Each year, a theme is selected for the Sullivan Leadership Award. The theme is introduced through the article chosen for the Sullivan Leaders’ Day essay and expanded in a book sent to the 45 finalists later in January.

Admission decisions will be mailed to Sullivan Leadership Award applicants on or before December 24, 2012. Only qualified applicants who are offered Early Action admission to Seattle University will be invited to continue in the Sullivan Leadership Award competition event on January 19, 2013. Students offered Early Action admission have until May 1, 2013, to notify Seattle University whether they wish to accept admission and enroll.

Sullivan Leaders’ Day—January 19, 2013

To be eligible for further consideration for the Sullivan Leadership Award, students invited to Sullivan Leaders' Day must come to the Seattle University campus for this event on Saturday, January 19, 2013. If you are unable to participate in Sullivan Leaders’ Day, your application will receive continued consideration for other scholarships, but it will be removed from the pool of candidates considered for the Sullivan Leadership Award.

On Sullivan Leaders’ Day, all participants will be asked to write a prompted essay in response to the articles selected for the year’s theme.  They will also meet with current Sullivan Leaders, tour the campus, attend a panel presentation on the year’s theme and participate in small group discussions. Approximately 350 students will participate in Leaders’ Day. This event is from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Sullivan Selection Committee decisions following Sullivan Leaders’ Day will be mailed to all applicants on or before February 6, 2013.

Sullivan Finalists’ Day—March 1, 2013

After evaluating the applications and the Leaders’ Day essays, the Selection Committee will invite 45 finalists to return to campus on Friday, March 1, 2013, for the final round of the competition. These finalists will give brief oral presentations based on a book that will be provided and will be interviewed by committee members. Nine students will be selected from this group of finalists to receive the Sullivan Leadership Award. This event is from noon to 9:00 PM.

The Sullivan Selection Committee decisions following Sullivan Finalists’ Day will be mailed to all Finalists on or before March 22, 2013. Nine Sullivan Leadership Awards are granted each year.