Hey! The applications for LEDA opened today! I’ve seen in past years that there’s usually a application thread, so here you go, you’re welcome :). A bit of background: Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America is an all-expenses paid seven-week summer program at Princeton University for low-income students. I’ve heard so much about it so I’m really excited.
Hi! I am a Co15 Scholar and I got back from LEDA this summer. If you have questions about LEDA, please reach out!
Where are you guys applying from? I’m from Georgia 
@hassanj789 I think I follow you on IG! Love your vlogs by the way.
@mehmehme I’m from NJ, kinda nerveracking, I’m assuming it’ll be super competitive.
I’m from NYC, only like 3 people from my school have gotten it, it’s so competitive and I’m worried!
@hassanj789 Could you tell us about your experience in the program and also how to make yourself stand out.
@im1234 Sure! I had the most amazing experience at LEDA. By far, they were the best seven weeks of my life. The intellectual and emotional growth you go through is indescribable.
The four classes you will take at LEDA are Aspects of Leadership, Writing Instruction, College Guidance, and Standardized Test Prep.
Aspects of Leadership is a discussion-based class which revolves around recognizing and solving present socio-political issues. For me, this class was the one that I learned the most in because the level of intricacy of the topics discussed here is not present in traditional high school classrooms. This is the class that you will spend most of your time in at LEDA.
Writing Instruction was an amazing class in which we learned how to write collegiate-level academic essays. The instructors teach at the nation’s top universities and cover writing concepts and strategies that aren’t taught in high schools. Over the course of the fall after LEDA, they help you with your personal statements and supplement essays!
College Guidance is an extremely helpful class, especially for me as a first-generation student. In that class, we learn how to develop a balanced college list, navigate the college application process, and manage financial aid. Through research and one-on-one consultations with your college guidance counselor, you’ll develop a list of colleges that are best fit for you that you will apply to over the course of the fall. You are in touch with your counselors after LEDA as they help you navigate through the application season. My college guidance counselor is the kindest, most wholesome person I know.
And Standardized Prep is a very enriching class! These classes are available for both SAT and the ACT and your specific strengths and areas needing improvement are identified. Then, instruction occurs in small group settings, allowing you to benefit from both your tutor and your peers. With my tutor’s help, I increased my score by 90 points.
However, what I valued most about LEDA, by far, was the community. “LEDA for Life” is our motto, and never in my life have I ever met such an inspiring, resilient, and compassionate group! With the diversity at LEDA, I learned so much about other cultures, religions, and nationalities. And not only with your cohort, but even with previous cohorts, there’s always a sense of family. The friendships I developed over the summer are for life. For me, my fellow scholars give me hope for a better tomorrow!
And as cliche as it sounds, the only way to make yourself stand out is by being YOU on your application. Showcase your story, your determination, your interests, your hobbies, your achievements! Don’t structure your application to something you think admissions wants to read. Be genuine. Through your application they want to get to know you better!
does anyone know when the summer institute dates are? i am trying to see if it will interfere with my extracurriculars.
Is anyone from Cali?
Hey guys! I’m also a Cohort 15 Scholar and I just submitted early college applications, so I’m happy to speak to the support LEDA provides both during the summer and the school year Good luck with your applications!
What if I’m not In any organizations ? Will that affect my chances?
hey everyone!! I was wondering if anyone got into round 2 of LEDA!! I’m from the south… anyone else?
yep yep! i got mine yesterday and i’m in cali hehe
Do you know what happens after we submit round 2?! I can’t find much information on what happens next?
Also, do you know how many people make it to round 2?
I also made it to round 2. (= I’m from Georgia.
The camp typically runs from early June to the first week of August (last cohort’s was from June 16th - August 3rd). I also made the 2nd round! Does anyone know the chances of going into the 3rd round?
Round 2 gang! Fingers crossed for all of us to get in!
@bobatealove, you should get an email by March on round 2 results. Round 3 is going to be an interview, iirc.
@uwu123, don’t take my word for it but iir from last year’s thread, # of 3rd round-ers should be relatively close to 100 since I saw some comments saying that getting in to part 3 is pretty much getting in to the program itself. Would still love some confirmation from previous cohort fellas too, though! 
If there are any LEDA alumni seeing this, would you be able to tell us when you were notified of qualifying into the 3rd round? And if you possibly know the difficulty of passing this round?