The only requirement to join the Corps is to be accepted to Texas A&M.  Once admitted all you need to do is apply for Corps of Cadets Housing and then you will register to join this summer at your New Student Conference.

General Information

•  The Corps of Cadets is a student organization at Texas A&M consisting of almost 2,300 young men and women who are focused on becoming well-educated leaders of character. There is no military obligation for joining the Corps; however, all of our cadets take an ROTC class their first 3 semesters in the Corps.  You can choose Army, Air Force or Navy/Marine ROTC.  About 45% of our cadets choose to serve in the military as an officer and the other 55% choose to work in the private sector, government sector (non-military) or they go to graduate school immediately after graduating from A&M. 

• The only requirement to join our Corps of Cadets is to be accepted to Texas A&M University.  Once accepted, all you will need to do is apply for Corps of Cadets Housing and then you will register to join when you attend your New Student Conference the summer before your fall semester at A&M. 

•  The cadets live in the Corps Dormitories on the Texas A&M campus.  Housing is guaranteed for all incoming students choosing to join the Corps.  However, we do grant some exceptions to live off campus for married students and military veterans.  They recently completed a $200,000,000 total makeover of our dormitories and Corps area so we now have the best facilities of any peer program in the Nation! 

• Over 90% of Cadets are on a Corps of Cadets Scholarship.  These scholarships carry no military obligation.  

• Attending one of the Spend the Night with the Corps Programs is strongly recommended.  This optional overnight program includes a campus tour, dinner/breakfast with cadets, an overnight stay with a cadet, attending a class, and briefings on the admissions process, scholarships, and our ROTC programs.  Those interested in the Aggie Band will stay with a band cadet and attend a morning band rehearsal.  

• Aggieland Saturday is the Open House day for Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets.  Any student can register for this event.  It is a great opportunity to visit the campus, academic colleges and the Corps.  The entire Corps will be on display that day as well as the Aggie Band and all of our special units.  

• Housing.  Students must be officially admitted to Texas A&M before they are eligible to apply for on-campus housing.  Corps of Cadets housing is guaranteed for those joining the Corps but regular on-campus housing is made on a first-come, first-served basis.  For regular on-campus housing, priority will be given to freshmen who apply for housing within 30 days of being admitted to Texas A&M.  If you are unsure/still deciding on joining the Corps, we recommend you go ahead and apply for regular on-campus housing.  It is very easy to change over to Corps housing once you make your final decision.  If you already know you are joining the Corps you can apply for Corps housing on the Texas A&M Residence Life Website:  https://reslife.tamu.edu/options/corps/.   

• Generally, Corps Scholarship process begins in late January.  To be considered for a Corps Scholarship you must have completed the A&M Scholarship application by 1 Dec, be admitted to Texas A&M, and express serious interest in joining the Corps.  You can express serious interest by visiting the Corps and applying for Corps Housing.

• After you are accepted to A&M you will register for your New Student Conference (NSC).  There are numerous NSC’s scheduled throughout the summer to choose from.  The conferences are 2-day events and attendance is mandatory.  Conferences fill fast so register for your conference as soon as you are admitted/decide to attend A&M.  You must sign up for your NSC by 1 May 2020.   Here is the link for more info on NSCs: https://newaggie.tamu.edu/

Tasks for the Spring   

• Register for Fish Camp.  Fish Camp is open to all incoming A&M freshmen. Fish Camp is a 4-day orientation program that takes place at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas.  Registration for Fish Camp should open in late May.  It is a great opportunity but participation in Fish Camp is not required.  Fish Camp welcomes the freshman class to Texas A&M each year with the purpose of giving them an opportunity to have fun, make friends, and learn more about life at Texas A&M.  

• Those interested in the Aggie Band must audition and be selected for a position in the band.  You can audition for the band once you are admitted to Texas A&M.  Here is a link for more information on auditions:  https://corps.tamu.edu/fightin-texas-aggie-band/

• All of our cadets are required to attend all home football games unless they have a specific academic requirement or family emergency.  To accomplish this, all cadets (except those cadets in the Aggie Band) are required to purchase a Football Pass.  Cadets in the Aggie Band can attend sporting events for free by using their student ID card.  

• Attend your scheduled NSC.  During your NSC you will register for your A&M classes and you will also register for the Corps of Cadets. 

• Cadets are required to have a Corps Dining Plan each semester.  

• All incoming cadets must complete a Corps of Cadets Report of Initial Medical/Psychological Form prior to the start of Freshman Orientation Week.  We will provide you a copy of the form at your NSC. 

• All incoming cadets will obtain a Student ID Card during their New Student Conference.  This card is used to purchase your meals on campus and is also used as a key to enter into your dorms. 

• Cadets can rent a Post Office Box while on campus for their New Student Conference.  Post office boxes can be rented at the Northgate Post Office and at the Commons Mail Services. 

• You will be measured and fitted for your Corps of Cadets uniforms during your New Student Conference.You will be issued a full set of uniforms after you arrive for Freshman Orientation Week.  At your New Student Conference all incoming cadets will also receive a Packing List listing all the items they should and should not bring to Freshman Orientation Week. 

• Freshmen are allowed to have a car at A&M.  If you bring a car to A&M you will need to purchase a parking permit from Transportation Services.  Students can order their parking pass in the Spring.  Bicycles are also allowed but they also need a permit from Transportation Services (permit is free).  Here is the link to more information on bicycles https://transport.tamu.edu/Alternative/bicycles/register.aspx  The decision to bring a car or bicycle is a personal choice.  Many cadets do not come with a car or bicycle and they are able to get where they need to go without any major issues using the A&M transportation system or their buddies. 

• All freshmen and sophomores in the Corps are required to take an ROTC class and lab (Army, Air Force or Navy/Marine ROTC). These classes carry no military obligation.  You will register for your ROTC class when you attend your NSC this summer.

• Aggie Band freshmen must register for their Aggie Band class.  This is a 1 hour credit class and make sure you register “for a grade” – not “sat/unsat”. 

• All incoming freshmen are required to register for SOMS 111 (1 academic hour) – “Principles of Academic and Personal Development”.  Incoming Transfer students are required register for SOMS 180 (1 academic hour) – “Survey of Performance-based Training Methods”   

• For those new cadets joining the Corps, you will participate in Freshman Orientation Week, (FOW) FOW is designed specifically to help incoming Cadets develop a solid start on their Academics and to learn Aggie Corps customs and traditions.  This program provides an opportunity to “settle in” before the Fall Semester begins.  Instruction on how to study and also how to make the best use of your available time will be provided.  They will issue and assist you in preparing your uniforms, preparing your dorm room, and accomplishing numerous other tasks that will help complete your transition into Corps life at Texas A&M.  They will provide you more information on FOW during your New Student Conference.