Thank you to everyone who joined us for this month’s Aggie Family Webchat on student involvement! The full recording is available at the above link.
Several family members voiced concerns that their student applied for a Freshman Leadership Organization (FLO) and wasn’t accepted, was focused on studying during the application process, or otherwise didn’t have the chance to join a student organization in the fall. Fortunately, there are several opportunities for involvement beyond the beginning of the fall semester. Here are a few recommendations:
Look for Opportunities on a Weekly Basis
Several family members asked how their students can find organizations that are still accepting applications throughout the fall semester. These organizations will be actively recruiting new members, so we recommend students regularly visit Rudder Plaza and the 12th Man Hallway in the MSC to find orgs that are soliciting applications now.
Utilize OrgSearch
If there’s a specific organization (or type of organization) your student wants to join, they can use OrgSearch to search by organization title or classification. Students can identify when organizations are accepting applications during the academic year using this tool.
Make a Plan for the Spring Semester
Many student orgs accept applications again at the beginning of the spring semester. In addition, MSC Open House returns in the spring semester, with approximately 300 student organizations participating. If your student had trouble finding the right organization in the fall semester, encourage them to strategize their plan for applying in the spring.
Think Beyond Student Organizations
Student organizations are an excellent opportunity for students to get involved on campus, but there are other ways to connect as well. AggieServe collects volunteer and service opportunities in Bryan-College Station and Jobs for Aggies lists part-time jobs for students in the area.
Finally, we can’t pass up the opportunity to highlight one of our office’s student organizations, the Aggie Orientation Leader Program. AOLP is comprised of students who serve as Texas A&M’s orientation leaders during New Student Conferences each summer. Applications to join AOLP will open in early October at aolp.tamu.edu.
The student organization application process may not always go as planned for your student. Throughout the process, your support and encouragement to keep seeking an opportunity that is the perfect fit for them will be invaluable!