So PSA decisions are being released. It’s always good to chat with others going through the same process and bounce ideas off each other, without too much outsdie noise of other decisions coming out.
Congrats on PSA, that means TAMU saw something in your student. Your student will rise up if they choose to, or they will find a different path (which is also great). Ask questions and focus forward. Good things are to come!
PSA 2022-23 transfer course sheets also released. The link is below and scroll down to see if your major is participating PSA.
https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/freshman/alternative-admission-pathways
Not all PSA paths are diffcult. Some can be done in one year.
PSA has to be done in one year in order to get the guaranteed admission. 2 semesters with 24 credits after high school. Also DC will factor into the GPA transfer for guarantee (3.0 in all transferrable coursework as well as 3.0 at system school).
Yes, I think the irony is the minimum 24 credit hours for PSA engineering. 64% of students took more than two semesters to get sucessfully transferred to TAMU.
Planning ahead (may start maths in summer with PSA approval if pre-Cal is needed) is very important on some majors based on the transfer course sheet.
The regular PSA program is a 2 semester program. I am unaware of the differences for engineering under PSA. Is that program longer?
Not really longer, but if students need to take Pre-Calculus (TCCNS Math 2412) because MPE scores below 22 or students want to strengthen Pre-Calculus instead of taking M151 in first semester, then it will become a three semester PSA.
Even three semesters is considered one year. Just want to remind all PSA applicants about planning ahead.
The PSA link above also mention in PSA Guidelines but in a rather obscure Notes section (See below). Having Pre-Calculus (M2412) will be the key for successful and smoother PSA run.
There are students with AP Calculus, or DC Calculus in high school, but if MPE score is below 22 or barely 22, M2412 is recommended. And taking M2412 in Summer before PSA will be critical.
So yes, of course… if you aren’t qualified to enroll in a certain class… aka math, then yes, you’ll need to sure that up in the summer before PSA begins. You must complete in the Fall and Spring the courses that are required. You can’t take 3 semesters (academic not summer).
PTA you can take the time you need.
Hi—can someone pls tell me what this means exactly? Since it’s only 1st year courses, why would it matter if he wants to pursue business degree once he gets to main campus? And they ‘don’t recommend’ it, but does that mean you actually can’t do it? Lol
“What if my major does not participate in PSA (i.e., Business)?
“The PSA was designed for students who are interested in a participating major. We never recommend using the PSA to be admitted to TAMU with the intention of switching to the major you really want.“
If PSA is not offered for a major, then it is not a good idea to pursue it.
But for majors e.g. Economics that participates PSA, one after successfully transfers into Economics, long ago may be able to request Change of Major before reaching 60 hours. Ask @ChristiR93 if this is still a valid path.
If not via Blinn Team offer for business, straight Blinn transfer to Mays or any external transfer to Mays currently has a limit of 100 seats and quite competitive. It may expand in 2024.
Thank you. Economics is just what I was thinking, should have similar 1st year coursework. But yea, the Blinn transfer limits to Mays are concerning for this idea.
Agree with @FriscoDad. I would do Econ. Transition to tamu. However… you have to have 30 completed TAMU hours in order to apply to change major to Mays (plus certain course work with primarily As).
So if you are good with possibly getting your degree in Econ, then do it. If you’re possibly interested in Finance… you can apply for the MS in finance as a sophomore. It’s a 5 year program (Bs Econ and ms finance). It’s through Mays and is really a great idea for those that are non finance majors (assuming you like finance lol).
Options options options. There are always options.
This is terrific advice and info—thank you. Right now, today, he’s kinda bummed, feels like he didn’t make the ‘A-team’, so nothing is particularly appealing. I’m sure everyone here understands those emotions. But he’ll find his path. Thanks again, so nice to have this.
@Lalexander27 I’ve had 2 students do the PSA program and I’m a big fan of it. My first one was discouraged and felt slighted but he went to A&M-Corpus Christi. He made friends with other PSA students and they became the core for each other’s friend group when they all transitioned to A&M. They all graduated total maroon blooded Aggies with their Aggie Rings and have been in each other’s weddings. My second PSA student was elated when he got the offer because after waiting for months and months for an admission decision, he was finally in the “driver’s seat” and no longer depending on someone else’s decision to choose his future. He had an iron clad agreement with A&M and a path to Aggieland. He also had a friend group to start his time in College Station with. I loved the fact that my students’ teachers knew their names and took a personal interest in their success. (Something that’s not always possible in the large classes that most freshmen at A&M have) The loss of Plan A can sting some but, if your student really wants to be at A&M, the first year will fly by and the end goal is worth it. Gig ‘em!
That’s important information! I can see how the math classes necessary for engineering could create a “speed bump” .
If offered PSA for engineering does that fulfill the ETAM?
@Dgreen08 be aware that these are the only Engineering majors offered thru PSA
Yes I saw that but if you fulfill the lath shown on the specific engineering-nuclear does that guarantee admissions into nuclear as long as the GPA is met or do they still do ETAM?
I don’t know, but I bet @FriscoDad can answer!
Next to positive they’ll still have to go thru ETAM.
I don’t think so. Go to the psa engineering agreement. It looks like guarantee with a 3.25. Very interesting.
