Gentry Railsback, international relations and global studies freshman
On voting: “I haven’t. I don’t plan on voting, because I don’t consider myself educated enough about it or know enough about it to make the right decision.”

On top 7 percent: “I agree with [the rule], it’s raising standards.”

Brooks Beckelman, petroleum engineering freshman
On voting: “I did [vote]. My parents emphasized it a lot. I actually had to write a paper today on why everybody should vote, but it’s really not something I’m that passionate about.”

On top 7 percent: “They probably have reasonable explanations, I haven’t really thought about it much.”
 

Emilie Davis, public health junior
On voting: “I have voted early. I feel that as a citizen, maybe my vote won’t necessarily count toward the entire thing, but I just like to use my right to vote.”

On top 7 percent: “I guess it doesn’t affect me because I’m already here, but if it’s more selective then maybe it’ll encourage people to work harder in high school and know that they have to make the grades to get in to our University. So I don’t think it’s a bad thing, I think it’ll hopefully encourage people to not think they can get off easy and say, ‘Oh, I’m in the top 10, I can just get in off of my GPA.’”

Sierra Smith, international relations and global studies sophomore
On voting: “I haven’t voted, but I’m planning on voting. I feel like it’s an important civic duty.”

On top 7 percent: “I think it’s a bad policy to begin with — having automatic admissions. But I don’t know another way you could do it. But the top 7 percent at my school is a lot different in terms of GPA and basic education than 7 percent at a really small school or a different school. I guess that’s an issue with the American education system, but it creates issues at UT too.”
 

Sarah Beck, undeclared sophomore
On voting: “Basically, I had free time so I went in and decided to vote. It was my first time so I was excited … I don’t have enough information to really have much of a say. I’m not a very informed voter.”

On top 7 percent: “I got in with it. It kind of sucks for people who were in the top 8 percent, and now that it’s changed they won’t be able to get in, but I think it changes the quality of the students that are going to be coming to our school, because you’ll have more of the top-tier kids. So I guess [UT] is trying to minimize the number of people coming in and change their image.”

Linda Garrison, Biology sophomore
On voting: “I forgot to register, or I would have … Even though I didn’t vote, I’m split-hearted, because for human rights I think Obama has the better platform, for women’s rights and possibly gay marriage equality, but I think there’s been a lot in the debates — a lot of differences between what Obama said he was going to do and what he did, and Romney was kind of covering it like he was wanting to accomplish those things.”

On top 7 percent:  “I didn’t get under that rule, so I never feel as bad about it. I think if you work hard enough to get into the top 7 percent of your class you deserve to get to go here, but I think people who worry that as it gets smaller they have less of a chance — I got in without it, by having other qualities.”