Do you engage your reader with specific anecdotes and vivid language?
• Do you avoid clichés or topics that might not be appropriate for a college essay?
• Is your essay about you?
• Does your essay teach your reader something new about you that isn’t obvious from the rest of your application?

How do you answer the UT Austin short answers?

As you may have noticed from the UT Austin essay requirements, all students applying in fall 2021 must respond to four short-answer UT Austin essay prompts. While each response is limited to 250-300 words, you should still spend time brainstorming and drafting your short answer UT essays.

In this section, we’ll break down each of the short-answer UT Austin essay prompts. Let’s get started!

Short Answer UT Austin Essay Prompts: Question 1 (Required)

Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major? (250-300 words)

The first of the short-answer UT Austin essay prompts asks you to explain your academic interests in more detail. On your UT Austin application, you will identify your intended major; while this intended major is non-binding, you should still think carefully about which major you choose. The major you describe will influence how your readers approach your application, providing greater context for your academic achievements and overall candidate profile. For more advice on choosing a major for your college applications, check out our  article .

Make sure the major you choose to discuss genuinely intrigues you. Don’t say you want to study applied math just to seem intelligent. Remember, the best answers to the UT essay prompts will be the most genuine! If you’re undecided, that’s okay—just choose a major that aligns with your interests. The UT Austin essay requirements aren’t intended to force you to choose a field of study before you’re ready—they’re just meant to help you discuss your academic interests in more detail.

Keep it concise

With only 250-300 words in this UT Austin essay, you shouldn’t waste your time on elaborate anecdotes. While you can (and should!) include strong details to help your responses to the UT essay prompts stand out, you should spend most of your UT essay directly discussing your chosen major. Break down why it matters to you and how you hope to engage with it at UT Austin.

Cut to the chase with a description of what you want to study and why it appeals to you. Be as specific and personal as possible. Avoid general statements like “I just want to study geology because it interests me”; instead, talk about  why  it interests you. Maybe you visited the Grand Canyon as a kid and have been fascinated by rock formations ever since. Whatever you discuss, be sure to tie it back to your identity.

• Do you identify a major that genuinely interests you?
• Does your chosen major support your  application narrative ?
• Do you cite the specific reasons why this major appeals to you?
• Does your UT essay illustrate your intellect?

Short Answer UT Austin Essay Prompts: Question 2 (Required)

Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT. (250-300 words)

The second of the short answer UT Austin essay prompts addresses your relationship to your community. Through this UT Austin supplemental essay, the admissions team hopes to understand how you will make an impact on their campus.

Overall, the UT Austin essay requirements should help you show the admissions team how your experiences will inform who you will be at UT. This essay is no exception. This UT essay prompt asks you to address how your “experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities” will help you positively influence the UT community. Note that UT asks you to provide specific details about how your background impacts your role as a community member. That is, they want you to state, in precise terms, how your experiences will help you contribute to UT.

Try brainstorming

You might start this UT Austin supplemental essay with a brainstorming session. Make two lists: one that describes formative experiences, perspectives, talents, and leadership roles, and one that describes your key values and character traits. Once you have these lists, look at how they overlap. For instance, maybe you stated on your values list that you care about showing compassion to others and noted on your experience list that you spend every weekend taking care of your younger brother. Intersections like this will form a strong foundation for your UT essay.

You only have 250-300 words, so once again, you should be relatively brief. Don’t tell longwinded stories; instead, focus on specific experiences you’ve had and how they’ll help you impact your future community at UT. Once you’ve written your first draft, be sure to revise. Every word of your UT essay should make a difference!

• Do you describe particular experiences, perspectives, talents, or leadership roles you’ve had?
• Does your UT essay clarify the specific ways you’ll impact the UT community?
• Does your essay complement the other elements of your application?

Short Answer UT Austin Essay Prompts: Question 3 (Required)

The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate. (250-300 words)

In looking at the UT Austin essay requirements, you might have noticed that there’s no conventional “Why UT” essay. However, while it may not seem like it, this is essentially a “Why UT” essay. If you’ve spent time on the UT website, you’ve probably noticed their tagline: “What starts here changes the world.” So, how will you change the world with the skills you develop at UT?

This UT Austin supplemental essay asks for two things. First, it asks you to paint a picture of what your time at UT might look like. Then, it asks you to describe how your experiences will help you change the world after you leave UT.

For inspiration, check out the UT website or their  YouTube channel . You might also look through UT’s list of  student organizations  for a bit more inspiration. Think about the kind of person you would be at UT. What would you study? Which clubs would you join? How would you spend your time? Be as specific as possible—your UT Austin supplemental essay should show that you’ve done your research.

Then, transition to your postgraduate plans. How would the UT experience you envision help you impact the broader world? What skills would UT give you that would help you in your chosen career, both in the practical and the personal sense?

• Does your UT essay specify why UT—and only UT—will help you meet your future goals?
• Do you state specific reasons why UT will prepare you for your future career?
• Does your UT Austin supplemental essay describe how UT will help you positively influence the world after you graduate?

Short Answer UT Austin Essay Prompts: Question 4 (Required)

Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance, including the possible effects of COVID-19. (250-300 words)

According to the UT Austin website, this UT Austin supplemental essay question is required for all students applying in fall 2021, though it will become optional for students who submit their applications in the spring. Double-check your Coalition App or ApplyTexas requirements before drafting your response. Still, it’s in your best interest to think about how you might respond to the last of the UT Austin essay prompts.

Is there any context that your readers should understand in order to best evaluate your application? For example, maybe you had a bad bout with COVID just before taking the SAT, or had to care for a sick family member during exam season. You might even use this space to talk about how virtual learning impacted your education over the last year and a half.

While many students will use this space to discuss the impact of COVID-19, that’s not the only way you can approach this UT Austin essay prompt. This UT essay question gives you the space to discuss any other “events or special circumstances” that have complicated your high school experience. Additionally, while you should proofread your work carefully, you can approach this UT essay with less artistry than the rest of the UT Austin essay requirements. Above all, make sure that your essay communicates how your education was disrupted so that UT admissions can evaluate your application fairly.

• Do you describe how your education was disrupted, either by COVID-19 or by other factors?
• Does your UT Austin essay provide specific details?
• Is your essay free from any grammatical or spelling errors?

UT Austin Essay Requirements: Final Thoughts

While the UT Austin essay requirements might seem overwhelming, don’t be discouraged. If you start your UT Austin essays early and give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm and draft, you should be in great shape. Don’t be intimidated by the UT Austin essay requirements—instead, use them to your advantage. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on UT Austin was written by Abbie Sage, Harvard ‘21. Want more help responding to the UT essay prompts? Click  here  to create your free CollegeAdvisor.com account or  schedule a free advising assessment  with an Admissions Expert by calling (844) 343-6272.

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