As to UT admissions:
"Note also that a number of students were accepted with test scores and grades a bit below the norm. The University of Texas has holistic admissions, so the admissions officers are considering qualitative as well as quantitative information. Students who show some kind of interesting talent or have a compelling story to tell will often get a close look even if grades and test scores aren't quite up to the ideal . . . From the graph at the top of this article, you might be led to conclude that students with "A" averages and strong SAT or ACT scores are almost certain to get into the University of Texas at Austin. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Plenty of students with GPAs and standardized test scores that are on target for the university fail to be admitted."
Not being accepted into UT is in no way a reflection on the student's right to call themselves one of our finest; being accepted at UT does not mean you are automatically one of our finest. We have amazing students at just about any university you care to name, and something which is important to consider is the major. A program at one school, however well-regarded the school, might not be as good as a program at a less known school. Many flagship universities emphasize their graduate programs to the detriment of their undergraduates. I don't deny differences - I celebrate them, and also like a realistic, objective, fact based discussion of the benefits of choosing where to attend from a variety of opportunities. Just as our pnms benefit from large Greek systems with a variety of chapters, so our students benefit from having differing options in higher education.
Interesting graph - note the number of "admitted will not attend". Plenty of those who are admitted choose to go elsewhere:
https://www.thoughtco.com/ut-austin-...and-act-786750