Luce Scholars Program - Fall 2007

The Luce Scholars Program each year offers a select group of young Americans an experience in Asia designed to broaden their professional perspectives and to sharpen their perceptions of Asia, of America, and of themselves. It is intended for young leaders who have had no prior experience of Asia and who might nor otherwise have the opportunity in the normal course of their career to come to know Asia. The Program is experiential rather than academic in nature. Internships are arranged for each Scholar on the basis of his or her specific interest, background, qualifications, and experience. These work assignment run for about ten months and are intended primarily as learning opportunities for the Scholars. More information on the Program can be found by clicking here. William and Mary has been asked to submit three nominations to this year's competition.

WHAT IT TAKES

Nominees must be U.S. citizens who will have earned at least their Bachelor's degree before September 1 of the year they enter the program. Nominees must be under 30 and in good physical and emotional health. The single most important consideration is that a nominee give evidence of potential for leadership and accomplishment, both within a chosen profession and as a member of the broader American community. In addition, selection committees look for:

• a strong, mature, and clearly defined career interest in a specific field. Any professional field will be considered, with one exception: Asian Affairs. Nominees will be considered ineligible if they have a professional career interest in Asian Affairs, or if they have made that an area of academic concentration. Asian Affairs would include Asian language, literature, history, politics, philosophy, or any other aspect of Asian studies. A single course or two in these areas, however, would not disqualify an individual.
• demonstration of a strong motivation and potential for accomplishment within the chosen field
• a record of outstanding academic achievement, particularly in their speciality. A minimum 3.6 GPA is recommended.
• more than usual openness to new ideas and a sensitivity to one's fellow human beings.

Nominees will not be judged on the basis of whether or not they have developed specific plans for the Asian experience. A contender may have general ideas about the kind of placement preferred, but this should not be considered as either a negative or positive factor.

• October 9 (Tuesday) - Intention to apply form should be submitted
• October 23 (Tuesday) - Hard copy of the application are due to the Charles Center by the 12 noon. Access the online application here. In addition to the biographic information form, applicants must submit the personal statement, official transcripts from all universities attended, and four letters of recommendation.
• The campus selection committee reviews applications and may conduct interviews in order to select up to three William and Mary nominees. The decisions of the selection committee are final.
• Nominees will have approximately two weeks to fine tune their applications.
• November 27 (Tuesday) - Nominees must submit their complete and final applications to the Charles Center by 5 p.m.
• November 29 (Thursday) - Lisa Grimes submits the nominations to the Luce Foundation.
• A representative of the Luce Foundation will conduct a personal interview with each nominee in December and January at a location convenient to both the nominee and the Foundation.
• Early in February, approximately 45 finalists will be selected from the total pool of nominees. They will be invited to appear, at Foundation expense, before one of the three regional selection committees that meet in late February and early March. Each committee interviews eighteen finalists, and each selects six Luce Scholars.
• Mid-March - The eighteen Luce Scholars will have been named.

Questions? Email the W&M Luce Scholar Liaison Lisa Grimes.