University of Texas- Austin Rush

[southern greek]

Actually, according to UT President's newsletter, 91% of this year's incoming freshman class came from from the top 10%. That is why UT hates the "automatic admit for top 10%" rule. Then they have 5% reserved for out of state/foreign students. So you can see that it was extremely competitive to get in if you're not in the top 10% this year. Family connections don't seem to cut it like they used to. Now it's a combination of class rank, test scores, essays and letters of recommendations--as well as figuring out which specific college-i.e. natural science, education, business, etc would be the easiest route to gain admission. Very rare to see anyone out of the top 15% get in from our area.

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by southern greek

Actually, according to UT President's newsletter, 91% of this year's incoming freshman class came from from the top 10%. That is why UT hates the "automatic admit for top 10%" rule. Then they have 5% reserved for out of state/foreign students. So you can see that it was extremely competitive to get in if you're not in the top 10% this year. Family connections don't seem to cut it like they used to. Now it's a combination of class rank, test scores, essays and letters of recommendations--as well as figuring out which specific college-i.e. natural science, education, business, etc would be the easiest route to gain admission. Very rare to see anyone out of the top 15% get in from our area.

Yeah - I know all about it. I think it was 87% for the class that entered in fall 2007. Didn't realize we'd broken into the 90th percentile on that. It's been rising and rising - I think when the rule was first put in place it was only 40-50% of the entering class. I believe that A&M only admits around 50% of their class with the top 10 percent rule.

There was a recent thread where we discussed the top 10% rule ad infinitum. I don't really know that we need to here again.

Good luck southerngirl55!

[Southerngirl55]

Thank you! Yeah UT is very competitive... I was accepted as an International student (although I have lived in Texas my entire life) and that is supposed to be even more competitive!

I am not in for summer school but I know there is a lot of rush summer events that help PNM to get to know some sorority girls. Visiting is still fun but I just wonder how much more attention the girls who are at Hardin House for the summer get...

Also, how beneficial is it to be a legacy? If you are not a legacy to certain houses, should you be realistic and not expect to get a bid?

I know some threads consider big southern texas rush to be superficial... but are we talking about a cute outfit and nice Tiffany jewlery? or all out Chanel, Gucci, Manolos, Saks, Niemans shopping spree?

Let's say a PNM LOVES XYZ ...and their colors are...Orange and White. Would it be a good or bad idea to wear those colors during rush? If bad, which colors would be OK to wear and not attract negative attention? I heard solid dresses are the best bet.

If I join a sorority I plan on being very dedicated and I want that attitude to show through my rush experience. I want to be prepared but I definitely do not want to/ or hopefully do not need to! go completely all out.....or do I?

[Benzgirl]

Also, how beneficial is it to be a legacy? If you are not a legacy to certain houses, should you be realistic and not expect to get a bid? It helps but being a Legacy does not guarantee a bid.

I know some threads consider big southern texas rush to be superficial... but are we talking about a cute outfit and nice Tiffany jewlery? or all out Chanel, Gucci, Manolos, Saks, Niemans shopping spree? Cute outfit and nice jewelry (not necessarily Tiffany) is fine. UT typically puts out a Recruitment Guide that will help you. Also, many local panhellenics have teas for PNMs.

Let's say a PNM LOVES XYZ ...and their colors are...Orange and White. Would it be a good or bad idea to wear those colors during rush? Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad. Get the idea? If bad, which colors would be OK to wear and not attract negative attention? I heard solid dresses are the best bet. Wear something memorable, whether it's a print or a scarf or a cool pin, but nothing revealing.

[breathesgelatin]

In terms of clothing, some very tasteful examples were posted by VandalSquirrel in another thread. These would be dresses that would be appropriate for preference night at Texas and most other schools:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=97970

The Texas 2008 Greek Guide is available online here:

http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/gle...s/GrkGde08.pdf

The Texas Panhellenic council website is here:

http://www.texaspanhellenic.org/index.htm

You can download the 2008 Panhellenic Recruitment booklet here:

https://webspace.utexas.edu/rau64/Re...f?uniq=-9dd49l

The clothing suggestions begin on page 20 of that booklet. Definitely follow their suggestion about packing a pair of comfy flip flops to walk between houses in.

Overall, in terms of clothing, I would focus less on specific brands and more on overall style and elegance.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Southerngirl55

Thank you! Yeah UT is very competitive... I was accepted as an International student (although I have lived in Texas my entire life) and that is supposed to be even more competitive!


Also, how beneficial is it to be a legacy? If you are not a legacy to certain houses, should you be realistic and not expect to get a bid?

Being a legacy to a house doesn't mean you are guaranteed a bid.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Southerngirl55

Let's say a PNM LOVES XYZ ...and their colors are...Orange and White. Would it be a good or bad idea to wear those colors during rush? If bad, which colors would be OK to wear and not attract negative attention? I heard solid dresses are the best bet.

Well, some colors are commoner than others and hard to avoid. if you love Theta, don't be afraid to wear a black dress with gold trim. If you love KKG, don't be afraid to wear a dark blue dress with a light blue print - if those are the outfits you look the best in.

But if you love KD - don't wear green and white. Only green and white. For every single day of rush. Moderation is the key. But if you try to avoid every group's colors, you'll wind up nude.

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, some colors are commoner than others and hard to avoid. if you love Theta, don't be afraid to wear a black dress with gold trim. If you love KKG, don't be afraid to wear a dark blue dress with a light blue print - if those are the outfits you look the best in.

But if you love KD - don't wear green and white. Only green and white. For every single day of rush. Moderation is the key. But if you try to avoid every group's colors, you'll wind up nude.

LOL, unless you wear, as you "suggested" in another thread, wear magenta and puce. And take the armadillo as your mascot.

[YouTee]

Originally Posted by southern greek

Actually, according to UT President's newsletter, 91% of this year's incoming freshman class came from from the top 10%. That is why UT hates the "automatic admit for top 10%" rule. Then they have 5% reserved for out of state/foreign students. So you can see that it was extremely competitive to get in if you're not in the top 10% this year. Family connections don't seem to cut it like they used to. Now it's a combination of class rank, test scores, essays and letters of recommendations--as well as figuring out which specific college-i.e. natural science, education, business, etc would be the easiest route to gain admission. Very rare to see anyone out of the top 15% get in from our area.

Also, don't forget about all the highly qualified students from top private schools which don't rank their graduates. They cannot take part in the top 10% rule, so they are included in the small percentage of "non top 10%-ers" who manage to get into UT.

The current UT student is one smart cookie indeed. Which means most of the girls going through rush are going to be quite accomplished.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by YouTee

Also, don't forget about all the highly qualified students from top private schools which don't rank their graduates. They cannot take part in the top 10% rule, so they are included in the small percentage of "non top 10%-ers" who manage to get into UT.

That is correct. The way it worked for us (and still does post-Hopwood ruling) is that you are automatically in UT provided you achieve a certain class ranking within your own school plus have a certain SAT score. It is a sliding scale, so if you have a higher SAT score- you can get away with being in a lower percentile in your class.

About 20% of my high school went to UT when I graduated, and that figure is about the same today on average.