When it comes to college admissions in Texas, the competition can feel overwhelming. With prestigious institutions like Rice University and UT Austin attracting top talent from across the state and beyond, how can students differentiate themselves in the application process? As a Texas native who successfully navigated this journey, I'm here to share insider perspectives from real admissions success stories.
Before you keep scrolling, check out our Secrets to Applying to Rice, UT Austin, and Top Texas Universities webinar below, featuring one of our coaches who turned one extracurricular into a ticket to the top. In less than one hour, learn how Texas students can rise above the noise in competitive college admissions.
✅ Why being a “spiky applicant” helped this coach stand out
✅ How Academic Decathlon turned into scholarships and national recognition
✅ The real impact of honor societies (and what not to do)
✅ Turning cultural identity into a compelling leadership story
Texas has a unique college admissions culture that sets it apart from other states. "Texas is very competition-heavy," notes Catherine, a Rice University graduate from Sugar Land who thrived in this environment. "There's a big competition density. There are so many different competitions: UIL, Academic Decathlon, Texas Math and Science, AMC 10, AMC 12."
This competition-focused culture offers Texas students a distinct advantage: when you win at the regional or state level in Texas, college admissions officers recognize the achievement's weight. Being a top performer in Texas carries significant credibility because admissions officers understand just how fierce the competition is within our state.
One of the most powerful strategies for Texas students is becoming what admissions experts call a "spiky" applicant—someone with one standout achievement or passion rather than being moderately involved in multiple activities.
"I would consider myself a spiky applicant," Catherine shares. "Sometimes in the college admissions world, we hear about 'round' applicants that are kind of good at everything and dip their toes in a lot of different things versus a 'spiky' applicant that has one main extracurricular."
Catherine's main spike was competing in Academic Decathlon, an activity Texas takes more seriously than almost any other state except California. She competed at state and national levels, earning scholarships that significantly boosted her application.
What made this approach successful was that it:
If your school has limited resources or doesn't offer the extracurriculars that align with your interests, create them yourself! Catherine started a club focused on diversity and multiculturalism, reflecting her multilingual background and interest in how diverse cultures coexist.
"Most schools try to make it very easy for students to start clubs," she explains. "The only few things you need are a couple of friends and usually a faculty sponsor willing to lend you their classroom after hours."
College admissions officers understand that not all high schools offer the same opportunities. What matters is what you make of what's available to you—your initiative, time, and passion.
Texas offers unique resources that students should absolutely take advantage of in their college journey:
Medical Center Connections: "In Houston, we have the Texas Medical Center, the biggest medical center in the world," Catherine points out. This allowed her and many peers to gain clinical hours and research experience at the high school level—opportunities many students don't access until college.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area offers similar opportunities through its extensive medical facilities and corporate headquarters. These institutions can provide internships, shadowing experiences, and research positions that showcase your initiative and early professional engagement.
When writing your "Why This School?" essays for Texas universities, avoid the generic "I'm in-state and want to stay in-state" approach. Instead, focus on:
The ideal essay strikes a balance: "A good response takes elements from both and is pretty close to fifty-fifty. Here's Rice, here's me, here's us. Marry it," Catherine suggests.
Check out other blogs we've written on perfecting college essays.
Some students consider applying to less competitive majors to gain admission, then transferring to their preferred program once enrolled. While this strategy might sound clever, it comes with significant risks:
"If you're trying to go a different major and transfer into business, you have to have some backing for the other major as well," Catherine warns. "It is kind of a gamble to go the alternate major and transfer into business route."
Instead, focus on strengthening your application for your true academic interest. If business is your passion, demonstrate that through activities like Future Business Leaders of America, DECA, Junior Achievement, or business internships.
Perhaps the most valuable advice for Texas college applicants is to start early. Many successful applicants wish they had begun the process sooner to reduce stress and improve their application quality.
"I would have paced it out a lot more and definitely started earlier," Catherine reflects. "Having more time to think and edit—I'm sure it would have been a better product in the end. Essays are not something that you can typically just pump out perfectly the first time."
Working with a mentor or coach can provide accountability and structure to ensure you stay on track throughout the process.
Texas college admissions may be competitive, but with strategic planning, genuine passion, and a willingness to create your own opportunities, you can build an application that stands out from the crowd.
At Dewey Smart, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the NYC educational landscape. Contact us today to develop your personalized roadmap to college success.
