New Program Offers Students Second Chance

Commerce, TX – December 22, 2011 – In an effort to meet Texas’ Closing the Gaps Goals, Texas A&M University-Commerce is implementing Second Chance  in the spring 2012 semester.  The Second Chance initiative is the perfect opportunity for those who need another chance to complete their college degree. 

The program is geared toward students who graduated from high school and chose to attend a four-year institution, but did not perform as well as they desired. Thanks to Second Chance, these students will receive one more opportunity to be admitted to A&M-Commerce based on the freshmen criteria. Prior to the implementation of Second Chance, students would need to repeat coursework at other institutions to improve their GPAs in order to meet the university’s transfer admissions requirements of a 2.0 or better GPA with 21 or more credit hours.

 “Not every student is ready to attend a university when they graduate from high school,” said Jody Todhunter, director of undergraduate admissions.  “Sometimes students have a difficult time adjusting to campus life, roommates, an intensive academic rigor, or just being away from home.  These factors can easily lead to poor academic performance. Thanks to Second Chance, these students will get a fresh opportunity to continue their education at A&M-Commerce.” 

To qualify for Second Chance, students may submit their high school transcripts complete with their graduation date, as well as their college transcripts and ACT and/or SAT scores.  Each student must have previously enrolled in and attended a baccalaureate degree offering institution as a first-time freshman.  

Upon admission, Second Chance students will benefit from a multitude of resources including a Success Coach who will guide them in their academic endeavors throughout their first academic year.  Second Chance students also will be required to meet A&M-Commerce G.P.A. requirements in order to remain in good standing with the university.

“I’m confident that the required advising by a Success Coach combined with the campus resources we provide, Second Chance students will find success at A&M-Commerce, and graduate with a degree,” he said. “If encourage anyone in need of a Second Chance to contact Texas A&M University-Commerce today.”

For more information on the Second Chance program, contact Mr. Jody Todhunter at jody_todhunter@tamu-commerce.edu, or call 903-886-5000.