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How to Write the Texas A&M University Essays 2024-2025

Texas A&M University has three required essay prompts on its application. You are asked to write about your personal story, a life event that has prepared you for success in college, and a person who has profoundly impacted your life. There is also an optional essay prompt about any additional challenges or opportunities you have had to overcome. 

 

In addition to the general essays, there are 5 optional essay prompts that students can answer to bolster their scholarship consideration. Although these prompts are certainly optional, CollegeVine always encourages you to take every opportunity a college gives you to share more about yourself and your ambitions. Answering all of these prompts will maximize your consideration for scholarships, so you should definitely respond to as many as you can, especially since Prompts 1-4 are so short.

 

Texas A&M receives tens of thousands of applications from students with strong academic records, so the essays are your opportunity to stand out from the crowd, by painting a picture of yourself that shows what you have to offer beyond the numbers.

 

Read these Texas A&M essay examples, from a real accepted student, to inspire your own writing!

 

Texas A&M Essay Prompts

 

All Applicants

 

Prompt 1: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (750 words)

 

Prompt 2: Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (250 words)

 

Prompt 3: Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (250 words)

 

Prompt 4 (optional): If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, which you have not already written about, please note them in the space below. (250 words)

 

Scholarship Applicants (Optional)

Prompt 1: Why have you chosen to apply to Texas A&M University? (10-50 words)

Prompt 2: Why have you chosen your academic major(s)? (10-50 words)

Prompt 3: Briefly describe any educational plans you have beyond earning your bachelor’s degree. (10-50 words)

Prompt 4: What are some of your life goals and objectives? (10-50 words)

Prompt 5: Tips to consider when writing the below essay: Leadership can be demonstrated by positions you hold as an officer in a club/organization, but other types of leadership are important too. Leaders can emerge in various situations at any given time, including outside of school. Share a brief description of the type of leadership qualities you possess, from school and non-school related experiences including leadership in your job, your community, or within your family responsibilities. Then, share how you hope to demonstrate leadership as a member of our campus community.

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)

 

All Applicants, Prompt 1

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? (750 words)

 

Notice that you are encouraged to speak about an opportunity or a challenge—this is a classic example of the “Overcoming Challenges” essay. When faced with this prompt, many students believe that they must talk about a tragedy in order to grab the attention of admissions officers, but this isn’t true. An essay can easily be thoughtful, insightful, and an engaging read without utilizing this specific emotional appeal.

 

Still, stories about difficult circumstances are often memorable. They are most effective when focused primarily on the student’s journey of working through the challenge instead of the challenge itself. 

 

You’re trying to stand out, so beware of overused tropes like the following:

 

  • Mental illness: It takes enormous strength to heal from and learn to manage a mental illness. Still, they may be tricky to write about. Read our article for more information on covering mental illness and disabilities within your application.
  • Getting a bad grade in a class but then working hard to raise it.
  • Sports stories such as winning/losing the “big game” or getting injured.
  • Death of a pet or family member.
  • Divorce.
  • Mission trip which made you realize how lucky and privileged you are.

 

Side note: Sometimes students face challenges that are outside of their control and which have negatively impacted their academic and/or extracurricular performance. If this has been your experience, and you don’t want to explain them within this essay response, you may ask one of your recommenders to do so through their letter of recommendation, or explain it in the shorter prompt #4.

 

Now, there’s no such thing as a “bad” or “good” essay topic; students have gotten into top schools with essays about Costco, pizza deliveries, and sparkling water. It often matters less so what you write about than how you write about it! 

 

These common essay topics are only doable when well-written, specific, and featuring a fresh take. The story of how fixing your calculus grade taught you the value of hard work is not nearly as interesting as that of a student who is diagnosed with dyscalculia—a disability which creates a difficulty in understanding and working with math and numbers—and then opens up a dyscalculia awareness club with plans to become a special education teacher.

 

The latter story would demonstrate the student’s ability to turn preconceived weaknesses into strengths, and admissions officers will quickly see that though he may initially struggle with long division, this student is nonetheless a creative problem-solver.

