The University of Texas at Austin: Supplemental Essays & Deadlines 2026-27

Every The University of Texas at Austin application deadline and writing prompt for the 2026-27 cycle, verified against the school's own materials on August 7, 2026.

2026-27 Application Deadlines

Supplemental Essays & Short Answers

1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
   300 words
2. 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.)
   300 words
3. Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance. (Optional)
   300 words · optional
4. Describe your significant activities, employment, and achievements, particularly those relevant to the study of computer science. Also describe your educational and career goals.
   500 words · optional
5. Communication is a fundamental part of human life, influencing every aspect of the world around us. Future communicators like yourself must wrestle with the question of whether communication is motivated by self-interest or cooperation. Discuss an example from a communication discipline (advertising, communication studies, communication and leadership, journalism, public relations, radio-tv-film, or speech language hearing sciences), that supports one of the two perspectives.
   250 words · optional
6. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences recently reported that the number of bachelor's degrees in the humanities has fallen by approximately 20% from 2012 to 2021, while the number of STEM and business degrees have sharply climbed. Nonetheless, in an age of standalone large language models (LLMs), interactive chatbots, and the escalating use of artificial intelligence in medicine, meteorology, coding, and business analytics, many STEM and business leaders are urging students to study the humanities to navigate an increasingly complex world. As an applicant to the interdisciplinary Plan II Honors program, you have chosen a major with a strong humanities component. Please explain how the humanities have shaped your educational experiences and how you anticipate applying the humanities to your study of other fields during your collegiate career and beyond.
   250 words · optional
7. Each of the three CNS Honors Programs has a distinct profile. Why are you a good fit for the Dean's Scholars, Health Science Scholars, or Polymathic Scholars program? How will you contribute to that community?
   350 words · optional
8. 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?
   500 words · optional
9. 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?
   500 words · optional
10. In the Human Development and Family Sciences department, we examine individual and family development from infancy to old age, with a focus on how social, community, cultural, and policy contexts may shape development. Why have you chosen to apply to the HDFS Honors Program? What makes you a good fit?
    500 words · optional
11. What knowledge, skills, or experiences do you hope to gain through participation in HDFS Honors, including its research opportunities? How do you hope it will support your academic and professional goals?
    500 words · optional
12. Teamwork and community are pillars of the Canfield Business Honors Program. When reviewing your resume, is there a particular aspect that reflects these values? Tell us more about this experience and how you will bring these values to Canfield Business Honors.
    300 words · optional
13. The Cockrell-McCombs BS/MS Honors Program is a unique program that integrates engineering and business education from the start. The program provides the fundamentals of engineering and business to develop the leaders needed to ensure economic growth and national security. Why do you see this as a combination of skills that would help you achieve your career goals?
    500 words · optional
14. Describe your significant activities, employment and achievements, particularly those relevant to the study of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Also describe your educational and career goals.
    500 words · optional
15. Prospective students cite many reasons for pursuing education in the liberal arts, and we would like to know why you want to do so. In 250 words or less, tell us why you want to study the liberal arts. Consider (but don't feel obligated to answer all) questions like: Why should anyone study liberal arts at all? Why does the world need the liberal arts? What does your liberal arts degree get you? What will you do with your liberal arts education?
    250 words · optional
16. Why are you interested in robotics? How will this undergraduate robotics program help you achieve your personal and/or career goals? What impact do you hope to make in the field of robotics?
    500 words · optional

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Deadlines and prompts change. This page was verified on August 7, 2026; always confirm on The University of Texas at Austin's official admissions site before submitting.