Texas Top 10 % & SAT: Do You Still Need 1350 for UT Honors?
College Admissions
Jun 21, 2025
Explore the evolving SAT requirements for UT Austin's Honors programs and understand the importance of a holistic admissions process.
Short Answer: No, a 1350 SAT score is likely not enough for UT Austin's Honors programs anymore. Here's why:
General Admission: Texas students in the top 6% of their high school class are guaranteed admission to UT Austin under the Texas Top 10% Rule (currently applied as the Top 6% Rule). However, this does not apply to competitive honors programs.
Honors SAT Scores: Honors programs require much higher SAT scores. For instance:
Plan II Honors: 1410–1550 (Middle 50%)
Business Honors (BHP): 1477 (Average)
Texas Honors Computer Science & Business: 1560 (Median)
Holistic Review: Honors admissions also weigh essays, extracurriculars, leadership, and personal achievements heavily. Essays can account for up to 40% of the decision in some programs.
Quick Overview:
Program | SAT Requirements | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
Plan II Honors | 1410–1550 (Middle 50%) | 20–25% |
Business Honors (BHP) | 1477 (Average) | Highly Selective |
Texas Honors CSB | 1560 (Median) | Highly Selective |
Liberal Arts Honors (LAH) | 1355 (Average) | Competitive |
Key Takeaway: To stand out, aim for an SAT score above 1400, write strong essays, and showcase leadership or unique achievements. Even with automatic admission through the Top 6% Rule, entry into honors programs is far more competitive.
1. Texas Top 10% Rule Admission
Admission Guarantee
The Texas Top 10% Rule, officially known as House Bill 588, was introduced in 1997 to promote diversity in Texas state schools after affirmative action was banned. Under this rule, Texas residents who rank in the top 6% of their high school class are guaranteed admission to public universities in the state.
At UT Austin, however, the automatic admission is limited to the top 6% due to the overwhelming number of eligible applicants. For students aiming to enroll in Summer/Fall 2025 or Spring 2026, being in the top 6% ensures automatic admission. A 2009 amendment to the law requires UT Austin to allocate 75% of its Texas resident admissions to automatic admits, leaving 25% of the spots for those evaluated through a holistic review process.
Review Factors
Even students who qualify for automatic admission undergo a holistic review as required by state guidelines. This process evaluates academics, achievements, essays, and unique circumstances. This additional layer of scrutiny makes the competition even tougher for students outside the automatic admit group.
Additional Admission Factors
For applicants who don’t meet the automatic admission criteria, UT Austin’s acceptance rate of 31% reflects its comprehensive evaluation process. The university considers a range of factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, leadership roles, work experience, and personal challenges. Essays are particularly important, offering students a chance to highlight their individuality and provide deeper insights into their accomplishments. Applicants can also submit resumes to showcase additional achievements, while letters of recommendation add another layer to the review.
The Texas Top 10% Rule has played a key role in increasing geographic diversity, making UT Austin more accessible to students from various parts of the state.
2. SAT Scores for UT Honors Admission
SAT Score Expectations
In the past, a 1350 SAT score might have been enough for admission, but the bar has been raised for UT Honors programs. For Fall 2025, UT Austin mandates all freshman applicants to submit official SAT or ACT scores, and the competition is tougher than ever.
Currently, the average SAT score at UT Austin is 1355, which means scoring 1350 places you just below the overall university average. However, honors programs set much higher benchmarks. The table below outlines the SAT score expectations across various honors programs:
Honors Program | SAT Score Range/Average |
|---|---|
Plan II Honors | 1410-1550 (Middle 50%) |
Business Honors (Canfield BHP) | 1477 Average |
Liberal Arts Honors (LAH) | 1355 Average |
Texas Honors Computer Science & Business (CSB) | 1560 Median |
As shown, the most competitive programs demand exceptionally high scores. For example, students in the Business Honors Program average 1477, while the Texas Honors Computer Science & Business program reports a median SAT score of 1560. Similarly, engineering-focused programs, such as Computational Engineering, typically admit students with an average SAT score of 1480.
