How to Get Into the Clark Scholars Program: 2027 Deadline, Eligibility, and Application Guide
By Rona Aydin
What is the Clark Scholars Program?
The Clark Scholars Program brings twelve high school students to Texas Tech University each summer for seven weeks of one-on-one research with faculty on the main campus and at the Health Sciences Center, along with weekly seminars, discussions and field trips (About the Clark Scholars Program). An endowment from the Anson L. Clark Foundation funds it, and Texas Tech says it has run for more than 30 years and served more than 350 students. Unlike most research programs, it is open to students in almost any academic area, from the sciences and mathematics to the humanities and fine arts.
| Detail | Clark Scholars 2027 |
|---|---|
| Host | Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas |
| Cohort | Twelve scholars a summer |
| Program dates | June 20 to August 5, 2027 |
| Eligibility | At least 17 by the start date; graduating in 2026 or 2027 under the last posted rules; US citizens or permanent residents only |
| Cost | No program fees; on-campus room, board and meals covered; $25 application fee; travel not covered |
| Stipend | $750 after completing a successful research report |
| Application window | Opens January 2, 2027; closes February 15, 2027, 11:59 pm CT |
| Decisions | No later than early May |
How selective is the Clark Scholars Program?
Texas Tech does not publish an acceptance rate or an applicant count, so any percentage quoted elsewhere is an estimate. What it does publish is the size: twelve participants each summer, whose average SAT score is usually in the 99th percentile. Scholars are chosen on academic accomplishments, teacher recommendations and career objectives.
In the view of Oriel Admissions, the fixed cohort of twelve is what makes Clark so hard to get into, and it also means a strong applicant should apply to other programs at the same time. Our guide to the most prestigious summer programs for high school students places Clark in Tier 1 alongside RSI, PROMYS, SSP, SUMaC and Simons.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be at least 17 by the program start date, with no exceptions, and must be US citizens or permanent residents (Program Benefits and Eligibility). The program takes students in the summer before senior year or the summer after graduation; under the last posted rules, applicants had to graduate in 2026 or 2027. Students who will graduate right before the program can apply.
What does the Clark Scholars application require?
The 2027 application opens on January 2, 2027 and closes at 11:59 pm CT on February 15, 2027 (Clark Scholars Application Details). It includes:
- Short essays, with prompts and character limits posted in advance.
- High school transcripts, which do not need to be official, plus any AP score reports.
- Standardized test scores; at least a PSAT or PACT score is required if SAT or ACT scores are not available by the deadline.
- Three recommendations, at least two from teachers, completed as an online questionnaire rather than a letter.
- A list of the top five activities; a separate resume or longer list is not allowed.
Texas Tech does not accept supplemental material, and test scores received after the deadline are not considered. Students may not contact Texas Tech faculty directly about the program. For summer 2026, research areas included biology and microbiology, cancer biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and physics (Clark Scholars Research Areas).
How does Clark compare with RSI and Simons?
| Program | Size or selectivity | Cost | 2027 deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Scholars | Twelve scholars | No program fees; $750 stipend | February 15, 2027 |
| Research Science Institute (RSI) | Fewer than 2.5% of applicants; 150 places in 2027 | Free | December 11, 2026 |
| Simons Summer Research Program | 60 of 1,864 applicants in 2026 (3.2%, by our calculation) | No tuition | February 5, 2027 |
Clark is the only one of the three open to the humanities and fine arts, and the only one that takes recent graduates. RSI and Simons take juniors only, and Simons also requires a school nomination. In the experience of Oriel Admissions, a student interested in research should apply to all three if eligible, because the deadlines fall within ten weeks of each other.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Clark Scholars Program
Texas Tech does not publish an acceptance rate or applicant count. It takes twelve scholars each summer, and their average SAT score is usually in the 99th percentile.
There are no program participation fees. On-campus room, board, meals and weekend activities are covered, and scholars receive a $750 stipend after a successful research report. Students pay the $25 application fee, travel and personal expenses.
The 2027 application opens on January 2, 2027 and closes at 11:59 pm CT on February 15, 2027. Decisions come no later than early May.
No. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.
Students who are at least 17 by the program start date and who will spend the summer before senior year or the summer after graduation in the program. There are no exceptions to the age rule.
Texas Tech says the program is open to almost any academic area, from the sciences and mathematics to the humanities and fine arts. Research areas are posted each year; in 2026 they included chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering and physics.
Three. At least two must come from teachers, and the third can come from a teacher, research mentor or volunteer organization. Recommenders answer an online questionnaire rather than writing a letter.
Clark takes twelve scholars for seven weeks of one-on-one research and admits recent graduates, while RSI accepts fewer than 2.5% of applicants and takes juniors only. Oriel Admissions suggests applying to both when a student is eligible.
Sources: Clark Scholars Program (Texas Tech University), Program Benefits and Eligibility, Application Details, Clark Scholars FAQ, Research Areas, About the Clark Scholars Program. All read October 26, 2026.
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