Application and Essays

If you would like to apply to become a Lu Scholar, please do so online by submitting the Lu Scholar Application.

When you apply to the Lu Memorial Scholarship, you are applying with other high school and undergraduate students, so it's okay if you do not have any future ideas yet. We encourage you to indicate prospective majors and career interests in the application, but please know you are not bound by these selections in any way.

The Lu Scholar Application includes essay prompts for your personal essay. You may notice below that they look similar to Common Application's essay prompts.

Personal Essay

Your essay gives the Selection Committee a window into who you are and what matters to you. The strongest essays are not necessarily those with the most impressive achievements, they are the ones that show authenticity, self-awareness, and thoughtful reflection.

As you write, focus on specific moments and concrete details that reveal something meaningful about your experiences and perspective. Choose the prompt that resonates most with you, and do not be afraid to share both the strengths and challenges that have shaped your journey.

Choose ONE of the following prompts:

1. Some aspects of our identity or background are so fundamental to who we are that our story feels incomplete without them. Reflect on an element of your identity, experience, or talent that has significantly shaped your values and aspirations. How has this influenced your perspective and goals?
2. Describe a time when you faced a significant obstacle, setback, or failure. How did you respond to this adversity? What specific lessons emerged from this experience, and how have these insights influenced your approach to subsequent challenges?
3. Discuss a topic, idea, or concept that captivates you so completely you lose track of time when exploring it. What sparked this passion? How do you pursue this interest, and what does your engagement with this subject reveal about who you are and how you think?
4. Identify a pressing challenge in your community or the world that you feel called to address. What personal experiences connect you to this issue? Share your innovative approach to making a meaningful difference, including specific steps you've taken or would implement.
5. Share an essay on any subject that illuminates an important aspect of yourself not covered elsewhere in your application. This may be a previously written piece or an entirely new composition.

Length: Maximum 650 words. In your work, indicate which prompt you are responding to.

Updated on February 7, 2026