| Application deadline | February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | April 19, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): $700–$1,175; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | $2,750 (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Needs-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Most are reviewed on a rolling basis.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | On-campus boarding: $0. Covered by program funders.; Food: $0. Covered by program funders. (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Exploration course deposit (non-refundable, per course): $150. Not required to apply for Pathway Programs.; Needs-based scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Most are reviewed on a rolling basis.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Application fee: $0; Deposit to reserve a spot: $100. Due once the application is approved; Suggested spending money: $100–$150 (2027 cycle) |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Grades 6–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Grades 10–11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Residency: Texas high school students; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Students enrolled in summer school during the program dates cannot participate (full-time attendance required) | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 6–11 when applying | Requirement: Open to grades 10–11; Requirement: Open in the summer after sophomore or junior year (students finishing grade 10 or 11); Requirement: One year of chemistry or physics |
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| Session dates or duration | Starts June 20, 2027; Ends June 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Catalog terms: 1 week; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 7, 2027; Ends July 22, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Austin, TX | Houghton, MI | Terre Haute, IN |
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| Selection and application | Selection: McCombs describes desired qualities but publishes no current applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, fixed GPA cutoff, identity quota, geographic quota, scoring rubric, interview process, or waitlist policy. Historical cohort figures must not be treated as a future guarantee. Application materials: Essay(s); One letter of recommendation | Selection: Standard Explorations enrolled in order received while seats remained. Pathways used grades, short responses and supplemental documents; no portfolio-wide applicant count or acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Unofficial transcript, short responses and a recommendation/certificate/other evidence where required by the Pathway | Selection: Earlier 2026 instructions described selective application followed by first-come session placement after approval. Confirm the current 2027 review and placement process; no acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Recommendation from a counselor or teacher |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-20Source 3 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-21Source 6 · checked 2026-08-21Source 7 · checked 2026-08-21Source 8 · checked 2026-08-21Source 9 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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