The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program welcomes applications from all students regardless of citizenship or nationality.
To be considered for the Robertson you must apply using our High School Application by the stated deadlines. In addition you must apply separately for undergraduate admission to UNC-Chapel Hill and/or Duke University by their respective deadlines.
Students who have not yet matriculated to any university apply for The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program using the High School Application. High School students may choose to apply to the Robertson using the Early Notification Deadline or the Final Application Deadline listed below.
We accept applications from students who elect to apply Early Decision to other institutions as well as applications from students who apply to other scholarship programs. Students may apply to Duke & UNC-Chapel Hill either Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Decision.
Application and Interview Timeline
Application Opens: August 15, 2025
Early Notification Deadline: October 15, 2025
Regular Application Deadline: November 15, 2025
Group Activity: December 15, 2025-February 20, 2026
Semi-Finalist Interviews: February 7-22, 2026
Finalist Interviews: Early March 2026
Scholar Recipient Campus Visits: March 25-28, 2026
Get to Know the Robertson Fall Webinars
Students interested in learning more about the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program are invited to sign up for one of the following Q&A sessions using the link below. Each webinar will feature insights from current scholars and alumni. All sessions are listed in Eastern Daylight Time.
Eligibility
- Students must apply for undergraduate admission to Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill the same year they apply to the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program.
- Students must apply to the school(s) of their choice by the respective Early or Regular deadlines.
- Admission to Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are separate processes. All forms and correspondence dealing with admission to these institutions should go directly to their respective Offices of Undergraduate Admissions.
- International students are eligible to apply for the Robertson as long as they are able to obtain a Visa to study in the United States.
- Students on a gap year who have already been admitted to Duke University or UNC-Chapel Hill may not apply for the Robertson until they matriculate to their respective institution.
- Transfer students are not eligible to apply.
- The Robertson is strictly available for undergraduate students. Students seeking graduate degrees may not apply.