Frequently Asked Questions | Texas A&M University at Qatar

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply for admissions to Texas A&M University at Qatar and when?
What high school record do I have to submit?
What documents do I need to submit in order to be considered a bona-fide candidate for admission?
What are the minimum SAT scores that you require?
Do you require SAT subject examinations?
If I am a native English speaker, do I have to submit a TOEFL score?
What are the minimum TOEFL scores that you require?
Do you accept ACT scores in lieu of the SAT? If yes, what scores are your minimum requirements?
Do you accept IELTS scores? If yes, what scores are your minimum requirement?
Do you accept test scores from previous years?
Do you accept students for the spring term (January)?
How long should my essay be and about what?
How much is the admissions application fee? How do you receive payments from students that are outside the country?
Do you grant transfer credits for course work completed at other institutions?
Will I receive credit for AP, IB or SAT Subject examinations?
Do you require A- levels for students attending British schools? If yes, how many subjects are required?
What is the cost of attendance for one academic year?
Do you have students' dorms available on your campus? If yes, what is the yearly cost?
Do you process visa applications to Qatar, and do you offer residence permits for enrolled students?
Do you offer merit-based scholarships?
Is financial assistance available?
What is entailed in the admissions decision process, and when will candidates be notified of the decisions?
If I am invited to the interview process, what can I expect to encounter during the interview?
Does Texas A&M University at Qatar require immunizations for admission or registration?
Are there any recommended immunizations to protect my health while attending college?
Do I need health insurance?
Who do I contact if I have any questions about immunizations?

How can I apply for admissions to Texas A&M University at Qatar and when?
The application season is from September 1-March 1 each year, so you may apply during this period. We are very strict about the application deadline, so please submit your application and all of the admission documents, including all test scores, on or before March 1. Applications will not be accepted after this date. We encourage all applications to be submitted to us prior to January 1, and the majority of candidates do just that. To us, an early application is a good indication of keen interest in attending Texas A&M University at Qatar. Since we do not have paper applications you are required to submit an electronic application found at https://apply.qatar.tamu.edu/.

What high school record do I have to submit?
The secondary school grade record is to be submitted on or before the application deadline for an application to be considered complete. This grade record must be submitted for all secondary schools attended. Because you are applying earlier than the completion of your secondary school, we understand that the grade report will be partial or incomplete. In other words, you will apply prior to March 1, or months prior to your anticipated completion or graduation date, which may be in June or July. We will review your grades up to the point listed on your transcript and make an admission decision based purely on the grades you have received up to that date. If admitted, you will be required to submit a full grade record or transcript that indicates the completion or graduation of your secondary school.

What documents do I need to submit in order to be considered a bona-fide candidate for admission?
There are two parts to this question: (1). We require 8 documents/actions in order for your application to be considered complete: the application for admission, which is found at https://apply.qatar.tamu.edu/, your secondary school grade record, SAT or ACT test results, TOEFL test results, resume/CV, an essay indicating your interest in attending TAMUQ, the payment of your application fee, and a copy of your passport.
(2). you must submit all of your documents prior to the March 1 deadline. Failure to do so and your application will not be reviewed for candidacy status.

What are the minimum SAT scores that you require?
There is no specified minimum, but to be competitive you should present a score of at least 600 in the mathematical section, and scores of at least 500 in the critical reading and writing sections. Scores less than these will decrease your chances of getting admitted.

Do you require SAT subject examinations?
We do not require SAT subject examinations, but students who take these tests and present high scores are viewed favorably in the admissions process.

If I am a native English speaker, do I have to submit a TOEFL score?
The TOEFL is not required if English is your native language, but it is required if English is not your native language. The test on whether or not you must take TOEFL is simple: If English is the primary language of your family at home, the language you use everyday to communicate, and then chances are it is your first language and thus TOEFL is not required. If you grew up speaking a language other than English at home, or if you continue speaking another language at home even though you may have attended a school where English is the language of instruction, you are then required to take and present a TOEFL score that meets the minimum requirement.

What are the minimum TOEFL scores that you require?
The minimum TOEFL score requirement is 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based or 80 Internet-based.

Do you accept ACT scores in lieu of the SAT? If yes, what scores are your minimum requirements?
Yes, competitive ACT scores will be accepted in lieu of SAT scores. A competitive ACT composite score is 26 or higher, thus a 26 or higher in all ACT sections, including math and reading, are considered competitive.

Do you accept IELTS scores?
Yes. An overall band score of 6.0 or higher is considered competitive.

Do you accept test scores from previous years?
Most college entrance examination and TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years. If the validity of the scores you present is in question, you may ask an admissions officer to assist you in verifying their validity, or you may be asked to take the test again if your scores are determined to be too old.

Do you accept students for the spring term (January)?
No, not at this point. We will notify candidates when that decision is changed and we do start accepting students in January, but to date our admissions is but once a year for entrance into the fall semester.

How long should my essay be and about what?
We leave the length of the essay entirely to the discretion of the candidate, but it should be long enough to give us insight on your dreams, aspirations, special skills and talents you may possess, as well as your unique character, but not so long that we have to weave through it to find out who you truly are.

How much is the admissions application fee? How do you receive payments from students that are outside the country?
The application fee is the same for all candidates: QR 275, or the equivalent of $75 U.S. dollars. The application fee is non-refundable. Applicants have the option to pay online, send a check by mail addressed to Texas A&M University at Qatar, or pay at the University's Finance Office.

