What kind of student writing is required in the application?

The Young Scholars Program application requires students to respond to three short answer prompts each limited to 200 words in length, and one essay prompt limited to 350 words in length. These responses must be the student’s own writing. The 2026 prompts are as follows:

1. What’s the most interesting question you’ve ever asked yourself? How have you tried to find the answer? Tell us about your journey to learn more about this question and what you’ve discovered so far.
2. Choose one of the current activities you listed in your application and explain why you enjoy doing it. How have you demonstrated leadership through this activity? How can you continue to grow as a leader?
3. Tell us about a time you made something—an idea, object, plan, game, or workaround. Why did you make it, what challenges did you encounter, and what did you learn through the process of creating it?

Please choose one of the prompts below and respond. Your essay should help the scholarship selection committee get to know you and your current interests better.

Your response is limited to 350 words.

Essay Topics

• Imagine you get to be ‘Principal for a Day’ at your dream school. What would make this school special? Think about everything – from what students would learn, to how they would learn it, to how everyone would treat each other. Tell us about your ideas and why you think they would help students love learning.
• What have you read or watched recently that sparked new ideas or that you found fascinating? To whom would you recommend it and why?