Admissions

Source: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/freshman Parent: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/admitted-students

Freshman

A freshman applicant is a current high school student (with or without college credit) or a high school graduate with no college credit earned after high school graduation.

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Join the Aggie Family

With over 70,000 students enrolled in one of our many undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, Texas A&M University is home to one of the largest student bodies in Texas. From marketing majors studying in Wayne Roberts to mechanical engineering working in the Zachary Engineering labs to nursing students learning life-saving skills in our College of Nursing, our campus has a place for learners and leaders to find their place and become the best at what they do. The Texas A&M community is rich in culture and tradition and our students learn and live in a vibrant atmosphere with competitive athletic programs, a high-quality education, and a family of Aggies that they can call their own!\

Free College Application Week

Still exploring your college or career options? Visit My Texas Future to compare pathways and make informed decisions about your future. Additionally, the State of Texas provides Free College Application Weekduring October 13-19, 2025.Texas Residents can apply to any Texas public college or university using ApplyTexas for undergraduate admission without paying an application fee.

When Can I Apply?

\ Texas A&M University has eliminated the Early Action Deadline (EAD) for applicants to the College of Engineering.In an effort to prevent confusion and misinterpretation of deadlines caused by the timing ofFree College Application Weekfor Texas residents (October 13–19)and theprevious EAD of October 15, the Early Action option has been removed. All applicants to the College of Engineering will continue, as before, to receive full and equal consideration for admission, regardless of when their application is submitted during the standard application period.\ \ If the application deadline falls on a weekend it will remain open until 11:59 pm (Central Standard Time) on the following Monday. Required documents will be accepted until 5:00 pm (Central Standard Time) on that Monday.\ \ Application Acknowledgement Letter**\ Provides instructions on how to access our Applicant Information System (AIS) portal at applicant.tamu.edu\

• Students who apply in August will receive their acknowledgement letters by September 1.
• For applications submitted after September 1, it typically takes 2–4 business days to receive your letter. Be sure to monitor your email for this important communication. \ Applying Over Thanksgiving Break?\ With the Thanksgiving holiday and an expected surge in freshman applications before the December 1 deadline, students may experience a delay in receiving their application acknowledgement email. Application acknowledgement emails will be sent with enough time to complete their admission file by December 15. Students are encouraged to regularly check their email and spam/junk folder.\

What Do I Need to Apply?

Admission Application

Prospective students should apply using the Common App. Students may also apply through ApplyTexas. The application you choose will not affect your admission decision. Only one application per student.

NOTE: Students who apply in August will receive their application acknowledgement email from application@tamu.edu by September 1.  For applications submitted after September 1, it takes 2-4 business days to receive the communication.  Be sure to monitor the email address which you provided on the application for the Application Acknowledgement

Essay

The application essay is your chance to set yourself apart from other applicants. Texas A&M cares about more than your grades and scores, we want to know what makes you you!

REQUIRED Apply Texas and Common App Essay: “Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?"

No additional essays will be reviewed.

Read through our essay and application tips to get a step ahead on the competition.

Essays should be submitted as part of the application or uploaded in the Applicant Information System (AIS).

Non-Refundable Processing Fee

A $75 non-refundable processing fee is required to complete your application.

The application fee can be paid through Common App. Please note: If you apply using ApplyTexas you will not be able to pay your fee within the application. You must follow the steps below.

1. Watch your email for a message from Application@tamu.edu. This email will be sent 24-48 hours after you submit your application.
2. Follow the directions in the email to access your UIN and activate your NetID.
3. Login to applicant.tamu.edu to pay or waive your fee.

For information on Application Fee Waivers, see our Document Submissions Page.

Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)

All freshmen applicants must complete a Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) except for GED graduates. The STARS Record replaces the high school transcripts used by the Office of Admissions during the initial admission process in most cases. Applicants create the STARS Record using their official high school transcript, listing courses and associated grades that have been completed or will be completed for high school and/or college credit. The STARS Record can take anywhere from 2-6 hours to complete depending on your classwork, so make sure to give yourself ample time to complete it.\ \ The STARS Record cannot be submitted prior to the application but you can and should work on it as soon as possible. It must be submitted and linked with your application by December 15.\ \ Detailed information regarding the submission of the STARS Record can be found on the Document Submissions Page.\

If you need help, see our STARS FAQs.

