University of Austin (private college) will automatically admit SAT 1460+, full-ride for SAT 1500+

[Anonymous]

University of Austin’s 'Merit-First Admissions' automatically admits students based on test scores
Students who score above a 1460 on the SAT, 33 on the ACT, or 105 on the CLT will receive automatic admission and a full-tuition scholarship.

The University of Austin in Texas is implementing a “merit-first admissions” policy that automatically admits students who pass a certain standardized test score threshold.

The university announced on Monday that students who score “1460+ on the SAT, 33+ on the ACT, or 105+ on the CLT” will be “automatically admitted,” and those with even higher scores--totaling more than 1500 or 34+ on ACT potentially receive the $100,000 Lonsdale Magaro Build Scholarship.

As part of its condemnation of other schools’ admissions policies, the University of Austin also stated that “[s]tudents spend high school anxiously stacking their résumés with hollow activities, then collect generic recommendation letters and outsource their essays to tutors or AI. Admissions at elite colleges now come down to who you know, your identity group, or how well you play the game. This system rewards manipulation, not merit.”

Students who score below or equal to the new thresholds can still join the school through the regular admissions process, and will be ranked based off of their standardized test scores, as well as their “AP scores (4-5), IB scores (5-7), or SAT Subject Tests (700+).”

https://www.uaustin.org/admissions

[Anonymous]

OP, BOLD was a mistake.

Seems like auto admission at SAT 1460/ACT 33, and full ride only at SAT 1500+/ACT 34+.

Sorry for confusion.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but then you have to go to the University of Austin.

[Anonymous]

lol this is like me (50 yr old mom) saying “I will automatically marry any man over 6ft tall who earns 7 figures and works out daily! Dating apps have gotten far too choosy! I condemn them and welcome all the hot rich guys!”

[Anonymous]

wait - how will they make money. a zillion kids have those stats?

or is this a cult school or something

[Anonymous]

Yes. Perfect spot for MAGA kids

[Anonymous]

It’s definitely a niche school and not yet accredited (thus not eligible for financial aid). Bari Weiss was one of the founders. There’s been a good bit of controversy and turmoil, with several board members resigning. There’s also a whole crypto/bitcoin connection.

They claim to be all about “free thinking” and rail against the establishment, DEI, traditional higher education, etc. I’ve heard of this college but never heard of the CLT (Classic Learning Test) test and didn’t know that was a thing.

[Anonymous]

Bari Weiss is a co-founder? Oh God I will pass then ...

[Anonymous]

Liberty U for smart kids. Good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Liberty U for smart kids. Good luck with that.

Without any sports, a campus…I assume you still need to pay for your own housing in Austin.

[Anonymous]

There’s a lack of attention to detail by this school’s PR team that doesn’t bode well. SAT subject tests don’t even exist anymore. They were discontinued in 2021, so anyone currently in high school would never have taken one.

[Anonymous]

It’s a more conservative St. John’s College.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s interesting that they went with University of Austin (a blue city), which sounds rather generic, rather than a name that would more likely signal what this school is about. I see it as a kind of Turning Point U.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s definitely a niche school and not yet accredited (thus not eligible for financial aid). Bari Weiss was one of the founders. There’s been a good bit of controversy and turmoil, with several board members resigning. There’s also a whole crypto/bitcoin connection.

They claim to be all about “free thinking” and rail against the establishment, DEI, traditional higher education, etc. I’ve heard of this college but never heard of the CLT (Classic Learning Test) test and didn’t know that was a thing.

Oy

[Anonymous]

Always good to have more options. You don't have to opt in, but I do appreciate new institutions that seek offer to offer new perspectives and new thinking. Imo, we need more curriculum innovation. My kid is at a traditional ivy (decision driven by my kid vs me), but after looking at so many schools, I've become pretty jaded about colleges. So many public flagship universities with online classes, so many ivy and privates with classes tought by adjunct, Grad students, etc. The cost-value relationship is hard to assess. More options with merit is great.