How difficult is it to get accepted to TAMU Out of State?

palmettoag

palmettoag

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets 2026
Joined
Feb 4, 2020
Messages
96
Question is in the title. I'm just going to be simple here, not be too specific. I have a 4.4/5.0 GPA (its a 94%, somewhere like a 3.8 on the 4.0 scale). Captain/Leader of multiple clubs and sports. 100+ hours of community service. Many All-Region, All-Lowcountry (I live in SC and thats what my area is called) and school awards for sports. Made Headmaster's list my upperclassman years. Got the West Point Leadership award. Also part of my school's Honor Council. I also go to a well known rigorous Prep School, so the courses are "harder" than the public schools in the area apparently. I probably have more things on my resume but don't want to bored ya :) and that was just a crash course of me.

The reason I ask the question is because one. 95% of TAMU students are instate. And 2. On the interent a lot they say TAMU is difficult to get in to.
Thanks
 
TAMU in general is hard to get into. And yes, being OOS makes it harder. Many will be offered the back door by doing a year at another campus (TAMU-Galveston is GREAT!) but many do get in. If it's where you want to go, give it a shot. You won't get in if you don't apply! And remember, their ap deadline is December 1 no matter what...
 
Definitely apply. My now 2/C applied for TAMU from out of state and was accepted. To be honest, his stats were probably not as good as yours. I suspect that your chances would also depend on your choice of major. Mine was looking at Ocean Engineering and was accepted into engineering program. Luckily for me (and him), he was accepted into USNA and didn't have to pay those out of state prices. Of all of the other schools that he was accepted for, turning down TAMU was the toughest.
 
Great School. My DS was OOS and was accepted into their Engineering School. I think your stats are very competitive. I am assuming you are applying for one of the ROTC Scholarships? The ROTC leadership at TAMU is very helpful in assisting with admissions once you have a scholarship in hand. Good luck!
 
My DS is a junior at TAMU currently. He was out of state as well. When he applied if you were in the top 10% of your class you are automatically accepted to the school. You just had to have more then 10 students in your class. Not sure if you meet this requirement based on what you provided. I would reach out to TAMU and see. I agree with what EEBTTF said about having a ROTC scholarship. My son applied to TAMU once he received his ROTC scholarship he call the school to let them know. The next week he received his acceptance letter from the TAMU.
 
EEBTTF said:
Great School. My DS was OOS and was accepted into their Engineering School. I think your stats are very competitive. I am assuming you are applying for one of the ROTC Scholarships? The ROTC leadership at TAMU is very helpful in assisting with admissions once you have a scholarship in hand. Good luck!
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Yeah. I'm applying for engineering as well( (aerospace). Also applying for a ROTC scholarship. The thing is I'm most likely applying to TAMU before I apply for AFROTC HSSP. My ACT scores from the past aren't the greatest but I have tests in Oct and Dec to get them up. So I'm holding back on that app till December and applying to TAMU in Sept/Oct(since they're test-optional). Unless you guys have any advice saying otherwise?
 
Usafa2026 said:
Yeah. I'm applying for engineering as well( (aerospace). Also applying for a ROTC scholarship. The thing is I'm most likely applying to TAMU before I apply for AFROTC HSSP. My ACT scores from the past aren't the greatest but I have tests in Oct and Dec to get them up. So I'm holding back on that app till December and applying to TAMU in Sept/Oct(since they're test-optional). Unless you guys have any advice saying otherwise?
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I think that is a good choice. Not sure what your test scores are, but I would wait to submit until you are happy with the score. Sounds like you have put some thought into this - well done and good luck.

FYI - There are a number of threads in the SAF about TAMU and the Corps there. It may be helpful to read them. It is a very special place and has such a wonderful history surrounding the Corps of Cadets.
 
EEBTTF said:
I think that is a good choice. Not sure what your test scores are, but I would wait to submit until you are happy with the score. Sounds like you have put some thought into this - well done and good luck.

FYI - There are a number of threads in the SAF about TAMU and the Corps there. It may be helpful to read them. It is a very special place and has such a wonderful history surrounding the Corps of Cadets.
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Thanks again for the advice, last time I was able to take the ACT was back in late spring early summer. Didn't have any studying or preparation and got just below the min. for AFROTC. Been trying to study over over the past month or two to get some good scores later this fall.

I've seen a few threads here about TAMU and it sounds like my #1 to be honest. I'm going visit the campus(if I get accepted) sometime before senior year is up. I'm going to shoot for the AFROTC HSSP and other scholarships, but in the unfortunate case I can't get one... I plan on waiving for instate tuition and applying for the In College Scholarship AFROTC along with others. Thanks again
 
Usafa2026 said:
Thanks again for the advice, last time I was able to take the ACT was back in late spring early summer. Didn't have any studying or preparation and got just below the min. for AFROTC. Been trying to study over over the past month or two to get some good scores later this fall.

I've seen a few threads here about TAMU and it sounds like my #1 to be honest. I'm going visit the campus(if I get accepted) sometime before senior year is up. I'm going to shoot for the AFROTC HSSP and other scholarships, but in the unfortunate case I can't get one... I plan on waiving for instate tuition and applying for the In College Scholarship AFROTC along with others. Thanks again
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TAMU has some great financial aid/scholarship incentives for OOS students. They have a program where you can go "spend the night with the Corps". Not sure they are doing that with Covid, but it was very informative for my DS. There are also some active posters on this forum that have current and past cadets from TAMU that can answer any specific questions you have.

