New Student Conferences will be available in-person for 2024
At this time, we are planning for students to have an in-person experience for the 2024 Summer NSCs.
Through the in-person format we will connect with students and family members via presentations and activities to help your transition to Texas A&M. If you have any questions, please contact Luis M. Salinas '12 at luismiguel@tamu.edu or 956-271-1308.
If students need to change conference dates or edit registration information, complete these processes in the Applicant Information System (AIS) at applicant.tamu.edu. Edits should not be made to a registration within 5 business days prior to a scheduled NSC. If students need to reschedule close to their scheduled date, they should submit a request via AIS, Contact Us – NSC Registration.
We look forward to creating a positive and supportive experience for you in your transition to the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen.
Thanks and Gig ‘em!
Register for your New Student Conference
Accepting your offer of admission and registering for an NSC is the first step in the process of becoming an Aggie. NSC dates for Summer 2024 are available below.
How to Register Online for the NSC
- Go to howdy.tamu.edu, and select the Applicant tab (on a mobile device, you can find Applicant via the menu button on the top left of your screen).
- Select Applicant Information System (AIS), and log in using your NetID and password
- Under the My App Status tab, you will see your admission decision. If you have been accepted to the university, the My Next Steps button will appear. Click this button.
- Follow the steps shown on the screen to register for an NSC and accept the admission offer.
Note: Not all colleges participate in each New Student Conference.
Cost
Freshman NSC
For freshmen students, the non-refundable Conference fee of $100 is required to secure your place in a conference.
For McAllen NSCs, this fee includes all NSC materials and programming, breakfast & lunch, and one family/guest registration.
Transfer NSC
For transfer students, the non-refundable Conference fee of $100 is required to secure your place in a conference.
For McAllen NSCs, this fee includes all NSC materials and programming, breakfast & lunch, and one family/guest registration.
Deferrals
NSC fees can be deferred if you used an application fee waiver for the Texas A&M application for admission. NSC fee deferral means the fee will be added to your tuition bill. You may choose this option online during NSC registration allowing you to register without making a payment.
Questions
If you are unable to log in to Howdy or the Applicant Information System, please contact Help Desk Central at (979) 845-8300, Monday-Sunday, 24-hours a day.
For other questions related to NSC registration, please contact Luis M. Salinas '12 at (956) 271-1308 or luismiguel@tamu.edu.
Summer 2024 New Student Conference Dates
| DATE | DAY | MAJORS PARTICIPATING |
|---|---|---|
| June 7 | Friday | Engineering |
| June 8 | Saturday | Engineering |
| June 14 | Friday | Construction Science |
| June 21 | Friday | Education, Human Resource Development, Maritime Business Administration |
| June 24 | Monday | Biomedical Sciences |
| June 25 | Tuesday | Biomedical Sciences, Agricultural Economics |
| June 26 | Wednesday | Public Health |
Summer 2023 New Student Conference Sample Schedule
*Please note: Conference schedules are provided online for your convenience and planning purposes. Program times and locations are subject to change. You will receive an official finalized schedule of events a few weeks before your New Student Conference.
Fulfill all NSC Requirements & Testing
There are a couple of items to complete prior to attending your New Student Conference and enrolling in classes. Review your personalize checklist online at applicant.tamu.edu.
- Send your final High School Transcript after graduation
- Send your bacterial meningitis proof of vaccination
- Fulfill the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements
- Complete Tuition Rate Code selection in Howdy, howdy checklist, (in-state residents only)
- Complete Math Placement Exam at Texas A&M (required)
Note: All freshmen must take the MPE (College of Engineering and College of Science students will take a proctored exam – for details and registration, visit: Engineering MPE Website) - Complete the Lab Safety Acknowledgment (required)
- Send any AP/IB scores to qualify for and claim college credit (if applicable)
- Activate your Texas A&M Student Email account
- Submit your photo online for your Aggie ID Card
Guests with Disabilities
Disability Resources interacts and collaborates with students, faculty and staff to promote a welcoming environment at Texas A&M University by educating the campus community and facilitating appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities.
