Query about Texas A&M admissions

Hey there, I'm a high school junior currently researching colleges. I am really interested in Texas A&M and wanted to know more about their admission process, what they look for in an applicant, etc. Can anyone offer some advice or experiences related to Texas A&M's admission process?

Absolutely, I'd be happy to shed some light on Texas A&M's admission process!

Texas A&M, like many large public universities, employs what's known as a holistic review process. This means they look at several aspects of your application, not just grades and SAT/ACT scores. These aspects include your coursework rigor, extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, community service, and personal essays.

In terms of coursework, A&M prefers to see that you've challenged yourself with AP or IB courses if offered by your school. However, remember that doing well in these courses is important, as A&M highly considers your class rank and GPA. For Texas residents, those in the top 10% of their high school class attain automatic admission, although they are not automatically admitted into their preferred major.

Extracurricular activities are also significant. A&M views involvement in school-based or community activities positively as it shows your commitment and leadership skills. They value both depth and breadth of experience, so aim to show deep involvement and accomplishment in a few areas rather than scatter-shot involvement in many. For example, having a leadership role in a club (tier 3 activity) or participating at a high level in a state or national activity or competition (tier 1 or 2 activity) would hold more weight than general membership in a club (tier 4).

Texas A&M requires two essays for its application. This is your chance to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Stay away from cliche topics and remember to highlight parts of your personality or experiences that align with A&M's values and culture.

Lastly, although Texas A&M is test-optional for now due to COVID-19, strong SAT or ACT scores can still strengthen your application, especially if your class rank or GPA is lower. Just make sure to check whether they continue the test-optional policy in your application year.

Remember every application cycle is unique with different applicant pools. Hence, averages and stats can serve as a rough guideline but don't guarantee admission. The most important part of your application is to reflect who you are and what you could bring to the Texas A&M community. Good luck with your process!