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.