The Luce Scholars Program
Campus deadline: September 10, 2014
The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program. It was launched by the
Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in
American society. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized
professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from
college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields who have had
limited exposure to Asia. The program is unique among American-Asian exchanges in that it is
intended for young leaders who have had limited experience of Asia and who might not otherwise
have an opportunity in the normal course of their careers to come to know Asia. Those who already
have significant experience in Asia or Asian studies are not eligible for the Luce Scholars Program.
Luce Scholars have backgrounds in virtually every field other than Asian studies, including but not
limited to the arts, journalism, law, medicine, science, public health, environmental studies, and
international relations.
Who is eligible?
 Wellesley College seniors who will obtain their bachelor’s degree before the start of the
grant and Wellesley College alumnae;
 Applicants under the age of 30;
 U.S. citizens;
 Individuals who have a clear career objective and who have already demonstrated
leadership and other professional achievements in their field; and
 Applicants who have not completed significant study of Asia or spent more than twelve
weeks in the region.
Successful candidates typically have a GPA of at least 3.5 and can make a strong case for: (1) Why
you? (2) Why Asia? (3) Why now?
How do I apply?
All Wellesley College candidates for the Luce Scholars Program must be nominated by Wellesley
College in order to apply. Wellesley is able to nominate a maximum of three candidates per year.
Interested applicants should make an appointment with Elizabeth Mandeville, Director of
Fellowship Programs, via MyCWS or email emandevi@wellesley.edu.
Application Checklist
____ Completed online application (http://www.hluce.org/lsapp.aspx)
____ Personal statement essay (should fit within confines of application form)
____ Official transcripts (Wellesley, study abroad, and any other institutions)
____ Four recommendations letters
 Letters should include academic and professional references
Application Timeline
Please note: all deadlines are at noon.
Spring/Summer before
applying
September 1, 2014
Late August/Early
September
October 1, 2014
Early-October
Mid-late October
October 27, 2014
By January 31, 2015
Early February 2015
Mid-February 2015

Visit http://www.hluce.org/lsprogram.aspx to learn more
about the Luce Scholars Program.
 Download the Luce Scholars Program application from the
Luce website.
 Speak with Elizabeth Mandeville, Director of Fellowship
Programs at Wellesley, about your application and plans to
apply.
 Contact your references to inform them of your plans to
apply and to request letters. Solicit their input on your
essays and plans.
 Start writing! Complete several drafts of your application
essay and share with Elizabeth Mandeville, mentors and
others for feedback.
Plan to submit first draft of essay to Elizabeth Mandeville for
review no later than this date.
 Follow up with your reference-writers to confirm they will
meet the campus deadline.
 Order and collect your transcript(s) if you have not done so
already.
Submit complete application (including application, essay,
references, transcript and application coversheet) to
fellowshipapplication@wellesley.edu.
 Applications are reviewed by campus Luce committee.
 All applicants are informed about their nomination status.
Make final revisions and polish application.
Final deadline for submission of complete application.
Applications will be reviewed by Elizabeth Mandeville and
forwarded to Fulbright for the national November 1 deadline.
Luce Scholar finalists are announced.
Luce Scholar finalist interviews held in San Francisco, New York
and Washington, DC.
Final Luce Scholar results are announced.