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| FAQ |
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| Who are TIP Scholars? |
| What are the goals of the TIP Scholars program? |
| How was I selected to join TIP Scholars? |
| What
does it mean to be a member of TIP Scholars? |
| Why
this emphasis on Critical Thinking? |
| What
resources do TIP Scholars have at their disposal? |
| As a TIP Scholar, what is expected of me? |
| How will I benefit from being a TIP Scholar? |
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| Who are TIP Scholars? |
The Texas Interdisciplinary Plan Scholars are students chosen to be in a program in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences. TIP Scholars are exceptionally motivated students who are committed to learning and this program provides them with a small college atmosphere at this major research institution. Scholars in TIP Scholars enjoy a challenging and rigorous academic experience along with a unique blend of support services and opportunities. |
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| What
are the goals of the TIP Scholars program? |
| TIP Scholars have two primary goals: (1) to achieve academic excellence, (2) to transition successfully and reach their individual potential at this University. All activities in TIP Scholars - from peer mentoring to academic advising - are focused on these goals. |
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| How was I selected to join TIP Scholars? |
Each year the program administrators work closely with the Office of Freshman Admissions to identify freshmen who selected either the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Natural Sciences as their college of choice. These students are invited to apply for a position in the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan Scholars program. Our Faculty Selection Committee reads each application, looking for students who have demonstrated exceptional motivation and persistence in high school. Academic goals, courses taken in high school, performance in those courses, involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, and a demonstrated commitment to learning are all key factors in inviting a student to join TIP Scholars.
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| What
does it mean to become a member of TIP Scholars? |
When students decide to join TIP Scholars, they are accepting a unique opportunity to become part of a small academic community within this large research institution. Like all other UT students, TIP Scholars pursue a course of study in their area of academic interest. TIP Scholars, however, begin this experience by taking courses with a cohort of peers with similar interests and a collection of professors dedicated to their success. This cohort experience, combined with a variety of academic opportunities through peer mentoring, dedicated academic advisors, and free tutoring in the TIP Scholars learning lab, makes the TIP Scholar experience a unique and beneficial way to establish a solid and successful footing at the University.
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| Why
this emphasis on Critical Thinking? |
| TIP Scholars take a signature course: the Critical Thinking Seminar. Critical thinking is the disciplined art of thinking. It involves the mastery of important intellectual skills and abilities that are essential to success in any academic discipline. The Critical Thinking Seminar was designed to ensure that all TIP Scholars would develop the facility to think and write critically, and become more intellectually perseverant, more proficient in questioning, and better able to think clearly and logically. The Critical Thinking Seminar forms a platform from which TIP Scholars can begin to confidently pursue any academic discipline at UT. |
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| What
resources do TIP Scholars have at their disposal? |
| TIP Scholars have access to a collection of extraordinary resources. First, TIP-Scholars have help in registering for their classes. Many courses are restricted to TIP Scholars or have reserved seats. Second, each TIP freshman selects an academic peer mentor – a talented, experienced upperclassman dedicated to supporting their pursuit for academic excellence and enhancing their transition to UT. Third, TIP students have access to free tutoring in many of their major academic courses in the TIP Scholars Learning Lab. Academic peer mentors provide drop-in tutoring for Natural Sciences courses and on-call tutoring for Liberal Arts courses. The TIP Scholars Learning Lab is free and is available nearly every night of the week. Fourth, students take many of their TIP Scholars courses with faculty who will get to know them by name and work to ensure each student’s individual success. Finally, TIP Scholars have access to a dedicated group of TIP staff members and advisors who are ready to assist them with any question or problem. |
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| As a TIP Scholar, what is expected of me ? |
We have lots of experience in working with students, and over the years we’ve learned a few things. We know that students who take responsibility for their own academic success are the most likely to excel at this University. We will strongly encourage our students to take advantage of the experiences made possible by TIP Scholars. We ask that all TIP scholars: |
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| • | Focus on what it means to be academically accountable: meet with your advisor, go to office hours, use the TIP Scholars Learning Lab at least once a week, and let us assist you with problems or questions early, not later. |
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| • | Trust your peer mentor: Call them back! Meet them for lunch! You will discover that having an experienced, successful friend at UT is a very good thing. |
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| • | Explore your options: attend the faculty seminars and learn about research opportunities; check out the TIP Scholars workshops on how to excel on your tests, take great notes, and learn how to take care of your heath here at UT; participate in TIP Scholars intramurals and social events; learn more about the Texas IP degree option, and most importantly, make new friends among your fellow TIP students. |
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Take advantage of TIP Scholars’s open door policy: The administrators are here to help you, and everyone is welcome at all times.
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| How will I benefit from being a TIP Scholar? |
| As with anything else, you’ll get out of TIP Scholars what you put into it. If you take advantage of being a TIP Scholar, it is highly likely that you will experience great success here at UT. TIP students have consistently achieved higher grade point averages than other students in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences. TIP students are also more likely to remain in, and graduate from these Colleges. In the past five years, TIP graduates have gone on to successfully pursue medical school, law school, and graduate school research. Congratulations on being in such fine company! |