 

Please be aware that although it is possible to make a “common” topic interesting, it is easier to write about a situation that is unique to begin with. Also, don’t feel pressured to write about a challenge, especially if the situation has happened so recently that you haven’t fully finished processing or growing from it.

 

With all of this in mind, let’s get into brainstorming! Many people begin their ideation process through writing long lists or even talking into their phones in an untethered stream-of-consciousness. Do whatever it takes to get your creative juices flowing! 

 

As you reflect, you may consider these questions:

 

  • Which values and skills do you hold closest to your heart? Honesty? Hard work? Clear communication? Diversity? Environmental stewardship? Activism? Where did these priorities come from?
  • What are you most grateful for? What are you most proud of? What risks have you taken which have paid off?
  • What do you like to do? When and how did you get into it?
  • How would your family and friends say you have changed for the better over the years, and why?
  • Look back at your list of extracurricular activities. Which ones were challenging and/or special opportunities? When have you tried something new?

 

Practice self-compassion while considering topics, and know that none are too big or too small. You can write about anything from taking a summer math class (even though you’re more of an English person) to being a camp counselor to giving your first speech in front of a crowd.

 

Overall, the admissions officers are looking for growth. They want to see the circumstances you turned into opportunities for improvement. You may even reflect upon a situation that initially seemed like an unpleasant challenge but later revealed itself as a hidden opportunity. For example, you may have reluctantly let your friend drag you to a business club meeting before discovering a passion for economics and rising as a club leader.

 

Ideally, your story will be unique and offer a fresh perspective. Be specific about the challenge or opportunity you were presented with, and think about how it changed you for the better. 

 

Remember, they are literally asking for you to “tell [them] your story,” so consider using a narrative format, especially if storytelling is a talent of yours. 

 

Here’s a general outline: 

 

  • If you choose to go with a traditional storytelling format, we recommend beginning with a vivid anecdote featuring rich imagery to draw the reader in or an unexpected premise which makes one have to read on in order to fully understand. 

 

  • From there, you may dive into who you were at the time, how you felt and how you acted, before moving towards your turning point—the challenge or opportunity—from which you decided to grow. 

 

  • Explain how, exactly, the turning point influenced you. Ask yourself: How did it make you feel? Excited and ready for more, or initially anxious? How did it impact you? Perhaps you learned something new about yourself, or maybe now you’re kinder, more confident, or a harder worker. 

 

  • To mix it up a bit, you could even play with sequencing, perhaps starting with a moment of success before reflecting on all of the growth you had to complete to get to that point.

 

Finally, you are human, so you don’t have to portray yourself as perfect in the end. You are using this essay to talk about what may be one of your greatest strengths or sources of pride, but make sure to stay balanced with a humble tone.

 

All Applicants, Prompt 2

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college. (250 words)

 

This prompt is similar to the first in that it is asking about a life event, but there are two things to note. Firstly, the word limit is quite small, so there is less room for a vivid, image-laden introduction. Secondly, the prompt does not specify challenge or opportunity, so you have more creative freedom in your answer.

 

Before you begin writing, you should think about the different paths you can take when answering this question:

 

  • Is there a unique event (that you didn’t write about in the first prompt) that has made a substantial impact on how you study, take exams, learn in general, or see a certain aspect of the world (that might have inspired your desired major, if you have one)?
  • Besides any unique events, what other occurrences have prepared you for any aspect of college life? The aspects can be academic, interpersonal, career-oriented, social, etc.
  • Which of these events are positive and which are negative?
  • Based on whether you answered the previous prompt with a challenge or an opportunity, do you want to double down on positive/negative or do you want to have one of each?

 

One effective way to address this prompt is to think of what you want to major in. If there is a life event that drew you to a specific field, you can discuss how you have looked into this field already and how you are equipped to take classes in it. If you haven’t decided on a major, you can think of skills you have picked up that aren’t necessarily academic but can translate well into being a student.

 

Examples of some events that helped prepare you for college success include:

 

  • How experiencing a long drought inspired you to study agriculture to explore more sustainable farming practices.
  • How deciding to teach yourself ukulele for 3 years straight improved your learning strategies, taught you self-discipline and time management, and encouraged you to be open to new ideas.
  • How an internship at a publishing company improved your reading and writing skills, taught you to work collaboratively, and gave you experience working within deadlines. (This can segue into you wanting to study publishing/English, or it can just be used as an example of skill-honing even if you don’t want to study that!)

 

You have ample opportunity to talk about intriguing and unusual experiences, but as with the first prompt, you should avoid cliché topics unless you are able to add depth to them. For example, you would not want to write about how losing a school baseball game taught you to accept failure.

 

However, you might be able to spin that kind of story into something more interesting by talking about how you lost that game because you stayed up the night before studying for a physics exam, which ended up revealing to you how much you love physics more than baseball. You could then move into a discussion about how that turning point taught you how to manage time better, how to set priorities better, and what you wanted to pursue in college. Again, be mindful that the word limit is small so you must be succinct.

 

These supplemental essays are supposed to give an impression of who you are as a person. Don’t be afraid to go outside the boundaries of common, everyday life events if there is something really distinct that you experienced. The questions are intentionally vague to give students elbow room to write something unique if they want to.

 

All Applicants, Prompt 3

Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. (250 words)

 

This is a common prompt in essays and interviews, and it can be difficult overwhelming to decide on a role model. Many students default to a parent/sibling for this question, and though that’s a valid choice, it’s extremely common. You can write a good essay with this choice, but it’s harder to stand out. 

 

If you do decide on a family member, be sure to provide granular detail about how this person impacted your life. While anyone can write about their family members, only you can tell the specific stories of how your family member impacted you. Admissions officers don’t want to hear how caring your mom is; they want to know about the time she gave the scarf off her neck to someone who said they were cold. 

 

Some other potential people to write about include a teacher or close friend. Some people have teachers who completely changed their outlook on a subject or on learning as a whole. If this describes a teacher you once had, you might be interested in this choice. Be sure to provide detailed examples about the teacher’s personality and/or pedagogy.

 

Don’t just say, “Mrs. Johnson made me like math.” Describe how she did it and why you like math now. Some people have friends who have completely changed (or even saved) their lives. Often, our closest friends are people we grew up with and know intimately. This deep knowledge of a person and his impact on your life can give you a lot of details to write about.

 

You might have a community leader (pastor, coach, shopkeeper) who taught you to think beyond your immediate circle and begin to engage with the wider community. This kind of person is another great example of someone outside your nuclear family who influenced your life for the better.

 

Though there is a plethora of people you can write about, there are a few that you should do your best to avoid, even if they truly have impacted your life:

 

  • Cliché famous historical figures – Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King Jr. are all very important figures with highly potent influence all the way to the present day. Unfortunately, they are also written about far too much. 
  • Polarizing political figures – It’s hard to keep bias out of the admissions process, so you risk putting off whoever is reading your essay. It’s also not likely that politicians impact your life more than your immediate circle.

 

As with the previous prompt, be mindful of the lower word limit. You can definitely share 1-3 anecdotes, but you only have 250 words, and you want to spend some of that on reflection.

 

All Applicants, Prompt 4 (optional)

If there are additional personal challenges, hardships, or opportunities (including COVID related experiences) that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, which you have not already written about, please note them in the space below. (250 words)

 

This prompt is optional, and while we typically recommend that you respond to optional prompts, this one is asking about additional info not reflected in your application—so you should only write a response if you truly have something to add. 

 

Notice that this is very similar to the first prompt, but it’s more focused on hardships and challenges. Unlike the first prompt, this would be a fine space to address any issues in a straightforward manner—you don’t have to worry about coming up with an original topic. Some potential things you can address include divorce, tragedy, financial hardships, family responsibilities, learning disabilities, etc. 

 

The specification of “COVID related experiences” also allows you to discuss any particular issues you faced due to the pandemic. Since everyone has been going through the pandemic, we only recommend discussing COVID if you had a particularly disruptive experience.

 

Finally, don’t forget that this prompt also allows you to elaborate on any positive opportunities that shaped your high school career. If you have a unique extracurricular that you haven’t written about yet (beyond the Common App Activities section), you can write about it here. You could also talk about your experience at a leadership program or a mentor you had.

 

Basically, anything goes, as long as it impacted you significantly, and isn’t addressed properly in the rest of your application.

