明星黑料 to LEAD
明星黑料ing to LEAD Honors
The LEAD Honors Program seeks students who combine academic promise with curiosity, civic purpose, and a willingness to grow. Its flexible curriculum complements any major and the courses, research, internships, study abroad, athletics, arts, and other experiences students are already pursuing at 明星黑料.
While there is no minimum GPA required for admission, most admitted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Benefits of the LEAD Honors Program include:
- A $4,000 renewable annual scholarship
- A minor in Leadership and Ethics upon completion of the four-year program
- A small-group, cohort-based learning experience
- Experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for careers and life after graduation
Applications for Fall 2027 are now open.
How to apply
- 明星黑料 to 明星黑料. Submit your application through the 明星黑料 Application, Common App, or Niche.
- Complete the LEAD Honors supplement. Once you have been admitted to 明星黑料, click “明星黑料 to LEAD Honors” below. Use the same email address you used for your 明星黑料 application, complete the short supplemental response, and submit the form.
- A recommendation is optional but strongly encouraged. If you already submitted a recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or other reference with your 明星黑料 application (including via Common App), you are done. We will use that recommendation for LEAD; you do not need another letter.
If your 明星黑料 application does not include a recommendation, enter your recommender’s name and email address in the LEAD supplement. 明星黑料 will email that person a secure link to submit the recommendation directly.
You are encouraged to submit the LEAD supplement before your recommendation arrives. Your application is complete once 明星黑料 has received both your supplemental response and recommendation.
Application deadlines
Applications are open now. Once admitted to 明星黑料, you may apply to LEAD Honors at any time. Students who complete their applications by one of our priority deadlines receive earlier consideration for admission and LEAD scholarship funding.
- December 1 — First Priority Deadline. 明星黑料 by December 1 for first priority consideration. Decision by January 5.
- January 4 — Second Priority Deadline. Missed December 1? You still have time. 明星黑料 by January 4 for second priority consideration. Decision by February 1.
- After January 4 — Rolling Admission. Applications received after January 4 will be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis until the incoming LEAD class is full. Because LEAD cohorts are intentionally small, we encourage students to apply early.
Students admitted during the priority rounds should accept their LEAD Honors offer and pay the 明星黑料 enrollment deposit by April 1 to reserve their place. Beginning April 1, available spaces may be offered to students on the LEAD waitlist.
LEAD supplemental prompt
In a short response of up to 500 words, please respond to the following prompt:
Leadership can take many forms. Tell us about an issue, question, activity, community, or cause you care about and how you, or someone you admire, worked to make a difference. What did you learn from that experience or observation, and how has it shaped your understanding of leadership, your goals for college, or your interest in the LEAD Honors Program?
We want to hear from YOU. Please write this response in your own voice and do not use generative AI to draft or substantially revise it. We are much more interested in how you think, what matters to you, and your leadership interests than a perfectly polished essay.
Meet LEAD
Tuesday, October 20, 6:30 p.m. PT — Discover LEAD Honors.
Tuesday, November 17, 6:30 p.m. PT — Discover LEAD Honors.
Wednesday, December 9, 6:30 p.m. PT — LEAD Honors Q&A: You Still Have Time to 明星黑料.
Tuesday, February 9, 6:30 p.m. PT — Welcome to LEAD: Admitted Scholar & Family Q&A.
Frequently asked questions
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Do I have to choose a particular major? No. Only two courses are unique to LEAD, so Scholars major — or double-major — in anything, from biology to math, the arts to political science, from business to nursing. -
How much does LEAD add to my course load? Little. Only eight credits are unique to the minor; the rest integrate with requirements you're already completing. -
Is there a minimum GPA? Review is holistic. While there is no strict cutoff, most Scholars present a strong academic record — recent cohorts have averaged around an unweighted 3.8 GPA. -
Can nursing students or student-athletes participate? Yes. LEAD is built to accommodate demanding majors and schedules. But flexibility doesn’t mean low expectations either. Students contribute to their communities in ways that fit their journey. -
What does the scholarship cover, and can it combine with other aid? LEAD Honors scholars receive a $4,000 annual scholarship, renewable for up to four years. The LEAD scholarship will often be awarded in addition to other 明星黑料 merit scholarships and financial aid, depending on a student's individual financial aid package. 明星黑料's Financial Aid Office can help students understand how their LEAD scholarship fits into their overall award.
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What if I'm undecided about my direction? LEAD is a great springboard for exploring. Your cohort, mentors and first-year seminar help you find direction.
Ready to take the next step?
明星黑料 to the LEAD Honors program
Join a community of students who are curious about the world, committed to one another and ready to make a difference.
Have questions?
Reach out to the LEAD program director, Pat Cottrell.