What does Texas A&M look for in the college essay?

You are right to feel that the website is generic. University websites are designed to appeal to everyone, which is why their advice usually boils down to "be yourself."

However, Texas A&M is not just "any university." It is an institution with a distinct, almost tangible culture. If you write a generic "I work hard and get good grades" essay for A&M, you will disappear into the pile of 50,000+ applicants.

Here is how to approach the Aggie essay.

1. Understanding the "Aggie Factor" (It’s Not Just Stats)

While many schools claim to care about "holistic review," A&M takes its Core Values seriously: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service. You do not need to list these words (please don't). But your essay must demonstrate that you embody them.

Don't: Write a story where you are the passive observer.

Do: Write a story where you stepped up, took responsibility, or served a community. A&M loves active leadership. They want to see that you are a "doer," not just a "thinker."

2. "Personal" vs. "Accomplishments"

You asked if you should stick to accomplishments. Absolutely not. Your activity list is for your accomplishments; your essay is for your character. If you spend your essay re-listing your debate wins or your GPA, you are wasting the admissions officer's time. They already know you are smart. They need to know if you have grit.

The Strategy: Tell a story about a time you struggled or failed, and how you fixed it. A&M respects resilience. A polished, perfect applicant feels fake. A student who admits to a struggle and shows how they overcame it feels like a future leader.

3. Creativity vs. "To The Point"

A&M receives a massive volume of applications. The readers are moving fast.

Avoid: Abstract, flowery, overly poetic writing that takes two paragraphs to get to the point.

Embrace: A strong, vivid Hook (the first sentence should drop us into the action), followed by a clear, straightforward narrative.

The Balance: You want a narrative structure (Intro-Conflict-Resolution-Growth), not a dry report. Be creative in how you tell the story, but be clear about what the story means.

4. The "Casual" Tone Question

You mentioned your style is casual. That is actually an asset, provided it doesn't cross the line into "unprofessional." Admissions officers at A&M are human. They prefer a genuine, conversational voice over a stiff, thesaurus-heavy academic tone.

Write like you are talking to an older mentor you respect, honest, open, but polite.

The biggest mistake students make with A&M is treating it like a "stats safety" and writing a low-effort essay. My recommendation:

Pick one specific value: Look at A&M's core values (e.g., Selfless Service).

Find the moment: Find a specific memory where you lived that value. (e.g., Not just "I volunteer," but "The specific rainy Saturday when the food drive truck broke down and I had to organize a human chain to move boxes.")

Write the scene: Show us the sweat, the stress, and the solution.

If you show them you are ready to work and ready to lead, you will stand out.