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Undergraduate Admissions

STEM Application

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TCU’s STEM Scholar Program is an academic scholarship program developed for the best and brightest students who show a commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. It also represents an ideal learning environment for students who seek to use their STEM education to support historically underserved communities. 

Launched in 2018, the program was designed to support National Science Foundation efforts to diversify STEM professions, and it is open to students of all backgrounds who demonstrate personal dedication to supporting future STEM leaders of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Selection to the program is not determined by race. The STEM Scholar program covers the full cost of TCU attendance for four years and seeks to enrich the TCU learning experience while bringing diverse populations together. 

Recipients of STEM Scholar Program receive benefits beyond the scholarship, including:

  • Four-week summer enrichment program to include a Biology/Chemistry elective called Intro to Scientific Thinking
  • Opportunities for undergraduate research
  • Educational travel
  • Mentoring
  • Varied networking opportunities on and off campus
  • Internship opportunities
  • Academic workshops
  • Tutoring/Study Hall
  • Weekly meetings to monitor student progress
  • Academic advising

To be considered for the STEM Scholar Program, students must:

  • Currently attend a high school within 16 counties of the North Central Texas Region (Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Palo Pinto, Parker, Tarrant, Dallas, Rockwall, Kaufman, Erath, Hood, Somervell, Johnson, Ellis, and Navarro)
  • Demonstrate a personal commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM fields
  • Be available to attend a residential, four-week summer enrichment program in July
  • Pursue a STEM major*, including
    • Applied Geoscience
    • Astronomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Biology
    • Biophysics
    • Business Information Systems
    • Chemistry
    • Child Psychology (Psychology)
    • Combined BS in Environment Science and MS in Sustainability
    • Computer Information Technology
    • Computer Science
    • Data Science
    • Dietetics (Nutritional Science)
    • Earth System Science
    • Educational Studies – (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Math, Physics)
    • Engineering
    • Environmental and Sustainability sciences
    • Food Management (Nutritional Science)
    • Geology
    • Mathematics
    • Middle School Education (Math, Science)
    • Movement Science
    • Neuroscience
    • Nutrition
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Secondary Education – (Life Science, Physical Science)

*Per the National Science Foundation (NSF)

Once eligible applicants submit their application to TCU, they will receive an email with instructions on how to complete their STEM Scholar application. Important dates and deadlines include:

  • November 1 – Early Action / Early Decision I deadline for admission to TCU
  • November 15 – STEM Scholar application priority deadline for Early Action / Early Decision I applicants
  • February 1 – Regular Decision / Early Decision II deadline for admission to TCU
  • February 8 – STEM Scholar application deadline for Regular Decision / Early Decision II applicants
  • March 5 – On-campus interview day for STEM Scholar finalists
  • May 1 – National Candidate Reply Date

The Stem Scholar application includes the following supplements. Please find specific information about the application behind the MyTCU Portal.

  • Application form
  • Three Short Answer Essays (250 Words)
  • A one-minute video

Students accepted into the Stem Scholar Program agree to participate in components, including:

  • Participate in the 4-week in-residence STEM summer enrichment experience.
  • Attend the STEM Scholar Orientation, TCU Orientation, and Frog Camp.
  • Attend all monthly STEM professional and personal development activities during each academic year.
  • Participate in summer enrichment opportunities (internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, and/or summer school).
  • Enroll full-time in a STEM major as outlined by the university program guidelines, throughout the entirety of the student’s TCU career.
  • Maintain a minimum TCU cumulative GPA of 3.0. 
  • Meet with an assigned STEM Scholar staff member for a weekly individual meeting (during the first two years at TCU). Juniors and seniors with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.25 must continue their weekly individual meetings.
  • Complete and pass at least 24 credit hours at TCU of letter-grade course work during each academic year (fall and spring terms).
  • Participate in peer & faculty/staff mentoring program.
  • Live on campus (all four years).
  • Restrict work opportunities to on-campus only (no more than 10 hours per week). Off campus employment must be approved by STEM Scholar staff.
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time for TCU to receive the results by May 1 each year.
  • Follow rules and regulations set forth by the TCU Student Code of Conduct and all other University policies and procedures.

Questions? Please contact stemscholar@tcu.edu.