The University of Texas at Austin’s required essay prompts:


Please explain any gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, and/or academic performance issues that may help the admission committee in reviewing your application. (Limit: 250 words)
Both the tone of this prompt and the examples of potential topics the candidate might address suggest that this essay will be best used to address liabilities or extenuating circumstances related to one’s application rather than to provide “bonus” information to the adcom. Candidates with questionable quantitative records, gaps in employment, or unusual recommenders should take advantage of this opportunity to offer explanations or outline plans to address potential issues. As is always the case with this sort of response, the comments in this essay should be straightforward and fact-focused, offering explanation without making excuses and humbly suggesting other areas of your candidacy that might compensate for identified weaknesses.


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 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.

How to Write the University of Texas-Austin (UT) Supplemental Essays

The Cockrell School of Engineering awards merit scholarships to first-year participants in the Engineering Honors Program. Additionally, participants can be considered for honors housing. Selections are made by reviewing the standard materials required to apply for admission to the university. No additional essays or application materials are required, but submitting a resume is recommended. If you would like to be considered for the Engineering Honors Program, please acknowledge your interest on your application.

I feel like lots of UT students I've met are really passionate about what they study. So I wanted to see if that was echoed in all our admissions essays. When reviewing admission essay examples online, I noticed that most of them focus on some kind of altruism or greater world impact. Is that the case for you? Was that your /actual/ motivation to get your degree, or was it a little fluffed? Were you confident when you sent it off or did you think it was iffy? What are the weirdest entrance essay topics you've found?

Texas Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business (Texas ECB) is a powerful dual degree program looking for students who are dedicated to both an electrical and computer engineering and business honors education. Why do you see this as a combination of skills for your career goals? What have you done in high school, in the classroom and outside, to prepare you for honors engineering and business course work? Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Texas ECB website for additional requirements to complete their application.

I entered UT as a government major in 2019. My essay was about my immigrant family's motto of making a better life for our children, primarily through education. I went on to study education policy primarily. I remember asking my old roommate (applied movement science major) this question. She wrote about the tradition of being a Longhorn in her family (she was like 4x legacy) and how she wanted to be a physical trainer for our football team.


How to Write the UT Austin Essays 2024-2025

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.

UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2024-25

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UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2023-24

Texas CSB is an innovative dual degree program looking for students who are dedicated to both computer science and business. Why do you see this as a powerful combination of skills for your career goals? What have you done in high school to prepare you for computer science and business course work? Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Texas CSB website for additional requirements to complete their application.

How to Write the UT Austin Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

Are you considering applying to the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) for Fall 2025 admission? If so, you’re not alone. With its stellar academic programs and vibrant campus life, UT-Austin has become a top choice for students across Texas and beyond. However, gaining admission to this prestigious institution has become no easy feat, and UT-Austin has announced some of the biggest changes to its application in the past several years. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the admission statistics, strategies, and changes you need to know to maximize your chances of acceptance.

Big Changes at UT Austin: Testing Policies, Essays, and Deadlines

Your professional accomplishments are important, but we also want to understand the unique perspectives, experiences, and drivers that make you who you are beyond your resume. These essay prompts give you an opportunity to reveal more about yourself and what truly energizes you. After all, here, you are what’s next – and we want to know the authentic you. The essay section has been refreshed for the 2024-2025 cycle, now featuring three prompts with a 250-word limit for each response.