The University of Texas is a difficult college to get into, with an acceptance rate of only 31%. This makes the accomplishment of seniors Margot Knudston, Asher Thorson, and Zach Lambertz getting accepted all the more impressive.

“Getting into the University of Texas is probably one of the hardest things to do,” Senior Counselor Dillon Walker said. “For me, being in college admissions for 10 years and then being on the counselor side for the past couple of years, Texas has been one of the hardest to get a student into.”

A common trait that all three of the students shared, was participating in the fine arts. Among other things that they were involved in, this gave them a step up on the other applicants.

“They’re not just looking for a student who has a high test score, they’re looking for the student who can check all the boxes,” Walker said.  “They’re looking for that well- rounded person who’s going to come to campus and make a difference when they get there.”

For Margot Knudston, Texas has been her dream school for years.

“I’ve grown up going to summer camp in Austin so UT has always been in the back of my mind,” Knudston said. “Eventually, it became my dream school.”

One of the things that Knudston loved the most about Texas is the city of Austin.

“I loved the fact that it’s in such a big city, but the campus doesn’t feel very urban,” Knudston said. “I still felt like I was in a regular college town, even though it’s right in downtown Austin.”

However, for Asher Thorson, Texas has not been on his radar for long.

“I was really behind on the college process,” Thorson said. “I actually got Texas recommended to me by Mr. Walker. He thought it’d be a good fit with what I’m looking for in a college, and I just did my own research into it.”

After Walker’s recommendation, multiple things drew Thorson to Texas, especially the culture.

“I’m really interested in all the different ranges of clubs and all the student social life things. I saw Native American clubs that I could join and try to get closer with that part of my culture,” Thorson said.

Thorson was involved in many things outside of school, including theater and being the president of the Speech and Debate club.

“Surprisingly it wasn’t really focusing on academics, I don’t think that’s what got me in even though I have pretty good grades,” Thorson said. “It was being extremely involved in extracurriculars and having leadership positions.”

Lambertz had an interest in Texas for a specific program he wanted to take, but ultimately loved the school itself.

“So, I’m majoring in petroleum engineering, and they have a really good program for that,” Lambertz said. “I just really liked the school atmosphere. I wanted to go to a school in the south because of the weather. They have good sports programs, so that’s what really drew me in.”

Like Thorson, Lambertz was involved in theater which he believes helped give him an edge over the other applicants.

As for advice, both Walker and Thorson say that getting involved is the most important.

“I would say really focus on getting involved within your school and outside of your school as well. I think Texas is looking for leadership, and a sense of being involved is the best way to show that,” Thorson said.

It is also important to branch outside of the school.

“Get involved, but don’t just get involved in things at the school,” Walker said. “Get involved outside of school, they want to see that you’re a well rounded person in that aspect of your immediate community and the surrounding community around us.”