What is the essay prompt for Texas A&M this year and how should I approach it?
I'm planning on applying to Texas A&M in the fall, and I want to get a head start on my application essay. I've heard that sometimes their prompts change from year to year, so I'm a little unsure about where to find the most recent prompt for the 2024-2025 application cycle.
For anyone who’s already applied or is in the process, can you share what the prompt is? Also, if you have any advice on what sort of topics work best or tips on how to really stand out in the essay, that would be really appreciated. I’m thinking about writing about my experience in FFA, but I’m not sure if that’s too common for A&M.
Would love to see any examples of what others have done or hear any recommendations! I just want to make sure I’m on the right track before I start writing.
For anyone who’s already applied or is in the process, can you share what the prompt is? Also, if you have any advice on what sort of topics work best or tips on how to really stand out in the essay, that would be really appreciated. I’m thinking about writing about my experience in FFA, but I’m not sure if that’s too common for A&M.
Would love to see any examples of what others have done or hear any recommendations! I just want to make sure I’m on the right track before I start writing.
4 months ago
•
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Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Texas A&M uses the ApplyTexas or the Common App personal essay prompt. The ApplyTexas prompt for Texas A&M (as of this cycle) is:
'Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?'
This prompt is intentionally broad, so you have the freedom to write about almost anything meaningful to you. Texas A&M values authenticity and wants to get a sense of who you are beyond test scores and grades.
If you're focusing on your experience in FFA, that's totally valid—FFA is a big part of Texas culture and many applicants come from agricultural leadership backgrounds. To make your essay stand out, zoom in on a specific, memorable moment or challenge you encountered in FFA. Instead of summarizing your journey through various competitions or awards, consider exploring a particular problem you solved, a leadership challenge you faced, or a meaningful initiative you took.
For example, rather than writing generally about being chapter president, you might write about the time you advocated to start a mental health initiative for stressed-out team members—even if it was a small, personal project. Show what you learned, how you grew, or how the experience shaped your values and your perspective.
The key to a strong A&M essay is to:
- Reflect deep self-awareness and authenticity.
- Show (not just tell) how you've demonstrated leadership, resilience, or initiative.
- Focus on specific moments or experiences rather than broad summaries. Tiny details—a quote from a mentor, your feelings during a hard moment—make your story memorable.
A past example: One student wrote about raising a difficult show lamb and learning to cope with failure after a disastrous county fair performance. She discussed how that specific moment motivated her to help younger FFA members handle disappointment and build confidence. The essay felt personal and honest—not just a victory lap.
If your story is about FFA, make sure only you could write it.
Avoid clichés like 'hard work led to success.' Instead, focus on personal growth: how did FFA push you to rethink your abilities or goals? How will what you learned shape what you bring to Texas A&M?
You're on the right track by starting early and seeking feedback. Once you have a draft, get a second (or third) opinion to ensure your voice shines through.
Good luck!
'Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?'
This prompt is intentionally broad, so you have the freedom to write about almost anything meaningful to you. Texas A&M values authenticity and wants to get a sense of who you are beyond test scores and grades.
If you're focusing on your experience in FFA, that's totally valid—FFA is a big part of Texas culture and many applicants come from agricultural leadership backgrounds. To make your essay stand out, zoom in on a specific, memorable moment or challenge you encountered in FFA. Instead of summarizing your journey through various competitions or awards, consider exploring a particular problem you solved, a leadership challenge you faced, or a meaningful initiative you took.
For example, rather than writing generally about being chapter president, you might write about the time you advocated to start a mental health initiative for stressed-out team members—even if it was a small, personal project. Show what you learned, how you grew, or how the experience shaped your values and your perspective.
The key to a strong A&M essay is to:
- Reflect deep self-awareness and authenticity.
- Show (not just tell) how you've demonstrated leadership, resilience, or initiative.
- Focus on specific moments or experiences rather than broad summaries. Tiny details—a quote from a mentor, your feelings during a hard moment—make your story memorable.
A past example: One student wrote about raising a difficult show lamb and learning to cope with failure after a disastrous county fair performance. She discussed how that specific moment motivated her to help younger FFA members handle disappointment and build confidence. The essay felt personal and honest—not just a victory lap.
If your story is about FFA, make sure only you could write it.
Avoid clichés like 'hard work led to success.' Instead, focus on personal growth: how did FFA push you to rethink your abilities or goals? How will what you learned shape what you bring to Texas A&M?
You're on the right track by starting early and seeking feedback. Once you have a draft, get a second (or third) opinion to ensure your voice shines through.
Good luck!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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