I boast about this every year, but I never tire of saying it: Texas Christian University’s incoming Class of 2026 is the best and highest-achieving group of Horned Frogs to date.

As we continue blooming into a truly world-class institution, some of the world’s best and brightest high school students submit applications in hopes of joining our community of ethical leaders and responsible global citizens. In this issue, you’ll find the admission essays of four stellar new students just embarking on their TCU journeys.

These aspiring nurses, engineers and entrepreneurs share a common ideal: a passion for Leading On and making an impact. The gifts and ideas they bring to the Horned Frog community make us an even more powerful force for the greater good.

TCU is a selective university, and our admission counselors personally review thousands of applications and essays each year. Thousands. Revealing one’s best self with candor and humility in just 500 words is no easy task—so we offer thought-provoking prompts to get the applicants started.

I enjoyed pondering these myself. Here are the essay starters, paraphrased:

If you were to write a mission statement about your life, what would it be?

Describe a time in your life when failure pushed you toward success.

In her best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees, alumna Sue Monk Kidd wrote, “The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters.” What matters to you?

At TCU, doing what matters guides us daily. As demand soars for the uniquely personal and rigorous college experience we offer, we keep breaking new ground and expanding in exciting ways. While our mission stays the same, our students just keep getting more impressive.

Take a look at their stories and you’ll know why these students are Horned Frogs. This inspiring generation will join our alumni in carrying forth the TCU mission of responsible world citizenship into a future full of both promise and challenge.

I think you’ll agree that the days ahead look bright. Especially if you’re a Horned Frog.

Molly and Rusty Reid welcome students back to campus with decorative banners in the front yard of their home near campus. Photo by James Anger

We are grateful for the many ways our Fort Worth community extends the love and spreads TCU pride — curbside markers, purple street signs, game day flags, “Go Frogs!” on storefront windows, TCU gear and purple downtown lights. These gestures extend a warm welcome to our students and send the signal that TCU is THE University of Fort Worth, creating a deep affinity and a sense of belonging.

The family of Molly and Rusty Reid live near the TCU campus and have embraced their role as university supporters and super fans. Our WELCOME HOME messages come alive in their front yard. Countless students and TCU parents shared comments with me about this display of TCU pride … so much so that I walked over there one day to see for myself. As you can see, the Reids are unparalleled at welcoming our students to campus!

Don’t you agree?!