Students with documented disabilities including, but not limited to, mobility, hearing, visual, learning and/or mental health disabilities may be eligible for services and should submit an accommodation request form and supporting documentation of their disability to Disability Resources to begin the process to set up accommodations.
Representatives from Disability Resources are available to meet with students and family members virtually. If eligible, you may arrange for accommodations for your conference by submitting documentation of your disability to Disability Resources at least two weeks prior to your NSC.
Disability Resources
Student Services Building, 1st Floor
(979) 845-1637
disability.tamu.edu
Arrange Overnight Accommodations
The New Student Conference is mandatory, so if you’re traveling from outside of the Rio Grande Valley, you’ll need overnight accommodations for at least one night. For hotel/motel accommodations in the McAllen area, please contact the McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau at (956) 682-2871, or visit: visitmcallen.com/businesses/hotels.
Veterans and Military Dependents
Texas A&M University, we are proud of our rich military heritage. We also take great pride in our standing as a national leader in service to our students who are veterans, active duty, military dependents and survivors. Texas A&M University is committed to serving well those who have served. The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen and the Veteran Services Office have a unique and powerful relationship that is specifically designed to facilitate your transition to our nationally ranked campus so you can achieve your educational and career goals.
Veterans Services Office
The Veteran Services Office helps veterans and their eligible dependents maximize their funding at Texas A&M. The VSO provides services and support for accessing Veteran Administration (VA) and state education benefits. In addition to certifying your benefit eligibility, they can assist with financial aid and scholarship questions. Services from this office include:
- Federal and state veterans' education benefits processing
- Scholarship and financial aid advising
Contact
Scholarships & Financial Aid
hecm-financialaid@tamu.edu
Veteran Services Office
Pavilion Bldg, Rm 205
(979) 845-8075
veterans@tamu.edu
International Students
Any students who are not U.S. Citizens or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents – regardless of whether you are classified as a resident for tuition purposes by meeting the criteria for HB-1403, SB-1528 or the 36-Month Provision – are considered to be international students at Texas A&M University.
Check-In & Orientation
All new international students are blocked from course registration through an ISS Check-In registration hold. The ISS Check-In registration hold is removed once the student has completed specific requirements, outlined on the ISS website.
Campus Liaisons
Although there are not international student offices located on satellite locations, all international students attending the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen will have access to the International Student Services (ISS) office on the College Station campus. ISS will also arrange to visit each campus outside of Bryan/College Station at least once per year. You will be notified about this visit through an email message to your @email.tamu.edu account.
All ISS advisors are available to assist you and can process requests for you. Even if you cannot visit our office in person, requests can be submitted directly to ISS via email (iss@tamu.edu), fax (979-862-46330), or mail (1226 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1226). We are also happy to conduct appointments with you in person or over the phone. Appointments do need to be scheduled in advance by visiting the office or calling ISS at 979-845-1824.
At least one individual at each campus has been designated as an ISS liaison. The ISS liaison serves as your on-campus contact and can assist you with communicating with ISS as needed. Immigration advising and document processing will not be handled by your campus liaison. These services will be provided by the ISS office in College Station.
Currently, the campus liaisons to ISS at McAllen is the following individual:
Luis M. Salinas '12, '19
Program Coordinator II
Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen
6200 Tres Lagos Blvd. (Suite 123.4)
956-271-1308
luismiguel@tamu.edu
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Yes. All new undergraduate students are required to complete a New Student Conference (NSC) in order to complete enrollment at Texas A&M University (not required for Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate, Re-Admits, or change of curriculum students from Texas A&M Galveston). Texas A&M University is committed to the orientation and academic transition of each new student. A new student will receive academic advisement, an opportunity to learn and sign up for different university services and register for classes at their New Student Conference. Failing to complete a conference will prohibit you from registering for classes and attending Texas A&M University.
Those who do not complete a NSC forfeit their admission to Texas A&M University and must reapply for a future term.
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Yes. In order to provide a comprehensive orientation experience, you are required to complete the entire New Student Conference. Conference sessions build upon each other in order to prepare you for your transition to Texas A&M and to complete course registration. Failure to complete your full NSC will result in you being blocked from registering for your first semester courses.
