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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "A&M" stand for?

Agricultural and Mechanical, originally, but today the letters no longer explicitly stand for anything. When Texas A&M was opened on Oct. 4, 1876 as the state's first public institution of higher education, it was called the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, or "A&M" for short. When the institution gained university status in 1963, the "A&M" representation was incorporated into the official name in deference to the institution's history and rich traditions. Note that A&M has no periods, no spaces, but has an ampersand.

What is an Aggie?

An Aggie is a student at Texas A&M. In the early 1900s, Texas A&M students were referred to as "Farmers." The term Aggie began to be used in the 1920s, and in 1949, when the yearbook changed its name from The Longhorn to Aggieland, Aggie became the official student body nickname.

What is the 12th Man?

The 12th Man is the entire student body — past and present. Sprung from the selfless gesture of Aggie E. King Gill at a 1922 football game, the tradition embodies the core values held by the university. Students still show the 12th Man spirit at each athletic event —  during football games, the student body stands for the entire event, ready to go into the game if needed. Learn more about this tradition at  

What is the mascot?

, a full-blooded collie, is Texas A&M's mascot. As the highest-ranking member of Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets, Reveille is part of a rich tradition. "Miss Rev," as cadets address her, is immensely popular and can be seen around campus, in class, or attending a number of events. Get to know Reveille X at . 

What are the official colors?

Maroon and white. The colors are such a prominent part of Texas A&M that they are referred to in "The Spirit of Aggieland," our alma mater, which was written in 1925. For official color values, take a look at our .

Where is Texas A&M located?

Texas A&M University is located in College Station, Texas. Home to a community of about 206,000 residents, the twin cities of Bryan and College Station are centrally located — only a short drive from Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Additionally, Texas A&M has two branch campuses – in Galveston, Texas, and Doha, Qatar; a law school in Fort Worth, Texas; the Higher Education Center at McAllen; and Texas A&M Health locations across the state.

What is the weather like?

The local weather is fairly temperate and mild with low temperatures in the winter lasting only a couple of months. Typical lows during the winter are in the low 40s, and typical highs during the summer range in the 90s. The humidity for this region can make winter days seem cooler and summer days warmer, and scattered showers or thunderstorms provide relief and rainfall to the area throughout the year. Weather forecasts for the local area are available from the National Weather Service.

What is the Corps of Cadets?

Texas A&M was established in 1876 as a military institution, and the Corps of Cadets has played an important part in our history and development. While membership is now voluntary, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets form the largest uniformed body of students outside the U.S. military academies.