The University of Tennessee at Martin Young Scholars Academy (YSA) is a week-long, non-credit summer residential program. It is designed for under-represented high school juniors and seniors of West Tennessee. Students are provided tuition, room, board, and instructional materials.
Both inside and outside the classrooms, YSA provides students who are on the path to a collegiate career an intellectual atmosphere that they would otherwise be unable to experience in their ordinary academic settings.
Working under the direction of an experienced team of UTM faculty and staff, YSA curriculum is designed to give these talented under-represented high school students a taste of college life. Using contemporary events as a starting point, 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.
YSA challenges students to develop useful, creative and intellectual skills that will be critical assets for them as they complete their high school education and review post-secondary opportunities.
Students are selected on the basis of academics, special aptitudes and interest. All will be given 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.
The program will also engage students in activities that will help them in identifying their strengths and weaknesses. These activities will provide students with a body of knowledge about themselves that can guide them in making decisions regarding college majors and career goals.