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Some students will be eligible for an NSC fee deferral if they utilized an application fee waiver. If a deferral is selected as a payment method, it means the student will be billed for the $100 non-refundable conference fee at the beginning of their first semester.
Unless you were able to use an application fee deferral, you are not able to reserve a space
in a New Student Conference without payment. If you qualify for this option, it will appear
automatically.
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We interpret registration in a New Student Conference as a confirmation that you will be attending Texas A&M. If you decide not to attend after registering for a conference, please withdraw your application via the Howdy portal (http://howdy.tamu.edu/). Your conference fee is, however, non-refundable.
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You are required to attend the conference date for which you are registered. Students are not allowed to participate in a conference they are not registered for in advance. Appeals to change into a restricted or full conference are only granted for military orders, medical emergencies or extreme extenuating circumstances which students can substantiate with written documentation. Please contact Luis M. Salinas at luismiguel@tamu.edu to submit an appeal.
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Admitted students may request a change of major via the Howdy Portal at howdy.tamu.edu by the deadlines posted below. Go to the “Applicant” tab and select “Manage Applications.” Some colleges and majors have enrollment limits and will not accept a change of major once filled. Students may choose from only those colleges and majors with space available at the time of request, but a change of major is never guaranteed and majors can fill prior to processing your request.
Students are encouraged to meet virtually with a Transition Academic Programs (TAP) Advisor prior to requesting a change of major to make sure the new major aligns with your career goals. All advising appointments must be made through TAMU Navigate. From the Howdy Portal, click on the Navigate button in My Record or use the Navigate Student app on a mobile device. Then follow the directions to set up an academic advising appointment. Appointments can be scheduled up to two weeks in advance.
Feel free to direct any questions concerning change of majors to the Office of Admissions using the ‘Contact Us’ link on the Applicant Information System.
The Change of Major Deadline for all McAllen programs is June 1.
Transfer Students
Transfer students are reviewed for and admitted to a specific major. Changes of major will not be considered for at least one full semester. Many departments and colleges have grade point and course requirements, that must be satisfied to be eligible for a change of major. For change of major requirements, see tap.tamu.edu.
Your course registration at your New Student Conference will be limited to the degree program to which you have been admitted. For more information, please contact your specific academic college.
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Though not required, family members/guests who serve in primary support roles are encouraged to participate in the New Student Conference along with you. We have programs and services specifically designed for family members. Texas A&M University believes that the college experience represents a collaboration involving the student, the family of the student and the University. We invite family members to participate in the NSC program. We hope that by participating, you will become informed about the University’s academic programs, policies, facilities and services.
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Though not required, family members/guests who serve in primary support roles are encouraged to attend the New Student Conference along with you. Texas A&M University believes that the college experience represents a collaboration involving the student, the family of the student and the University. We invite family members to participate in the NSC. We hope that by participating, you will become informed about the University’s academic programs, policies, facilities and services.
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The Office of Admissions requires official copies of your final high school transcript and any completed college courses. Send final high school transcript(s) via TREx (Texas high schools only) , mail, or hand deliver to Admissions Customer Service. If you have college credit, send transcripts from the college via Speede (use code 003632 for TAMU), eScrip-Safe/National Student Clearinghouse/Parchment (use admissions@tamu.edu if an email is required), mail, or hand deliver to Admissions Customer Service. Faxed, emailed, copied or uploaded transcripts are not acceptable official documents and will not complete a student’s file.
If you have an unofficial copy of your transcripts, it may be helpful to have them available for your NSC advising appointment.
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You are required to submit a student ID picture online prior to your NSC at myaggiecard.tamu.edu. Pick-up dates and locations will be communicated via email. You must have a current government-issued photo ID (drivers license, military ID, etc) to receive your ID card.
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For questions regarding scoring or how courses will apply to your degree plan, please contact your academic advisor. If you took an Advanced Placement test in May, scores will not be received by Texas A&M University until mid-July. Students should only accept AP credit after consulting with their academic advisor, which you can do during your NSC.