Admissions Process

Application Tips

• Think About It! | Carefully consider why you want to become a Direct Support Professional. We want to admit people who are passionate about this field!
• Checklist | Make sure you have submitted everything listed on the application checklist. Your application cannot be reviewed if it is missing items. The application checklist may be found on the first page of the application.
• Filling Out Your Application | You may begin your online application, save it for up to one week, and finish it later. If you do not have access to a computer, or you do not feel comfortable using a computer, you may find a printable version of the application on our webpage, fill it out, and mail it to us at PATHS, Texas A&M University, 635 Harrington Tower, 4225 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4225.
• Fees | When you explain how your funding sources will pay for tuition and living expenses, remember to consider the cost of tuition, transportation, food, housing, utilities, and any other bills you pay. If you need help with the cost of tuition, please see the Student Resources section on our webpage.
• References | Make sure you give your two reference writers plenty of time to write their letters! Ask them if they will write you a strong letter of reference at least a month before the application deadline. Possible references could be from employers, teachers, counselor or ministers. On the application, you will need to enter the email address or mailing address of your reference writers. We will send your reference writers the form they need to fill out and return to us.
• Essays | Submit your essay, PowerPoint, video, or audio recording in an approved format (see list below for approved formats). You may mail your essay to us at PATHS, Texas A&M University, 635 Harrington Tower, 4225 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4225, or you may email your essay to us at paths@tamu.edu. The essay process is not intended to be a barrier to successful enrollment, but an opportunity for the admissions committee to assess the applicant’s commitment to pursuing a career as a DSP. The alternate formats serve as a method for people with limited writing abilities to communicate in their own way with their own level of skill their intent to be successful in the program. 

  Acceptable document formats for essay:

  • Written Essay: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx); Notepad (.txt);
    Preferred: PDF (.pdf)
    Note: To convert your Word file to a PDF, go to the File menu, click Save As, and select PDF from the “Save as Type” menu.
  • PowerPoint: .ppt or pptx
  • Video (please submit on a CD or DVD): Flash (.fls), Windows Media Player (.wmv), QuickTime (.mov)
  • Audio (please submit on a cassette tape, CD, or DVD): .wav, .wma, .mp3
• Doublecheck Your Work | Carefully proofread and spellcheck your application. Write your essays (if applicable) and other application materials in Microsoft Word or another word processing system before cutting and pasting them onto the application itself. This will allow you to save and spellcheck your materials. Please make sure that your phone number and email address are correct before you submit the application. We need to be able to contact you to schedule an interview. Please make sure to check your email regularly. We will be emailing out important news regarding the program and admissions!
• Interview | Following a successful review of the applicant’s essay, the applicant will be asked to visit the campus at Texas A&M for an interview to discuss the program further and answer any questions the applicant, family or other interested person may have. The PATHS application committee seeks to admit people who have a commitment to complete the program and commitment to support people with disabilities as a career. The essay, references and interview components of the application process are critical to the successful employment of the applicant and securing an ongoing pool of employers who recognize PATH graduates as exception individuals and DSPs.
• Application Assistance | If you would like, a parent, DARS counselor, or other person may help you complete the application. However, please make sure the words and ideas in the essay, PowerPoint, video, or audio recording are your own.