TBC opens scholarship essay contest for high school seniors

Texas Baptist College (TBC), the undergraduate school of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has opened submissions for the second annual TBC Scholarship Essay competition.

Current high school seniors who are prospective TBC students are invited to submit a 3,500- to 4,500-word argumentative essay that addresses the topic, “How does your academic study contribute to your formation in the Christian faith?”

The top winner will receive a four-year presidential scholarship that includes full tuition and fees to TBC, room and board, and books. The second-place winner will receive a four-year provost scholarship that includes full tuition, and books.

“Our essay competition helps TBC discover and honor students who share our passion for Christ centered, biblically driven education,” said M. Todd Bates, dean of TBC. “The scholarship winners from last year have become some of TBC’s best students and we have clearly seen that a deep love of Christ in life translates into a deep love of learning in the classroom. The TBC community is enriched by thoughtful students who are inspired by knowledgeable, caring professors as we pursue the TBC vision of glorifying God by providing trustworthy Christian higher education for more faithful service to Christ or, in short, as we help them find their calling.”

Submissions must be written by the scholarship applicant and submitted as a PDF document to TBC@swbts.edu by April 15, 2022. Essays must be written in third person with a consistent voice and communicate the applicant’s own developed perspective in an original essay that has not been submitted for a course or published online or in print. Submissions must be typed in a 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced with one-inch margins, and include a title page and page numbering. If the applicant elects to use footnotes, they should be formatted according to the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style.

Essays will be evaluated based on clarity and quality of argument, evidence of thoughtful and sophisticated Christian worldview thinking, quality of writing style, and use of standard American English.

Essays will be judged anonymously and should be void of any identifying information. However, in the submission email, applicants should include their name, mailing address, and e-mail address for contact if they receive an award.

Winners will be announced May 20, 2022.

More information, including scholarship eligibility, can be found here.

Questions about the scholarship essay competition may be sent to TBC@swbts.edu.