The PCUB program at UT accepts applications and nominations from ninth and 10th graders from the following high schools: Cater, Gibbs, Heritage, Northview Academy, Sevier County, South-Doyle, West, or William Blount.
All students must:
- meet family income guidelines established by the federal government;
- be a potential first-generation college student (neither parent has a four-year college degree);
- complete the entire application package;
- complete an interview at UT with at least one parent/guardian;
- provide at least two recommendation forms by one current high school guidance counselor and one teacher;
- provide signed commitment of parental support;
- want to pursue a career that requires a college education; and
- demonstrate a willingness and desire to actively participate in all program activities.
Step 1: Get an application from your high school guidance counselor or print one from this website. You can also call the PCUB office at 865-974-4466 to have one mailed to you.
Step 2: Complete the entire application and return it to your high school guidance counselor or the PCUB educational specialist at your school.
Step 3: A PCUB staff member will contact you within one week after your application is received to provide more details.
The PCUB staff recognizes that it takes a very special student to be considered for this program. Upon acceptance into PCUB, each student makes a commitment to:
- attend 10 Saturday sessions;
- attend field trips to various colleges and universities throughout the year;
- attend weekly check-ins at their high school with the PCUB staff member;
- commit to enrolling in college prep classes at their high school each semester; and
- commit to attending a six-week summer component at UT.
There are 10 Saturday sessions held for students in PCUB throughout the academic year. These sessions are combinations of academics, tutoring, college visits, and cultural enrichment activities. Most Saturday sessions consist of classes in math, science, and English, along with foreign language, ACT prep, and math and science tutoring on the UT campus. Other Saturday sessions may consist of visiting local college campuses in the surrounding area or attending a play, visiting an art museum, or participating in other cultural activities. Saturday sessions help students with academics, college planning, and cultural enrichment while in high school.
The PCUB summer component is a six-week residential camp at UT that gives students an opportunity to experience what college life is like firsthand. The students live in a residence hall while taking academic classes in science, English, math, foreign language, computer, and ACT prep that will prepare them for their classes the following year in school. Students also have opportunities to attend lectures given by guest speakers about careers, colleges, financial aid, college life; and participate in recreational activities such as sports, Scholar’s Bowl, and movies. At the end of the summer component, students may have an opportunity to participate in a three-day trip to places of interest like Washington, DC, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
The Bridge component offers a unique opportunity for students who excel during their PCUB experience. Seniors apply to be a PCUB Bridge Scholar in early January. Students selected as Bridge Scholars attend UT during the summer immediately following their high school graduation. Students take college credit classes on campus. Tutoring and counseling are also available through the PCUB office. All services, tuition, and fees are paid by the PCUB. This scholarship totals almost $5,000 per student.
The PCUB staff is committed to providing quality services to our students. We will work to ensure that you:
- remain at or above grade level in core subjects through the use of after-school tutoring;
- are able to visit multiple institutions both in-state and out-of-state to make informed decisions on postsecondary institutions;
- provide academic, cultural, and social opportunities to help cope with challenges in college life; and
- provide ACT prep so that you can earn the highest possible ACT score.
In addition to the above goals, and as a graduating student, our goals will focus on ensuring that you are:
- enrolled in a postsecondary institution that is a good fit for you;
- receiving as much financial assistance as possible;
- on track to earn your degree; and
- referred to a TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) at your institution, if available.
This is our commitment to you.