Texas A&M Acceptance Rate: Revealed!

The overall Texas A&M Acceptance Rate (TAMU) hovers around 63%. However, this number is misleading. Thanks to the Texas state mandate, almost two-thirds of admitted students are automatically accepted via the Texas Top 10% Rule.

For every applicant who is not an auto-admit (including all out-of-state, international, and non-Top 10% Texas residents), the acceptance rate is dramatically lower—often dipping below 30%, especially for competitive majors like Engineering. This guide provides the official Texas A&M admission stats, breaks down the acceptance rates by major, and reveals how to win the non-auto-admit (Holistic Review) process.

What Affects Your Chances of Getting Into Texas A&M?

Unlike many private universities that use a purely holistic review for all applicants, Texas A&M Admissions is divided into two distinct pools:

1. Automatic Admission (Auto-Admit): Students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Holistic Review: All other applicants (non-Top 10% Texas residents, Out-of-State, and International students).

Your application strategy changes drastically based on which pool you fall into.

The Top 10% Rule in Texas (And How It Skews the Data)

By state law, Texas A&M must admit every applicant who graduates in the top 10% of their Texas high school class (often closer to the top 6% for UT Austin, but A&M uses Top 10%).

• Pro: If you're Top 10%, your admission is guaranteed, regardless of SAT/ACT scores or extracurriculars (though these matter for scholarships and major placement).
• Con: This mandatory admission pushes the true competition onto the non-auto-admit pool, making the Holistic Review exceptionally competitive.

Holistic Review: How to Get Accepted if You're NOT Top 10% (Especially Out-of-State)

The TAMU Holistic Review is the admissions process for the vast majority of non-Texas residents and students who missed the automatic admission cutoff. If you are an Out-of-State applicant, this is your only path to admission.

For these applicants, the admissions committee heavily weighs the following:

• Academic Rigor: Strength of curriculum (AP, IB, dual-credit courses).
• Standardized Test Scores: High SAT/ACT scores (typically the 75th percentile and above) are crucial for non-auto-admits.
• Essays and Extracurriculars: Quality over quantity. Demonstrated impact and leadership are key.

Texas A&M Acceptance Rate by Major (Engineering & Business Breakdown)

Your chosen major dramatically impacts your chances. Competitive programs like Engineering and Business are functionally *more selective* than the overall university rate.

Texas A&M Engineering Acceptance Rate (The Most Selective Major)

The Dwight Look College of Engineering is highly competitive and operates with a separate admission process for most applicants, known as Entry to a Major (ETAM) after the first year.

• Engineering Acceptance Rate (Overall): Approx. 40–50%.
• Engineering Acceptance Rate (Non-Auto-Admit): Estimated to be closer to 25–30%. Out-of-state engineering applicants face the toughest odds.
• What they look for: Exceptional performance in advanced math and science (Calculus, Physics), high standardized test scores, and STEM-focused extracurriculars (Robotics, Math Competitions).

Business, Health Sciences, and Other Majors

Other high-demand majors, such as the Mays Business School and various Health Science programs, also have a much lower acceptance rate than the university average for Holistic Review candidates. Applying to a less competitive major and then attempting to transfer is not recommended, as internal transfers are often difficult.

Admissions Statistics Snapshot: What You Need to Know

Here is a quick overview of the key data points that define the successful applicant pool for non-auto-admits:

Real Applicant Profiles: Who Gets In? Who Doesn't?

Profile 1: Texas Resident, Engineering Applicant (Non-Auto-Admit)

Result: ADMITTED

Student ranked in the Top 15% of a highly competitive Texas high school. GPA: 3.8/4.0. SAT: 1450 (Math 780). Strong leadership in Robotics club, completed two semesters of Calculus via dual enrollment. The high SAT score and advanced coursework secured the admission under Holistic Review.

Profile 2: Out-of-State Applicant, Business Major

Result: ADMITTED

Student from California. GPA: 4.1/4.5 (weighted). SAT: 1520. Founded a student investment club and won a regional business competition. The excellent grades, near-perfect test scores, and demonstrated interest in Business were required to succeed in the texas a&m out of state acceptance rate pool.

Profile 3: Texas Resident, Top 10% Auto-Admit

Result: ADMITTED (Auto-Admit)

Student ranked Top 8% of a small Texas high school. GPA: 3.7/4.0. SAT: 1180. Average extracurriculars. The Top 10% ranking guaranteed admission. The lower test score and weaker profile meant they were less likely to receive large scholarships or be placed in a highly competitive first-choice major.

How to Increase Your Odds of Getting Into Texas A&M (TAMU)

1. Optimize Your GPA Early and Strategically: Take the most challenging courses your school offers, especially in areas related to your desired major (e.g., AP sciences for Engineering).
2. Take SAT or ACT Seriously (Despite Test-Optional Policy): For non-auto-admits, a score above the 75th percentile (1480+ SAT) is a near-requirement to offset the competition from auto-admits.
3. Use the Top 10% Rule If You Qualify: If you are a Texas resident and are or can be in the Top 10% of your class, this is your strongest advantage. Do not risk this standing for a marginally higher GPA.
4. Apply to Strategic Majors (But Be Authentic): Understand which majors are less competitive, but only switch if you can genuinely write an essay for that program.
5. Leverage Orbit's AI-Powered Tools: Use our platform to benchmark your profile against successful TAMU admits.
6. Write Compelling, Program-Specific Essays: Your essays are critical for the Holistic Review. Show genuine interest in Texas A&M University and your chosen college/major.
7. Demonstrate Interest and Apply Early: Apply as close to the application opening date (early August) as possible. This is particularly important for competitive programs like Engineering.
8. Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation: Get recommendations from teachers who can speak to your academic rigor and suitability for a large research university.

Texas A&M Admissions FAQs (2025)