University of Texas at AustinDivision of Diversity and Community Engagement

Gateway Scholars

The Gateway Scholars Program is a multi-year program designed to facilitate and enhance students’ transition from high school to college. We support our students to ultimately be successful in college and to prepare them for their future after graduation from the University of Texas at Austin.

The Gateway Scholars program is a signature program of the Longhorn Center for Academic in the Division of the Diversity and Community Engagement. The staff strives to make students feel at home, provide them the support to succeed, and give them the tools to navigate through their collegiate journey.

What does Gateway offer?

  • Smaller class sizes in many math and science courses
  • Coursework in critical thinking and college life skills
  • Academic advising
  • Individual counseling
  • Peer mentoring
  • Class Registration assistance
  • Tutoring
  • Social, cultural, and recreational activities

How can I join Gateway?

Gateway CrewStudents are invited to participate in Gateway Scholars during their senior year of high school, after they have been officially admitted to the University. Students invited to participate must have a solid academic record in high school, and must be highly motivated to meet the rigorous demands of the University.

Through a selective process, the review committee identifies students who would benefit from Gateway’s limited enrollment classes, support services, group association, and opportunities for extra-curricular involvement. Some of the criteria used to evaluate a candidate include high school grade point average, high school rank, SAT/ACT scores, size of graduating high school class, and interest in joining a smaller learning community. Preference is given to students who are the first in their families to attend a four-year university.

For additional information concerning Gateway Scholars, please call (512) 471-1205.

How does Gateway Scholars help me academically?

  • Professional staff members from Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence (LCAE) meet with students individually to help them pick classes that will benefit him or her most.
  • The Gateway Scholars staff members will assist with class registration during registration periods.
  • Gateway offers smaller classes with great instructors in the following areas:
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Critical Thinking
    • Economics
    • Math
    • Philosophy
    • Physical Science
    • Rhetoric
    • Spanish

    (Most students take a mix of Gateway and non-
    Gateway courses)

  • Students are offered workshops to help them learn study skills, prepare for finals, and become effective time managers.
  • Free Tutoring in math, science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), and writing.
  • Students will enroll in UGS 303: Race in the Age of Obama. This is a full-credit course that counts toward the core curriculum. Dr. Leonard Moore and other Gateway instructors teach 17 sections each fall semester for Gateway students. This class fosters the development of reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills relevant to academics, personal development, and professional goal setting.

What can Gateway do for my social life?

Let’s face it, UT is huge! Gateway is a great way to meet people when you are new to campus. You will become part of a small, fun, and close-knit group.

Gateway offers:

  • Special events during orientation, so you can meet people you will see again in classes and at events when school starts
  • Monthly social and cultural events so you can spend time with other Gateway Longhorns and get a free dinner
  • A semi-formal banquet at the end of the school year

Gateway students also have Peer Mentors, who are there to assist with the UGS 303 course and they spend time with students introducing them to UT and to the city of Austin.

Gateway Members Posing for the Camera Gateway Members Playing Poker Gateway Members Having Pizza

Top 10 Reasons to be in Gateway

10. Monthly academic, social, and cultural events
9. Fellowship with other first-year Longhorns
8. Advising from Gateway Scholars (GWS) staff
7. Participation in the annual UT community service project
6. FREE tutoring at the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence
5. Up-to-date information about everything happening at UT
4. Professors who will know you on a first name basis as a Gateway Participant
3. Peer Mentors to guide you through your first year
2. Priority Registration

…And the number one reason to participate in Gateway…
1. Smaller classes! Gateway offers smaller Economics, English, Math, Science, and Critical-Thinking classes that allow you to be much more than just a number – it allows you to be…well, you!!!

 

Apply to be a Gateway Scholars Mentor. Download the application here – it is due to SSB 4.400 by 5 PM on Feb. 14, 2013.

For more information, please contact Dr. Aileen Bumphus at abumphus@austin.utexas.edu or Tiffany Tillis at tiffany.tillis@austin.utexas.edu. You may also contact the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence at 512-471-1205.