For Texas A&M, I had the opportunity to interview Laura, who taught how to say the greeting of Texas A & M. Howdy! She is amazing and provided great responses if you're interested in applying to or attending Texas A & M! Thank you so much Laura!
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p.s. Here are some cool facts about her!
Major: International Studies (currently)
University: Texas A&M University
Year: Freshman/Class of 2023
How would you describe the weather at Texas A&M? What would advise students to bring when coming to Texas A&M?
"The weather in College Station, Texas can be described as typical Texas weather in that it's often very unpredictable. But for the most part, summer is hot, fall is warm, winter is only a little bit cooler, and spring can be cold or any of the above. It also rains a lot so investing in a water-proof/water-resistant backpack, tall rain boots, and a sturdy umbrella that can handle hard gusts of wind will help so much when you have to walk across campus during a thunderstorm. Also, it is often very humid in College Station so be prepared for that. Furthermore, don't underestimate the cold: it's a "wet" cold with lots of moisture and wind, in addition to the low temperatures."
What makes Texas A&M? So special to you? Was it your first choice and your dream school?
"To be perfectly honest, Texas A&M was my Plan B. My original plan was to go study in DC at my dream school (Georgetown), but that didn't pan out how I wanted. But when one door closes another opens! Coming to TAMU was one of the best decisions I could've made and I am so thankful for it! Texas A&M holds a special place in my heart because it is a community that cares; despite being the largest public university in the country, it couldn't feel more like home. Part of the reason for this is the Aggie Network, which supports current students and alumni in so many ways with so many traditions. To name a few, we have Silver Taps, Corps of Cadets, Aggie Muster, Aggie Rings, Bonfire Remembrance, and Fish Camp! The traditions are part of what make the school so great and set it apart from any other university. It's easy to find your people here and dip your toes in so many new and fun activities (we have over 1000 student organizations!). Texas A&M is an amazing place to be and I honestly couldn't recommend it enough."
What is your major and is it what you wanted to study since high school?
"My major is International Studies (B.A.) on the International Politics & Diplomacy (IPD) track, but I am in the process of declaring a double-degree in Political Science (B.S.) and a double minor in Russian Language and Sociology! During high school, I was interested in languages but limited on what I could take since my school only offered Spanish, ASL, and German. I was also really passionate about all of my history, english, and government classes so I knew that I wanted to further expand on that in college. To find out exactly what major I wanted to pursue at Texas A&M, I went to their website and searched until I found something that offered everything I wanted out of my college experience."
What is one thing you wished you did more research on before applying to colleges?
"Before applying to colleges, I wish I would have researched more about scholarship deadlines. I missed out on so many that I could've applied to because I didn't know their deadlines. Universities give out scholarships through their departments/colleges if you know where to look for them. Also, apply to local scholarships in your area and know the deadlines! These are relatively less competitive than national scholarships, even though the monetary value may be significantly less. Applying and receiving a lot of smaller scholarships adds up quickly and helps significantly for all the unexpected costs you incur throughout college. Be aware that many scholarships have requirements that you must meet in order to receive them, such as be enrolled in a minimum number of hours and maintain a certain GPA, etc."
What IS your favorite class?
"Sociology 206: Global Social Trends. I love the class topics and my professor is an amazing lecturer, highly intellectual, and compassionate towards his field and students. This class has taught me how to better critically think about the issues the world faces and what drives them. My professor, Dr. Cohn, also taught my Sociology 205 course on Introduction to Sociology and I learned so much in that class as well. If you get the chance to take a sociology class, do it; it gives you a perspective on how the world works in ways that other classes cannot. In this class in particular, we are learning about how and why societies die--specifically, the sociological forces that drive it. It has been so interesting and rewarding to take this semester and has influenced me to pursue a minor in this field!"