After transferring schools in my junior year, the grade deflation and limited AP course offerings at my previous school put me at a significant disadvantage in my new school. I also took Art and JROTC as electives—Art for leisure/credit and JROTC for extracurricular involvement—but they ended up being more stressful than my AP classes. As a result, my rank is 107/578, placing me in the top 18%. Given Texas A&M’s strong emphasis on class rank, along with the increasingly competitive admissions for general engineering, I’m a bit concerned about my chances.
Currently, my SAT is 1420 (670R, 750M), and my AP coursework includes AP Human Geography, AP World History, APUSH, AP Lang, AP Physics 1, and AP Precalculus. For senior year, I plan to take AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, Dual Credit Literature, and AP Gov/Econ. Given these factors, do I have a solid chance for admission?
For engineering, no. A chance but not solid. But do what, A&M is simply one of many fine engineering schools - and there are many other options including many in Texas.
And don’t forget A&M has secondary admissions, making it tougher to study once you want once you are there.
Rank will hurt, rigor isn’t what TAMU wants to see for Engineering. Take SAT again and try for at least a 1450. Apply early-by mid August-and be willing to accept offers at Galveston and TEAB. Search A&M Engineering Academies, offered in several cities-a solid program/pathway.
Also take official campus tour, speak to A&M reps during College Fairs and make contact with local A&M rep. TAMU likes interest shown.
A&M will be a long shot, be sure to apply to other schools.
To add on but with a glimmer of hope, You do have a chance, just not a solid one. Definitely take SAT again as @52AG82 suggested. I don’t think the rank will exclude you by any means. The fact you changed schools when you did… I’d write about that in your essay… how did the experience work for and against you. How you overcame whatever it is you had to overcome for this change of schools. If the “why” you changed schools is important, write about that as well. DO NOT whine, just tell your story and how you’re better for it.
Hang in there. I do believe you’ll get into engineering Galveston or TEAB worst case scenario. BUT you must also apply as soon as it opens (like within a week or two).
good luck and come back and let us know how this plays out. We’re rooting for you.
Start a comprehensive SAT prep plan for the summer and take the end of August exam. 1470-1480 is a 33 ACT, so that should be goal, but I would shoot for 1500 as a stretch goal. When adding senior year schedule, you will have 9 APs, so lack of APs at previous school won’t be the reason you are admitted or not admitted.
Get your application in within the first week it opens. Work on your essay over the summer to have it ready to go by then. Keep records of all of your ECs.
You have an almost guaranteed chance of full admit with top quarter and that score plus your course rigor. Well done.
