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Leadership Symposium

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Innovation, insights, and inclusiveness are the qualities of a true leader and we at Illinois Tech recognize and fervently celebrate these traits. Nurturing emerging talents who have the potential to lead and make impactful changes has always been a central point of everything we do at Illinois Tech. Leadership Symposium is our initiative to help you, our future innovators, connect with a community that shares your dedication to these principles and adds to your visionary ideas. 

Becoming a member of these prestigious scholarship programs offers far more than financial support; it opens the door to invaluable networking opportunities with like-minded peers and visionary leaders. These scholarship cohorts become a source of pride and belonging—a community that inspires innovation, fosters collaboration, and cultivates an environment where growth and learning thrive. 

Registration for Fall 2026 Leadership Symposium is closed. Please reach out to your counselor or admission@illinoistech.edu if you have any questions.

NOTE: The Leadership Symposium is an invite-only event. Only admitted undergraduate students who have received an email inviting them to interview for a scholarship should register for the event. 

Institutional Scholarships

Camras Scholars

Camras Scholarship

Named for Marvin Camras (EE ’40, M.S. ’42), a pioneer in magnetic recording technology, Camras scholars have solved age-old problems in structural engineering, developed novel methods for improving campus life, and increased the overall academic ethic and social ethic of their fellow students.

Crown Scholarship

Crown Scholarship

Awarded by the College of Architecture to students with exceptional potential who will be challenged by the Illinois Tech curriculum to pursue a professional commitment to excellence in architecture.

Duchossois Leadership

Duchossois Leadership Scholars

This nationally preeminent, elite scholarship program is aimed at top students from across the country who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential and academic success in their projected field. 

Duchossois Leadership

M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academic Scholars

Up to four incoming first-year students from around the world are awarded this scholarship every year. The academy is an educational initiative aimed at developing the leadership potential of all Illinois Tech students. 

What is the Leadership Symposium?

The Leadership Symposium is a premier event designed exclusively for Early Decision and Early Action admits. Nominees for the prestigious Camras, Crown, Duchossois Leadership, M.A. Lila Self Leadership Academy, and Emerging Campus Leader scholarships are invited to Illinois Tech’s campus to connect with current scholars, esteemed faculty, and fellow future leaders. 


For many Illinois Tech students, the Leadership Symposium stands out as a highlight of their college search journey. This exceptional event offers future scholars the chance to build friendships, explore the campus, and engage in meaningful conversations with faculty and peers about their passions and aspirations. 

Date: Thursday, February 19 and Friday, February 20, 2026

On Thursday event check in begins at 9:30 a.m. with programming ending around 6:30 p.m.

On Friday student breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with the first parent and guest session at 9:00 a.m. Fridays programming will conclude at 1 p.m.

Venue: Mies Campus

FAQs

Leadership Symposium is invitation-only. Those who apply by the Early Decision or Early Action deadlines of Fall 2025 will be considered eligible to attend the Leadership Symposium through the Camras Scholarship. If you apply for the Crown, Duchossois Leadership, or M.A. Lila Self Leadership Academy, you will also be considered for eligibility. 

Email and direct mail invitations will be extended to all finalists by late December or early January. If you are invited to the Leadership Symposium, you will receive additional information about the event schedule, the scholarships that you are being considered for, and the scholarship evaluation process.

Below are examples of past Leadership Symposium activities from last year. Please note that activities are subject to change each year.

  1. Academic information sessions
  2. Campus, residence hall, and lab tours
  3. Trolley tour of Chicago
  4. Pizza dinner
  5. And of course...your scholarship interview!

If you are unable to attend Leadership Symposium in-person, please fill out this form to request alternative accommodation. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and we cannot guarantee approval for all.

We recommend wearing business casual attire for your interviews. Please bring comfortable clothing and shoes to change into when needed for the rest of the event.

  • Yes. In order to participate in the Leadership Symposium, you must stay for the entire event, which runs from Thursday beginning at 9 a.m. through Friday at 5 p.m. Checkout begins on Friday at 5 p.m. 
  • You are not required to spend Friday night on campus.

No, they are not required to stay on campus overnight. Staying on campus overnight is not a requirement for any attendee.

No. Attendees are responsible for their travel and accommodation expenses.

Weather is entirely out of your control. If there is a bad storm and your flight is either canceled or delayed, you will not be penalized. This goes for traveling by car as well. We want you to put your safety first. If you are unable to make it to the Leadership Symposium, please let your admission counselor know as soon as possible—and provide any updates along the way. We will schedule you for a virtual make-up session.

Scholarship recipients are determined based upon a combination of the merit that was shown in their application, as well as their performance during the interview process at the Leadership Symposium. The Office of Undergraduate Admission will look for qualities of leadership such as strong communication skills, collaboration, respecting all voices, content knowledge, critical thinking, and the ability to adapt to different situations. Ultimately, the scoring process is holistic in nature and several factors are considered.

If you are more than 10 minutes late for your scheduled discussion time, you will not be permitted to enter the session. A makeup session is available on Friday if this occurs.

Our ambassadors and counselors have offered some of their favorite Chicago activities in the PDF below.

Things to Do in Chicago

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Illinois Tech welcomes you to join our community of people who discover, create, and solve. Apply today, visit us in Chicago, and contact us for more information.
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