FAQ

Governors School

  • Who is eligible?
    Eligible students will be 10th and 11th graders currently enrolled in Tennessee's public, private and home-schools are eligible. In other words, students who will be juniors and seniors in the 2025-2026 academic year. To be eligible, students should rank in the top of their high school class in performance/capability or be highly talented in math and science.
     
    Prerequisites: Applicants should have a grade of 3.0 or higher in all high school mathematics classes taken, and they should have had Algebra II. Applicants should have had two semesters of high school science with a grade of 3.0 or higher in each course.
     
     
  • What does it cost?
    You will receive a full tuition scholarship for tuition, dorms, and meals. The program is funded by the Department of Education through funds appropriated by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. There is a minimal charge to each student to cover the costs of personal purchases during field trips, the ETSU campus bookstore, drinks, snacks, etc. and there is a $500.00 Program, Maintenance & Activity fee that will be paid by the parent/guardian of each student that is invited to attend and accepts the offer to attend this Governor's School. If this fee presents a financial burden, please contact the Director. 
  • How will the students be selected?
    Every student who submits an application by the deadline date will have their application reviewed by a panel of professors who will select the 30 students that will attend the GS for IB&SS based on their academic performance in math and science.
  • May I apply for more than one School?
    YES, however you will only be able to attend one Governor's School since the dates of the programs overlap. If you are accepted to more than one school, please notify each school of your decision to attend or not.
  • If I accept to one Governor's School, will I have a chance to accept another one later if vacancies occur?
    NO. You need to make sure you are going to attend before you accept. A student will only be able to attend one Governor's School in their lifetime.
  • Do I earn any special credits?
    YES. Each student successfully completing our IB&SS summer session with passing grades will receive seven college credit hours. Each student will also receive a certificate of merit signed by the Governor and the Director of each Governor's School.
  • Does an up-to-date transcript need to be included?
    YES. Please provide the most recent grades available at the time of application.
  • Can students with disabilities apply?

    YES. If they meet the criteria.

    Any student that has been invited, has accepted and has been admitted into the 2025 GS IB&SS program who would like to request accommodations should contact ETSU's disability services office by phone (423-439-8346) or by email (littleme@etsu.edu) prior to the start date of the Governor’s School program. Additionally, the Office of Disability Services can provide assistance for any applicant that may require accommodations in the admissions process.

  • Do I stay for the entire five weeks?
    YES. The program is intensive and highly individualized. Classes and special activities will be planned for the entire five weeks, including weekends. Absences from scheduled activities are not permitted except in the case of emergencies. This is a full, 5-week commitment.
  • How many students will be selected?
    IB&SS will be accepting 30 students.
  • When will students be notified of selections?

    All students will receive a letter by email notifying them whether they have been accepted or if they are an alternate. Students that are not chosen for the program will not receive notification.

    Acceptance letters will be emailed on Friday. February 28, 2025. Students will receive separate notification letters via email from each of the schools to which they applied.

  • May I bring communication devices, such as cell phones?
    Cell phones may be brought to campus, but students must adhere to the program's policies on usage during class. Review the Handbook for current policies.
  • Is the application confidential?
    YES. Personally identifiable information will not be released.

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