University Review – Texas A & M University, College Station

Section 1: Admission Eligibility for TAMU

Texas A & M University, College Station, is ranked #11 by USNEWS among the top 100 US Universities for Engineering. Nicknamed the Aggies, the students at TAMU reflect their core values of excellence, leadership, and integrity.

• Admission Eligibility Requirements:

• • GRE Score: 316 (Quant – 163 ; Verbal – 153)
  • TOEFL (or) IELTS Score: 80 (or) 6.0
  • CGPA: 3.30 out of 4

GREedge Admission Tip: Bear in mind that these scores are not an absolute cutoff for admissions. Getting an admit is definitely subjective and depends on various factors such as your project/work experience, your SOP, the admission season you are applying for, etc.

Section 2: Programs, Rankings, Fall ‘18 Deadlines

With over 250 graduate programs, TAMU offers a diverse set of programs to cater to a variety of fields. What’s more is that, most of these programs are ranked among the top 25 programs in the US making it quite prestigious to be part of this institution.

Here’s a look at the top 10 program rankings for TAMU:

Section 3: Applying at TAMU – Document Checklist

Before you send your applications for Graduate Studies at TAMU, you must make sure that you have all the required documents before the deadlines.

For the upcoming Fall ‘18 admission season, the deadlines vary by major. For some of the most popular programs, the Fall ‘18 deadlines are as stated above.

Online application: Start your application by applying online at www.applytexas.org, which is a common application portal for all public universities in the state of Texas. However, if you are applying to the MBA program at Mays Business School, you must use the specific application portal for that.

Application fee: In order to successfully complete you application, you must pay a non-refundable fee of $90, through cheque, money order, or online banking. Application fee waivers are not available to international applicants.

Official transcripts: This includes the official mark-sheets issued by the college or university where you pursued your undergraduate studies from. If your transcripts are not in English, you are required to submit an authorized translation as well. You are not required to submit the entire original documentation initially. You can upload the scanned version through the Applicant Information System (AIS); however, you must submit the original documentation within a specified date if you receive an admit.

Test scores:You are required to submit either your GRE or GMAT scores taken within the last five years, along with a valid English test score, like the TOEFL or the IELTS. The score requirements are as stated above.

GREedge Admission Tip: You must submit all your test scores directly from the testing center to be considered valid for admissions. For GRE & TOEFL, the university code is 6003. There is no official code for IELTS, so you must use the address of the Office of Admissions.

Department-specific Documentation:

Letters of Recommendation: You will be required to submit three Letters of Recommendation, written by your professors or employers.

Statement of Purpose: You must write a brief Statement of Purpose of about 500 words or so, subject to the requirements of the specific department you are applying to. Your SOP must outline your past academic and professional experiences, your aspirations, and how TAMU can help you achieve them.

CV or Resume: Several departments, including Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, require you to submit a CV as a part of your application.

GREedge Admission Tip: Normally, students applying for a Masters degree at TAMU are not required to have any prior work experience. However, if you are applying to the MS in Analytics, you must have a minimum of three years’ of full-time work experience in the relevant field to be eligible for application.

Bacterial Meningitis Immunization (IF ADMITTED): If you are 22 years old or under, you will be required to submit a proof of immunization against Bacterial Meningitis Immunization. The immunization must have been given within the last five years.

You can send your documents either by uploading visa at the AIS or by mailing the documents. Please note that if you are mailing the documents, you must attach a document ID sheet.

Section 4: Life at TAMU – Residence, Transport, Campus Life, Jobs, & Volunteering

Boasting of a large, 55,000+ strong student community with a substantial international presence, TAMU is home to thousands of student clubs and organizations, a thriving Greek life, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, and several sports teams. According to the university website, nearly 32% of the graduate student body is made up of international students.

Residence

TAMU’s residence halls and dorms are large and student-friendly, providing a home away from home to thousands of students each year. You can choose to live in individual study rooms or double occupancy rooms. The rooms are well-equipped, providing you with all the basic amenities like electricity, water, internet access, pest control, and laundry services, all at a nominal rate. All the dorms and residence halls have easy access to the dining halls and the main academic buildings.

Transport

Shuttle services ply at regular intervals to and from the residence halls to the main campus. If you choose to not use the shuttle, you can always bicycle or walk your way to your destination.

College Station is a bustling city and is well-connected to bigger cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas through buses and aeroplanes.

Dining

Other than the central dining halls, small cafés and restaurants are scattered through the university campus for the ease of students. A wide range of food and beverages are available across several cuisines, including many vegetarian options. Each day, the complete menu for the day is uploaded on the website for your convenience.

Student Societies and organizations

TAMU prides itself on its many student societies and guarantees that no matter what your interest, you will be able to find one that caters to it. Be it sports, literature, politics, or pop culture, you can always find a society to nurture your passions. If you are interested in being a part of the student administration and welfare you also have the option of joining the TAMU Student Government and have your voice heard.

Sports

Like any other American university, TAMU takes sports and athletics very seriously. Other than their award-winning football and basketball teams, TAMU also offers 34 recreational sports teams for interested students. Whether you wish to train with a professional or simply want to relax after a hectic day in class, TAMU’s recreational sports center has it all.

Campus life

TAMU’s student resident campuses are both high on comfort and safety. The University Police are on duty 24 hours of the day to keep you safe and to hear your grievances. Additionally, health services are available round the clock to take care of your well being, with a panel of qualified doctors and nurses on hand. The campus is extremely accessible to disabled students; plus, TAMU offers a host of disability services to make your stay at the university pleasant and memorable. A Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Cell has been set up on campus, making it easy for students to lodge a complaint.

Job and volunteer opportunities

The Career Centre at TAMU offers many part-time jobs to students to help them finance their studies. These jobs not only pay over and above the minimum wage but also often don’t require any prior experience. Whether you want to earn or learn, these jobs give you the opportunity to meet like-minded people and try your hand at something new. Best of all, you have the option to choose how many hours a week you want to work, and on what days.

If you don’t want to work, but are interested in community service, you can choose from a range of volunteering opportunities and give back to the society.