Applicants who wish to be considered for a Presidential Scholarship in the Arts (a scholarship of $5,000 for artistic and creative talents) must submit a portfolio including a resume, an essay, and samples of work as prescribed below. The portfolio(s) should be labeled on the envelope “Presidential Scholarship in the Arts” with the subject in which you are applying.  If you wish to apply for the scholarship through more than one area of study, submit separate portfolios for each and mark the envelopes accordingly (creative writing, music, art, or theatre).  Incomplete portfolios will not be accepted for consideration for this scholarship program. The portfolio(s) should be submitted separately from the application for admission.

The envelope(s) must be postmarked by March 1 and sent to the following address:

Drew University
Office of College Admission
36 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940

Resume

One page, detailing your involvement and experience in creative writing, music, art, and/or theatre. Include competitions or performances; exhibitions; awards and prizes; honors, rankings and/or ratings; and special classes, workshops or professional instruction.

Essay

Discuss your personal interests and/or professional plans as related to your particular talent(s). Your essay should also explain the way(s) in which those interests and/or plans will be pursued or served within the framework of a liberal arts education.

Samples

Examples of your work, as specified below, for your particular area(s) of talent. These samples will not be returned to the applicant.

  • Creative writing: ten or more pages of your writing (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or a combination of these literary types) which demonstrate your personal style.
  • Music: an audio CD or audio cassette tape of your recorded performance of three contrasting works, each representing a different genre and era of music (from 18th and 20th centuries), to demonstrate your range of ability. Label the audio CD/cassette tape with your name, social security number, and titles of the works performed.
  • Art: a CD of twenty (20) labeled images in JPEG format representing your full range of talent. Make certain the first ten (10) images are of your strongest work. Do not send originals.
  • Theatre:appropriate sample(s), as listed below, for your area(s) of talent.
    • Acting: a DVD or VHS videotape of your performance of a five-minute, non-musical monologue. Do not submit a video of a live performance or production. Include a written description of the video sample. Please label the DVD/videotape with your name and social security number.
    • Dance: a DVD or VHS videotape of a short (5-10 minute)
      dance piece.  If others are dancing with you, please be sure that we know who
      you are. Include a written description of the video sample. Please label the DVD/videotape with your name and social security number.
    • Design: five slides of your work, each labeled with your name and a brief description or title of the work.
    • Playwriting: one short, original playscript of approximately thirty 30 pages or less.

When possible, you are encouraged to meet with a faculty member from the respective department(s) when you visit campus.

Please Note

  • Students should submit a copy of their original work.  All samples sent to Drew become the property of the University and will not be returned.
  • Presidential Scholarships are fixed, annual scholarships and are renewable for three additional years provided the student:
    • enrolls in a minimum of 12 credits per semester at Drew
    • remains active in the arts at Drew (students do not have to major in an artistic field)
    • maintains satisfactory academic progress (2.0 grade point average)
  • Dual-Degree (B.A./M.D.) applicants are not considered for Presidential Scholarships in the Arts.