Are You a Top Scholar?
At UTSA, we are building a community of top scholars who are eager to pursue knowledge and achievement. We search the state for driven, talented students and offer them unique and personalized experiences aimed to empower their professional growth, fuel their passion for lifelong learning, and inspire their commitment to a stronger community. Are you highly motivated and high achieving? Do you want to conduct original research and then apply your new, innovative ideas to real-world issues? If this describes you, then this is the place to be.
UTSA Top Scholar Mission
Recruit and retain very high achieving students in an environment where intellectual curiosity is stimulated and conducive to in-depth and engaged learning; leaders are empowered to grow and develop professionally; and social consciousness and service to society is used to influence the world for the better.
What is the Top Scholar program?
The UTSA Top Scholar program is a premier scholar program, well-known and highly regarded across the state for developing award winning, academically talented and exceptional servant leaders. We are recruiting high caliber students from across Texas to be part of this exciting program.
Our Top Scholars enjoy intellectual camaraderie, establishing close and lasting friendships with other students and professional relationships with faculty. They’re encouraged to gain a broad perspective through service experiences that merge their academic interests with community issues.
Student Spotlights
CAILLE PAULSEN
Environmental Sciences
Class of 2022
San Antonio, TX
“The UTSA Top Scholar program and Honors College have given me amazing support to pursue research, and experience life-changing professional development by attending and presenting at academic conferences.”
MUFARO CHITAKURE
Actuarial Science
Class of 2022
San Antonio, TX
“The UTSA Top Scholar program and Honors College provide support and encouragement that has emboldened my desire to achieve greater things both personally and professionally.”
VIKTI MEHTA
Finance
Class of 2023
Frisco, TX
“Top Scholar has enabled me to reach my academic and professional potential while tackling important community issues. The opportunities and support offered are unparalleled to any other university, scholarship, or program.”
CHRISTIAN STRONG
Chemical Engineering
Class of 2021
McAllen, TX
“As a UTSA Top Scholar I have explored my academic interests more deeply because I’ve been connected with mentors who support my passion for interdisciplinary research while also experiencing firsthand how getting involved in my community enriches my undergraduate experience.”
ANALISA SULAICA
Mexican American Studies
Class of 2022
Del Rio, TX
“The community and opportunities the UTSA Top Scholar program and Honors College provides made my decision easy. The continued mentorship and guidance within the program keeps pushing me on toward great things.”
Top Scholar Benefits
Top Scholar, Andres Castillo, abroad in Japan
Those selected to be Top Scholars will receive a comprehensive, last dollar scholarship for up to four-years (eight regular semesters) that includes funding for tuition, fees, and room and board. They also receive support for internships and study abroad programs.
However, being a Top Scholar is so much more than that. This is a program, not just a scholarship, where students:
- Engage in a signature enrichment programming,
- Develop comprehensive professional portfolios,
- Live and learn in a community of scholars
- Receive auto-enrollment into the Honors College,
- Obtain access to numerous research opportunities
- Experience exclusive interaction with senior university staff and faculty, and
- Are offered engagement opportunities with community leaders.
