<p>I have a bad class rank, (top 35%) and i really want to get into texas a&m next year. My SAT score isn't too shabby 2110(700 math, 700 Reading, 710 writing) and I'm taking the ACT in june(and retaking SAT in oct). Do you think i have a good shot at getting in if i apply early? Also, how do people get applications in before school starts? Can you pick up transcripts before school begins?
I'll be applying to the college of natural sciences if that matters.</p>
<p>what is going on with your class ranking?
your SAT is really good.
can you tell us a little more about yourself? Have you done a lot of community service? Do you work part time? Are you involved in clubs - do you have any leadership roles at your school?<br>
And by next year - I am assuming you are a Jr now going to be a Sr and next year means Fall of 2012?
Couple of things to do.
Visit the campus on an official campus tour. Go to some of the events A&M has planned for High School Jr/Sr’s. Make an appointment at a prospective student center in your area.<br>
Make the appointment with prospective student center and make the official campus visit right away - so when you do submit your application, you can check the box that you have done these things. A&M keeps record of these visits.
Apply early - Applications on <a href=“http://www.ApplyTexas.org%5B/url%5D”>www.ApplyTexas.org</a> start August 1. A&M has rolling admissions so you will do better to apply early.
You can get a copy of your transcript sent to A&M by contacting your high school in early August. Usually there is someone at the High School during summer. My daughter had the ability to request on-line her transcript to be sent to different universitys. You may be able to get a sealed transcript from your high school right after school is out - then send it in yourself. After you go to applytexas online, A&M will send you an id to log into the application system and track the progress of your ap - you will also be able to print out a document to send along with your sealed transcript to A&M.</p>
<p>I am currently a junior. I was on the basketball team for 2 years and played intramurals this year. I am a member in interact and the science club. I have spent 2 summers volunteering at a library shelving books and i have a few dozen other community service hours. I have no excuses for my poor class rank, but I do know it does not indicate my full potential. I was taking the most rigorous classes i could take and i will hopefully do well on 3 AP exams coming up. I am planning on visiting TAMU this summer as well.</p>
<p>something I would recommend… in the essays you have a chance to explain any descrepencies (i.e. how your ranking does not represent your full potential). I had a similar situation where I overloaded myself junior year and my grades weren’t as pretty as they could have been.</p>
<p>when you explain yourself, I would recommend you say it in a very matter-of-fact way and state simply what the problem is and what you learned as a result. a college counselor told me when I was applying that all colleges know that everyone messes up at some point. what they’re looking for is someone who has the ability to get back up again and not give up because something was hard. they want to see that yeah, you may not be the top of the top, but you’ve learned a valuable lesson by falling down that you wouldn’t have otherwise if you had “walked on water” with everything (such as always getting A’s, everything just falling into place, etc). Also, explain your potential. Explain what you’re capable of and what you would do with the knowledge that (in this case) A&M would give you. Show that you’ll be a proactive member of society with the information and degree that you’ve earned. Explain to them why you deserve to be there (without sounding like you’re entitled to it)</p>
<p>there’s a fine line at times, but avoid at all costs having your essay sound like a pity party. sometimes that’s easier said and done. in the end, I would suggest you have a few people read over your essays and give pointers as to how you make them stronger.</p>
<p>With all this in mind, a good essay may not gurantee admittance into A&M but with your good SAT scores (proof of ability), a strong explaination and plan of action along with demonstrated interest… it definitely makes you a candidate that stands above others that would be applying and ranking in the same percentile as you. And applying early helps a lot as well.</p>
<p>Hope this helps a little. Good luck!!! :D</p>