FIRST GEN PODCAST
FIRST GEN PROUD ESSAY CONTEST
This contest showcases the achievements of our first-generation students at all stages of their academic careers. We invite first-generation students to submit short personal essays that respond to the following prompt:
Firsts: What did your first day at Texas State feel like? What have your experiences as a first-generation student taught you about tackling new challenges? What advice would you give to other students navigating college for the first time?
Essay submissions should be between 500-700 words. Submissions will be blind reviewed by faculty judges from the Department of English. $200 scholarship prizes will be awarded across three submission categories: a freshman/sophomore category, a junior/senior category, and a graduate student category.
Submission Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026