My son was offered Gateway. Once offered, we had to quickly educate ourselves on what the Gateway Program was like compared to the other common Pathway - Blinn TEAM.
After reading all we could about both offerings, this is what I understand:
Gateway appears to be a better program. Anyone offered Gateway or Blinn TEAM, are NOT Full Admits. However, in 5 short weeks, a Gateway participant can earn Full Admit status after successfully completing the Gateway Program. Compare this to a Blinn TEAM offering, this is a 2-year program before you can earn Full Admit. I have also ready that some can apply between 1-2 years and obtain Full Admit status a semester early.
A distinct advantage of the Gateway Program is those 300 or so participants will kind of get a headstart during Summer II session and get to know the lay of the land/landscape before the Fall semester begins on August 19, 2024.
Gateway participants register at their New Student Conference for BOTH Summer Session II Gateway courses and their Fall, 2024 courses at the same time.
This seems obvious, but Gateway participants earn 6 hours of college credit BEFORE the first day of school in the Fall.
Is there anything I am missing or have not mentioned above? Your comments are requested - thank you, in advance.
Blinn TEAM is considered full admit and TEAM numbers are included in TAMU’s enrollment numbers.
It’s a way for TAMU to bring in well-qualified students who aren’t auto-admit. As we all know, the top 10% rule can create a lot of disappointment for those enrolled in particularly challenging or small schools. TAMU wants those kids to attend and this is a way to bring them on despite limited classroom space.
My daughter was offered the three choices. She’s a 3.9uw, ~5.4w, really high stats and top 7% at her current school. However, she was not top 10% at her school junior year (which is the year that counts) because that was only 3 students and she was 4th.
TEAM students complete a change of major request (not a transfer) after completing their Rellis requirements. Obviously they need to meet all requirements of their chosen major (some being more competitive than others) or they will need to choose a different one.
Fwiw, like Gateway, it’s offered at TAMU’s discretion and cannot be selected in advance by the student.
Interestingly, the percentage of honors grads who started in Blinn TEAM is significantly higher than the student body average.
About 25% of TEAM students fulfill their TEAM requirements after 2 semesters, with the rest finishing in 4.
@Bob_Rauner Gateway is definitely the ‘best’ pathway offered! It is truly designed for student SUCCESS!
Gateway can be pricey-especially for OOS-because summer tuition at A&M is always more. But in the grand scheme, it is worth it!
Congrats!
@Bob_Rauner I was rereading this thread. I think the only thing missing about the 2 programs are-
Gateway enter as General Studies and Blinn TEAM enter as Blinn TEAM -that’s what the actual majors will be-listed in Aggie Directory & on transcript-until they fulfill requirements to change majors.
I think many don’t realize this. Both Gateway and TEAM don’t enter as their desired majors.