Texas A & M University-College Station (TAMUCS, Texas A&M, TAMU) Introduction and History

Introduction

Students who are searching for an institution that not only offers top quality education but also “something extra” should consider picking Texas A&M University.

Texas A&M University (often referred to as TAMU or A&M) offers students a truly incredible learning and life experiences that they will definitely enjoy. It is believed that students who have had a problem with life at TAMU had issues because they never found their niche and felt quite lost in the crowd.

Texas A&M University is a large university, and those who are used to being in small communities often feel as though they have vanished! But taking part in student activities and classes will sure help one fit in. Going off to college is a really big change and many students get intimidated by the sheer size of A&M and eventually loosen up.

Texas A&M University rose from humble beginnings as the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas to a lively 5,000 acre campus with a faculty that is recognized nationwide and over 46,000 enrolled students! TAMU is among the select few institutions with sea-grant, space grant and land-grant designations. TAMU has 2 satellite campuses located in Galveston, Texas and in Qatar, Middle East.

A&M is a research-intensive flagship institution with ten colleges that were rated first in the United States for contributing tangibly to the interest of the public by the Washington Monthly. The U.S. News and World Report rated TAMU among public universities nationwide as the 3rd ”Best Value” institution. Many degree programs offered at TAMU are rated among the nation’s Top Ten!

TAMU’s ability to turn out leaders who are effective and possess great qualities such as integrity, character and an attitude that oozes “I can do,” truly sets TAMU apart from other institutions.

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Information Summary

Ranks 7th in Texas and 180th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	93.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$29,506
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	31 / 1380
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	21 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	92% / 91%
Enrollment Total (all students)	68,679

History

The groundwork for the establishment of Texas A&M University was laid in 1862 by the United States Congress with the Morrill Act Adoption. The act went on to auction land grants of public lands in order to start donations for institutions. The donated funds were used by the Texas Legislation in 1871 to launch Texas’ first public institution for higher learning, popularly known as Texas A.M.C – Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas. 2,416 acres was donated for the institution’s campus by Brazos County and is located close to Bryan, Texas.

In 1876 (4th of October to be precise), classes began at Texas A.M.C with just forty students and six faculty members. Only white male students were accepted into the college and were all obligated to take part in the Corps of Cadets and to also undergo military training. Student enrollment rose to 258, before dropping down to 108 students in the year 1883 – that was the exact year the state of Texas welcomed the opening of the University of Texas. A lot of Texas residents during the late 1880’s saw absolutely no need for 2 institutions of higher learning in the state of Texas and wanted Texas A.M.C closed down.

In 1891 Texas A&M was rescued from possible closure by Sullivan Ross, the institution’s new president, an ex governor of Texas and also a recognized Confederate Brigadier General. A lot of improvements were made to the institution by Ross and this boosted student enrollment – a lot of parents sent their male children to Texas A&M in order to learn to be very much like Sullivan Ross.

During the tenure of Ross, a lot of enduring Aggie Traditions came into existence, this includes the making of the very first Aggie Ring. A statue of Ross was erected after his death in 1898 in order to honor him – the statue was erected in front of the Academic Plaza.

The institution started to allow females to attend classes in 1911 after it yielded to pressure from the legislature. At the same time, the university started to expand its educational pursuits with the institution’s establishment of its School of Veterinary Medicine.

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Academics

Programs Offered

Students can choose out of the 120 undergraduate degree courses offered at Texas A&M University. The school’s student body is among the ten largest in the United States and is the largest institution outside a key metropolitan area. TAMU also offers a broad selection of 240 master’s and doctoral degree programs; TAMU offers the state’s ONLY doctor of veterinary degree. Many TAMU’s programs have earned top ratings by U.S. News and World Report and many other organizations. The institution’s educational & social support networks are committed on assisting students succeed.

Popular degree programs include Food Science & Technology, Agribusiness, Plant Sciences, Animal Science, Dairy Science and much more.

Accreditation

Texas A&M University is an institution accredited to award bachelors, masters, doctoral and professional degrees by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools. All A&M’s curriculums are accredited by recognized accrediting agencies in the country.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Admissions

In order to apply for admission into Texas A&M University, applicants will need to follow these steps:

Applicants should fill out and send their application – an electronic submission of application is highly preferred. Faxed applications are not accepted at TAMU

Applicants are required to pay a non refundable application fee

Essay Topics A and B are to be completed by applicants. Please Note: Applicants who will be considered in the institution’s holistic review process are highly advised to complete essay Topic C. Prospective transfer students are required to complete Essay Topic A

Applicants will also need to send their ACT or SAT scores to TAMU’s admissions office – Applicants are required to take the ACT or SAT with writing components. Scores should be sent straight from the testing agency. Important Note: Applicants should use test scores from test dates within 5 years of when he or she plans to enroll, and applicants should use the score which is the highest from one test date – A&M will not allow combined test scores from various test dates.

Financial Aid

Texas A&M University offers students a lot of financial aid options to assist them to pay college expenses. A&M created a special webpage where students can search for information about how they can apply for financial assistance, find out the costs of getting an TAMU education and about the various financial assistance programs and more.

Financial assistance aid comes in form of grants, work study, scholarships and loans. Grants and scholarships are simply thought of as free money and students who have been awarded with this type of financial assistance will not have to worry about repaying. But, work study and loans are known as self-help financial aid. Students who are interested in the work-study program will need to take on part time work on or off campus with employers who take part in the program.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3439th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Texas.

Students

Texas A&M University offers on-campus accommodations on both the Northside and Southside of the campus, there are even substance-free floors in several residence halls where students take pledge to never bring cigarettes, alcohol or drugs into the halls.

Students can join one of the more than 800 student organizations on campus, which include religious, Greek, service and common interests groups. Orientation programs egg on students to take part in campus activities and other character building organizations from day one. One of A&M’s oldest student clubs is the 1893 founded Singing Cadets. This organization is referred to as the “Voice of Aggieland”, it is made up of an all-male choral group which boasts of around sixty members. This group travels all over the country and have also completed numerous international tours. There are so many wonderful traditions at A&M and these traditions are of a great help to new and old students because it helps them to cultivate not only the Aggie Spirit, but it also gives them a sense of belonging, loyalty and the utmost respect for their institution. These traditions actually dictate the many areas of A&M student life, this includes how to act at the school sporting events, how to greet fellow students and others using the school’s official greeting “Howdy."

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Texas A&M University takes part in the South Division’s Big 12 Conference. Its twenty sports teams are called the Aggies and the institutions colors are white and maroon. Aggies have won Southwest & Big 12 conference tournament and regular season titles and eleven team national championships.

The University of Texas is Texas A&M University’s archrival, other rivals are Baylor University, Texas Tech and the University of Arkansas.

At Texas A&M University, students can take part in games such as football, basketball, soccer, volleyball and much more.

Additional School Information

Students who think that Texas A&M is party school should think again! Even though Texas A&M University is a secular school, it has a reputation of having a student body that is conservative and religious. This institution has received high ratings for its conservative students and environment – students are known to pray all the time!

Texas A&M University is among the 6 Senior Military Colleges in the United States. Outside the U.S. service academies, A&M’s Corps of Cadets is the nation’s largest uniformed student body.

Bibliography

Campus Explorer, Inc. ”Texas A&M University School Description”. 2011.
College Prowler. ”Texas A&M University”. 2011.

Texas A&M University website. ”Future Students”. 2011.
Texas A&M University Catalog. ”Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog”. Catalog Edition 133. 2010-2011.

Texas A & M University-College Station