Established in 1987, Exes for Texas (EFT) is a joint program of The Ex-Students' Association and the Freshman Admissions Center consolidating activities formerly conducted by local Texas Exes chapters and by alumni acting alone.

EFT provides alumni support to the Freshman Admissions Center's ongoing effort to attract top students to the University. By expanding the base of UT's personal contact with students and their parents, EFT volunteers contribute to the University's image and promote public awareness of UT Austin as a top-quality institution that provides the best educational value for the student's dollar.

In the past, EFT volunteers have reached hundreds of students, both in Texas and out of state. EFT volunteers often substitute for UT admission counselors and have participated in College Day/College Night programs in states from California to Massachusetts and as far away as Germany.

Specific recruitment goals of the Exes for Texas program may vary from year to year, based on the previous year's successes and the changing growth needs of the University. However, the major objectives of EFT remain constant and include:

• To increase the general awareness that the University is a top-quality institution that deserves the support of the general public and serious consideration from any prospective college student.
• To make information about the University more readily available so all prospective students and their parents can make their decisions based on fact.
• To provide prospective students with an ex-student's personal perspective of the University.
• To increase the number of alumni involved in the EFT program in order to make it more successful and to provide a "continuing connection" with the University for interested alumni.
• To increase the number of National Merit, National Achievement, and National Hispanic Scholars and other similarly qualified students recruited to and enrolled at the University, as they have already demonstrated their scholastic potential.
• To increase the number of high-ability students from traditionally underrepresented schools recruited to and enrolled at the University.
• To utilize alumni assistance in the ongoing recruitment efforts of the Freshman Admissions Center.

As an Exes for Texas volunteer, you are encouraged to participate in as many, or as few, programs as your interests and schedule allow. You may prefer only to contact students, whereas another volunteer may prefer to attend College Day/Night programs. EFT considers each volunteer an invaluable link in the admission process, whatever the extent of his or her participation. Being an EFT volunteer has intrinsic rewards, but is enjoyable only as long as the desire to help is sincere. By imposing no minimum on the extent of your involvement, EFT hopes to keep that sincerity and enthusiasm alive through each year of your participation. We want you to have fun!

Personal Contact

Exes for Texas focuses on personal contact. Many other schools recruit these same high-ability students, and personal contact by alumni helps to strengthen our image and public perception. Prospective students are called or written to by alumni to provide answers to any questions they may have and to encourage their interest in the University. EFT publishes the Volunteer Guide to supply you with the information you need to be a UT recruiter.

 

College Day/College Night Programs

During the fall and early spring, high schools host College Day/College Night programs to give students information about different colleges and universities. Volunteers attend College Day/Night programs at their local high schools, either to assist admission personnel in answering questions or to serve as the sole UT representative in the absence of a staff member from the Office of Admissions. Alumni visit with prospective students and parents to inform them about opportunities available at UT Austin and to relate their experiences at the University.

 

Receptions & Freshman Send-Offs

UT Previews are hosted by alumni for prospective students in their local area. Various UT Austin representatives attend to provide information about the campus. Stampedes are open houses held locally to encourage seniors to ask questions and complete their applications. Freshman Send-Offs are held locally in the summer before freshmen leave for Austin, both to send them off and to let them hear more about what awaits them as freshmen at UT.

How Can I Volunteer?