The following applicants are required to submit a high school transcript:

• Texas residents reporting a Top 10% ranking must submit the STARS Record with their rank and also provide verification of ranking by submitting an official high school transcript with a relative numeric ranking via TREx or the upload feature in AIS.If no Top 10% rank is reported on the STARS Record automatic admission will be delayed. (This only applies to Texas residents ranked within the Top 10% of their senior class.)
• Applicants who have already graduated high school must submit a STARS Record and a final high school transcript. Details available on the document submissions page.
• GED graduates will not submit a STARS Record but must submit their official GED transcript along with official partial high school transcript(s). The original certificate and transcript(s) may be sent by mail or hand delivered to Aggie One Stop.

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Note: If a rank is not provided by the high school for students to enter on their STARS Record, a rank will be assigned.

If Applicable

High School Curriculum Requirement (Texas private high schools only)

Students who do not meet the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy (UAP) must provide Exemption Form 3.

Best Method: Upload in the Applicant Information System OR Mail\ \

Permanent Resident Card or I-551

Students who are not U.S. citizens but are permanent residents (or have applied for permanent residency) need to provide a copy of the card.

For information about submitting the Permanent Residency Card, see the Document Submission Page.\ \

Senate Bill 1528 Affidavit

Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or have applied for permanent residency), but have established legal presence may qualify for in-state tuition rate if they have lived in Texas for 36 months leading up to high school graduation and the 12 months prior to intended enrollment. In order to be eligible for in-state tuition rates under Senate Bill 1528, students must submit the Affidavit of Intent to Become a Permanent Residentand immigration documentation by uploading the documents via the My Documents tab in the Applicant Information System (AIS). Students who do not provide the above documentation will be charged the non-resident tuition rate.

Optional

Resumes

Resumes should only be used if you run out of space on the application. If you've accomplished so much your application can't handle it, this is what a resume is for. Struggling to figure out what belongs? We've got you covered with Accomplishment Tips.

Upload in the Applicant Information System

Official Test Scores

Texas A&M University is test optional and will not require ACT or SAT scores for freshman applicants. We encourage students who have test scores to send them. The submission of test scores will not create any unfair advantage or disadvantage for those students who provide them.

For additional information regarding test scores, read our FAQs under "Test-Optional Admissions".

• You must send your scores through the testing agency.
• Your highest total score from a single test date will be considered for admission.
• SAT and ACT scores expire after five years.
• Optional essay/writing portion is not required.
• Allow 2-4 weeks for scores to be received.\ \

Letters of Recommendation

Once submitted, you will not be able to see your letters of recommendation. We will consider the first two letters received as part of your admission file.  Letters of recommendation should be uploaded via the Applicant Information System or sent through the mail.

How to Be Admitted?

In-State Students

Top 10% Admission

Texas residents who rank in the top 10% of their graduating class qualify for automatic admission to any state school in Texas.

• Attend a public or private high school in Texas\ AND
• Rank in the top 10% of your graduating class on or before the application deadline\ AND
• Report Top 10% rank on Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)\ AND
• Provide a complete official high school transcript that includes a numeric rank.\ AND
• Satisfy the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy\ AND
• Make sure all required documents are received by the application deadline.

\ Texas residents completing high school in another state must submit a residency questionnaire to determine eligibility.\ \ In accordance with Texas House Bill 3041, all public universities in Texas must assign rankings for the purpose of automatic admission to students who completed non-traditional schooling based on the median score on entrance exams of applicants from the previous admission cycle for those respective ranks. Texas A&M automatically admits all students in the top 10%. For applications for the 26/27 academic year, Texas resident students who completed non-traditional schooling will be ranked in the top 10% if they achieved a 28 on the ACT or a 1290 on the SAT.\ \

Holistic Review

If you do not qualify for top 10%, but meet the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy, your application file, which includes all factors you noted, will be reviewed in a holistic manner*.

• Academic factors include all high school courses attempted and grades earned, rigor of coursework, GPA and class rank.
• Non-academic factors include involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, leadership, employment and summer activities as well as extraordinary opportunities, challenges and hardships experienced during high school career.

\ Students applying for fall admission may receive a decision within a month of file completion. However, applying early does not guarantee an early decision. Generally, most students in review will receive a decision between January 1 and late March.\ \ *All applicants to the College of Engineering will be reviewed for placement into General Engineering including students who qualify for Top 10% automatic admission.  This includes Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Distribution, and Engineering Technology.

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Non-Resident Students

Out-of-State

• Most Out-of-State students are admitted through the holistic review process. Read holistic review qualifications in the In-State Student section above.
• Texas residents completing high school in another state may qualify for Top 10% automatic admission. Submit a residency questionnaire to determine eligibility.

International

You are an international freshman if you:

• are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or
• are not graduating from a Texas high school after three years in residence in Texas (please review Senate Bill 1528) and
• are a student without college credit or
• earned college credit prior to high school graduation (dual credit/early college high school)

\ Learn about your future as an International Freshman.

What Location Do I Want to Attend?

College Station

Aggieland is home to the largest university in the state of Texas and the friendliest campus in the United States. Here, you’ll build lasting relationships with friends and professors, honor the traditions of Aggies past, present and future and earn an education that will put you at the top of every recruiter’s hiring list. \ ​Watch Aggie Stories​​​

Higher Education Center at McAllen

The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) is an industry-leading institution committed to supporting the educational needs of Texans with top-tier educational programs. Students at the HECM will fulfill individual career goals, enhance continued economic development of the Rio Grande Valley and reinforce one of the hardest working job markets in the country. The application to HECM for Fall 2026 is available. Apply now at HECM Fall Application.

Texas A&M University at Galveston

Aggies by the Sea are charting a course to change the world. Texas A&M University at Galveston is the hot-spot for all things “ocean-oriented” at Texas A&M. This branch campus offers a unique blend of marine and maritime programs, including majors in science, business, engineering, liberal arts and transportation.

What Happens After I Apply?

Tracking Your Application Status

After you submit your application you will receive an email with your Universal Identification Number (UIN) and instructions to access the Applicant Information System (AIS) at the Howdy Student Portal via the Applicant tab. Check regularly to make sure all your documents have been received.

Allow 2-3 weeks to process each document you submit. Documents you submit within one month of the deadline may not appear on your AIS checklist until after the deadline. Please bring any questions about your file to our attention immediately by clicking "Contact Us" in AIS.

Applicants who are Incomplete at Deadline due to circumstance beyond their control, may appeal to complete their file and be considered for admission. To appeal a missing or late admissions document, an appeal must be enabled by an Admissions Representative. If possible, the missing document should be provided with the appeal if it is not already on file. The deadline to appeal an incomplete admission file is February 1 for fall applicants and December 1 for spring applicants. Applicants who did not check their status in AIS and/or who applied on deadline are not likely to have an appeal approved.

Notification of Decision

We make admission decisions on an ongoing basis throughout an admission cycle. Applying early does not guarantee an early decision. Once a decision is released it will be posted in the Applicant Information System.

Top 10%: Students who qualify for Top 10% admission will typically receive a decision within three weeks of completing their admission file.

Students in Holistic Review: All students applying for spring admission will receive a decision by early December. Most students applying for fall admission will receive a decision between January 1 and late March.

Admissions Decision Appeals

Every applicant who was not admitted through automatic admission criteria to Texas A&M University has had their application file considered through an extensive holistic review that considers both academic and non-academic factors. The review process is very thorough — therefore, it is unusual for an admission decision to be reversed.

For an appeal to have merit, it must bring to light new and compelling academic and/or personal information as well as details pertaining to extenuating circumstances that were not addressed in the original application. The appeals process is not a re-review of an existing applicant file and appeals will not be considered from applicants who are not submitting new information.

