UT Austin Supplemental Essay Prompts 2026-27 + How to Answer Them
One essay of 500 to 650 words (the Common App personal essay completes this requirement) plus two required short answers of about 250 to 300 words and one optional short answer. Every prompt below is quoted from UT Austin Admissions and verified against it on September 2026.
Application: Common App or ApplyTexas. Requirements can change during the cycle; UT Austin's application portal is the final word on what to submit.
Required of all applicants
3 prompts
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt or one of your own design.
How to answer
For Common App applicants this requirement is completed by the Common App personal essay; ApplyTexas applicants write Topic A (Tell us your story, 650 words max). Tell one story that shows how you work and who you are.
Draft this prompt in the essay tool →Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
How to answer
Direct answer: what drew you to the major, what you have done in it, and what you want from UT’s program. Texas reviews applicants by major, so fit matters here.
Draft this prompt in the essay tool →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.)
How to answer
One activity and the why of your pride in it. Depth beats prestige, and family responsibilities count.
Draft this prompt in the essay tool →Optional
1 prompt
Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.
How to answer
Use only if something genuinely affected your record. Keep it factual and brief; this is context, not narrative.
Draft this prompt in the essay tool →Draft your UT Austin supplement with feedback on every essay.
Skora's essay tool opens with UT Austin preselected as your essay target and its prompts one click away, and it's free to start.
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