Which colleges in Texas are the toughest to get in?

Texas-native here! Anyone know which college(s) in Texas are notoriously difficult for admissions? I'm trying to realistically strategize my list and not limit my in-state choices.

In Texas, some of the most selective colleges, meaning those with lower acceptance rates and higher average SAT/ACT scores, include Rice University and the University of Texas at Austin.

Rice University, located in Houston, is typically considered the most competitive university in the state, with an acceptance rate that hovers around 8-10%. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is generally around 1490-1570.

The University of Texas at Austin has an acceptance rate of around 31%, but it's worth noting that getting into some of its individual programs, like Business Honors and Computer Science, can be pretty competitive with an acceptance rate well below that of the university overall. The middle 50% SAT score range for UT Austin is usually around 1230-1500.

Trinity University and Southern Methodist University (SMU) are also selective, but their acceptance rates and test score ranges are slightly higher than those of Rice and UT Austin.

While these schools may be more challenging to get into, don't be discouraged! Admission to these universities will depend not only on your GPA and test scores, but also your extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. If these schools align with your academic and personal goals, you should still consider applying. You might find it beneficial, however, to also consider other Texas schools that may be less selective and could serve as safety or match schools. These might include Texas A&M University, University of Houston, or Texas Tech University.