What are the admission requirements for Texas A&M University?

Hey everyone, I'm really interested in Texas A&M University, but feeling a bit lost with the admission requirements. Can someone help me understand what GPA, ACT, and etc. are required? Are there any specific courses or extracurriculars that would increase my chances?

Sure, let's break down the academic requirements for Texas A&M University. Although there aren't generally hard cutoffs, knowing the marks accepted students generally hit is definitely a good idea:

Firstly, the middle 50% of admitted students to Texas A&M University typically have SAT scores between 1190-1390 or ACT scores between 25-31. It is worth noting that Texas A&M is officially test-optional, so submitting an SAT or ACT score is actually not required, but you're still smart to be thinking about targets, as there are many instances where including a test score with your application is a good idea.

For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/

Regarding GPA, Texas A&M doesn't report an average GPA for its accepted students. They do, however, have a preference for students who have pursued a rigorous curriculum in high school, including AP and Honors courses, and who have demonstrated a consistent level of high academic achievement. You want to show that you are ready for the more rigorous coursework you'll encounter in college.

On the subject of coursework, Texas A&M does not have official requirements, but does recommend completing at least the following:

- English (4 credits)

- Mathematics (4 credits, including Algebra I & II and Geometry)

- Science (4 credits, including Biology, Chemistry, and two advanced sciences)

- Foreign Language (2 credits)

Concerning extracurricular activities, Texas A&M places an emphasis on leadership roles and service. They have a holistic review process, which means they are looking for well-rounded students with a breadth of experiences. They consider activities and experiences that show leadership, passion, commitment, and investment - in athletics, community service, student government, part-time jobs, or even personal hobbies.

For example, if you played a leadership role in a school club (Tier 3 activity), that would be viewed favorably. If you founded a community service initiative that had substantial impact (a Tier 1 or Tier 2 activity), that would be even more impressive. For more information on extracurricular tiers, and how to classify your own involvements, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities

Finally, remember to write a thoughtful and personalized essay as part of your application. The essay is your chance to express who you are outside of your grades and test scores, and to discuss your motivations, passions, goals and how Texas A&M fits into your future. CollegeVine's blog also contains detailed guidance on how to tackle Texas A&M's application essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-texas-am-university-essays

In short, while certain numerical benchmarks such as standardized test scores and GPA can somewhat measure your preparation for college-level work, Texas A&M cares about more than just numbers. They are interested in getting to know you as a whole person, and what qualities you would bring to their campus community. So, make sure you're putting your best foot forward in each and every component of your application.

If you want to know how your application as a whole stacks up at Texas A&M, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including GPA, course rigor, test scores (if you have them), and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at Texas A&M and hundreds of other colleges: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator

This tool will also give you suggestions on how to improve your chances, for example by raising your GPA slightly or earning a leadership position in one of your extracurriculars. Good luck!