(LEDA) is a “national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to identifying and developing the academic and leadership potential of exceptional public high school students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.” LEDA’s mission is to help underrepresented students matriculate into our nation’s top colleges and universities. Students seeking to apply to LEDA must first be nominated by a counselor and be in their junior year of high school. LEDA accepts about 60 students each year from all over the country for an exciting, all expense paid travel to Princeton University for 7 weeks. For one summer, students attend the LEDA Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute where they engage in leadership study, writing instruction, SAT/ACT preparation, and college counseling. LEDA also takes the students on several college tours during the summer and helps them prepare for college and scholarship applications.
As a fellow LEDA Scholar, I must say that this program changed my life completely. I never imagined I would be at Princeton University let alone on a full-ride scholarship. LEDA opens doors to opportunities that many students have never even heard of. Our SAT tutors from Advantage Testing helped boost my scores up 200+ points, and our writing instructors helped me write a personal statement that captured who I was for colleges to see. LEDA is not just a summer program; this organization will stay with you throughout your college years and always looks out for its scholars. I would recommend LEDA for young, motivated students seeking to advance themselves academically.
To learn more about LEDA, you can check out: http://www.ledascholars.org
