Recruitment & Admissions
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Every year, LEDA conducts a national search to find the next cohort of LEDA Scholars: outstanding students who lead with excellence, integrity, compassion and community.
LEDA brings together a community of student leaders for a completely free five-week residential program at Princeton University and Yale University that includes academic preparation for college, leadership training, college guidance support based on individual fit, SAT/ACT preparation, and a chance to experience life on a college campus.
Join a community of future leaders by applying to be a LEDA Scholar today!
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a Junior attending a public high school in the U.S., graduating in 2028
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
- Have a total annual household income of $90,000 or below (assets will also be considered)
Note: Students attending private high schools with low or no tuition may also be eligible. Email us to confirm your eligibility.
Successful applicant traits:
- A desire to be challenged academically
- A strong commitment to their studies
- A desire to be a leader in their families, schools, and communities
- A connection to LEDA’s Core Values of Excellence, Integrity, Compassion, and Community
Application Timeline
- Application Opens: September 9, 2026
- Part I Deadline: December 9, 2026
- Part I Decision Notification: Mid February 2027
- Part II Deadline: Late February 2027
- Part II Decision Notification: Early March 2027
- Finalist Interviews: Mid March 2027
- Final Notification: Early April 2027
Why LEDA?
| “This was nothing like I expected, I have to admit. I didn’t really know what to expect, but whatever standard I had set, LEDA set the bar 20 times higher. The knowledge and perspective I’ve gained, the community – the family – I built during the Summer Institute has become the most valuable thing to me. There is a lot of hard work involved, but I promise you the time you spend pays off tremendously. When I first heard the phrase, “LEDA 4 Life,” I thought it was corny, but after the Summer Institute, I realized it’s the thing I’ll take away the most. This opportunity truly does come once in a lifetime.” |
| “LEDA has brought me some of the best friendships I could’ve ever asked for. Prior to joining my amazing LEDA Cohort, I had little faith in myself and my future, but being surrounded by such motivating and uplifting individuals has changed how I view myself, the world, and any problems I encounter.” |
| “Applying for LEDA was the best decision I made. LEDA not only gave me valuable resources to help with the entire college application process but also welcomed me into a whole new community of peers, mentors, and people I still recognize as a family.” |
| “Before LEDA, the idea of college was something that I knew I wanted for my future, but I never knew how to make it my present. Attending the Summer Institute completely changed how I approached the college application process by LEDA supporting my goals in life and also helping me plan how to reach those goals. Their idea of college fit has transformed my thinking: you do not have to fit the college; rather, the college should fit you. LEDA’s impact has not only helped me but it has also helped Scholars’ communities through the power of education.” |
| “Before applying to LEDA, I wish I knew just how much effort and compassion goes into the program. LEDA gives 110% to achieve its vision, and evidence of these efforts are strikingly clear throughout the Summer Institute. Staff are committed to being welcoming and approachable, and professors are devoted to fostering a collaborative, discussion-based classroom, where differences are celebrated, not judged.” |
| “LEDA truly is a community! The people here come from all around the United States, have different backgrounds and cultures, but our differences bring us together. Learning about people and their story is uplifting and beautiful in every single way possible. The individuals here will become your family and shape you along with your identity.” |
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