 

Scholarship Applicants, Prompt 1

Why have you chosen to apply to Texas A&M University? (10-50 words)

 

This prompt is a standard Why This College question, but it’s a bit trickier because of the word limit, which is very short. Your response will need to be streamlined but still meaningful. In just a couple of sentences, you’ll have to explain why you want to attend Texas A&M by showing a strong connection between your interests and the offerings at the university.

 

One of the most crucial elements to this prompt is the length. It’s restrictively short, so every word matters. In order to fit a worthwhile answer in this word limit, you’ll need to focus on one, perhaps two, concrete reasons for applying.

 

To begin, think over these questions to plan your response:

  • How does Texas A&M align with your academic and career goals?
  • What unique aspects of Texas A&M’s culture, community, or values resonate with you?
  • What made Texas A&M stand out from other schools you considered?
  • What specific programs, clubs, or other opportunities at Texas A&M are most exciting to you? Why?

 

Of course, in addition to the length, it’ll also be important to demonstrate a personal connection to the university by highlighting something about Texas A&M that aligns with your background or goals. Make sure to avoid generic reasons, like TAMU’s general reputation, location, or size, or anything else that could be applied to many other schools. Be very clear and precise about why you’re drawn to Texas A&M.

 

Again, because of the word limit, it’s vital that you write concisely and specifically. Pick one main reason, and flesh it out as much as possible within only a couple of sentences. Some examples of what you could write about in this short of a space are below:

  • Student A led their robotics club in high school and is excited about the unique leadership opportunities offered by TAMU’s Engineering Honors program. They could write about the university’s focus on leadership development and the Aggie Spirit that fosters collaboration and community support.
  • Student B grew up on a ranch and has always had a passion for animal care. They’re drawn to Texas A&M’s top-ranked Animal Science major and the hands-on experiences available through internships and the Small Animal Hospital.
  • Student C is passionate about serving their country and is particularly attracted to the strong military tradition at Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets. They appreciate the school’s dedication to building leaders who prioritize honor and service.

 

When choosing the reason you plan to write about, ensure that you’re not too vague. Focus on one key element that truly connects to your interests, and be specific about why something appeals to you.

 

Check out this example to see what a good response might look like: 

 

I’m eager to join the Aggie family and pursue aerospace engineering through Texas A&M’s hands-on labs, like the Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel, which will let me apply my passion for fluid dynamics to real-world aerospace challenges.”

 

This answer is specific to Texas A&M’s aerospace engineering program and connects the student’s passion for fluid dynamics to a particular facility at the school. The student shows that they’ve researched the program and know how it will help them achieve their goals and does so in only 40 words.

 

By focusing on one feature that excites you and connecting it to your personal interests, you can create a compelling and memorable response within the word limit!

 

Scholarship Applicants, Prompt 2

Why have you chosen your academic major(s)? (10-50 words)

 

This prompt is a standard Why This Major essay, but like Prompt 1, it’s a bit challenging because of the word limit. In 50 words or less, you need to make your response specific, direct, and personal. Texas A&M admissions officers want to understand your motivation for choosing the major, what sparked your interest, and how it aligns with your future goals.

 

You want to show why you care about this subject and how it relates to your future plans, so try to tie your background or interests to the major. This could be a class you loved, a project you completed, or a personal hobby that connects to your major. Get started with some brainstorming questions:

  • When did you first become interested in your major?
  • Was there a specific moment, experience, or person that sparked your passion?
  • How has this interest evolved over time?
  • What goals do you hope to achieve with this major in college and beyond?
  • Is there a specific aspect of this field that excites you the most?

 

With limited space, your answer should avoid being vague or overly general. There’s no room for fluff, so get straight to the point and explain a particular experience, moment, or realization that solidified your interest in the major to demonstrate your passion for the field. 