Review Factors
While SAT scores are a key metric, UT Honors admissions also consider other important criteria. For instance, Plan II Honors weighs essays as 40% of its admissions decision, highlighting that test scores are only part of the equation. This holistic approach reflects the program's commitment to identifying well-rounded students.
"We seek students who excel beyond test scores, who write maturely and creatively, who know how to make a difference and are seeking challenges in many areas of academic study and non-academic life."
Different honors programs prioritize various aspects of a student’s application. Engineering Honors places a strong emphasis on academic performance, making SAT scores particularly influential. Meanwhile, Turing Scholars focus on the quantitative sections of standardized tests and expect a rigorous STEM background.
The Business Honors Program values leadership, meaning a strong resume can be just as important as test scores. These programs look for students who excel across academics, essays, and leadership roles.
Additional Admission Factors
Honors programs evaluate candidates based on their full academic and extracurricular profiles. For example, Plan II Honors reviews all test scores, class rank, coursework, writing ability, extracurricular activities, awards, community service, and work experience. The program seeks students who demonstrate exceptional potential in multiple areas.
Writing skills are especially critical in some programs. Plan II emphasizes writing throughout its admissions process, with evaluators looking for essays that show depth, maturity, and originality. Strong writing can help applicants with slightly lower SAT scores stand out.
"Great essays and those intangible qualities are what sets the successful applicants apart from the unsuccessful applicants who may have similar, perhaps even higher, grades, ranks and test scores."
The competitiveness of these programs is reflected in their acceptance rates. Plan II Honors admits only 20-25% of applicants, and in 2016, the program received 1,473 applications with 484 admission offers, yielding a 32.9% acceptance rate. These figures highlight why a 1350 SAT score, while commendable, may fall short for the most selective honors programs.
For students aiming to join UT Honors, achieving an SAT score above 1400 is increasingly important, with top-tier programs expecting scores in the 1450-1550 range. However, exceptional essays, leadership achievements, and unique personal qualities can still set applicants apart in this highly competitive environment.
UT-Austin Admissions Tip #16: All About Honors
Pros and Cons
Deciding between the Texas Top 10% Rule (or Top 6% Rule, as currently applied) and focusing on competitive SAT scores for UT Honors admission involves weighing distinct benefits and challenges. Each pathway offers unique opportunities and hurdles, making the choice a nuanced one.
Some faculty have voiced concerns about whether students admitted under the Top 6% Rule can handle the same academic rigor as those with high SAT scores. At the same time, they acknowledge the policy's role in broadening access for underrepresented groups. Chemistry Professor David Laude highlighted this tension, stating:
"Why it is we take an incoming student who got into this university through the Top 10 Percent legislation, who was the best in their high school, and then we expect them to sit next to somebody who has a 300‐point‐higher SAT and three weeks later prove that they can get the exact same score on a calculus test? This discrepancy calls the policy's ability to ensure academic preparedness into question."
Similarly, UT System Chancellor Bill McRaven expressed his reservations:
"Right now what is holding us back is the 10 Percent Rule"
Pathway | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
Texas Top 6% Rule | • Guaranteed admission to UT Austin | • May signal academic unpreparedness |
High SAT Scores (1400+) | • Demonstrates college readiness | • Does not guarantee admission |
To support students admitted through the Top 6% Rule, UT Austin invests heavily in programs like TIP (Texas Interdisciplinary Plan) and ULN (University Leadership Network). These initiatives aim to bridge potential gaps in academic preparation. For example, in 2011, over 71% of TIP freshmen in the College of Natural Sciences achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher, outperforming the 62% of non-TIP freshmen.
However, even with automatic admission, class rank alone does not guarantee access to the most selective honors programs. For instance, the Turing Scholars program rejects 85% of valedictorian applicants, emphasizing that additional qualifications, such as strong SAT scores, are often necessary. Students from highly competitive high schools who rank just outside the top 6% face another challenge: they must compete in a holistic review process, where only 25% of available spots are allocated.
