Overview

Rising UNC sophomores applying to Kenan-Flagler Business School are eligible to apply to the Luther Hodges Scholars program. Applicants apply through the UNC Kenan-Flagler Undergraduate Business Program’s online application portal via ConnectCarolina. Once the UBP application is complete, students indicate their interest in applying to the Luther Hodges Scholars program, which opens to the program’s application portal.

Applications are reviewed by a first-round committee. Selected finalists are invited to interview with a review panel. Admitted scholars are notified following their acceptance to the business school.

The application period opens July 1 and closes September 1.

Application Documents

To be considered for admittance, all applicants must submit the following:

Essay I:

The Luther Hodges Scholars program is housed in the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise.

The aim of the scholars program is to support students in working across the public and private sectors while using their business skills and knowledge for the public good.

The mission of the Kenan Institute is to promote innovative, market-based solutions to vital economic issues and to stimulate economic prosperity while improving the lives of people in North Carolina, across the country and around the world.

In particular, what aspects of the scholar program’s mission and the institute’s mission appeal to you? Feel free to reference particular events or initiatives of the scholars program or the Kenan Institute. (250-300 words).

Essay IIA & IIB: The Luther Hodges Scholars program seeks to develop mission-driven business professionals. Please respond to the two essay questions below (250-300 words for each essay). 

A. What personal or professional achievement related to addressing the public good are you most proud of, and why? 

B. What do you think will be the most important one or two issues facing society in the next 2-5 years and the role the private-sector can play to address them? Be specific. (The privatesector includes businesses of all types and sizes, industry councils, trade associations, business schools, and more.)

Essay IIIA: Luther Hodges Scholars have the opportunity to address an economic or societal problem using evidence-based, data-driven research methods. Provide 2-3 questions you would be interested in researching as a Luther Hodges Scholar. (Consult this GUIDE  to develop well-written research questions.) Note: if you are accepted into the program, you will not be obligated to conduct research on these topics (no word count).

Essay IIIB: In general, outline how you would approach researching one of the questions you identified in Essay IIIA (250 words). Feel free to consult the Luther Hodges Scholars Program’s Research Competency. 

Essay IV: Luther Hodges Scholars participate in a cohort-based cross-sector internship during the sophomore summer. Cross-sector internships include internships with non-profit organizations where cross-sector cooperation is emphasized; internships in the for-profit sector or with private industry where there is a clear focus on the public good; or internships with academic or research organizations that undertake work related to the institute’s research areas of capital formation, technology, innovation and strategy, and shared economic prosperity.  

Given these 3 types of cross-sector internships, please order your preference for type of crosssector internship and area or field of business (i.e. economic development, philanthropy, technology, education, sustainability, etc.). In addition, state your commitment to undertaking this internship during your sophomore summer (about 50 words).

Please include a copy of your resume.

Eligibility

The Luther Hodges Scholars Program seeks candidates with exceptional potential for success

• You must be a sophomore to apply
• Applications from junior transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis
• Majors and minors are eligible
• Selected scholars must be in residence (not studying abroad) for spring of their sophomore year
• Applicants may only apply to either Luther Hodges Scholars or GLOBE

Selection Criteria

• Academic excellence
• Strong interest in research
• Strong leadership potential
• Genuine interest in learning and working across the business, academic, policy and/or government sectors

Application Details

• Those evaluating applicants for Luther Hodges Scholars will only see: your resume, your UNC grades, and the Luther Hodges Scholars essays (they will not see your “regular” business school admissions essays).
• Selected finalists for Luther Hodges Scholars will be notified 1-2 days after overall admissions decisions are released.
• Selected finalists will be invited to participate in an additional virtual interview process in late October.
• Selected candidates will be notified during the first week of November.
• All new Luther Hodges Scholars must be present for New Scholar Orientation weekend in January.
• All new Luther Hodges Scholars must enroll in BUSI 120: Exploring the Intersection of Business & Society (1 credit) during spring 2024.

Program Opportunities

Luther Hodges Scholars value working collaboratively across the private and public sectors to advance the public good.

Luther Hodges Scholars are expected to actively and fully participate in all programming, which includes undertaking a cross-sector internship during the sophomore summer and a translational research project in the junior year.