Department Summit Descriptions
Below are the descriptions of what to expect for each department Scholarship Summit experience as well as details of any materials that need to be prepared or submitted prior to the summit.
Early Action applicants: Each academic department will offer interviews for Early Action applicants on campus (January 28) and virtually (February 2-9). Scholarships range from $1,000-$3,000. Sign up for a department summit by January 19, 2022 in order to remain eligible in the Scholarship Summit experience.
Priority Decision applicants: Each academic department will offer interviews for Priority Decision applicants on campus (March 4) and virtually (March 9-16). Scholarships range from $1,000-$2,000. Sign up for a department summit by February 23, 2022 in order to remain eligible in the Scholarship Summit experience.
Students can complete both Trail 1 and Trail 2 by attending the on campus department summit.
Eligible students will be emailed a link to register. The registration link must be completed in order to take part in a department summit.
Department Summits
Art & Design
We are pleased to offer the George Fox University Art and Design Scholarship to highly motivated students who are gifted in art and design. We seek participants who will develop into professionals of strong character, maturity and Christian commitment, with the potential to provide leadership in our community. All Art and Design Scholars complete a 10 hour per year service requirement. Scholarships will be granted according to the following considerations:
- Demonstration of ability and a strong portfolio
- Academic performance and potential for success
- Stewardship of talent in service to Christ and community
Items to Submit Prior to Scholarship Summit:
- Two letters of recommendation addressed to the Art and Design Scholarship Committee from a high school teacher or professional (non family member) in the same area of your scholarship interest, familiar with your character and leadership potential (these should be emailed from the recommender to artanddesign@georgefox.edu).
- A brief word-processed essay addressing the following:
In 600 words or less, please tell us about two to three recent art or design works you have completed, and how you see yourself using your abilities in art and design to work for good in the world (send this via email in the same communication that provides a link to your portfolio).
- A digital portfolio of recent works. The portfolio should consist of ten pieces of artwork that represent your best and most representative work to date. Your strongest, most recent works and a variety of media are helpful
- Portfolios must be submitted in digital format as a Google Slides presentation. Each slide should be labeled within the slideshow, including the title, the media (watercolor, ceramics, charcoal, colored pencil) and the size (ex: 24” x 36”)
- You may include more than one image on a slide if it is necessary (ex: two views of one piece, if the piece is large or three-dimensional, etc.), but each slide should only show one work of art.
- Please send the link to your Google Slides presentation with your essay to artanddesign@georgefox.edu
- Note: Do not send original artworks.
For more information on building a strong portfolio, please consult the resources below:
All materials must be received at least one week prior to the event.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship opportunity, please contact the Art & Design department at artanddesign@georgefox.edu.
Biology
The biology department Scholarship Summit will consist of two parts. The essay questions (Part 1) will need to be submitted one week prior to your summit date, using this link to upload your essay responses.
Note: You will be asked to sign into your Google account to access the form. Please create an account if you do not have one.
Part 1: Essay questions (Please limit responses to 200-250 words per question.)
- Why is the Biology program at George Fox a good fit for you?
- What are three goals that you want to accomplish while at George Fox University?
- How will you deal with academic adversity while in college?
Part 2: 30-minute interview
Your interview will be with a biology faculty member during the summit. Be prepared to articulate your past experiences and future goals along with expounding on your essay responses.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Vetta Berokoff at vberokof@georgefox.edu.
Biochemistry
The Biochemistry department Scholarship Summit will consist of two parts. The essay questions (Part 1) will need to be submitted one week prior to your summit date, using this link to upload your essay responses.
Note: You will be asked to sign into your Google account to access the form. Please create an account if you do not have one.
Part 1: Essay questions (Please limit responses to 200-250 words per question.)
- Why is the Biochemistry program at George Fox a good fit for you?
- What are three goals that you want to accomplish while at George Fox University?
- How will you deal with academic adversity while in college?
Part 2: 30-minute interview
Your interview will be with a biochemistry faculty member during the summit. Be prepared to articulate your past experiences and future goals along with expounding on your essay responses.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Vetta Berokoff at vberokof@georgefox.edu.
