Everything is bigger and better in Texas! I truly believe this. I was born and raised in Texas, and there is no place on the planet I’d rather be. Texas is home.
In fact, when I was a kid, living in Texas, one of my favorite snacks after school were cracker jacks. While I loved the sticky sweet popcorn of cracker jacks, my favorite part was the surprise hidden inside. This post is like that; it’s filled with hidden information and surprises for Texas. Take a look!
For my fellow Texans going through the college admissions process, I wanted to offer some quick links to help you with some of my favorite colleges, essays, and resources to help you pay for it all.
Helpful Resources: including timelines and essay help
The Apply Texas application is a common application form for most Texas public universities. It allows students to apply to several different colleges at once. Apply Texas college essay prompts are:
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Essay A:
Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today? -
Essay B: Some students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. If you are one of these students, then tell us about yourself.
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Essay C: You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?
Want to be a Baylor Bear?
Here is where you can get started! My daughter is a senior at Baylor, and I just cannot say enough great things about this school in Waco. The university has partnered with Imagine Scholarships, and many Baylor students have found educational dollars as well as resources to help them write essays and resumes, prepare for an interview and hear from other students who share their successes and advice.
Maybe you have burnt orange blood?
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin — what a city! It has so much to offer, and its university is stellar. As part of ApplyTexas, all freshmen applying to the University of Texas at Austin will also respond to short-answer questions.
If you are planning on a college visit, check out our Austin visitors guide!
Required Short Answers (250-300 words each):
1. Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?
2. Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.
3. The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society.” Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to “Change the World” after you graduate.
4. Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance, including the possible effects of COVID-19.
Hoping to head to Aggieland?
Whoop!
I couldn’t be more excited that the last of my four children has decided to be an Aggie. I’m not going to lie — it’s hard to know that my nest is empty. But I am so proud of the young woman she is and know that her future is so bright. What fun I am having watching her grow up, spread her wings, and learn the traditions of this great university!
Texas A&M University- 3 Short Answer Questions for all applicants
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Texas A&M University believes that diversity is an important part of academic excellence and that it is essential to living our core values (loyalty, integrity, excellence, leadership, respect, and selfless service). Describe the benefits of diversity and inclusion for you personally and for the Texas A&M campus community. (250-300 words)
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Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why.
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Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.
Texas A&M University- Short answer question for Engineering majors (Priority deadline- October 15)
Engineering Essay: Describe your academic and career goals in the broad field of engineering (including computer science, industrial distribution, and engineering technology). What and/or who has influenced you either inside or outside the classroom that contributed to these goals?
Other opportunities for Texans
The Common Application
The Common Application is also a good choice for applications if you prefer it. You can find it here.
Zero % Loan for Texans
Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation is a Texas-based student loan. While I don’t usually promote student loans, this one is 0% interest and guarantees $8,000 per year for all four years for Texas students who meet the requirements. This is included in the imagine Scholarships database as well.
Scholarships Abound for Texans
My absolute favorite resource for Texans and students from all states is Imagine Scholarships! For just $175 a year, you can search for quality scholarships just for you and then organize and keep track of what you’ve applied for! The keyword search puts students in the driver’s seat — brainstorm words that reflect you and your interests. Obviously try TEXAS, but consider your city and county, your major, your career goals and any hobbies or interests that you enjoy. Maybe you’re a vegetarian, or you have overcome an illness, loss of a parent, or a learning disability, or maybe you are a first generation student — there are scholarships for every type of student. I tell my students they don’t have to be the valedictorian or captain of the football team to win scholarships. Imagine Scholarships has educational dollars for students of all ages (trade schools and certifications, too!) and it features internships (both in-person and virtual) where you can find that very important “work experience.” And the library of video resources holds the key to putting it all together — check it out when you’re looking for tips and tricks to winning scholarships, needing help filing out FAFSA or building a budget, or simply trying to set yourself apart from your competition. It’s all there. Wow! Just Wow! Sign up today!