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University Outreach Programs
University Outreach Programs educates high schools students about the opportunities available to them through higher education. University Outreach Programs, part of the Office of Admissions and Records, uses the tools available through Texas A&M University to prepare students for college. Outreach Programs supports numerous efforts including the program's two largest entities, the University Outreach Centers, which maintain centers in Corpus Christi, Houston and San Antonio and the Brazos Valley Program, located in Bryan. These two separate endeavors work toward the common goal to prepare students for a college education by providing services and activities that include college field trips, college entrance exam workshops, college application and essay workshops, and parent meetings. The University Outreach Centers are a collaborative effort between Texas A&M University and the University of Texas that began in 1987. Texas A&M University manages centers in Corpus Christi, Houston and San Antonio. The University of Texas manages centers in Austin, Dallas and McAllen. Students in grades eight through twelve are eligible to participate in outreach programs. Students receive college preparation and career exploration services upon completing the twelfth grade. The Brazos Valley Program is a Texas A&M University initiative that serves 23 independent school districts located within the seven counties of the Brazos Valley. By using the University's numerous resources, the program assists each district to provide college preparation and career exploration services for its students. For additional information, please contact University Outreach Programs at (979) 458-0396. New Student Conferences
Each year approximately 20 New Student Conferences are held for students entering Texas A&M University. All new students are required to attend a conference in order to register for classes. Families are encouraged to attend the conference, as there are programs designed for family members as well. New Student Conference programs provide freshman and transfer students what they need to get started on a career at Texas A&M. During the conference, new students meet with academic advisors to register for their first semester courses. Since the first semester is important to students' continued success at Texas A&M, New Student Conferences introduce student life activities and include programs on Financial Assistance, Housing, and community. Awareness of the many services available to students assists in the transition to and appreciation of life at Texas A&M. In addition, conferences offer social programs that provide students an opportunity to interact with both newly admitted and currently enrolled students. Each year current TAMU students volunteer as Orientation Leaders (OLs) to help new students and their families connect with Texas A&M University. The New Student Conference Office mails detailed conference information to all admitted students. When students receive this information, they are expected to accept the offer of admission by registering for a New Student Conference. Direct questions concerning the New Student Conference to:
Fish Camp
Fish Camp began in 1954 when YMCA Director Gordon Gay took a few incoming cadets on a camping trip near Mexia, Texas. From its small beginning, the program continues to be the most significant transitional experience in the lives of freshmen. Fish Camp, held at the Lakeview United Methodist Conference and Assembly Center, involves 5,000 plus students--including more than 900 upper-class counselors and staff members--as well as many members of the Texas A&M faculty and staff who volunteer their time to introduce incoming freshmen to Aggieland. Held during the three-week period preceding the fall semester, each four-day session is designed to aid students in the transition from high school to college and particularly to Texas A&M. It is an optional program intended to provide incoming students the opportunity to establish friendships, meet student leaders, become familiar with Aggie traditions and learn about Texas A&M campus life. Faculty and staff members speak on topics such as study habits, personal goals, Aggie traditions and history, extracurricular involvement and financial concerns. In addition to providing educational programs, group activities and small group discussions, the camp allows students to get to know each other through recreation, intramural sports and evening theme mixers. Fish Camp is not just a four-day activity in August. It is a year round event where upper-class students remain in contact with their new friends, providing emotional support, motivation and companionship. For more information, please call (979) 845-1627 or email at fishcamp@stuorg.tamu.edu. T-Camp
T-Camp is an exciting orientation experience designed for students transferring to Texas A&M in the summer and fall. It is held in the third week of August each year. The purpose of T-Camp is to provide transfer students with an opportunity to meet other transfer students, to learn more about Texas A&M's many traditions and to gain knowledge that will help them successfully transition to Texas A&M. Current A&M students are selected and trained to be staff at T-Camp. These staff answer questions and present information about being a student at Texas A&M. In addition to their work at T-Camp, counselors serve as resources to transfer students throughout the year. For more information, contact T-Camp at (979) 862-2521, or connect with T-Camp online at t-camp.tamu.edu. Howdy Camp
The purpose of Howdy Camp is to welcome new students to the Aggie family and provide a foundation for success and growth in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. This is accomplished through a camping orientation program for freshmen and transfer students each spring semester. Modeled after T-Camp and Fish Camp, the program includes campus information, mixers, presentations on a variety of topics and recreation time. Student counselors provide ongoing assistance to participants after the three-day program is concluded. For more information, call (979) 862-1785 or email howdy-camp@hotmail.com. ExCEL Student Success Program
ExCEL, Excellence uniting Culture, Education and Leadership, is designed to help freshman students discover the academic, social and personal balance necessary to facilitate their success at Texas A&M and beyond. Through collaboration between the Department of Multicultural Services and the Department of Residence Life, this program assists first-year freshman students and their parents in making a smooth transition from high school to Texas A&M University. During ExCEL, students receive a peer and faculty staff mentor, opportunities to meet campus administrators and faculty from their academic colleges and lasting friendships with students from the same as well as from different cultural backgrounds. ExCEL kicks-off with a two-day orientation conference held the weekend before classes begin that familiarizes participants and their parents with the program and life at Texas A&M. During the conference, participants are divided into "teams" led by two upper-class Texas A&M students called Team Leaders. Following the kick-off orientation, the bi-monthly developmental workshops begin and continue through the end of the Spring semester. An Executive board of 16 students and approximately 50 Team Leaders work all year to plan and carry out the orientation and the year-long activities that make up ExCEL. For more information, please contact:
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