See below for Entry to a Major information for Texas A&M University general engineering students in College Station, Galveston and McAllen.
The Entry to a Major (ETAM) process uses a priority method that places students in their highest preferred major possible based on their academic performance, their ETAM application content and the program’s capacity.
Students must apply to three majors, but have the option to select up to five majors. Majors must be ranked in order of preference. Students are strongly encouraged to apply during the semester they plan to successfully complete the required coursework with a C or better.
Application Timeline
Application Periods by Term - First Semester at Texas A&M - Fall 2024
First semester - Fall 2024
- Not applicable
Second semester - Spring 2025
- Opens: March 2025
- Closes: April 2025
- Decisions released: July 2025
Third semester - Fall 2025
- Opens: October 2025
- Closes: December 2025
- Decisions released: January 2026
Fourth semester - Spring 2026
- Opens: March 2026
- Closes: April 2026
- Decisions released: July 2026
Application Periods by Term - First Semester at Texas A&M - Spring 2025
First semester - Spring 2025
- Not applicable
Second semester - Fall 2025
- Opens: October 2025
- Closes: December 2025
- Decisions released: January 2026
Third semester - Spring 2026
- Opens: March 2026
- Closes: April 2026
- Decisions released: July 2026
Fourth semester - Fall 2026
- Opens: October 2026
- Closes: December 2026
- Decisions released: January 2027
General Engineering ETAM Eligibility Requirements
Student ETAM eligibility will be based upon at least two semesters of coursework taken at Texas A&M. Students are ETAM eligible based upon courses completed at the conclusion of the semester the application is submitted (e.g., for students who submit an application during the spring semester, their eligibility is based upon the courses completed at the end of the spring semester).
Grade point averageYour grade point average (GPA) should be as follows:
- Texas A&M cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0
- Texas A&M term GPA of at least 2.0
Required coursework
General engineering students are required to complete at least the following courses at Texas A&M with a minimum grade of C or higher:
Engineering: Two engineering courses taken at Texas A&M from the following list:
- ENGR 102
- ENGR 216 or the equivalent cross-listed course PHYS 216
Science*: Two science courses taken at Texas A&M from the following list:
- CHEM 107/117 or CHEM 119
- PHYS 206
- PHYS 207
- CHEM 120+
Math*: Two math courses taken at Texas A&M from the following list:
- MATH 151
- MATH 152
- MATH 251 or MATH 253
- MATH 308
- MATH 304 (Linear Algebra) or CSCE 222 (Discrete Math)
*One primary objective for required coursework is to observe student performance in at least two science courses and at least two math courses taken in residence at Texas A&M. For students who exhaust all science and math courses on the lists above (through credit by exam and/or credit earned by dual credit courses or other transferred coursework), please visit with your General Engineering academic advisor to identify alternative courses that may enable you to satisfy course requirements for ETAM eligibility and make academic progress.
+BMEN, CHEN and MSEN require 8 hours of fundamentals of chemistry which are satisfied with CHEM 119 or CHEM 107/CHEM 117 and CHEM 120.
Notice about Q-drops, credit by exam (AP, IB, CLEP) and dual credit
If you Q-drop a math or science course and choose to accept credit in its place, you may unknowingly be jeopardizing your ability to meet ETAM eligibility requirements.
In addition, earning credit for less than a full-time course of study will forfeit your eligibility for automatic entry.
Please contact a General Engineering academic advisor if you are considering a Q-drop.
Automatic Entry Requirements
The ETAM process includes automatic entry to a student’s first-choice major if they meet all ETAM eligibility requirements above, and the following additional requirements:
- Students must have a 3.75 cumulative GPA or higher at the conclusion of the semester the application is submitted, or the student must be named a National Merit Scholar (i.e., semifinalist or finalist).
- Students must be enrolled full-time, maintain, and earn credit for a full-time course of study throughout each long semester prior to ETAM placement; a student who completes a semester with less than full-time status at Texas A&M will forfeit their automatic entry eligibility. Full-time enrollment is defined in Student Rule 1.7.
- Students must have no record of an honor code violation.
Students who start in MATH 151 or higher: Students who begin their first full semester at Texas A&M in MATH 151 or higher are only eligible for automatic entry during their second semester.
Students who start in MATH 150: Students who begin their first full semester at Texas A&M in MATH 150 are only eligible for automatic entry during their third semester.
Reminder: Students will not be ETAM eligible or considered for automatic entry if they Q-drop a math or science course, that is needed to satisfy their two math and two science course requirements for ETAM, to accept credit in its place.