If you’re in the top 10% of your high school graduating class, you’re eligible for automatic admission to any public university in Texas. To meet the requirements for automatic admission, you must:
- Graduate in the top 10% of your class at a public or private high school in Texas, or
- Graduate in the top 10% of your class from a high school operated by the U.S. Department of Defense and be a Texas resident or eligible to pay resident tuition;
- Enroll in college no more than two years after graduating from high school; and
- Submit an application to a Texas public university for admission before the application deadline. (Check with the university for specific deadlines).
If you’re admitted to college through the Top 10% Rule, you may still be required to provide SAT or ACT scores, but these scores are not used for admissions purposes. You must also take the THEA test, unless you’re exempt from the test requirement. Be sure to check with the school's admissions office regarding THEA, SAT and ACT requirements. (For general information on SAT, ACT and THEA, click on “The Tests You’ll Need.”)
After you’re admitted, the university may review your high school records to determine if you’re ready for college-level work. If you need additional preparation, you may be required to take a developmental, enrichment or orientation course prior to your first semester of college. Please keep in mind that admission to a university does not guarantee acceptance into a particular program of study or academic department.
