UT Austin Supplemental Essays: Requirements & Prompts
When applying to the University of Texas at Austin, you will need to submit responses to the following required short answer prompts as part of your admission application. Answers are limited to no more than 40 lines, or about 250–300 words per prompt.
Required Prompts
1. First-Choice Major Interest
"Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?"
UT Austin 'First-Choice Major Interest' Essay Q&A Slides
Q: Why this major?
A:
Name your specific major. Identify the precise moment or experience that sparked this interest.
Example: "Not 'Computer Science,' but 'Artificial Intelligence: my fascination began debugging a neural network for a robotics competition.'"
Q: Connect past experiences?
A:
Detail specific projects, courses, or self-study that built your interest.
Show active pursuit.
Example: "Developed a Python script to analyze climate data. This revealed patterns, solidified my interest in Environmental Engineering's data applications."
Q: Future goals & major's role?
A:
State a specific career or research goal.
Show how this major provides the exact tools or knowledge.
Example: "My goal: design sustainable urban infrastructure. Civil Engineering offers the structural analysis and materials science needed."
Q: Why UT Austin for this major?
A:
Research specific UT Austin faculty, labs, courses, or research centers.
Show deep knowledge of UT's unique offerings for your major.
Example: "UT's 'Cockrell School of Engineering' offers the 'Sustainable Systems Lab.' I seek Prof. Garcia's research on water purification technologies."
Q: Manage 250-300 words?
A:
Structure: Spark (50 words), Experiences (100 words), Goals (50 words), UT fit (50-100 words).
Every sentence must link your past to your future at UT.
Praise for UT without specific program connections.
2. Most Proud Activity
"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.)
UT Austin 'Most Proud Activity' Essay Q&A Slides
Q: How to choose your activity?
A:
Pick an activity where you faced a challenge and achieved a specific, measurable outcome.
It must reveal a core value or skill.
Example: "Not 'being on the debate team,' but 'leading the debate team to a state championship after a losing season'."
Q: Detail the activity & your role?
A:
Describe your specific actions. Quantify impact.
Show problem-solving.
Example: "Implemented a new training regimen. Recruited new members. Developed a data-driven strategy for opponent analysis. Increased team wins by 400%."
Q: Why this pride?
A:
Connect the outcome to a personal growth or a value demonstrated.
Show deep reflection.
Example: "Pride stems from transforming a struggling team. It validated my leadership, my belief in perseverance."
Q: Broader significance?
A:
Explain how this experience impacts your future goals or worldview.
Show long-term learning.
Example: "This experience solidified my commitment to collaborative problem-solving. I seek to apply these skills in engineering challenges."
Q: Manage 250-300 words?
A:
Focus one single activity. One clear reason for pride.
Concise language. Every word counts.
Start with the activity. End with its lasting impact.
