Applications for First-Year PREP Program Participants Due Feb. 5

Applications for first-year participants of Texas A&M International University's Texas Prefreshmen Engineering Program (TexPREP) are due Friday, February 5.

Now in its 14th year, TexPREP is a free eight-week summer program that provides high-ability middle and high school students with exposure to University-level mathematics, engineering and science studies.

Students in grades 7th - 10th in Jim Hogg, Webb, and Zapata counties are invited to apply for admission to the free program. TexPREP is open to both male and female applicants of any race or national origin.

Applications for first-year participants are available from the Office of the Dean of the University's College of Science and Technology, located in Canseco Hall room 301, and from middle and high school counselors and math and science instructors.

To be considered for the program, first-year participants must submit a completed application, a supplemental information form, a 100 - 200 word essay which explains the student's desire to participate in the program, two nomination forms or letters of recommendation from mathematics or science teachers, latest official school transcript and grade report, and a grade point average computation provided by the applicant's school counselor.

The summer program is scheduled to operate at the University's main campus weekdays, Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 12 noon, from June 7 to July 30. Courses include Logic, Introduction to Engineering, Introduction to Computer Science, Topics in Problem Solving, Research and Study, and Career Opportunities Awareness.

The program is free, with lunch provided, however participants must provide their own school supplies such as notebooks, paper, pencils, and computer diskettes. Participants may also need to provide some field trip expenses, if any are scheduled.

The University's TexPREP Program is under the director of Dr. Julio F. Madrigal, Chair of the Department of Psychology/Sociology.

For more information on the University's TexPREP Program, please contact Dr. Madrigal at 326-2475 or call the University's College of Science and Technology at 326-2441.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu