International Freshman | Admissions

Live the Full Aggie Experience

Texas A&M University is proud to host more than 6,000 international students from countries across the world. Our programs encourage diverse thought from students of all walks of life.

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)

What do I need to apply?

All international applicants are encouraged to visit International Student Services & Scholar Services to get more information on the necessary steps to attend Texas A&M.

Admission Application

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!

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?"

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 Application Fee

Proof of English Proficiency

If your native language is not English, you are required to submit proof of English proficiency. If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you will be exempt from the English proficiency requirement for admission and considered English Language Proficiency (ELP) Verified:

American Samoa
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Canada (except Quebec)
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Federated States of Micronesia
Gambia

Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Liberia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Trinidad/Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
United Kingdom

English proficiency can also be demonstrated by:

Minimum TOEFL i-BT score of 80 (in person or Home Edition) from a test date within two years (Texas A&M University does not accept the MyBest TOEFL score)
Minimum TOEFL Essentials score of 8.5 from a test date within two years (Texas A&M University does not accept the MyBest TOEFL score)
Minimum SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 560
Minimum ACT English score of 21
Minimum IELTS Academic test score of 6.0 overall band from a test date within two years (Texas A&M University does not accept the IELTS General test)
Completing all four years in a high school within the U.S.

Texas A&M University institutional codes and information on submitting test scores, can be found on the Document Submission Page.

Official High School Transcript

To be considered official: Your transcript(s) must have an original signature of a school official (Registrar, Principal, Controller of Examinations or the Ministry of Education) or an original school seal.

All foreign transcripts must include an English translation or credential evaluation prepared by a recognized service and include all original seals and/or signatures.

Detailed information on submitting official post-secondary transcripts, can be found on the Document Submission Page.

Optional

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

You must send your scores through the testing agency.
Texas A&M SAT code is 6003 and ACT code is 4198.
Your highest total score from a single test date will be considered for admission.

SAT and ACT scores expire after 5 years.

When can I apply?

Spring 2025
April 1, 2024 – August 1, 2024

Fall 2025
August 1, 2024 – December 1, 2024
All additional required documents, excluding the application, are due by December 15.

Fall Early Action Deadline for Engineering - October 15*

*Applicants who apply to the College of Engineering and have a complete admission file by the Early Action Deadline of October 15 will receive a communication regarding their admission decision by mid-December. The communication will notify the student of admission or deferral to the standard decision timeline. Applicants who apply on the Early Action Deadline will not be able to complete their admission file for several days. NOTE: Full consideration for admission will be given to applicants who complete their admission file after the October 15 deadline.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, the application will remain open until 11:59 p.m. (Central Standard Time) on the following Monday. This does not apply to the Early Action Deadline for engineering applicants. Additional required documents will be accepted until 5:00 pm (Central Standard Time) on that Monday.

NOTE: On average, it takes 3-5 business days from the time your application is successfully submitted for Texas A&M to receive it. Monitor your email address which you provided on the application for the Application Acknowledgement communication.

What happens after I apply?

Holistic Review

Your complete admission file will be reviewed holistically based on:

your application and essay
class rank
SAT and/or ACT scores (Optional and not required to complete your admission file.)
extracurricular activities, community service, leadership, employment and summer activities
talents, awards and honors

*All applicants to the College of Engineering will be reviewed for placement into General Engineering including students who qualify for automatic admission.

Notification of Decision

We make decisions throughout the year. All decisions for spring will be posted by December and fall by late March in the Applicant Information System.

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.

Basis for an Appeal:

Grade change — an inaccurate grade was reported on your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) 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

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

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 here 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 in TEAM, 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 1st.

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.

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) via the Applicant tab applicant.tamu.edu. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have not received a decision by now does it mean I am getting denied?

Can I send new information to help with the decision-making process?

Is there a problem if I applied in July but AIS says I am still in review?

What happens if I’m admitted?

Visit the Admitted Students page to learn the next steps to becoming a Fightin’ Texas Aggie!

Aggie Code of Honor

Acts of Dishonesty

"An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those who do."

The Aggie Code of Honor is a way of life and a tool our admissions team uses to judge prospective students. Those who have lived the Aggie Code of Honor long before they knew it was the Aggie Code of Honor will fit in perfectly at Texas A&M. Applicants found to have misrepresented themselves or submitted false information on the application will receive appropriate disciplinary action.

In accordance with Texas A&M student rule 24.4.1, acts of dishonesty include but are not limited to:

Withholding material information from the University, misrepresenting the truth during a University investigation or student conduct conference, and/or making false statements to any University official.
Furnishing false information to and/or withholding information from any University official, faculty member, or office.
Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University document, record, or instrument of identification.

The submission of false information at the time of admission or readmission is ground for rejection of the application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, cancellation of enrollment, dismissal or other appropriate disciplinary action.

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