The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the most popular business schools at one of the most popular public universities – not just with our clients, but with students across the board. This mix means McCombs is competitive, especially for out-of-state students.
UT Austin offers auto-admission for students in the top 6% of their graduating class at Texas public high schools, which means their 30% or so acceptance rate is a bit convoluted. We currently estimate the acceptance rate for McCombs to be about 11% across the board – even if some public data suggests otherwise. This means getting into McCombs is hard, up there with comparable business schools like Ross or Marshall. But don’t fret, we have tips on how to make the most of your application to have the best shot possible.
Is McCombs your top choice? We’ve helped countless students gain admission to McCombs and other top undergrad business schools. Our counselors are ready to provide expert, personalized guidance to help you meet your goals – reach out to us today.
Get the Grades
Each year, we work with students who have their sights set on McCombs, and most of them have near-perfect GPAs. That’s not surprising – top McCombs applicants tend to be high achievers with access to strong schools, advanced coursework, and standout extracurriculars. If you want to be competitive in this crowd, the formula is straightforward: take the most rigorous classes available at your school and aim for straight As. If you attend a Texas public high school, that kind of academic record can put you on track for automatic admission. If you don’t, it’s still the minimum bar for serious consideration.
Additionally, you need the scores, too. UT brought back mandatory test scores (which surprised us!), and while they don’t release their testing data, we know from experience that to be competitive, you need a 1500+ or 34+, especially as an out-of-state student.
Build a Niche
If you’re serious about getting into McCombs, you need to show more than a vague interest in business. UT wants students who’ve started to dig into specific areas – students who aren’t just saying “business,” but are already putting that interest into action.
Maybe you begin by thinking you’re into finance, but after spending time researching, you find yourself drawn to financial modeling, or maybe even the ethics of investment strategy. That interest might evolve into something like understanding how finance plays a role in energy markets, or how it connects to global trade and development. That kind of evolution in your thinking is what makes an application stand out. It shows you’re not just exploring randomly – you’re building toward something.
And now that you’ve got the idea, let’s talk about how to show it.
Courses and Reading
One of the most effective ways to clarify your business interests so you can show McCombs you’re serious is to commit to learning outside the classroom. We often recommend online platforms like Coursera, edX, or Open Yale Courses. These offer both foundational business knowledge and more advanced, specialized content in areas like data analytics, entrepreneurship, or global trade. Pair that with a strong reading list: look for books written by industry leaders, or titles that explore business trends, innovation, or economic policy.
It’s also critical to stay plugged into what’s happening right now. Tracking news through sources like The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review can give you an edge and help you stay up-to-date. McCombs is looking for students who’ve taken that initial interest and gone deeper with it.
School Extracurriculars
If your school offers business clubs, get involved early. Whether it’s DECA, Future Business Leaders of America, or a student-run investment group, these are great places to build foundational experience. But if your school doesn’t have anything that fits your interests, or doesn’t have business clubs at all, start one! That could mean launching a club focused on entrepreneurship in tech, women in leadership, or even something hyper-specific like sustainable supply chains.
That said, not everything on your resume has to be strictly business. UT appreciates applicants who can think broadly and connect the dots. Maybe you’re writing business spotlights for your local paper, organizing fundraisers for a nonprofit, or running a student government campaign focused on improving the StuCo’s treasury. Those are all ways to demonstrate strategic thinking, communication skills, and leadership. What matters most is that your experiences support the narrative you're building: that you understand the field, and you’re already acting like someone who belongs in it.
Out of School Extracurriculars
Our students get jobs! In the summer, on weekends, whenever they can fit it in. And for McCombs applicants, we strongly encourage it. Whether you’re lifeguarding at the local pool, running point at a neighborhood taco stand, or managing inventory at a small business, having a job shows you’re dependable, responsible, and willing to put in the work. Plus, you get some coin in your pocket, and who doesn’t love that?
You can also explore summer programs focused on business. UT offers a few, and there are other competitive options nationwide that allow you to dive into real-world case studies and get exposure to business concepts before college even begins.
It doesn’t hurt to pursue internships, either! If you can secure one, that’s great, but it needs to align with your broader narrative. If you're saying you're interested in marketing, but all your experience is in a family-run accounting office, that disconnect can hurt you. The strongest applicants have clear through-lines: their activities reflect the focus they claim in their application. Make it easy for McCombs to see exactly where you’re headed – and how you're already getting there
Start a Company
This is for our “entrepreneurs.” Saying you’re interested in “entrepreneurship” is vague, and it doesn’t tell admissions officers much about what you’ve actually done or what you want to study. Sure, it might conjure images of tech founders and billion-dollar startups, but keep in mind: most of those stories involve dropping out of college. That’s not exactly what McCombs (or any serious business school) is looking for. Don’t be a red flag.
If you’re genuinely drawn to entrepreneurship, show it through action. Build skills in areas like marketing, analytics, or management – the kinds of things you’ll need if you actually need to launch something one day. The strongest applicants don’t just talk about being entrepreneurs; they’ve already started something. Maybe it’s a reselling hustle, a mobile detailing service, a tutoring business, or a nonprofit initiative. That kind of hands-on experience tells McCombs a lot more than just listing “entrepreneurship” as an interest ever will.
Apply Early
UT Austin offers Early Action, and if you’re serious about McCombs, applying by the priority deadline is the smartest move you can make. While it won’t give you a much, much higher chance of admission, it shows that you’re organized, intentional, and ready to make McCombs a priority. Plus, since McCombs offers direct admission for first-year applicants, getting your application in early gives you the best shot at standing out before the regular pool gets crowded.
A competitive McCombs applicant brings strong academics, rigorous coursework, and a resume that already points to leadership and initiative. The earlier you focus, the more intentional your application will be when it matters most. Don’t wait until senior year to get serious. If McCombs is on your list, reach out to us today. We’re here to help you make it happen.
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