Did your child get waitlisted to the University of Texas at Austin’s Class of 2029? Rest assured that this is not where this road ends! You’ve come to the right place to discover how to optimize your child’s odds of admission to the proud prowling grounds of the Longhorns!

UT Austin Waitlist Acceptance Rate and Statistics

Unfortunately, UT Austin keeps its waitlist data under wraps. The number of students placed on it each year and the percentage that eventually secures admission remains a mystery.

However, UT Austin’s approach to the waitlist is unique. They allow all applicants, even those who have been rejected, to join the waitlist and receive a second look. This also applies to students who wish to switch majors before enrolling. All it takes is to submit a waitlist form, making UT Austin’s process distinct from that of other institutions.

More on this unorthodox process straight from the Office of Admissions themselves: 

“Who Can Join the Waitlist?

• Students who were not offered admission to The University of Texas at Austin during their admission cycle.  
• Students who were offered admission to The University of Texas at Austin but would like to be considered for a different major.*

*Note: For students who have been accepted to the University, joining the waitlist will not affect admission to your current major should you not be selected from the waitlist for a different major.”

While the waitlist is not a guarantee of acceptance, immediate action can significantly improve your chances. Although we lack specific data about UT Austin’s waitlist acceptance rate, it’s a general rule of thumb that around 10% of waitlisted students at elite universities eventually gain admission. This figure can vary from year to year, but one thing is clear — the importance of acting promptly. Here’s what you can do right now to enhance your chances. Remember, time is of the essence!

What To Do If The University of Texas at Austin Waitlisted Your Child

This is Ivy Coach’s two-step method to optimize your child’s odds of getting off the UT waitlist and onto that elusive Austin campus:

1. Complete Ivy Coach’s PostMortem application review. Before crafting a compelling letter that hopes to sway admissions officers to root for students, we first need to understand how a student presented their case for admission. Hence, we know what they should focus on and what they should avoid focusing on in their letter. We want to lean into their strengths and avoid previously committed mistakes.
2. The second step in our method is to submit a powerful Letter of Continued Interest. This letter is not a brag sheet or an update on your child’s achievements. It’s a heartfelt letter to UT Austin, expressing your child’s genuine interest in the university and how they will contribute their singular hook to the campus ecosystem. This letter should be submitted without delay to show UT Austin that they are your child’s top choice!

What Not To Do If Your Child Was Waitlisted by UT Austin

1. One common mistake is waiting to learn about your child’s other college decisions that have yet to be released. When students don’t submit Letters of Continued Interest right away, admissions officers — experienced in this process — know they’re waiting to hear from colleges they love more. This can give the impression that UT Austin is not your child’s top choice, negatively impacting their chances of getting off the waitlist.
2. Submit a letter filled with brags and updates — no one likes a show-off, least of all admissions officers at such places as UT Austin!
3. Contact the UT Austin admissions office via phone, smoke signal, telegram, or Morse code to plead your case.
4. Send follow-up letters after submitting your Letter of Continued Interest — this will only undercut your chances.
5. Stake out the UT Austin admissions office to plead your case! It sounds ridiculous, but we’ve seen it all!

Getting Started with Ivy Coach on Conquering the UT Austin Class of 2029 Waitlist

If you’re interested in optimizing your child’s case for admission off the UT Austin waitlist to the Class of 2029, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form, indicate that UT Austin has waitlisted your child, and we’ll be in touch.