Hi, I’ve recently been admitted at both Texas Tech and A&M for the fall 2016 semester. My major is Chemistry. I have about a month left to decide and I’m not sure how to go about this. I was admitted because of being top ten % in my 340 class.
Starting off scholarship wise, I missed the deadline for the TAMU scholarship application so I know it makes my chances of receiving a scholarship slim to none. However since TTU had a later scholarship application deadline, I was able to barely make it. Based on my FAFSA I know I’m eligible for grants due to family income and such.
Also I know that TAMU has a higher prestige. It’s been Tier 1 for a while now and I know it’s known State and nationally. However TTU has been moved up to Tier 1 this year and regarding my future, I don’t plan on leaving Texas. TAMU also has a big network that practically takes care of it’s own.
I’ve visited both campuses before being admitted and thought they both were lovely and had a lot to offer, I just wasn’t a big fan of the Aggie Spirit. While I’ve heard TTU can have more of a party scene, when I visited I didn’t notice anything of that nature and thought everyone was really nice. As opposed to popular opinion I thought Lubbock was fine. College Station didn’t really appeal to me. Both schools had really nice students, I just seemed to like the atmosphere at TTU more. I’ve also been told I’d probably be a two percenter at A&M and that’s not really encouraging.
I’m from the DFW area and both my parents want me at A&M mainly because it’s closer, and because it has more prestige. My father has a lot of Aggie friends so he’s just been drilling A&M into me all year. I understand it has prestige, but I also want to make a financially and unbiased decision.
What really matters most is what’s important to you. A&M has a great reputation, as you mentioned. My son was accepted by both Tech and A&M, but preferred Tech and Lubbock over A&M and College Station. Like you, he wasn’t enthused by the Aggie Spirit. It really depends on where you think you’ll do your best, and are motivated to excel and succeed.
I am also a dad of a TTU grad. Obviously A&M is a great institution. My son also did not like the Aggie spirit when he visited. As a top 10 percenter you are obviously an excellent student so you will likely keep up your good study ways in college. I am a booster of Tech’s Honors College because of the great experience my son had there. If you go to Tech consider applying after you achieve your good grades in your freshman year. The Tech Honors College and faculty love students majoring in the sciences like Chemistry. Tech has several programs where they match good students to faculty doing research. I think you will love this aspect of Tech. Tech also has a Phi Beta Kappa chapter (excellence in liberal arts and sciences) which only UT Austin and A&M have among Texas state universities. Last word…one of my son’s friends from the Honors College went on to Cornell University and received a Phd in biochemistry. You will be well prepared at Tech and A&M. But it’s your life (not your well-meaning parents) so you decide ultimately. Besides, you will be getting grants from Tech that will save some $$.
My #1 choice was Texas A&M, however Tech offered me the Presidential Transfer scholarship & that sealed the deal. In addition I was admitted to the Honors College. If you can join it DO IT!! On top of that scholarship I also was able to work as a tutor at the Learning Center. I was also awarded a history scholarship & some $$ for study abroad. I studied in the summer 2 session in Seville, Spain. All I can say is I do not regret not going to A&M. Tech has been extremely good to me.
As for the campus & the city, I love it! The weather beats College Station by a mile. No suffocating humidty. Very pleasant, & some mild snow in the winter. Good campus spirit. People are very friendly. If you want to party, you can do it. If you are like me & rather not, you can go on your merry way. I never had any problems whatsoever.
Please keep us posted on your decision.
Are you out of state @franko5150
No I’m from Texas.
@tyjo2015 My son is also looking to apply to both schools this fall. This is a very informative thread. We are from out of state so the more opinions and perspectives the better. Which school did you end up choosing?
My daughter is into power lifting and wants to study Kinesiology. From California. Any thoughts?
Hello guys i just want to ask which university is less selective and doesn’t require high gpa im from a foreign country but now a resident of u.s. And texas. I already took college credits from my home country on mechanical engineering and i am planning to continue my studies here and transfer to tamu or ttu. Another thing is i dont have a high gpa and i can say that my gpa is low. Which university do you think will i get a high chance of admission. Thanks
I am a current Senior Kinesiology major at TTU and I have nothing but fantastic things to say about Tech’s program. The students and faculty work so well together and every year it seems to improve. Each year when new hires are being interviewed, they have an hour long presentation to current Kinesiology students and current professors listen to our opinions. The professors are incredibly talented and do a lot of research that gets the students in the program involved.
Most of my friends are Kinesiology majors and are in the process of applying to graduate/profession programs and have had a ton of success. I truly believe that this program produces a great candidate for any job position or graduate program. I have so many great things to say about this program and I have faith that it is only going to get better and better.