TAP Application
Students must have a visit with a TAP Advisor to discuss their change of major plan prior to completing the form.The TAP Application form is for students who have already attended Texas A&M University for at least one semester and are attempting to change their major. If accepted to Transition Academic Programs, your major will be changed to General Studies (GEST) for the upcoming semester.
Open & Close Dates
Eligibility
Eligibility
Select this form if you can answer YES to the following:
- Is this spring semester at least your 2nd semester at Texas A&M?
- Are you a student who has changed your mind about your major or career goals since you began at Texas A&M?
- Are you a student who must change your major?
- Are you under 80 completed Texas A&M credit hours?
Corps of Cadets students: If you are on contract, you should consult with Corps Scholastic Performance Specialists before completing this form to verify eligibility to switch to GEST.
TEAM students: Students who have completed or participated the TEAM program are not eligible to enter General Studies.
TEAB students: Students who have participated in all 2 years (4 semesters) of the TEAB program are not eligible to enter General Studies.
Readmission & Transfer students: Students working towards transferring or readmitting to Texas A&M do not go through General Studies via the TAP program. TAP handles internal change of major once you are an active student here.
What happens after you submit the TAP Application?
Can my TAP APP be Declined?
Admission to General Studies is not automatic or guaranteed. While there are no formally published change-of-major requirements, each application is carefully and individually reviewed with thoughtful consideration of the student’s academic history, current standing, and potential for success.
Because General Studies functions as a stepping stone to a degree-granting major, applicants must demonstrate a realistic pathway for academic progression. Students who have accumulated a high number of earned credit hours or who have a significant grade deficit that cannot reasonably be improved within a limited timeframe may not be eligible.
Additionally, students who have completed the TEAM program are not eligible to enter General Studies.
TAP Extension
*For Current GEST Students ONLY*Students who are requesting a third or fourth semester in General Studies must fully complete and submit a TAP Extension Request Form before having a mandatory meeting with a Transition Academic Programs (TAP) advisor to discuss their change of major plan.
Open & Close Dates
Eligibility
Eligibility
General Studies students are expected to strive to complete the requirements for acceptance into a degree-granting major by the end of their second semester in GEST. If they are not able to achieve that goal and require another semester in GEST to do so, they must submit a completed TERF.
*Students seeking a fourth semester in GEST must be able to show or cite circumstances that validate a reasonable goal to achieve acceptance into a degree-granting major at the conclusion of another semester in GEST.
What happens after you submit the TAP Extension?
Can my TAP Extension be Declined?
General Studies serves as a stepping stone to a degree-granting major, so applicants must show a realistic plan for academic progress. Students with excessive credit hours or significant grade deficits unlikely to be improved in a short time may be ineligible.
Approval for an additional semester depends on whether the student’s plan is realistic and achievable with more time. A section of the form allows for consideration of special or extenuating circumstances.
Fish Form
This form is currently only available for current TAMU students on the College Station, Galveston or McAllen campuses whose first term (freshman or transfer) is Spring 2026. *Do not complete this form unless you are sure you do not want to stay in your current major.* All interested students are encouraged to visit with TAP Advisors prior to completing the form.
Open & Close Dates
Eligibility
Eligibility
Select this form if you can answer YES to the following:
- Is Spring 2026 your very first semester at Texas A&M College Station, Galveston or McAllen?
- Are you a Spring 2026 first-semester student who has changed your mind about your major or career goals since your admission?
Special Considerations
Special considerations apply to students in the following situations:
Galveston first semester students please note: The GEST major is only for students intending to get to a College Station campus major. You should expect to take classes on the College Station campus. If you plan to complete a your degree on the Galveston campus please reach out the the General Academics (GACD) major on that campus to discuss your Galveston campus opportunities.
McAllen first semester students please note: The McAllen campus is only equipped to teach all classes for a limited number of majors. You may have to take some classes for your new intended major on the CS campus.
Aggie Gateway to Success students do not use this form. You are already in the General Studies major.
Corps of Cadets students who are on contract should consult with Corps Scholastic Performance Specialists before completing this form to verify eligibility to switch to GEST.
What happens after you submit the FISH Form?
Fish Forms are reviewed and processed within 7-10 business days of submission. Upon departmental approval of this form, your major will be changed to General Studies (GEST) College Station for the upcoming semester. A major change cannot be reversed by our department.
You will be notified via email when this change has been made and informed about how to complete the mandatory TAP Overview Presentation.