Guidelines for Submitting an Appeal:

• You are required to speak with an admissions representative to have your appeal option “enabled.”
• You must submit the appeal by April 1. Appeals from parents/guardians or high school officials will not be accepted.
• Your appeal must be submitted in AIS. Emails or mailed materials will not be accepted.
• Your appeal must present new and compelling information not included in your original application.
• Your appeal should include an explanation of why the new information was not submitted in your original application.
• Your appeal should include supporting documentation.
• You will be notified of your appeal decision in AIS no later than May 1st.
• You may only appeal once and the decision is final.

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Basis for an Appeal:

• Grade change — an inaccurate grade was reported on your Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record (STAR) or transcript thus impacting your GPA and class rank
• Medical condition — you failed to report a medical condition, illness or surgery which negatively impacted your academics and/or personal achievements
• Extenuating life circumstance — you failed to report a life-changing circumstance (such as the death of a parent or financial hardship) that negatively impacted your academics and/or personal achievements

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Supporting Documentation:

• High school transcript showing grade change
• Documented letter from high school counselor referencing grade change
• Documented evidence from health care provider referencing medical condition, illness or surgery which shows the compelling reason why your academics and/or personal achievements were affected

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Information Not Considered:

• Interest in attending Texas A&M
• Grades earned after admission decision or admission deadline
• Test scores received after admission decision or admission deadline
• Recent personal achievements, awards, honors etc.
• Interviews with admission representatives\ \

FAQs

Who is eligible to submit an appeal?

Any student who has received an admission decision from Texas A&M and can present new and compelling academic and/or personal information, including extenuating circumstances, that were not addressed in the original application.\ \ How do I submit an appeal?

Appeals are submitted in AIS — however, you must first contact an admissions representative at a Prospective Student Center to activate the appeal option. You will be asked to answer a series of questions to qualify your appeal. If you present information that qualifies for an appeal as outlined above, the admissions representative will then enable your appeal. You will be required to submit your appeal along with any supporting documents through AIS. All documents should be submitted at the same time.\ \ What kind of situations can someone appeal?

You may appeal about a variety of things, including significant academic or personal achievements that were not disclosed with the original application. For an appeal to have merit there must be new and compelling information such as a grade change, medical condition or extenuating life circumstance. You are encouraged to submit any supporting information you feel will help the committee make an informed decision.\ \ Can I appeal if I was offered to participate inTEAM,PSA or Engineering options?

You may appeal any admission decision if you meet the criteria to do so — however, since it may take some time for a final decision to be reached, it is not a good idea to put off any required paperwork necessary to participate in TEAM, PSA or Engineering options if these are in any way a possibility you would consider.\ \ I have been admitted to another university. Should I wait for my appeal decision before accepting the other offer?

Since there is no guarantee that your appeal will be granted, it is always a good idea to have a backup plan. Most universities require students to accept their admission offer by May 1. \ \ How long do I have to submit an appeal?

Appeals must be submitted by April 1.\ \ What happens after I submit an appeal?

After submitting your appeal, the committee will consider all new information and make a decision about your request. It’s important to remember that only new information will be considered. The appeals process is not a re-review of an existing file. Once a decision has been made, it is final.\ \ How long will it take to receive a decision?

The time it takes for a decision to be made can vary. In some cases, a decision may be reached within a couple of weeks. In other cases, decisions may involve questions that are more complex and so it may take longer. All students will be notified of a decision no later than May 1. Appeal decisions will be posted in AIS.\ \ Who will make the decision?

All appeals are reviewed by an Admissions Decisions Appeals Committee which is comprised of representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid and the academic colleges. The committee will meet weekly or more often if deemed necessary.\ \ May I speak with someone on the Admissions Appeals Committee?

No, members of the Admissions Appeals Committee are not available to speak with applicants by phone or in person.\ \ Can someone submit an appeal on my behalf?

Appeals will only be accepted from the student, not a parent/guardian, teacher or alumni.\ \ What is the likelihood that my appeal will be granted?

Historically, few admission decisions have been changed through the appeals process. There is no guarantee that any appeal will be approved or that any specific factor will increase the odds for an appeal to be approved. Appeals are considered on a case- by case basis.

What Happens If I Get In?

If you’ve received confirmation on your admittance to Texas A&M University, make sure to check out what’s next for Admitted Students!