How to Secure a Spot in Clark Scholars

Who wouldn’t want a $750 stipend for seven weeks of research in a prestigious summer program? That’s part of why the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is so competitive. Here’s how to get in.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be at least 17 years old by the program start date and a rising senior or recent high school graduate (the summer before senior year, or just after graduation).
• Hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

Why Should I Apply?

Beyond the stipend, Clark Scholars gives you hands-on research experience with experienced faculty. Only 12 students are selected each year, so it stands out on college applications, and alumni have gone on to elite colleges and a strong network.

The program is free, covering on-campus meals, room and board, and weekend activities. You are responsible for travel to and from campus, personal expenses, and medical expenses.

Application Checklist

• Application essays: short essays based on provided prompts and character limits. Start drafting before you even get access to the application platform.
• High school transcripts and AP scores: upload your transcripts and any AP scores. Official documents aren’t required.
• Standardized test scores: enter your scores and upload a report. A PSAT score is required if SAT or ACT scores aren’t available by the deadline.
• Recommendations: three total, at least two from teachers. The third can be from a teacher, research mentor, principal investigator, or a representative of a volunteer organization.
• Top 5 activities: your most significant involvements and accomplishments, including academic honors, research programs, and extracurriculars in and out of school.

Official Application Details

Crafting Your Story

A strong personal essay for Clark Scholars shows sincere motivation for joining, your future aspirations, and meaningful service experiences. Introduce yourself concisely and highlight the key parts of your background and achievements. There are two essays:

1. About You: explain why you’re applying and how the program fits your academic and career goals. Share your long-term aspirations and how the program contributes to them. (2,000 characters including spaces)

2. About Your Service: reflect on a significant service experience and how it shaped your character and worldview. Aim for clarity, coherence, and authenticity throughout. (1,500 characters including spaces)

Suggested Stats

Academics matter a lot here. There’s no explicit minimum GPA or test score, but applicants are expected to have a strong record: high grades in challenging coursework (think 4.0+) and strong standardized test scores (around 1500 SAT or 34+ ACT). The committee also weighs the rigor of your curriculum and any advanced or honors courses.

Extracurricular Experience

Beyond grades, the committee wants applicants who’ve committed to activities outside the classroom: clubs, sports, community service, personal projects, and research. Show leadership, creativity, and a genuine passion for learning. This program is for seasoned upperclassmen, so the competition is tough, and strong extracurriculars help you stand out.

Not sure where to start with research? Take a look at Rishab’s Guide.

Understanding Research Interests

The research disciplines below have been offered in recent years and are likely to continue. For the best results, fit your application into one of these even if your interests are interdisciplinary. The application lets you write about a primary and an optional secondary interest.

• Nutritional Sciences: nutrient-gene interactions and the endocrine function of adipose tissue in obesity-associated inflammation and metabolic disorders, with a focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Biology / Cellular & Microbiology: microbial interactions during infection, cellular differentiation in biofilms, metalloregulation of bacterial physiology, microbial symbiosis, high-throughput genome and transcriptome sequencing, bioinformatics, population and comparative genomics, confocal microscopy, phylogenomics, microevolutionary analysis, and macrophage responses to pore-forming toxins.
• Computer Science: virtual and augmented reality, big data visualization and visual analytics, human-computer interaction, computer animation, statistical data analysis, data-intensive computing, parallel and distributed computing, high-performance computing, cloud computing, computer architectures, and systems software.
• Neurobiology: how hormones modulate adaptive features of the stress response.
• Mechanical Engineering: targeted delivery of nanotherapeutics, multi-modal image-guided surgical interventions for cancer, and nanosensors for early disease diagnosis and monitoring.
• History: modern American politics, conservatism, and Texas Sunbelt political culture, especially the post-1945 fusion of the South and West.
• Chemistry: inorganic synthesis, (supra)molecular materials, and smart molecules.
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: RF/analog circuits and microwave/millimeter-wave sensing for healthcare, security, and human-machine interfaces.

Preparing for Interviews

Some applicants are invited to interview. This is a chance to demonstrate your qualifications, discuss your research interests, and show your personality and communication skills. Be ready to talk about your academic background, extracurriculars, and future goals.

Didn’t Get In?

Don’t stress. With an acceptance rate well under 3%, a rejection says nothing about your abilities. Focus on your own research over the summer so you have a shot at other programs.

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