The University of Tennessee at Martin Young Scholars Academy (YSA) is a week-long summer residential program designed for underrepresented students who are upcoming high school juniors and seniors and residents of the western half of Tennessee. The program provides tuition, room, board, and instructional materials for each student who attends the one-week program.

The Young Scholars Academy is a non-credit program that seeks to create a unique experience for a select group of Tennessee’s best students—the potential leaders of the 21st century. Both inside and outside the classrooms, YSA provides students who are on the path to a collegiate career with an intellectual atmosphere that they would otherwise be unable to experience in their ordinary academic settings.

The curriculum is designed to give these talented underrepresented high school students a “taste” of college life. Using contemporary events as a starting point, the students are led to explore cutting-edge theories across academic disciplines while developing a greater understanding of how society, culture, and knowledge change with time.

Working under the direction of an experienced team of UTM faculty and staff, students are challenged to develop useful creative and intellectual skills that will be critical assets for them as they complete their high school educations and review post-secondary opportunities.

Students are selected on the basis of academics, special aptitudes and interest and participate in two academic curriculums during the camp.

All students will also have the opportunity to spend time exploring the academic opportunities available to them if they decide to choose UTM. This will be an opportunity for YSA scholars to gain a greater understanding of the many transitions that they will encounter when they begin college.

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