I really don’t know where it opened up at, but it used to be listed with the other essay prompt on the TAMU site.
Engineering Application Essay Prompt (50-500 words):
Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals?
@sbhubbell and @AETX follow
Wendy Andreen on FB. She made a post about this today.
Any guesses as to why this change? I don’t have any insight, so pure speculation:
Certainly a little frustrating for those kids who started early on their essays…
FWIW
DLM
A&M considers ‘accepting’ admission when student registers for NSC. Texas A&M does not have Early Decision.
There is NO shortage of applicants to Engineering.
I’m sure @FriscoDad had insight to offer, he’s the Engineering guru
Sorry, I’m not great with the terms (this is our first time in the application process.) I meant locking them in at the early action deadline. Regardless, I guess we will just have to wait to see what’s going on with this.
I spoke to someone in Admissions yesterday. I asked if the test scores and EC were going to be weighted more heavily since the Eng. essay was removed and she said no.
I was under the impression that the College of Engineering was all holistic review and that Admissions counselor told me that Top 10 law only gets a student into the University. She said after that ALL of the colleges have holistic review for any student admitted.
Maybe they are just tired of reading 2 essays. LOL. 
That sounds like a dramatic change. I understood in the past - each major (except engineering) was first-come, first-served; which is why Mays always filled up so fast - not because the strongest applicants were selected via a holistic review, but rather because so many auto-admits gobbled up the spots before the holistic kids even got a look. So, if what the admission person said is true - that is a game changer.
This is very frustrating if true. My son spent his summer working on his Application Essay and his Engineering essays. His English teacher even took the time to look them over and suggest edits. The engineering essay is the one he spent the most time on because he is top 10% and really wanted to shine for the holistic review of the engineering department. I can’t see how they feel they are lacking in applicants. I guess I will hold off on being frustrated/upset until we know for sure on the 1st. @FriscoDad are you aware of this change?
Curious too about the reason for the change behind it. I can also empathize with the frustration at the change being made so close to the applications openings up for those who have spent time working on those essays.
My thoughts for possible reasons:
With the increase in applications as a whole to the University it is more efficient to not have to read an additional essay and/or they realize that particular essay isn’t as helpful in making a decision because they have enough other info to evaluate.
I had heard/seen that A&M was growing it’s engineering to where they want to have even more students in the engineering department so this could be a start to that goal? I can’t recall where/what I saw about that but can go back and see what I can find on it if nobody here has heard of that or has any additional info.
Mine is going for business but I do have two younger ones who are interested in Comp. Sci so will be following this discussion!
My son spent a lot of time on the engineering essay as well. 
I told him to hang onto it in case he can use it for Engineering Honors or ETAM essays.
My guess is that the engineering essay never had much weight anyway so why make people turn it in when it doesn’t really matter. IMO, Getting into engineering is all about proven ability - classes taken in high school, test scores, hobbies/work/ec that are related to engineering/science, etc. I believe admissions can calculate a person’s engineering readiness based on the abilities above and reading an essay just added to the time taken to evaluate each candidate
The Senior Regional Advisor here in San Antonio just confirmed with me that the Engineering essay is no more as well.
Ok that’s what I thought but since it said 500 word limit I didn’t really consider it short answer LOL
I agree with this, especially since they still have the ETAM process later. We spent some time on it (him writing me editing) but it wasn’t polished yet so I’m happy to spend more time on his scholarship essays. I really hope those prompts are the same as last year.
what were the scholarship prompts from last year?
I think it is still first come first served as far as the auto admits go for all majors except for Engineering. The admissions website doesn’t have anything different from that so can’t imagine there’s been such a huge change! At least I hope not!
Same. Maybe I just assumed Engineering was the only one who was holistic because of the big deal they make about it on their web page vs some of the other colleges, plus they had that additional essay.
I do know that the Valedictorian from my local home town public school DID NOT get into engineering this past year. My guess is he went TO.
This was the big one: Describe an example of your leadership. Be sure to describe your actions and the actions of those around you and to explain what you accomplished. (550 words)
There were a few 50 word ones like why this college, why this major, what are your plans.
Ok so for auto-admit with good test scores, how important is the essay and do we really need to submit a separate resume? I know Common App limits him to 10 activities so a resume would show more but I am just wondering if it will really even get looked at. Applying to engineering, btw.
