Prospective Scholars

Program Benefits

• ACE students receive the following benefits:
• Residence in McCarthy Hall as part of the living-learning community experience (commuter students are exempt).
• Specialized courses which introduce strategies, resources, and guest speakers to support students on their path to graduate and professional school. 
• Advising that helps students create an educational action plan, strengthen their academic and extracurricular profiles, and strengthen their candidacy for master’s and doctorate degree programs.
• A network of peers and alumni mentors who are equally committed to one another’s success.
• Travel funding to attend undergraduate research and graduate school conferences. 
• Social activities and professional events that build cohesiveness among ACE members and connect them to graduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
• The opportunity to work for ACE  to strengthen one’s leadership skills as a program assistant, peer leader, or project coordinator.
• Assistance with completing the graduate application and locating graduate school funding.
• The opportunity to mentor high school students who are preparing for college.
• Consideration for the Marshall Sauceda Rising Scholar Award for undergraduate research.
• Acknowledgement at the ACE Recognition Event.

Apply to the Academic Community of Excellence

APPLY TO ACE

Program Eligibility

ACE invites applications from first-year students and sophomores (LMU students and transfer students). Candidates are students who will maximize the program’s resources and support services and actively contribute to the community's success, learning, and cohesiveness. 

Also, ACE seeks students who are interested in the educational and career advancement of underrepresented students and who demonstrate a strong need for formal assistance and mentorship to graduate or professional school. Eligible applicants will be fully invested and engaged throughout their time as ACE scholars. 

Additionally, a student must:

• Intend to pursue a graduate or professional degree (master’s or doctorate).
• Possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
• Agree to reside in McCarthy Hall during their sophomore year (commuters and rising juniors are exempt).
• Complete the online ACE Admission Application in its entirety.
• Be in good academic and judicial standing with the University.
• Agree to meet the membership expectations described below. 

Program Requirements and Expectations

Students who are accepted to ACE must:

• Strive for excellence in their academic and co-curricular endeavors.
• Attend the orientation and community-building trip scheduled on the Thursday and Friday of the week before the fall semester begins.
• Attend advising appointments to apply the goals and strategies that students and the ACE director establish.
• Attend, fully engage in, and contribute to weekly ACE classes.
• Attend, plan, and participate in monthly social/residential engagements.
• Attend the annual ACE Recognition Event in the spring semester.
• Participate in an experiential learning activity (e.g., internship, undergraduate research, etc.) or ACE-sponsored experience to enhance their academic and extracurricular profile for graduate or professional school.
• Communicate with their Upward Bound mentee every month, if applicable.
• Communicate consistently with their alum mentor, if applicable.
• Actively contribute to the community's success, learning experience, and cohesiveness.