 

Let’s take a look at some potential example ideas for responding to this prompt: 

  • Student A developed a deep interest in mechanical systems after spending summers in his grandfather’s garage working on cars and building custom bikes. He hopes to explore how engineering can push the boundaries of design and sustainability, working toward eco-friendly innovations in automotive engineering.
  • Student B noticed plastic debris strewn across the beaches during a trip to the Texas coastline. That moment sparked a passion for environmental conservation, and she now wants to focus on restoring ecosystems and finding sustainable solutions to environmental challenges through Texas A&M’s environmental studies program.
  • Student C’s younger brother has a rare genetic disorder, and growing up watching his treatment process ignited her fascination with medical research. She chose Biomedical Sciences to pursue a career in genetic research, aiming to contribute to advancements that can help families like hers.

 

In under 50 words, every sentence should serve a purpose. Leave out any unnecessary details that don’t directly contribute to explaining your choice, but make sure to provide insight into your personal connection.

 

Stay focused on your unique journey to choosing your major. Avoid general statements about the major’s popularity or job prospects—focus on your personal connection to the field. Be as specific as possible, even in this limited word count—one well-chosen example can make all the difference! 

 

Here’s a good example of effective, concise writing:

 

When my science fair project on 3D-printed prosthetics won first place, I realized the impact biomedical engineering could have on people’s lives. I’m eager to develop affordable, innovative solutions for underserved communities by diving deeper into Texas A&M’s research opportunities in the Biofabrication lab.”

 

This response is specific, personal, and shows genuine interest in the major. The student ties their interest to a concrete experience (science fair project), explains what excites them about the major, and connects it to future goals (helping underserved communities).

 

Scholarship Applicants, Prompt 3

Briefly describe any educational plans you have beyond earning your bachelor’s degree. (10-50 words)

 

This essay prompt asks you to share any educational goals you have beyond your undergraduate studies, such as pursuing a master’s degree, PhD, professional programs, or certifications. If you’re uncertain about your future educational plans, it’s okay to say so—just frame it in a way that shows you’re open to possibilities and growth. Although we encourage you to answer all available prompts, this is one you might choose to skip if you don’t plan to obtain an advanced degree. 

 

This is a future-focused question that helps admissions understand your long-term academic goals and how driven you are to continue learning. They want to see if you’ve thought beyond your bachelor’s degree and have a vision for where additional education might take you. Consider these questions to help you get an idea of what to write about:

  • Are you interested in a specific field of study that requires graduate or professional school (e.g., law, medicine, engineering, business)?
  • Do you want to specialize further in your field through graduate education or research?
  • Are there certifications or specialized programs that would benefit your long-term goals?
  • How will these future educational plans align with your intended career?

 

Make sure to focus on your post-graduate educational goals, and avoid repeating information you’ve already mentioned elsewhere in your application. Ideally, this answer connects to your career goals, as your future educational plans should align with your intended profession or academic interests. Additionally, mentioning a tangible and achievable goal will be more effective than a vague or overly ambitious one, and again, even if you’re unsure of your exact plans, indicate that you’re committed to continuing your education in some capacity.

 

This prompt is straightforward, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to be generic. Since you only have 10-50 words, you need to be very clear and concise in explaining your plans. Your response should show that you’ve thought carefully about your future educational goals and should ideally connect to the broader context of your ambitions or career plans. Here are some potential ideas for topics:

  • Student A is a political science major with an interest in civil rights and advocacy. After earning their bachelor’s degree, they plan to attend law school to specialize in civil rights law and help marginalized communities.
  • Student B is majoring in environmental engineering and wants to pursue a master’s degree to focus on sustainability and renewable energy solutions. This student envisions working on large-scale environmental conservation projects.
  • Student C is a history major who wants to pursue a PhD in medieval studies. They hope to become a professor and conduct research on the intersection of religion and politics in medieval Europe.

 

In this response, don’t be too vague with statements about how you plan to attend grad school – explain why, and for what. Briefly outline what type of education you’re interested in and why. Make sure your future educational plans logically connect to your overall career or academic goals, so your response is cohesive.

 

Now, let’s take a look at a good example response:

 

I plan to attend medical school to specialize in pediatric neurology. My goal is to contribute to research and provide better treatment options for children with neurological disorders.

 

This response is clear, concise, and shows the student’s specific focus on a medical specialty. It connects their educational plans to a tangible career goal, indicating a deep level of thought and intention. At only about 35 words, it could even stand to be a little longer.

