Out of state applications to Texas A&M?

rudyinok

10-Year Member
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Sep 1, 2009
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My son is a sophomore in H.S. He is becoming more and more interested in A&M for college and joining the corps. He is now thinking mainly Navy. The only NROTC school (OU) in Oklahoma is a huge rival to our family's main alma mater (OSU), so son says, "no way am I going to OU, mom!"

Thus, we are facing out-of-state schools only. My concerns over A&M are related to admissions. we live in RURAL Oklahoma, meaning his class size is 13. I have checked out the required classwork for admissions to TAMU and our school is likely to be short about two classes - meaning, we don't even offer them at all (a fourth science and HS world geography). DS is ranked #1 in class with a 4.0, which he can most likely sustain until he graduates knowing the upcoming classes, teachers and ds's personality. He is FFA, CAP, basketball, track, cross country, class president, church leader, yadda yadda. so his specs are fairly strong I'd say, but without a 30 on ACT for automatic admit, how hard is it going to be to get in A&M??

forgot to mention that my father (his grandfather) is a TAMU alum, will this help?

we are prepared to pay some for his college in case he cannot get it all paid for out of state, but right now I'm most concerned about getting admitted!!!

we plan to attend JCAP this fall when he is a junior.

your thoughts 'O great board??:confused:
 
Also to add: he has taken the ACT for the first time this past Dec as a sophomore just to get his feet wet, so to speak. He only made a 21. but he hasn't had several key classes yet, namely Algebra II (will take as Junior here), so I wasn't getting too nervous yet. He didn't really prepare for it either.

so we're obviously hoping with study and more classes that he can get the ACT up quite a ways more - but probably a reach to get it to that 30 that automatic admissions requires, kwim?
 
Former student and mother of Corps of Cadets Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '13 student here. He is also an out-of-state student.

First, if your son is just a sophomore, I assume he hasn't taken the ACT/SAT yet. Have him take a test prep course for them so he can get the auto-admit stats. That's you're surest route.

As far as your school not having the minimum courses required, here is a link to the Texas A&M admissions page that outlines how to handle that situation (including out-of-state schools):

http://admissions.tamu.edu/freshmen/gettingin/TexasUAP.aspx

It is also good that you are planning to attend a Corps of Cadets admission program such as JCAP. Participation in one or more of these events is very important to show real interest in joining the Corps.The Corps leadership does have some say in admissions, but only when genuine interest and ability has been demonstrated in the application process. "Officially" legacy doesn't have any sway in the admissions process, but I would definitely mention the fact his grandfather was an Aggie in Essay C (additional reasons why you should be admitted to A&M). Financially, if your son can get at least a $1000 scholarship from A&M, he will be eligible to pay in-state tuition rates... a huge savings! (And, rest assured, EVERY out-of-state cadet WILL get that scholarship :thumb:)
 
My dad and grandpa went to oklahoma state, and now I'm going to Texas A&M as a member of the Class of 2015. I don't have the required Physics credit, because it isn't required to graduate here and I just found out that it was required and I can't fit it into my schedule for next semester. I also don't have an Algebra 1 credit because I took it in 8th grade and went straight to geometry in 9th grade. I guess I need to take care of this with admissions since I was already accepted.

JCAP is AWESOME!! I went my junior year not having a clue where I wanted to go to college and came back 100% A&M. I'm from FL and visiting showed the Corps and admissions that I really showed interest.

As far as the ACT, I got a 29 both times I took it. Looking back, I really wished that I would've taken a prep course. I got a 33 in English and Reading and I could've pulled the 25 Math up and really improved by composite score. They're expensive (400-500) but imagine how much money a better score could save you in the long run (scholarships, etc).

Don't worry about paying out of state tuition, I can tell you right now that you won't.
 
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