Clare Boothe Luce Program

Now Accepting Applications for the Clare Boothe Luce Program!

With the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation, Wellesley College is able to continue the Clare Boothe Luce Program. The program is open to rising juniors, and will provide mentorship and support during the summer before and throughout your junior year. The goal is to help students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the Computational and Physical Sciences to engage in research that prepares them for success in graduate school. 

The APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE 2022-2023 APPLICATION IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 BY 5PM EST.

What majors are included in the "computational and physical sciences"?

Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, Geosciences, Math, and Physics. 
 

Students doing computational work, such as bioinformatics and computational neuroscience, may also be eligible.

What groups of students are considered underrepresented in STEM? Can international students apply?

Groups of students underrepresented in STEM include:

  • First-generation college students
  • Low-income socioeconomic status
  • Certain racial/ethnic groups (i.e Black/African American, Latinx, Indiginous, Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian) 
  • Students with disabilities

Yes, international students can apply to the Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Program!

What support does the program offer?

Clare Boothe Luce scholars receive funding to support their participation in summer research during the summer prior to their junior year, as well as funding to support their continued research during their junior year.  Funding includes support for laboratory supplies, as well as support for conference travel to present your research.

In addition to their research mentor, scholars are supported by a designated faculty mentor, who meets regularly with the cohort of Clare Boothe Luce scholars, as well as with each scholar individually.  Cohort meetings take place approximately once every three weeks (during community time), and individual meetings take place every other week. 

Clare Boothe Luce scholars who are eligible for other Science Center programs are also encouraged and coached in applying for those programs.

When can I apply to the program? What does the application entail?

Applications are solicited from rising juniors during the spring of their sophomore year. Applications require students to do the following:

  1. Write 2 essays describing (a) their career goals and post-graduate plans and (b) their reasons for choosing to participate in the Luce Scholars program. Below are the essays questions. We suggest you write your essay in a Word document and then cut and paste your essay into the application.

A. Please compose an essay of 500 words or less describing: your academic and career goals, and your plans after graduation in regards to furthering your education and your career goals.

B. Please compose an essay of 200 words or less describing: your reasons for choosing to participate in the Luce Scholars Program and how you will benefit from and contribute to the Luce Scholars community. 

Optional question

Please compose an essay of 100 words or less describing extenuating circumstances that may have affected your GPA, if any.

  1. Answer several questions about their research interests.
  2. Submit an unofficial transcript
  3. Submit a resume/CV

NOTE: Applicants should also apply to the Science Center Summer Research program (once the application opens), as this will ensure the greatest chance to get connected to a research lab. 

How do I apply? When are applications due?

To apply, plesase complete this Qualtrics form by 5 pm on Tuesday, November 1

If you begin your application and need to stop, it will automatically save and you may use the application link above to continue at a later time.