Welcome to TBI Middle College Program


The Texas Bioscience Institute Middle College program offers highly motivated high school students the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credit hours in a STEM–focused (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) foundational curriculum. Many program participants earn an associate degree from Temple College before they even graduate from high school!

The program is available in two locations:

Temple - Scott and White West Campus (5701 Airport Rd.)
Hutto - Temple College at Hutto (1600 Innovation Boulevard)

The program is open to all high school juniors and seniors, including Homeschool, public, private and charter school students.

All classes are taught by members of the Temple College faculty.

map for TBI in Temple

Admissions Criteria


Criteria

Students interested in attending the TBI Middle College program are required to meet certain admissions requirements. Admission to the TBI program is competitive. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

  1. Students are required to be entering juniors.
  2. Students must have taken Pre-AP Algebra II, Biology I and Chemistry I before entrance into the TBI. These three classes must be completed with an 80 or higher average.
  3. Students must pass a college readiness exam: TSIA, SAT, ACT, etc.

 

Students who meet the minimum requirements are eligible to submit an admission packet. Admission packets can be provided by a high school counselor, and students must submit the forms referenced in the TBI Checklist below.

Students in the Middle College program are eligible to apply for scholarships and loans offered by the Temple College Foundation. For details, visit foundation.templejc.edu or call 254-298-8765.

Students must pass a college readiness exam: TSIA, SAT, ACT, etc.


TSI Assessment
  • ELAR (READING + WRITING) – 945+ or diagnostic of 5+ 
  • MATHEMATICS – 950+ or diagnostic of 6+ if below 950
  • ESSAY – 5+

STARR EOC

Scores must be less than 5 years old

  • Algebra II – 4000
  • English III Reading – 2000
  • English III Writing – 2000

ACT

Scores must be less than 5 years old

Composite – 23
AND
English – 19
Mathematics – 19


SAT

Scores must be less than 5 years old

Combined Reading/Math score – 1070
AND
Reading (Verbal) – 500
Mathematics – 500

Students must submit the following forms to apply
  • TBI Application
    • Completed application must include all vital information including Social Security Number, current contact information, etc.
  • Temple College Application
  • Dual Credit Registration Sheet
  • Three Teacher Evaluations (One math, one science, and one general)
  • Appropriate test scores
  • Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (must be current within 5 years)
  • High School Transcripts

Experiential Learning


In addition to college credit, TBI encourages students to participate in experiential learning opportunities. Students in the program are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of job shadowing and 16 hours of community service.

This is a month-long, math-intensive program that provides a curriculum and instructional methodology to help students master as much mathematics beyond Algebra II as possible. Independent work paired with whole class, small group, and individual instruction based on diagnostic testing will focus on the areas that students have not yet mastered in Algebra II and above.
Students selected for this experience become an active, working member of an established STEM researcher’s group. They devote full-time to an assigned research project for a 10-week period and receive a stipend during their participation.
Throughout the academic year, practicing professionals representing all STEM fields present seminars to, and provide interactive sessions with, the students at the Texas Bioscience Institute.

Student Experiences


Student Preparatory Orientation Training Sessions (SPOTS) Camp is a mandatory orientation for new TBI students, usually scheduled 1-2 weeks prior to the start of class.

White Coat Ceremony is the ceremonial induction for new students into the TBI. It is usually scheduled 1-2 weeks prior to the start of class.

students looking up into camera after white coat ceremony

The Ambassador Program is an opportunity for current TBI students to earn training in public speaking, community service hours, and experience for their resume. Ambassadors assist with the recruitment of TBI participants and honestly represent the attributes of Temple College and the TBI Middle College program. Ambassadors are asked to share their experience as a Middle College TBI student and participate in a variety of recruitment events including high school visits, campus tours, SPOTS Camp/White Coat Ceremony, Silver Cording Ceremony, Open House, TC Graduation, and other recruitment activities.

The Silver Cording Ceremony is the ceremonial award of the Silver Cord marking successful completion of the TBI Middle College program.

 

students looking up into camera after receiving silver cord in ceremony