Question for those who just went through this latest round of 2026 admission as well as double b...

My son is entering his senior year with a 3.75 unweighted GPA, however, his ACT is average at best and SAT not great. I know a lot may depend on his major, but is it safe to say by going test optional he is looking at Blinn Team at best or is there a pathway to regular admissions? TIA!

Texas A&M has a no harm policy which means that the test score can only help your chances.

I would recommend submitting it if it's higher than a 1150. It probably won't help, but it also won't hurt your chances as well.

Feel free to DM more details.

Our daughter scored 1190 and chose not to submit her score. She was accepted to Blinn Team (never got options just BT).

She had a very high GPA, APs, and excellent extracurriculars including elected/appointed leadership positions, non-school participations in audition-based ensembles, NHS, and in my opinion, a good, meaningful essay. Her words: "I am not proud of my score and I want to be evaluated on my other qualities." Ok kiddo!

I really struggled with her decision, but it was hers to make. She ended up choosing a different school by the way. :-(

double b said:

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Texas A&M has a no harm policy which means that the test score can only help your chances.

I would recommend submitting it if it's higher than a 1150. It probably won't help, but it also won't hurt your chances as well.

Feel free to DM more details.

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Do you have an ACT score the kids should use a barrier or is it just the ACT equivalent of 1150 (23)?

Yeah, I would use the ACT equivalent.

Keep in mind that if you're not submitting a test score, your academic transcript and senior-year coursework will be weighed more heavily in the academic scoring. So with that said, please counsel your student to take the most rigorous set of courses they can in their senior year.

ACs can tell when your child has put things in cruise control and let off the accelerator. If anything, if their academics are questionable, this is when they should be more aggressive in their course selection.

Texas A&M will review their junior-year transcript, but not their senior-year grades, for their admission decision.

double b, thank you for your continued advice. Would you suggest submitting a 25 ACT?

BoDog said:

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double b, thank you for your continued advice. Would you suggest submitting a 25 ACT?

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Yes, I would submit a 25.

double b said:

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Yeah, I would use the ACT equivalent.

Keep in mind that if you're not submitting a test score, your academic transcript and senior-year coursework will be weighed more heavily in the academic scoring. So with that said, please counsel your student to take the most rigorous set of courses they can in their senior year.

ACs can tell when your child has put things in cruise control and let off the accelerator. If anything, if their academics are questionable, this is when they should be more aggressive in their course selection.

Texas A&M will review their junior-year transcript, but not their senior-year grades, for their admission decision.

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Thank you for the advice. They both have taken 8 AP courses, and honors for everything, but electives. They are taking courses at the local JC this summer and 6 college courses next school year.