GSSE Application

• Counselors can nominate students from October 1, 2024 through November 22, 2024.
• Completed student applications must be submitted through our online application system by December 6, 2024.
• We will accept updated transcripts and test scores from the student’s counselor via email until December 6, 2024.
• Please contact prep@utk.edu if you have questions.

High School Counselor Distribution List: 

• Create a slate.org account to get our communication emails regarding our program application updates and deadlines!

Nomination Guide: 

• Nominations for the Tennessee Governor’s Schools must be submitted by high school counselors, administrators, and/or teachers. Students who would like to participate in a challenging and high intensity program in one of the eleven program areas should obtain application materials from high school
  administrators during the fall semester of their 10th or 11th grade year.
• For more information regarding the nomination guide, please click here.

Student Prerequisites:

• Possess excellent academic records and be able to demonstrate advanced critical thinking and analysis.
• Must have completed at least one year of high school level laboratory science and one year of Algebra.
• Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Must be a rising Tennessee high school junior or senior (current sophomore or junior).

Step 1: Nominating Counselor

Important: this step must be completed in full before the student receives their portion of the application (step 2). Students cannot nominate themselves.

Counselor nominates students using our online nomination form. The nominating counselor will be asked to complete the following items:

• Nominating counselor’s personal information
• Student personal information
• Parent/legal guardian personal information including a current email address
• School information
• Student’s relevant test scores, GPA, attendance/discipline record
• Upload an official transcript

Once the nominating counselor has completed this step, there are no more actions for the counselor.  The counselor will receive a final email once the student has completed all portions of the application and it is complete.

Step 2: Student Application

After the counselor has completed step 1, the student will be prompted via email to complete the GSSE application. The student will be asked to complete the following items:

• Nominate two teachers to complete confidential recommendations. One science and one math teacher preferred – we recommend that students nominate teacher recommenders prior to moving on to the next application steps
• Student personal information
• Parent/legal guardian personal information
• Responses to two essay prompts
• GSSE class preferences. More information on GSSE Academic Curriculum here
• Student’s format preference (in-person vs. virtual)

For additional help on the student portion of the application please refer to this Step-by-Step Guide including screenshots.

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations

Each student is required to nominate two teachers to submit confidential recommendations for their GSSE application. Once the student completes step 2, the nominated teachers will be notified via email to complete the confidential recommendation.

Step 4: Parent/Legal Guardian Verification

Once the student completes step 2, and all teacher recommendations have been received, the first parent/legal guardian contact listed on the student application must verify that all application information is correct. To do this, the student must login to their account with their parent/legal guardian present. The parent/legal guardian must then click on “GSSE Parent Verification Form”, review that all information is correct and accurate, and then sign the form.

The nominating counselor, student, and parent/legal guardian will all receive email confirmation when the above steps are complete and the student’s application has been received and processed. Contact prep@utk.edu with any questions.