FAQs

When is the application due?
Every element of your complete application must be received no later than midnight of February 1, 2013. This includes your official school transcript(s) [including Fall 2012 final grades] and the two recommendation letters. Give your recommenders sufficient advance time, and your registrar at least two weeks in order to meet this deadline.

I studied abroad in Fall 2012 and will not have my final grades by February 1, 2013.
Send your official transcript without your Fall 2011 final grades, and your study abroad record separately when it becomes available. Send an email describing your study abroad location and courses to sreip@theleadershipalliance.org.

Must I send a transcript from my previous undergraduate institution?
Yes, if you transferred to your current school, then both transcripts are required.

Can I request my official transcript before my Fall 2012 grades are recorded?
Your transcript must include your Fall 2012 final grades. When you enter your request to the registrar, be sure that your transcript will only be mailed after your Fall grades have been recorded.

Is there an online application?
Yes, available at this web site. There is no paper application.

Will I be notified when my application is complete?
The home page of your online application will indicate when each section is received.

What if my transcript arrives in your office after February 1, 2013?
We will accept all transcripts received by February 1, 2013 but no later. However, it may take up to a week to upload the transcripts to the online system. During that time, we will not be able to tell you if your application is complete.

Will my application be considered if it is incomplete?
Your application will not be considered unless it is complete.

Can I select more than three academic institutions for research?
No, only three.

Will my application be sent to all three academic institutions that I select?
Yes, unless you have selected a school that does not offer the research that you are interested in pursuing. It is possible that your application will be sent to a different institution, at the discretion of the Executive Office.

Do I answer both the race and ethnicity question?
We request that you answer both questions. These are federal categories that we will use in describing the diversity of our program. You also have the option of "decline to indicate" for either one or both of these questions.

Can I submit more than two recommendations?
You may only submit two recommendations with your application.

What if my GPA is less than 3.0?
Preference is given to students with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Also given consideration is the level of difficulty of your classes, the comments of your recommenders and your personal statement, including extenuating circumstances that you describe.