• All applicants must be full time students and a member of the awarding college at Texas A&M University (as shown in university records). Applicants must not possess a record of academic dishonesty or any student conduct violations.
• To compete in the Freshman category a student must have been admitted to Texas A&M University through the Freshman admissions process in the fall or spring semester immediately preceding the application due date. (This classification is based on the number of semesters, not credit hours.)
• To compete in the Sophomore category a student must have completed at least 2 but no more than 4 fall/spring semesters at any institution by the application due date. (This classification is based on the number of semesters, not credit hours.)

• Application Opens: Late-March
• Applications & Recommendations: 
  Due: 5:00 PM Monday, June 2, 2025 (No Exceptions)
• Semifinalists Announced: Mid-Late July
• Finalists Announced: Mid-Late August
• Awardees Announced: Mid-Late September

Required Components

1. Course Information
2. Personal Statement
3. Research and/or Creative Production
4. Community Engagement
5. Accomplishments/Awards
6. Unofficial TAMU Transcript
7. Letters of Recommendation*

Document Formatting Requirements

• With the exception of transcripts and recommendations, each component should be:
  • Single-spaced
  • 12pt font
  • No longer than 1 page
  • Each page should contain a header identifying the document (e.g., Personal Statement, Community Engagement, etc.).
• Including transcripts, all documents (*except recommendations) should be combined into a single file:
  • In PDF format
  • Saved as 'Last Name_UIN_DeansExcellenceAwardPacket
    • Example: An application packet would be saved as: Smith_123004567_DeansExcellenceAwardPacket

• Course information      

• Personal statement
  Discuss your background and interests in relation to both your short-term goals and long-term ambitions. Remember that a good personal statement answers not only the question "what?" but also "why?"
• Research and/or Creative Production
  Discuss any research you have conducted or are currently conducting and/or any creative endeavors you pursue (music, art, theatre, creative writing, etc.). Remember that reviewers will not necessarily be experts in your field.
• Community Engagement
  Discuss the ways in which you engage with your university, local, national, or even international community. How do you find meaning in this engagement? What have you learned from this experience?
• Accomplishments/Awards
  Explain any notable milestones or achievements and contextualize them within your interests and goals.
• Unofficial TAMU transcript
  The transcript should come from Howdy. Applicants should select the option for a PDF version of the transcript.
• Recommendations
  See below