Business
The College of Business will ask you to take part in a discussion centered on a business case study. The discussion will either be part of a group, or part of a one-on-one interview with faculty. Case studies are used in business education to help students understand and think through real business issues while applying relevant business concepts. You can find the case study here, we suggest that you become familiar with the case and come prepared with thoughts and insights to discuss with the group.
Please also come prepared to ask questions of the business faculty and to share/expound on your interest in pursuing Business as a major.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Wendi Upjohn at wupjohn@georgefox.edu.
We look forward to meeting you!
Cinematic Arts
Please submit the following materials to professor Steven Classen one week prior to the Summit at sclassen@georgefox.edu.
Part I – Submit one example of work you helped create that demonstrates your abilities in your area of interest. Please send this via a shared Google Drive folder to Professor Steve Classen. This sample must be no more than five minutes long. You will also need to write a one-paragraph description of the aim of the production, and describe your contribution to the project. All materials must be submitted at least one week before the Summit date.
Part II – Write a one-page description of a project you’d like to produce during your time at George Fox. During the Summit, each invitee will have a short interview with members of the cinematic arts faculty. Come prepared to discuss your previous experiences, areas of interest, and goals for the future. Interviews will be approximately 10 minutes long.
Please contact Professor Classen directly with any questions you might have at sclassen@georgefox.edu.
Communication
Please submit the following materials to Professor Steven Classen one week prior to the Summit at sclassen@georgefox.edu. Please contact Professor Classen directly with any questions you might have.
- A 500-word essay explaining why you consider the study of human communication to be an important endeavor in the twenty first century.
Part I – Oral Presentation
Participants must prepare a 3-5 minute speech describing how George Fox University can help them grow as both a student and as a Christian. The speech will be presented to Department of Communication Arts Faculty Members during the interview. Speakers may use whatever notes they feel are necessary to give the best presentation possible. Interview time is limited so please make sure your speech honors the time limits established.
Part II – Group Problem Solving Exercise
Each participant will be asked to engage in a group problem solving case study. In the group exercise, applicants will be placed into a group and provided a conflict case study that they will be asked to resolve (as a group).
Computer Science
The Computer Science Summit will consist of three parts:
Part I: Essay
You will need to submit your essay one week before your Summit day.
Prompt: As a Computer Science program, our mission at George Fox University is to prepare technically competent and broadly educated individuals for a life of responsible service emerging from a Christian worldview. As a student in the George Fox University Computer Science program, describe in 1200 words or less how you intend to: (1) accomplish this mission personally, and (2) provide strong, ongoing leadership to your peers in the fulfillment of this mission.
Part II: Individual interview
You will participate in a group activity and interview with a faculty member on the day of the Summit. Please come prepared to ask questions of the interviewers and to share on elements of your essay.
Part III: Group Activity
While you are in the larger group session waiting for your turn for your individual interview, some of our current students will walk you and other Scholarship Summit participants through some logic problems and other problem-solving exercises as a group, in a friendly and collaborative environment. As part of our scholarship decision process, we will consider your written essay and your individual interview, and will also weigh feedback from our current students on their interactions with you in the larger group session.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Adina Briggs McConaughey at amcconaughey@georgefox.edu.
Elementary Education
You will need to submit a resume and a cover letter via email to the Undergraduate Teacher Education Department c/o Jenny Duquette at jduquette@georgefox.edu. Note: Written materials must be received by the George Fox UGTE Department no less than one week prior to the Summit.
Your resume needs to include your educational background, leadership, volunteer, extracurricular activities, work or volunteer experiences, and any additional skills, club memberships, or experiences working with children. The cover letter must clearly state why you are interested in Elementary Education and in what specific ways you hope to impact your community or the world through teaching. You are invited to include 1-2 letters of recommendation from former teachers, supervisors, coaches, or youth leaders.
The Elementary Education Summit will be a group interview involving activities that will allow you to demonstrate your skills in interpersonal communication, critical thinking, listening and observation, problem-solving, and group engagement. The George Fox University School of Education is committed to the development of educators who think critically, transform practice and promote justice. The scholarship committee seeks individuals who demonstrate potential in these areas. Following the group interview, you will have the opportunity to participate in an individual interview with a faculty member. This will be a time for you to accentuate any special skills, abilities, or experiences that you would like the scholarship committee to consider when it reviews the scholarship applications.
