Application for Fall Brock Scholars Freshman Class

How to apply to the Brock Scholars Program

Apply for Admission to UTC

Step 1: First, you must apply for admission to UTC.  

You do not need to wait for your admission decision from the Undergraduate Admissions Office, but you must initiate that application process—including paying the required admission fee—or we cannot consider your Brock Scholars application. 

Step 2: Complete and submit your Brock Scholars Program Application. 

To apply click the above link and it will take you to the UTC Application Portal.  You will use the same email address and password as you used to create your UTC application account. Please do not use an @icloud.com e-mail address to create your application. Once logged in, select the blue button that says “Other Applications” and you will see the option to select Brock Scholars Application from that drop down. 

The Brock Scholars application is used for determining admission to the William E. Brock Scholars Program. All accepted students will receive a $2,000 renewable scholarship after accepting their offer. Please remember that you are applying to participate in a program and NOT a scholarship. 

Step 3: Register for an interview weekend. All applicants are required to register and complete an interview to be eligible for admission. Interview registration links are sent automatically AFTER the application is submitted. 

All application materials must be received no later than 12pm/noon EST on January 21, 2026 for your application to be considered complete and eligible for review. 

Note: As you take the time to approach this application, we want to remind you that one of our core values in UTC Honors is authenticity. Our prompts are designed to allow you the opportunity to showcase your personality while drawing on your ability to reflect on personal experiences throughout high school. While it may be tempting to use AI, we strongly encourage you to avoid it and rely on your voice to share your narrative. 

Elements of the Brock Scholars Program Application 

Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities: 

Please tell us about up to three extracurricular or co-curricular activities that have been especially meaningful to you. For each activity, include how long you’ve been involved and write two to three sentences explaining why it mattered to you or how it shaped your high school experience.

This can include a wide range of experiences, including but not limited to leadership roles, part-time jobs, athletic involvement, community service, creative pursuits, or other personal commitments. We also welcome activities or responsibilities that may fall outside traditional categories, such as caring for family members or contributing to your community in unique ways. We are most interested in how these experiences have contributed to your growth as a person.

*Please DO NOT just list all of your extracurricular activities.

High School Course

Identify three high school courses that have had a significant impact on you. For each course, write one to two sentences about why it was meaningful or how it influenced your academic journey.

You might choose a class that sparked a new interest, challenged your way of thinking, or helped you build confidence, even if it wasn’t the class where you earned your highest grade. We are interested in what the experience taught you and how it shaped the way you approach learning.

* Please DO NOT just list all of your AP/IB/honors courses

Short Answer Essay Prompts

These should demonstrate sharp, original thinking and showcase your writing at its best. On the tab labeled “Requirements” you will find three prompts. Please ensure that you read the instructions and submission requirements for each prompt carefully, answer each prompt.  The application prompts for the upcoming application cycle can be found below.

Essay One: Getting to Know You

Help us get to know you better by writing five simple, numbered sentences (1–5). These can reflect your personality, interests, experiences, quirks, or values, whatever you feel gives us a glimpse into who you are. There are no right or wrong answers, and you’re welcome to be creative or unexpected, as long as it’s authentically you. (Five numbered sentences maximum.)

Ex. Your response should be formatted like this:

1.    Sentence one.
2.    Sentence two
3.    Sentence three.
4.    Sentence four.
5.    Sentence five.

Essay Two: Intellectual Curiosity

Tell us about something that has made you curious enough to dig deeper. This could be a topic, problem, experience, or question that led you to read, research, experiment, create, or simply keep asking questions. What sparked your interest and what have you learned from exploring it? Choose a specific example and focus on your curiosity rather than simply describing your intended major or career goals. 
(400-words/ 2500 character max)

Essay Three: Dream Course  

If you could design an interdisciplinary honors seminar around a topic, question, problem or idea that genuinely fascinates you, what would you create? Our honors seminars have merged ideas and perspectives from different disciplines to explore subjects in unexpected ways. We have had courses ranging from the Sociology of Hip-Hop to the Physics of Cooking, and Tropical Island Ecology and Geology. Describe an interdisciplinary course you would propose. What would students study or investigate? Which disciplines or fields would shape the course? What questions would you hope the class would explore? Most importantly, explain what makes this topic fascinating to you?  (400-word/2500 character max)

Essay Four: Statement of Additional Information

Is there something about you that we won’t see in your transcript or previous responses but that is essential to understanding who you are as a student, a thinker, or a member of your community? This is your space to share anything that gives us deeper insight into your values, challenges, perspective, or goals. Please do not repeat items already covered in your application materials, and there's no need to upload additional documents. Please do not upload your admissions essay in this space. (150-word count/1,000 character max)
 
If you have technical questions about how to submit your application, email [email protected] for assistance.

Recommendation Guidelines

Recommendation – We require one general recommendation for your application. This recommendation can come from someone who fits into one of the areas described below. Your recommendation should be received by the January 21 deadline as well. If your recommendation is not received by the deadline, your application will be considered incomplete and ineligible for review.

• A teacher who can best speak to your academic ability, the way you think and process information, and how you function as a member of an academic community.
• A supervisor/coach/mentor. This person cannot be a family member or a family friend. Instead, they should be someone who can provide a holistic picture of you as a student and a person. They should also be able to provide a glimpse into you as a member of your community.

NOTE: When you supply the name and email address for your selected recommender, they will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their recommendations. This email will be generated as soon as you save the form, even if you haven't clicked "Submit" yet, so be sure you have gotten your recommenders' permission to list them before you fill out the form, and ensure that you have the correct email address listed.  Your recommendation must be received by the January 21 deadline, so be sure you give them advanced notice.  

If your recommender has issues creating an account or submitting their recommendation, please have them email [email protected] for assistance.

Interview Requirements

All applicants are required to complete an interview. The interview dates and a tentative itinerary can be found below. Applicants can register for a morning or afternoon session.  Interview registration information is sent automatically after your application is submitted. After you submit your application, you will receive an email with the subject line “Application Received for the UTC Honors College Brock Scholars Program.” This email will contain the interview registration links.  You will not be able to register for an interview without submitting your application.

Interview Notes:

• There is no formal dress code for the interview.
• Applicants must be available for the entire duration of the interview session. 
• Applicants will receive their interview times at the start of the session.
• Interview weekend itineraries are shared via email the week prior to the event.
• Interviews will be cancelled for applicants missing recommendations beginning on January 26. 

Interview Dates

Saturday, January 30
Saturday, February 6
Saturday, February 20

Sample Interview Schedule