Frequently Asked Questions
Is
it mandatory that I attend a student conference?
Yes. Texas A&M University is committed to the orientation and academic
transition of each new student. A new student will receive academic
advisement, an opportunity to learn and sign up for different university
services, and register for classes at their new student conference.
Non- Attendance will prohibit
you from registering for classes and attending Texas A&M University.
You
will register for your first semester classes at your New Student
Conference. All new students are required to attend a New Student
Conference in order to complete enrollment at Texas A&M University.
Registration for your conference costs $75 (nonrefundable).
Spring Admits
Freshmen & Transfer – Once you accept your offer of admission, you will be able to proceed through New Student Conference registration. New Student Conference registration was mailed to you with your letter of admission.
Summer and Fall Admits
Freshmen – If you accept your offer of admission, New Student Conference registration materials will be sent to you beginning early to mid January. You will be able to proceed through New Student Conference registration from Feb. 1 through the May 1, 2008 deadline.
Transfer – If you accept your offer of admission, New Student Conference registration materials will be sent to you beginning in late April 2008. You will be able to proceed through New Student Conference registration from April through the July 3, 2008 deadline. (Summer Session 1 admits must register for their conference by May 10, 2008)
Must
I attend both days of my conference?
Yes. In order to provide a comprehensive orientation experience, you are
required to attend the entire conference. Conference programs build upon
each other in order to prepare you for your transition to A&M and to
complete course registration. Failure to attend your full conference will
result in not completing your registration for your first semester courses.
Please be prepared to stay until 6:00 pm on Day 2 of your conference.
Can
I register for a conference online and pay later?
No. We cannot reserve a space in a New Student Conference without payment.
Online registration for a conference can only be accomplished by submission of
payment.
How do I register for my conference online?
1. Go to http://applicant.tamu.edu . This will bring up the Office of Admissions
and Records Applicant Information System (OARAIS).
2. Log on to OARAIS using your NetID and Password. If you do not have a NetID or
if you have forgotten your password, please follow the links on the page.
3. After the system has verified your NetID and Password, it will pull up your
application information.
4. Under Step 5 you will see a link to view your admission decision. If
you have been accepted to the university you will see a link to a page informing
you of your acceptance to Texas A&M University. On the last section of this page
entitled, "Accepting Our Offer of Admission". You must accept your offer
of admission before registering for a New Student Conference.
5. If you are
ready to register for a New Student Conference, click on the link.
If you are still unable to register, please contact the Office of Admissions and
Records at nsc-help@tamu.edu or by phone at 979-845-2636, Monday-Friday,
8am-5pm.
How do
I check what conference I have been confirmed for?
After
you have successfully registered for a New Student Conference (either online or
by mail) you may review the conference date for which you are registered by
returning to applicant.tamu.edu.
If you have a need to change to an alternate conference date, you may
make a request while viewing your confirmation.
Texas A&M University may ask for additional documentation, if
necessary.
1. Go to http://applicant.tamu.edu . This will
bring up the Office of Admissions and Records Applicant Information System (OARAIS).
2. Log on to OARAIS using your NetID and Password. If you do not have a NetID or
if you have forgotten your password, please follow the links on the page.
3. After the system has verified your NetID and Password, it will pull up your
application information.
4. You should see what conference you have registered for below Step 5.
What if I
haven't received my confirmation materials?
Confirmation materials for Fall admits will be
mailed will be mailed in early March. If you have registered for your conference but
have not received a confirmation packet, please check online to make sure you
have been confirmed for a conference (see instructions).
If you have not been confirmed for a
conference, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 979-845-2636.
If you have been confirmed for a conference feel free to download a copy of a
New
Student Conference schedule and a copy of the
New
Student Conference handbook.
How can I
request a change in my conference date?
If you find it necessary to change your conference date after it has been
confirmed, you may request a change online at
applicant.tamu.edu. You may also request
a change by emailing
nsc-help@tamu.edu or faxing (979) 458-1808 or
writing to: New Student Conferences, Texas A&M University, P. O. Box 30014,
College Station, TX 77842-3014.