The most effective strategy often combines both pathways. Students who secure automatic admission through the Top 6% Rule while also earning SAT scores above 1400 show a balance of academic consistency and standardized test performance. While a 1350 SAT score may be impressive on a national scale, it typically falls short for UT Austin’s honors programs, which often expect scores in the 1450–1550 range. For these students, relying solely on automatic admission may lead to academic struggles, underscoring the importance of thorough test preparation.
Ultimately, pairing strong classroom performance with competitive SAT scores creates a well-rounded profile, offering the best chance for success in UT Honors admissions.
Conclusion
UT Honors programs require SAT scores significantly above 1,350, though the exact benchmark varies by program. For instance, applicants to the highly sought-after Plan II Honors typically have an average SAT score of 1,466, with the middle 50% ranging from 1,410 to 1,550. Meanwhile, students admitted to Liberal Arts Honors average around 1,355.
It's important to note that while the Texas Top 6% Rule guarantees admission to UT Austin, it does not ensure entry into its honors programs. Even outstanding SAT scores can't compensate for weak essays or a lack of extracurricular involvement, as these programs rely heavily on a holistic review process.
Each honors program has its own unique priorities. For example, Plan II places significant weight on essays and an applicant's distinctive "sparkle", underscoring the diversity in what different programs value.
Given these specific requirements, students aiming for UT Honors should strive for SAT scores well above 1,400, coupled with a strong class rank. However, high test scores alone aren't enough. Applicants should also focus on crafting compelling essays, building a robust extracurricular profile, and tailoring their applications to align with the priorities of each program.
Admissions to UT Honors programs have become increasingly selective. Plan II, for example, admits just 32.9% of applicants, while Moody Honors accepts fewer than 10%. To stand out, successful applicants combine academic excellence with personal achievements. This means thorough test preparation, well-researched applications, and persuasive storytelling that highlights both passion and alignment with a program's focus.
Ultimately, the best strategy is a balanced one: pairing a top 6% class rank with SAT scores that fall within the middle 50% range of admitted students. This approach, combined with strong essays and extracurriculars, will give students the best chance of success.
FAQs
Does being in the top 6% of my Texas high school class improve my chances of getting into UT Austin's honors programs?
The Texas Top 6% Rule and Honors Admission at UT Austin
The Texas Top 6% Rule guarantees students graduating in the top 6% of their Texas high school class automatic admission to UT Austin. However, this rule doesn’t extend to honors programs, where admission is far from automatic and remains highly competitive. To gain a spot in these programs, you'll need more than just an impressive class rank.
Honors admissions take a deeper dive into your profile, evaluating factors like the rigor of your coursework, SAT or ACT scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. A competitive SAT score - ideally 1350 or higher - paired with a strong academic record can make a big difference. But that’s not all. A standout application that highlights your leadership experience and unique achievements is equally important in setting you apart from other candidates.
What other factors, besides SAT scores, are considered for admission to UT Austin's honors programs?
When it comes to UT Austin's honors programs, SAT scores are just one piece of the puzzle. Admissions committees also take a close look at your class rank, the difficulty of the courses you've taken, and your extracurricular involvement. Beyond that, they consider your personal achievements, letters of recommendation, and the ways you've positively influenced your community.
The goal is to find students who not only shine academically but also bring value to their school and community. To strengthen your application, aim for a mix of strong academic performance and meaningful, impactful experiences.
Why is an SAT score above 1400 recommended for UT Honors programs, and how does it impact my application?
An SAT score above 1400 is often suggested for UT Honors programs because it reflects strong academic skills and can place you among the top applicants. Many students who are admitted to these programs rank in the top 5% of their high school class, and a standout score can help your application shine in a competitive selection process.
However, while a high SAT score is valuable, UT Honors admissions take a holistic approach when reviewing applications. This means they also consider your course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters. To boost your chances, focus on presenting a well-rounded application that showcases both your academic achievements and personal strengths.