Apply to the President's Emerging Leaders Program

Students admitted to the President's Emerging Leaders Program (PELP) have already demonstrated significant achievements as leaders and scholars by the time they apply to Austin Peay.

Who Can Apply?

High school seniors who plan to enter Austin Peay as full-time freshmen in Fall 2026 are eligible to apply.

To be considered for PELP, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.6 or higher
Have a composite ACT score of 24 or higher
Demonstrate leadership qualities, including integrity, reliability, strong communication skills, and an understanding of problem-solving, through participation in high school and community activities

If You Are Accepted

Accepted students are required to attend two mandatory events:

Registration Event — Date will be announced as soon as it is available.
Honors and PELP Orientation — August 18–20, 2026. PELP students will have early move-in on August 18.

The Application Process

The application includes basic biographical information, essay responses, and a face-to-face interview with the Director and current PELP students.

Your essays should reflect your strongest writing. Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and typographical errors before submitting.

Note: AI-generated responses will disqualify an application.