 

By keeping your response focused, clear, and connected to your future aspirations, you can write a strong, concise answer to Texas A&M’s supplemental prompt on educational plans!

 

Scholarship Applicants, Prompt 4

What are some of your life goals and objectives? (10-50 words)

 

This prompt is asking you to briefly discuss your life goals and objectives. Like Prompts 1-3, you have very little space at just 10-50 words, so you need to be concise and focused. The key to crafting a strong response is choosing one, possibly two, clear and meaningful goals that are important to you, and showing why they matter in your life.

 

This is not the place to list everything you want to achieve. Instead, you should give a snapshot of one or two significant goals that reflect your values and aspirations, both personally and professionally. Avoid general, vague statements like “I want to be successful” or “I want to help people” without explaining how. To begin, check out some of these brainstorming questions:

  • What are the main personal or professional goals you have in life right now?
  • How do these goals reflect your core values or interests?
  • What specific steps are you currently taking to achieve these goals?
  • What challenges or experiences have influenced these goals?
  • How might attending Texas A&M help you achieve these objectives?

 

Prioritize explaining how the goals reflect your passions, beliefs, or interests with a connection to your personal values. Show how these goals guide your future plans and how they are motivating your actions, and make sure each sentence is clear, impactful, and to the point.

 

Don’t just say that you want to be successful or have an impact – explain what success means to you and how you want to achieve it. Your goals should reflect something important about who you are. Avoid generic goals that don’t show your individuality. You have very limited space, so focus on one or two major goals rather than trying to fit in everything you want to do. Finally, avoid wasting words on empty phrases like “I hope to make the world a better place” without explaining what that looks like for you.

 

Some ideas of response topics are below:

  • Student A is a prospective biology major interested in public health who wants to become an epidemiologist to combat infectious diseases in underserved communities, inspired by her experiences volunteering at a free health clinic.
  • Student B is an engineering student with a passion for sustainability and hopes to create affordable, eco-friendly housing through innovative design and sustainable construction practices, influenced by his high school project that focused on renewable energy.
  • Student C’s goal is to become a teacher who advocates for equitable education, especially in underserved communities, after witnessing the achievement gap firsthand in her public school system.

 

You can use this short response to leave a strong impression on Texas A&M’s admissions committee by focusing on your unique ambitions and being precise in your language. The key is clear, purposeful writing. Let’s take a look at a good example with the proper length:

 

By combining my love for biology and public health, I aim to become a physician focused on global health, addressing healthcare disparities in developing nations. My long-term goal is to build sustainable healthcare solutions in underserved areas.”

 

This response is specific, focused, and shows clear motivation. The student explains both what they want to do (become a physician focused on global health) and why (address healthcare disparities), while also indicating a long-term goal of creating sustainable healthcare systems.

 

Scholarship Applicants, Prompt 5

Tips to consider when writing the below essay: Leadership can be demonstrated by positions you hold as an officer in a club/organization, but other types of leadership are important too. Leaders can emerge in various situations at any given time, including outside of school. Share a brief description of the type of leadership qualities you possess, from school and non-school related experiences including leadership in your job, your community, or within your family responsibilities. Then, share how you hope to demonstrate leadership as a member of our campus community.

 

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)

 

This prompt is a variation of the Extracurricular and Impact on Community/Community Service essay archetypes. It asks you to reflect on your leadership qualities and how you’ve demonstrated them in various aspects of your life, both inside and outside of school. Leadership here isn’t limited to formal positions—Texas A&M wants to see how you’ve taken initiative in unique situations and how you’ve influenced others. They also want to understand how you plan to carry these qualities into the campus community.

 

Your essay should cover:

  1. A specific example of a leadership experience (school, job, community, or family)
  2. Your actions and decisions as a leader and how you influenced the people around you
  3. What you achieved through your leadership
  4. How you plan to demonstrate leadership at Texas A&M

 

It’s also different from the rest of the prompts because of the word limit – this essay can be much longer than the others, so you have a considerable amount of space to work with and are less restricted in your writing.

