First Year Experience

Getting Started

Some of the most memorable moments of your first year will happen even before classes start. Make every experience count by kicking off your first year with Extended Orientation camps that will help you embrace the Aggie Spirit! If you want to make connections with fellow Aggies at camp or are looking to meet some new people, the opportunities and experiences that await you during camp and other welcome festivities around campus will allow for many opportunities to make new friends.

New Student Conference

It all begins at your New Student Conference were you will receive an orientation to Texas A&M University and learn about your responsiblities as a member of the Texas A&M Community of Learners and Scholars. All new students must attend a New Student Conference prior to their first semester.

Fish Camp

Fish Camp welcomes the freshman class to Texas A&M each year with the purpose of giving you an opportunity to have fun, make friends, and learn more about life at Texas A&M. We hope that through Fish Camp, you will begin finding your place in the Aggie Family before classes even begin.

T-Camp

T-camp is a fall orientation camp designed for transfer students that seeks to create a fun and open atmosphere in which you are welcomed into the Aggie Family. At T-Camp, you will be introduced to the many opportunities that exist at Texas A&M and the long-standing traditions that embody the true meaning of being an Aggie. You will leave with a newly ignited Aggie Spirit and many lasting friendships.

Howdy Camp

Howdy Camp is a student-run orientation program for new Aggies planning to attend Texas A&M University in the spring semester. Howdy Camp includes transfer students as well as freshmen students and is the spring semester’s equivalent to Fish Camp and T-Camp.

ExCEL

The ExCEL Program is geared toward helping students from various cultural backgrounds in finding academic, social, and personal balance at Texas A&M during their first year of college. ExCEL will assist you in making a smooth transition by: encouraging you through high school-to-college challenges, fostering a community where you can culturally identify, forging new relationships and integrating you into life at Texas A&M, informing you about various campus opportunities and services, as well as building a support system for you through upper-class students as peer mentors.

Gig ‘Em Week

Don’t miss out on Aggieland’s Week of Welcome! Visit the Gig ‘Em Week website for information about events happening during the week.

Freshman Convocation

Freshman Convocation establishes an academic connection between freshmen and Texas A&M University, and it is a great way to celebrate entry into the Texas A&M University Community of Learners and Scholars. You are joined by faculty, College Deans, and the University president and vice presidents who welcome you into the Community and share with you the important role students play as both people who learn from others and as people who contribute to the vitality of the university.

Freshman Convocation also communicates the role of faculty members as scholars, teachers and fellow members of the community through a keynote address by a selected member of the undergraduate teaching faculty. Held at Reed Arena, Freshman Convocation provides you with an opportunity to gather with your classmates, recognize the size and strength of your class, and join the Texas A&M University academic community through a major campus event that parallels the Commencement ceremony that will mark your graduation only a few years into the future.

Amplify

Amplify is a collaborative, campus-wide effort to help first-year freshman, transfer and sophomore Aggies gain the skills and become aware of resources to help you overcome challenges you may face throughout your time in Aggieland and to make the most of your Texas A&M experience.

Amplify programs will help you…

Become familiar with campus
Become engaged in the academic community
Discover resources and develop skills necessary for academic and personal success at Texas A&M
Plan for your academic and professional future
Meet other new students, faculty, advisors and staff
Learn more about how to stay safe and healthy

Visit the Amplify website to learn more and to sign up for upcoming workshops.

College of Architecture

Join the faculty and staff of the College of Architecture for an Orientation and Welcome Reception just for you and your family.

College of Geosciences

The faculty and staff of the College of Geosciences hosts a reception for Geosciences students and their families on Sunday, August 30, 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the O&M Building.

Mays School of Business

Join the Business Student Council for an Open House just for freshmen! Gather information, and learn about opportunities in business student organizations. Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the first floor hallway of the Wehner Building.

Texas A&M University