The Office of Admissions and Records will make every attempt to fulfill your request, but will not guarantee that your NSC date can be changed. In addition, we will not process requests made within ten (10) business days of a confirmed conference.
Also note: Your change request must be made no less than two (2) weeks prior to the new NSC date you are requesting.
Requests to change the date of a previously confirmed (NSC) will be evaluated and granted based upon space availability for the requested conference date, college participation at that particular conference date, and documentation of need for such a change.
What if I want to change my major?
Freshman
Admitted freshman students may request a change of major by
submitting an online request at least ten (10) business days prior
to their New Student Conference. You may submit your request online
at http://applicant.tamu.edu.
Be advised that
the following colleges and departments have enrollment restrictions
and a change of major into these programs will not be an option: The
College of Architecture, Mays Business School, and Psychology within the
College of Liberal Arts. In addition, some majors in the Dwight
Look College of Engineering may be at capacity. Changes of major
into the College of Engineering will be subject to space
availability in the specific program requested. If you would like
to request a change of major into the College of Engineering, please
submit your request online at
https://applicant.tamu.edu.
Your request will be reviewed by the Engineering Academic Programs
Office
You
may check applicant.tamu.edu to view your major choice.
Please
be aware that it may not be possible to grant your request to change
your major.
Also
remember that changing your major may require a change in your
conference date if the College of the major that you are changing to
is not participating in the conference in which you are confirmed or
if that conference is full for that college.
Transfer Students
Transfer
students are admitted to a specific degree program.
Changes of major across colleges will not be considered for at least one
full semester.
You will be limited to the degree plan to which you have been admitted
when registering for courses at your New Student Conference
Blinn
Team Students
Blinn
TEAM students cannot change their major while participating in the Blinn TEAM
program
How do I actually request a change of major?
You may submit
your request online at
http://applicant.tamu.edu.
You may check
applicant.tamu.edu to view your major choice.
Please be aware
that it may not be possible to grant your request to change your major.
Also
remember that changing your major may require a change in your conference date
if the College of the major that you are changing to is not participating in the
conference in which you are confirmed or if that conference is full for that
college.
Feel free to direct any questions concerning change of majors online at
http://applicant.tamu.edu.
-Transfer
students are admitted to a specific degree-granting program, and should be
aware that not all other majors may be available to them for future changes of
majors. Changes of major across colleges will not be considered for at
least one full semester. Many departments and colleges have grade
point requirements and Texas A&M residency requirements and restrictions for
changes of major. Your course registration at your New Student
Conference will be limited to the degree program to which you have been
admitted. For more information please contact your specific
academic
college.
Should
my family members attend the New Student Conference with me?
Though not required, family members are encouraged to attend the New Student
Conference with you. We have many programs and services specifically
designed for family members. Family members are welcome to participate in the entire
conference by following the family schedule. Family members will check-in during NSC Check-in to receive a
family schedule, a map, and a Texas A&M Family Handbook.
If
my parents/family attend with me, do they follow the same schedule I do?
Family members follow a "family schedule". They will join their
students for some programs and they will also participate in programs specifically
designed for family members. There will be certain programs specifically designed
for students in which family members will not attend. For a complete student
& family schedule please visit http://newaggie.tamu.edu/NSC_Schedules.htm. Will lodging
be available on campus during my conference dates?
On campus
lodging during New Student Conferences is not available for January and
August conference dates.
For information about NSC Housing
or making your reservations online visit the Residence
Life-NSC Housing website. Detailed information and a conference
housing reservation form will be provided with the New Student Conference
Handbook. Questions
may be directed to Residence
Life Conference Services at nschousing@housing.tamu.edu
or by calling (979) 845-9381. You
are responsible for your own reservations and costs.
Who
do I contact about off campus lodging for New Student Conferences?
