Twenty-five entering students, including graduating high school students and transfer students are chosen each year to become Tennessee Scholars.
Selection is based upon academic merit, extracurricular and community activity, and creativity.
All eligible students are invited to apply by requesting and submitting a completed application by January 15. Students who have applied to the Whittle Scholars program are automatically considered without further application. A completed application includes the Tennessee Scholars or Whittle Scholars application form, a brief leadership or experience essay, an essay on an assigned topic, a high school transcript, ACT or SAT scores, and two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a teacher. Applicants will be notified of their status in late March. Tennessee Scholars enroll in a special honors seminar each semester, take four honors courses during their first two years, and complete a senior project.