Why is there a limit on the number of applicants admitted through the Aggie Direct program, and how is that number determined?
The number of admitted applicants is determined by the entering-class size of the previous year. The American Bar Association (ABA) permits us to enroll no more than 10% of the previous year’s entering class size.
Am I eligible for Aggie Direct if I received, or will receive, a bachelor’s degree from one of the other Texas A&M System Schools?
No. Under the ABA Standards, this program is restricted to undergraduates receiving their first bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University – College Station. Applicants must either be in attendance at the time of admittance to the School of Law or have graduated no earlier than twelve months before the date of matriculation at the School of Law.
When can I submit my admission application?
The School of Law admits a new entering class each fall semester. The admission application is released each year by September 1. The general application deadlines apply to those seeking admission through the Aggie Direct program.
However, the School of Law employs a “rolling admission” process, and the number of students enrolled through the Aggie Direct program is limited. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure full consideration for admission. Aggie Direct applicants receive a high-priority designation, and the evaluation of their applications is expedited to allow for an alternate plan of action if an admission offer is not extended.
What constitutes six semesters of course work requirement?
The “six semesters of course work” requirement ensures an applicant completes enough college-level course work to reasonably assess his or her likelihood of success in law school. Seventy-five percent of course work, approximately 90 semester credit hours for most bachelor’s degrees, should be complete at the submission of the application. The 90 semester credit hours may include transfer credit, high school dual degree credit, and AP/CLEP credit.
The School of Law reserves the right to request additional information to verify the accuracy of submitted materials or to assist in the evaluation of the applicant’s aptitude for legal study.
How is the required GPA calculated?
Law school applicants have two reported GPAs. The first is referred to as the degree-granting institution GPA. In this case, the GPA consists of graded course work completed at Texas A&M University – College Station. The second is your cumulative undergraduate GPA (CUGPA) and is calculated by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). The School of Law evaluates all applicants based on the LSAC CUGPA.
The LSAC CUGPA includes any college-level course work taken before the conferral of your first bachelor’s degree. This includes graded course work from high school dual credit courses and course work transferred from other institutions. Additionally, if you have retaken a course or received a grade replacement, the original course grade and the replacement course grade will count in calculating your LSAC CUGPA.
The applicant’s LSAC CUGPA must meet or exceed the stated minimum requirement at the submission of the application. If the applicant has course work in progress, then any admission offer is conditional. The applicant must submit a final transcript reflecting the conferral of a bachelor’s degree, and the newly-calculated LSAC CUGPA must remain at or above the stated minimum requirement. Failure to maintain the required LSAC CUGPA will result in the revocation of the admission offer.
Are applicants required to maintain the minimum 3.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA each semester of enrollment?
No. Applicants must report a minimum LSAC CUGPA of 3.75 at the time of application. If the applicant has course work in progress, then he or she must maintain the required LSAC CUGPA through the completion of his or her degree program.
What if I have taken the LSAT or GRE? Am I still eligible for the Aggie Direct program?
No. Individuals with a reportable LSAT or GRE score are not eligible for Aggie Direct.
What if I take the LSAT or GRE after being admitted through the Aggie Direct program?
Aggie Direct applicants are required to disclose all LSAT and GRE scores. If an Aggie Direct applicant elects to take one of these examinations, he or she is no longer eligible for the program. Any prior offers of admission or scholarship are rescinded, and the applicant will be re-evaluated with the general applicant pool.
What SAT or ACT score do I need to satisfy the 85th percentile requirement?
Historically, test-takers with a composite score of 1290 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT reported a ranking in the 85th percentile. Note, the SAT or ACT composite score percentile rankings could vary from year to year. Applicants are best positioned to verify their composite test score and percentile rank before submitting their admission application.
My SAT or ACT score is below the 85th percentile. Can you make an exception or allow me to retake the examination?
The composite score must be at or above the 85th percentile for the administration of the exam taken. The ABA Standards do not permit an exception. Prospective Texas A&M Law students falling short of this requirement must seek admission by taking either the LSAT or GRE. It is not permissible to retake the SAT or ACT to qualify for the Aggie Direct program.