For
more information about lodging, you may contact the Bryan/College
Station Hotel Bureau at
www.bryan-collegestation.org
Where
do I park for my New Student Conference? ALL vehicles must display a valid Texas
A&M University parking permit when parked on University property or park in
our pay parking areas. An NSC Parking Permit is available.
For further information regarding parking during your NSC please visit http://newaggie.tamu.edu/NSC_parking.htm
Where is NS
Conference Check-In?
Check your New Student Conference Schedule for the location of your New Student Conference Check-in. Schedules are posted at least one week prior to the confirmed date of your New Student Conference. For further information, please visit http://newaggie.tamu.edu/NSC_Schedules.htm
What do I do at
NS Conference Check-In?
- Obtain your conference nametag and admission ticket
- Obtain a conference schedule
- Obtain campus map
- Clear any blocks that you may have
- Ask any questions you might have about the conference
- Take a campus tour
- Check-In for Conference Housing & purchase
a conference housing parking permit (Optional - Summer only)
- Buy a 2012 New Student Conference t-shirt (Freshmen
Summer only)
- Buy Howdy Lunch Tickets (Freshmen Summer only)
Where is NS
Conference Housing Check-In?
If you are staying on campus during your New
Student Conference, Conference
housing check-in is located in at NSC Check-in. (Conference housing is
available for our June and July conferences
only).
How can I obtain
information about placement testing?
Information about placement tests is
available on our website.
You must
bring a photo ID with you to testing. You can purchase pencils at the test
site.
What happens if I do not
fulfill the Success Initiative (formerly TASP) requirement before my New Student Conference?
Students who are not Success Initiative-exempt will be blocked from registering
for courses during New Student Conferences if scores are not on file at Texas
A&M University.
All students who
are not exempt must take the THEA test or an approved alternative test. Students
not meeting the minimum passing standard on any of the three test sections will
be required to register for and participate in a developmental class for that
section. Non-exempt students will be blocked from registering for all classes
until the THEA (or alternative test) is taken. If you have further
questions concerning the Texas Success Initiative, please contact the Student
Learning Center at (979) 845–2724 or visit the
website.
How do I know if I need to take the Math Assessment?
Only Freshman students in specific majors are required to take the math assessment. For specific information on which majors and what the assessment is used for, visit the NSC Tests page on the New Aggie website.
When/Where
can I take a
campus tour?
The
Aggie Orientation Leader Program offers campus tours at Conference check-in.
When/Where can I buy
a NSC Class of 2012 T-shirt or a parent t-shirt?
Available at Freshman Summer Conferences
only - Both parent and student conference t-shirts are sold for $10.00 at
each NS Check-in, and Aggie Energizer. Check-in is held
Monday-Thursday, the Energizer is held each Tuesday and Thursday evening.
When
do I buy my textbooks?
Textbooks may be purchased or reserved while you
are on campus during your New Student Conference. Please visit the MSC Bookstore's table at Resource Tables during your New Student Conference to
obtain a textbook reservation form or reserve
on-line.
How can I get my student ID?
During your New Student Conference, you
will have the opportunity to get your photo student ID made at the Pavilion.
You must have a current photo ID
(drivers license, military ID, etc) to receive your ID Card.
How
do I change my permanent mailing address?
If your permanent mailing address changes prior to registration,
please notify Undergraduate Admissions to ensure receipt of future mailings. For
more information contact: Undergraduate Admissions, 979-845-1060. After
you are enrolled, please make the change on http://myrecord.tamu.edu.
When should I change my local mailing address?
If you know what your local address and
phone number will be when you register for your classes, you can submit this
information at that time. After that time, use the My Record system (http://myrecord.tamu.edu).
All students MUST update their local phone
numbers and addresses on http://myrecord.tamu.edu
by the 12th
class day. For more information contact: Office of the Registrar, 979-845-1003.
When do classes start?
The first day of classes for the 2008 Fall semester is
August 25. First
summer term 2008 classes begin May 27; second summer term classes begin July 1.
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