January 15, 2027
SMU Nancy Ann & Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program
Direct application
Amount varies
25 winners
Eligibility
School
Southern Methodist University
Education level
Undergraduate
Year of study
First year
Activities
Leadership
About this scholarship
Entering first-year students at Southern Methodist University with exceptional high school leadership and strong academics may apply for the Hunt Leadership Scholars Program.
Up to 25 scholars receive a merit award covering about 75% of tuition and fees annually for up to four years, plus airfare for a leadership study abroad program during sophomore year.
Apply for SMU admission and complete the Hunt application, including a leadership essay (three pages maximum) and a 90-second YouTube leadership statement. Finalists interview on campus in March.
Essay questions
What else to submit
- SMU first-year admission application
- Hunt application
- Leadership essay (maximum three double-spaced pages addressing all prompts)
- 90-second YouTube leadership statement
- Letters of recommendation from the main SMU application
- One essay (Word doc or PDF) addressing all three prompts, no more than three pages double-spaced (~750 words total across all prompts) — the limit is a whole-essay page cap, not a per-prompt word limi
- YouTube video statement limited to 90 seconds showcasing personality and what sets you apart as a leader; link pasted into the application form
- Complete the first-year SMU application for admission
- Letters of recommendation (pulled by the selection committee from the main SMU application)
- Application, essay, and YouTube video must be submitted by January 15
- Finalists must interview on campus in March.
- Award covers about 75% of tuition and fees annually for up to four years; it includes airfare for a sophomore-year leadership study-abroad program.