Rowland High School Senior Lance Wu Accepted to Ivy League Universities, Earns Full Scholarship to Princeton

ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA – APRIL 29, 2026 -- A life-changing moment arrived for Rowland High School senior Lance Wu when he opened his long-awaited college decision emails — revealing acceptances to multiple Ivy League institutions and a full scholarship to attend Princeton University.

Widely recognized for its rigorous academics, world-class faculty, and commitment to undergraduate education, Princeton University awarded Wu a financial aid package covering the full cost of tuition, housing, and meals for four years, valued at more than $387,000. Through its generous financial aid program, Princeton reports that approximately 83% of its recent seniors graduated debt-free.

“I promised my mom I would wait until she got home from work before opening my emails,” Wu recalled. “For two hours, I tried to distract myself, but I couldn’t. I was so nervous.” An avid video blogger, Wu documented the moment he learned of his acceptance. “My mom stood behind me, already in tears. It’s just the two of us, so we knew how much this meant. My future would be bright, but I’d have to leave her alone for four years. When I opened Princeton, I just started screaming—and so did she. It was incredibly emotional.” 

In addition to Princeton, Wu was accepted to Cornell University and Brown University. He was also waitlisted at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Other notable schools include Duke University, Northwestern University, University of California Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and University of California Los Angeles.

Wu plans to explore interdisciplinary studies during his time at Princeton. “What I love is that Princeton allows students to grow before declaring a major,” he said. “I’m interested in business and economics, but I also care deeply about the environment. I hope to work at the intersection of business and sustainability, helping organizations make decisions that benefit our global future.”

Wu will graduate at the top of his class with a 4.533 GPA and has demonstrated exceptional leadership and involvement throughout high school. He served as president of the California Scholarship Federation, played four years on the Rowland High School Raider basketball team, and participated in an international entrepreneurship program in Singapore, a global leader in sustainability.

He also volunteered with Heart of Hope, a non-profit supporting individuals with special needs, where he began as a volunteer and then served as its Fundraising Officer. However, Wu credits his experience in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) as one of the most formative aspects of his high school journey.

Joining FBLA as a freshman, Wu quickly became an active competitor—advancing to state and national levels—and later served as Outreach Coordinator for the Southern California Region. His involvement was inspired by fellow Rowland student and FBLA member Allen Li (Class of 2024), who encouraged Wu’s ambitions after earning his own acceptance to Princeton.

“Allen was a mentor to me. He shared his experiences at Princeton and even helped review my essays and gave me advice,” Wu said. “Funny enough, as I was touring the campus during club day, Allen was actually there, promoting his business club. It’s surreal knowing we’ll now be at Princeton together.”

Wu describes his visit as unforgettable. “Walking through Princeton felt like stepping into another world—it reminded me of Hogwarts,” he said. “The historic architecture and atmosphere make you want to learn. It’s a place that motivates you the moment you step outside.”