Just how easy is it to get into Texas A&M?

Question

I'm talking minimum SAT scores (combined math, critical reading, and writing), minimum GPA, extracurriculars, etc? I know they accept like 67-70% of applicants and even though i'm an above average student, my SAT scores aren't extremely high because for one i'm not the best in math and also i'm not good at taking standardized tests.

Anyway, i'm really stressed out about this even though everyone keeps telling me i'll get in no problem (not 10% though).

Answer 1

See admission requirements for Texas A&M at:
http://admissions.tamu.edu/freshmen/getting_in.aspx

The top 10% rule in Texas has the strongest impact on UT...about 75% of their freshman class are students granted automatic admission under this rule leaving only 25% of the slots for every other student that applies. I've heard of students being turned down with a GPA as high as 3.9 and a high SAT score because they went to a tough school and weren't in the top 10%!

The problem isn't as bad at Texas A&M...about 50% of their slots in each freshman class go to automatic admissions under the 10% rule. For the Fall 2007 they enrolled about 8,000 new freshmen...thus, about 4,000 of those slots went to people that weren't in the top 10%.

I couldn't find any stats about how many of the remaining slots went to other people who received automatic admission because of their standing (top 25%) and their SAT or ACT scores (see link above for requirements for automatic admission under these criteria).

If you don't meet either of the automatic admission requirements, I would guess that the chances drop quite a bit. The 67-70% stat you gave includes automatic admissions...for those that don't qualify, it is probably much lower.

An admissions counselor at TAMU can probably give you a better idea how all these criteria break down. I will say that if you aren't the best in math and aren't good at standardized tests, you should work on that NOW before you try to go college! Both are learnable skills...don't keep limiting yourself by accepting that you just can't do something...that won't serve you well in college no matter where you go. In my experience (professor for 15 years), the main reason you aren't good at math and at standardized tests is because you THINK you aren't good at them!!! You can change that...trust me on this...if you can succeed in college, you can also learn to succeed in math and anything. ...and don't forget that standardized testing will be used after you get to college too so you better learn it now...some majors require students to pass a standardized test to graduate!

...and if it doesn't work out for you, consider the other options mentioned on the TAMU site (link above). I teach at Texas A&M, Corpus Christi and if you're top 25%, you would be admitted here no problem. I know many students that prove themselves here for a year or two and then transfer to the A&M main campus to complete their degree! From what I've heard, it is easier to get admitted to Texas A&M as a transfer student than as a freshman...and your test scores would be less important as a transfer student!

Answer 2

Not sure about the minimums, but here are some 2006-07 Admission Statistics for Texas A&M:

17,410 applied, 13,334 admitted, 7,804 enrolled.

Average SAT: 1187

SAT verbal scores over 500 82%
SAT math scores over 500 89%

SAT verbal scores over 600 42%
SAT math scores over 600 57%

SAT verbal scores over 700 7%
SAT math scores over 700 12%

Answer 3

Texas A&m Act Requirements