As far as the SAT goes, there are a lot of free prep courses that will help you boost your score. Just make sure you follow the program and put in the time needed to improve your score.
 
scot123 said:
My DS is a junior at TAMU currently. He was out of state as well. When he applied if you were in the top 10% of your class you are automatically accepted to the school. You just had to have more then 10 students in your class. Not sure if you meet this requirement based on what you provided. I would reach out to TAMU and see. I agree with what EEBTTF said about having a ROTC scholarship. My son applied to TAMU once he received his ROTC scholarship he call the school to let them know. The next week he received his acceptance letter from the TAMU.
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The 10% auto admit only applies to in-state students now. However, no engineering applciants are auto admit anymore, either. All engineering applicants are holistic reviews. I think all of that changed just last admissions cycle. My ds is applying for engineering this year and was advised by current students to apply as soon as possible. He got his application in on Aug 18th and that was considered a little late. He is taking both the SAT and ACT again and will update his application if they are higher. TAMU does not superscore so that changes things a bit for him.

Enginnering Early Decision deadline is Oct 15th. I'm not sure how many slots are left after that.

TAMU does seem to be generous with handing out OOS tuition waivers. You automatically get in-state tuition if you get an ROTC scholarship or qualify for a certain amount of merit aid. Nice for OOS students.
 
You may also try taking the SAT. My son scored significantly better on the SAT over the ACT. Some people do better on one test over the other for some reason.
 
99Gold said:
The 10% auto admit only applies to in-state students now. However, no engineering applciants are auto admit anymore, either. All engineering applicants are holistic reviews. I think all of that changed just last admissions cycle. My ds is applying for engineering this year and was advised by current students to apply as soon as possible. He got his application in on Aug 18th and that was considered a little late. He is taking both the SAT and ACT again and will update his application if they are higher. TAMU does not superscore so that changes things a bit for him.

Enginnering Early Decision deadline is Oct 15th. I'm not sure how many slots are left after that.

TAMU does seem to be generous with handing out OOS tuition waivers. You automatically get in-state tuition if you get an ROTC scholarship or qualify for a certain amount of merit aid. Nice for OOS students.
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I believe the holistic review is done on all OOS students now, since last year at least.
 
I'd be careful how I read into "Test Optional". We toured 3 colleges this summer and their view on Test-Optional meant that it should be optional only if you couldn't find a test. They were pretty clear that a student with a score had a much better chance of acceptance. I would call admissions and ask them.
 
99Gold said:
The 10% auto admit only applies to in-state students now. However, no engineering applciants are auto admit anymore, either. All engineering applicants are holistic reviews. I think all of that changed just last admissions cycle. My ds is applying for engineering this year and was advised by current students to apply as soon as possible. He got his application in on Aug 18th and that was considered a little late. He is taking both the SAT and ACT again and will update his application if they are higher. TAMU does not superscore so that changes things a bit for him.

Enginnering Early Decision deadline is Oct 15th. I'm not sure how many slots are left after that.

TAMU does seem to be generous with handing out OOS tuition waivers. You automatically get in-state tuition if you get an ROTC scholarship or qualify for a certain amount of merit aid. Nice for OOS students.
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So you're saying if I submit my application now, I can update my ACT scores afterwards? If that's the case that'd be great.
 
DS got a message from the Corps of Cadets recruiter yesterday and it stated to apply before October (that isn't for engineering, just in general). I thought that was interesting.
 
Texas A&M is an outstanding school with a great reputation. Their corps of cadets and ROTC programs are one of the largest in the country and they have many four-star general grads. It is difficult to gain acceptance, so make sure you keep your grades up and if necessary, retake the entry tests! Good luck! Those Aggies are proud of their Bands of Gold and their boots!🤣
 
My son is a sophomore in the A&M Corps. A&M has a very active forum on College Confidential, which I would encourage you to follow about admissions. In particular, you may get some questions answered here: https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/texas-a-m-university-class-of-2026/3521633.

Tbh, I didn't realize they were again test optional. That seems very un-A&M-like to me, so I'd be careful of submitting without test scores, particularly as an OOS engineering applicant. But definitely see if you can gain further insight on that from the CC forum.
 
franknd said:
My son is a sophomore in the A&M Corps. A&M has a very active forum on College Confidential, which I would encourage you to follow about admissions. In particular, you may get some questions answered here: https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/texas-a-m-university-class-of-2026/3521633.

Tbh, I didn't realize they were again test optional. That seems very un-A&M-like to me, so I'd be careful of submitting without test scores, particularly as an OOS engineering applicant. But definitely see if you can gain further insight on that from the CC forum.
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The plan was to go test-opt because I was going to apply early(and my scores weren't great). But I talked to a TAMU admissions officer and he said I can submit scores through my December test dates and my file will be updated. I plan to take the October and December ACTs for my final shots to improve my scores.

Also, will definitely look at that forum. Thanks.
 
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