Texas admission question

[emccready24]

University of Texas is a top choice for me. I moved to Texas in January due to work and I won't be considered a resident until February 2021. With Texas requiring that they enroll a class of at least 65% resident students, I am wondering when the best time to apply would be. I have a 167, so I'm a bit below their median. GPA 3.9. Do you see there being a better chance if I apply now or wait until February when I am a Texas resident?

Thank you!!

[Jeremy Press]

Hi emccready,

I'd call the admissions office on this one and see if, given your current status, they'll evaluate you as a resident or non-resident. They get these kinds of questions all the time, and they'll give you a straight answer. I'd imagine they would at least consider evaluating you as a resident, since you will become one well in advance of your actual enrollment date. But I can't say that for sure. Assuming they will, then you're obviously best off submitting your application now. If they won't evaluate you "as a resident" until the date you've gained residency, then it's a bit dicier question. If you submit now, you're being evaluated when there are more open seats. But you're also being evaluated as a non-resident (likely to be more competitive, given the smaller number of seats available). With a below median LSAT, that makes it even tougher. All things considered, it's probably slightly better to wait until you're a resident and those additional seats are available. But I'm not sure it's marginally going to be a huge bump, since seats are being filled now, and application numbers do seem to be up thus far. I wish I could give a clearer answer here, but there are factors at play that are (sadly) beyond both your and my vision (principally the number of seats already filled in both the resident and non-resident categories).

I hope this helps!