Do you grant transfer credits for course work completed at other institutions?
Transfer credit on course work complete at the time of application to Texas A&M University at Qatar is transferable only when an official transcript from the university in which the course work was taken is presented as part of the application for the admission or readmission process. The transfer of course credit will be determined by the Office of Admissionas and Records on a course-by-course basis. Credit for transfer must be on an official transcript issued by the appropriate official at the institution where the credit was earned. Additional information can be found in the catalog.

Will I receive credit for AP, IB or SAT Subject examinations?
Yes, but only on specified courses and appropriate AP, IB and SAT test scores. Please see the undergraduate university catalog, which may be found at http://www.tamu.edu/ for further information regarding credit by examination. After being admitted to Texas A&M University at Qatar, you will need to visit with your academic advisor concerning the AP, IB and SAT subject scores to determine if credit will be granted or denied.

Do you require A- levels for students attending British schools? If yes, how many subjects are required?
We require that candidates take the most rigorous curriculum offered at their respective secondary schools, so if A-levels are offered at your school, we expect at least 3 A-levels from you. The A-level courses are usually in advance mathematics, physics and chemistry.

What is the cost of attendance for one academic year?
At the present time the cost of attendance for one academic year is 55,000 QR per year for non-sponsored students and 110,000 QR for sponsored students. Please note that these figures are subject to change. In fall 2008, the cost will increase to 63,500 QR per year for non-sponsored students and 127,000 QR for sponsored students.

Do you have students' dorms available on your campus? If yes, what is the yearly cost?
Yes, and a good estimate is $ 3,835 per year.

Do you process visa applications to Qatar, and do you offer residence permits for enrolled students?
We help our admitted international students obtain Qatar residence status through our sponsoring organization, the Qatar Foundation. We have employed a person in the Office of Admissions and Records who will help our admitted international students through this process.

Do you offer merit-based scholarships?
Although limited in number, yes, we do offer a small number of merit-based scholarships.

Is financial assistance available?
Yes, financial assistance is available for admitted students through our sponsoring
organization, the Qatar Foundation. For information about financial aid or scholarships, please contact the Qatar Foundation at 974.492.7008 or visit their Financial Aid website.

What is entailed in the admissions decision process, and when will candidates be notified of the decisions?
We start reviewing applications immediately after the March 1 deadline to identify the most competitive candidates. These candidates are then invited on campus for an interview conducted by the Admissions Board, comprised of faculty and admissions officials. International candidates are required to attend the interview if they are serious about enrolling at TAMUQ. The Admissions Board will take various aspects into account to determine whether or not a candidate will be admitted: high school grades, SAT or ACT test results, TOEFL results, the essay, resume/CV, the uniqueness of the candidate as determined by what is written on the application, the essay, resume/CV, and the interview. All of these aspects in total will be used to determine the admissions decision. Since the interviews are conducted in late April, the admission decisions will be made in early May, and candidates notified in mid-May.

If I am invited to the interview process, what can I expect to encounter during the interview?
The interviews are conducted for two distinct but connecting reasons: (1) to determine if the candidate has the academic knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful student and eventual graduate, and (2) to get to know the candidate better. If you are invited for an interview, be prepared to answer mathematical, science, and English-proficiency questions. You should also be prepared to tell us who you are, what makes you unique, the health of your character, and what you would add to the student body.

Does Texas A&M University at Qatar require immunizations for admission or registration?
Texas A&M University at Qatar does not require immunizations nor the submission of immunization records as a requirement for admission. International students (students in Qatar for the sole purpose of attending TAMUQ) are required to submit immunization records to the Counseling and Wellness Program to register for classes. We are eager to accept you health and immunization records if you would like to submit them. While not an immunization, the tuberculosis skin screening is required for all incoming and current students who have traveled, lived in, or come from countries where TB is endemic. Students should be screened for TB and submit the results to the Counseling and Wellness program coordinator before registration for classes. You can check our website to find out if you are required to have a tuberculosis (TB) skin test at http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/_files/Do_I_need_the_TB_screening.pdf.

Are there any recommended immunizations to protect my health while attending college?
Yes. The Department of Student Affairs Counseling and Wellness Program strongly recommends all ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) vaccinations and that each student, his/her parents, and his/her doctor work together to make the right choice for each student. You can find a list of the recommended immunizations on our website at http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/_files/Why_Vaccinate.pdf.

Do I need health insurance?
Once you arrive in Qatar you have access to government medical care and services for free. Until you receive your Resident Permit you should carry a copy of your passport with you just in case of a medical emergency.

Texas A&M University System rules (26.99.01) require all international students (students who are in Qatar for the sole purpose of attending school) to be covered under our Student health Insurance Plan or have equivalent insurance coverage. The Qatar government medical card fits the "equivalent insurance coverage" criteria. You do have the option to purchase private insurance, which may provide you with more timely and affordable access to care at any of the private medical facilities in Qatar.

International students are also required by the Texas A&M System rules (26.99.01) to purchase Evacuation and Repatriation coverage (approximately US $25.00/year). If you would like to review and/or purchase the insurance, go to www.tamuinsurance.com.

Who do I contact if I have any questions about immunizations?
If you have questions, please contact amanda.samson@qatar.tamu.edu via email. All of this information can also be accessed via the Student Wellness Program website at http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/current_health.aspx

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Texas A&M Engineering Building, Education City
PO Box 23874, Doha, Qatar
974.423.0043
admissions@qatar.tamu.edu

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