 

To help you get started, answer these brainstorming questions:

  • What leadership roles have I held formally? (Club president, sports captain, etc.)
  • When have I taken initiative even when I didn’t have an official title? (In group projects, family matters, at work)
  • How have I positively influenced others?
  • Have I led by example in challenging or unexpected situations?
  • What obstacles did I face in this leadership experience? How did I overcome them?
  • What are my core leadership strengths? (Collaboration, delegation, problem-solving, empathy, communication)
  • How can I bring these qualities to Texas A&M’s campus community? In what specific areas or groups could I contribute?

 

A strong response to this prompt will tell a clear, compelling story. Choose a leadership experience that showcases your unique strengths and impact – it could be a formal leadership role or an informal situation where you stepped up, but focus on your actions. Texas A&M wants to see how you led, not just what your group did. Highlight your specific decisions, challenges you faced, and how you handled them.

 

Then, show your impact on others: How did your leadership influence or inspire others around you? Did your actions lead to a successful outcome for your team, group, or community? Finally, connect your leadership to A&M: Be specific about how you’ll use your leadership skills on campus. Name organizations, initiatives, or community spaces at Texas A&M that align with your goals.

 

For some inspiration, look over these hypothetical examples of topics:

  • Growing up in a single-parent household, Student A took on family responsibilities at a young age. As the captain of his soccer team, he helped his teammates both on and off the field, organizing study groups for players struggling with academics. At Texas A&M, he hopes to continue fostering a sense of community by mentoring other first-generation college students through the Regents’ Scholars Program.
  • Student B led a team of younger workers at her part-time grocery store job. When a major staffing shortage hit, she organized a schedule that ensured coverage and trained new employees. At Texas A&M, she wants to use her organizational skills to take a leadership role in the Student Employment Office, helping fellow working students balance their academic and professional lives.
  • As the president of her school’s STEM club, Student C led an outreach initiative that brought hands-on science activities to underfunded local elementary schools. She hopes to continue her passion for outreach by leading the Aggie STEM program at Texas A&M, inspiring young students to pursue careers in science and engineering.

 

Your topic should not be a cliché leadership example without a unique and personal story behind it. While being a club president or sports captain is impressive, these roles are common. Make sure to add meaningful insight to help your response stand out. Additionally, don’t just state the tasks you completed as a leader—reflect on why those tasks mattered, what you learned, and how they changed the people or situation around you.

 

It’s also important to show how you worked with others, but don’t forget that the essay should emphasize your role as a leader. What did you do to make things happen? For the TAMU aspect of your essay, avoid vague statements like “I hope to lead in the Texas A&M community.” Be specific about which areas or organizations you’ll contribute to and how you’ll apply your leadership skills.

 

Let’s go over a good example response.

 

As my younger sister sat across from me at the kitchen table, her eyes wide with confusion over her math homework, I realized something needed to change. As the oldest of four kids, I had always helped out with household tasks, but this was different. With my parents working two jobs, my siblings were falling behind in school. I knew I had to take on a more active role. I organized daily tutoring sessions, setting up a rotating schedule with other older students in the neighborhood to help younger kids with their schoolwork. Over time, I saw my sister’s confidence grow as she started to grasp the concepts. The biggest reward came when she passed her math exam with flying colors.

 

At Texas A&M, I’m eager to continue mentoring others. The Aggie Homework Helpline, which offers virtual tutoring, is a perfect opportunity to give back and help students facing academic struggles, just like my sister. I can’t wait to contribute to this program and bring the same dedication to helping others that I brought to my family.”

 

This example tells a personal story of leadership that isn’t tied to a formal role but shows significant initiative. The writer highlights their impact on others and draws a direct connection to a specific program at Texas A&M.

 

By following these strategies and examples, you can craft an essay that showcases your unique leadership qualities and demonstrates how you’ll contribute meaningfully to the Texas A&M community. Good luck!

 

Where to Get Your Texas A&M University Essays Edited For Free

 

Want feedback on your Texas A&M University essays to improve your chances at admission? When you’ve proofread your essay a dozen times, it can be hard to even spot where there’s room for improvement. That’s why we’ve created our free Peer Essay Review tool, where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also sharpen your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays!

 

Need feedback faster? Get a free, nearly-instantaneous essay review from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!


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