Texas A&M University

Size  The seventh-largest university in the United States, A&M enrolls over 49,000 students in ten academic colleges.

Research School  Texas A&M's does research for NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research.  The school ranks in the top 20 American research institutes in terms of funding and has made notable contributions to such fields as animal cloning and petroleum engineering.

Military College  As a Senior Military College, Texas A&M is one of three public universities with a full-time, volunteer Corps of Cadets.  It provides more commissioned officers to the United States Armed Forces than any other school outside of the service academies.

Getting In…  According to the College Board, the fall 2008 entering freshman class consisted of 54% students in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, 86% in the top quarter, and 99% in the top half.  Financial Aid: Approximately 75 percent of the student body receives some form of financial aid, sharing in more than $420 million annually.

Top Majors  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences  College of Architecture  College of Geosciences  Mays Business School  College of Liberal Arts  College of Education and Human Development  College of Science  Dwight Look College of Engineering  College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Cloning  Spearheaded by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M scientists created the first cloned domestic animal, a cat named 'cc', on December 22, Texas A&M was also the first academic institution to clone each of six different species: cattle, a Boer goat, pigs, a cat, a deer and a horse

Recreation  Students exercise at the Student Rec Center, a three-story facility encompassing 373,000 square feet which includes exercise equipment, athletic courts, an indoor running track, a rock-climbing tower, and one of the top competitive pools and diving wells in America.

Traditions  the official school greeting "Howdy!"  seniors wear the Aggie Ring. Students may order a ring after completing 90 credit hours of coursework. Though unsanctioned by the University, many students "dunk" their newly acquired Aggie Rings into a pitcher of beer and quickly chug the entire pitcher to "earn" the ring. Some students dunk their rings in alternative substances, including ice cream or nonalcoholic beverages.

Sports  The school's 20 sports teams are known as the Aggies, and the school's colors are maroon and white.  Baseball*Basketball  Equestrian*Football  Golf*Soccer  Softball*Swimming and Diving  Tennis*Volleyball  Track/Field*Cross Country

Football Fans  Aggie football fans are called the 12th Man, meaning they are there to support the 11 players on the field, willing to enter the game, if necessary.  To further symbolize their "readiness, desire, and enthusiasm," the entire student body stands throughout the game.  At midnight before each home football game at Kyle Field or at a predesignated location at away games, the fans gather together to practice the yells for the next day's game.  Aggies are expected to "mug down", or kiss their dates, every time the football team scores on the field.

Bonfire  Aggie Bonfire evolved into a massive six-tiered structure, the world record being held at 109 feet. After the collapse of the 1999 structure, causing the death of 11 students and one former student, the university suspended Bonfire indefinitely, but the tradition continues off-campus without direct University involvement, sanction, or participation.

Graduation  Then-President George W. Bush smiles with his parents, former President George H. W. Bush, left, and former First Lady Barbara Bush following his commencement address at Texas A&M's December 2008 convocation.