Boston University (BU) invites around 20 exceptional students into its prestigious Trustee Scholars Program every year. This scholarship program, highly selective and competitive, not only considers high academic achievement but also looks for students with unique perspectives, creativity, and an adventurous intellect. Many of BU’s current Trustee Scholars achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school and ranked among the very top in their classes. However, academic excellence is just one factor in the selection process.
BU values Trustee Scholars who have a combination of outstanding academic performance and a range of interests, experiences, and skills. These scholars are intellectually curious and creatively ambitious, often bringing viewpoints or experiences beyond the standard. BU views its Trustee Scholars as individuals who will contribute not only academically but also socially and culturally to the university community. Through the program, scholars join a vibrant campus network that provides various opportunities for intellectual growth, cultural exploration, and social engagement.
The Trustee Scholarship is a highly valuable financial opportunity for students. It provides full undergraduate tuition coverage and includes mandatory student fees. For those accepted, the scholarship is renewable for four years, provided recipients continue to meet the program’s standards.
How to Apply for the BU Trustee Scholarship
To apply, interested students must complete the Common Application, including all required admission materials for any BU undergraduate degree program, by December 1. A unique part of the application for this scholarship is the Trustee Scholarship essay, which students must submit as part of their application.
BU provides two thought-provoking essay prompts to help students showcase their individuality:
Elie Wiesel’s Legacy on Learning
Nobel laureate and BU professor Elie Wiesel once remarked, “There is divine beauty in learning… To learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth. Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps.” Applicants can reflect on a book, film, podcast, or life experience that deepened their connection to personal history or identity, explaining what they learned and why it was significant.
Forge Your Own Path
Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, “Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This prompt invites students to describe a moment in their lives when they broke away from convention, stepping out of their comfort zone to forge a new path. Applicants are encouraged to discuss what motivated them, how the experience changed their views, and what lessons they learned that could shape their approach as Trustee Scholars.
Applicants with questions are encouraged to contact BU at 617-353-2320 for further information about the program and application process.