English
Prior to Scholarship Summit, submit a 1-2 page letter describing your writing experience, the kind of writing you prefer, and the kind of literature you most enjoy reading. Your letter should include an explanation of why you want to major in English and your career aspirations. Email this letter as a Word document to Gary Tandy at gtandy@georgefox.edu.
The Summit will consist of individual interviews with several department faculty. This will be an opportunity for us to learn more about you, your strengths, and goals and for you to learn more about our faculty and program.
If you have questions on any component of the summit, contact Gary Tandy at gtandy@georgefox.edu.
Engineering
The Engineering Summit will consist of two parts:
Part I: Essay
You will need to submit your essay one week before your Summit day.
Prompt: As an engineering program, our mission at George Fox University is to prepare technically competent and broadly educated engineers for a life of responsible service emerging from a Christian worldview. As a student in the George Fox University engineering program, describe in 1200 words or less how you intend to: (1) accomplish this mission personally, and (2) provide strong, ongoing leadership to your peers in the fulfillment of this mission.
Part II: Individual Interview
This will be with an engineering faculty member during the Summit. Please come prepared to ask questions of the interviewers and to share on elements of your essay.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Adina Briggs McConaughey at amcconaughey@georgefox.edu.
Kinesiology
As a participant in the Kinesiology Department Summit, you will need to submit the following information prior to the Summit:
A brief summary of why you want to major in Kinesiology (2 paragraphs maximum) and a one-page resume that includes:- Your educational background – including your GPA
- Your leadership, volunteer and extracurricular activities
- Any additional skills, club membership or other items that you feel are important
On the day of the Summit you will meet with the Kinesiology Department Faculty who will ask you 3-4 questions that you will respond to orally.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship and to submit the requested materials, please contact Mary Imboden at mimboden@georgefox.edu.
History and Politics
The history summit will consist of a group activity that will look like the following:
- Students will be given a short document at the start of the activity. Then, they will participate in a group discussion on the document.
Time: This activity will take approximately 1 hour.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Caitlin Corning at ccorning@georgefox.edu.
Mathematics
The math summit will consist of a 15-minute interview with members of the math faculty. The interviews may include questions relating to:
- your preparation for college-level mathematics
- your plans for your undergraduate program (major/minor, etc.)
- your interest in George Fox University
- your long-term ambitions
If you have any questions please contact Vetta Berokoff at vberokof@georgefox.edu.
Music
Incoming first-year and transfer students who plan to participate in music ensembles and coninue their study through applied music lessons are eligible to audition for music scholarships. Awards will be given in the areas of voice, instrument and piano.
Requirements for all auditions:
- Strings, Brass and Woodwinds: Play two pieces of contrasting styles, and three scales of your choice in two to three octaves, as appropriate for your instrument. If you want to demonstrate jazz or fiddle playing, you may add a third piece to showcase these diverse styles of playing. Your total video should be under 10 minutes.
- Percussion: Play one mallet piece and one drum piece (snare, timpani or multiple percussion). If you play drum kit, add an additional video of your kit playing, either alone or in an ensemble. Your total video should be under 10 minutes.
- Piano: Audition length should be no more than 15 minutes. Perform three pieces in contrasting styles (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th century, Jazz, or Popular styles).
- Voice: Perform two or three pieces in contrasting style (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th century, Broadway, or Worship songs). Solo/ensemble literature is appropriate for the scholarship audition.
Additional requirements for video auditions:
- Video audition submissions will require students to submit a video (see requirements below), then participate in a virtual interview, via Zoom, with one or more George Fox music professors. In this interview, we will ask you questions about your musical experience, musical goals, and answer any questions you have about music at Fox or any other questions related to the university. You will not perform during the live interview.
- Please email a PDF of the music you are performing along with your video submission.
- Please dress professionally for your video recording session, and ensure that your video background is appropriate.
- Please ensure that the audio quality of your recording is of good quality, and does not distort or cut in and out. It does not have to be studio quality, but it should be a good representation of your real tone.
- You may edit your video to splice together your pieces, though we prefer that each individual piece or scale is recorded without splicing.
You will need to submit the Music Scholarship Application and one Music Recommendation Form.
Note: Your audition will not take place the full allotted time. You will receive an individual audition time from the music department as it gets closer to the day.
Music scholarship recipients are required to be enrolled in a major music ensemble and take applied lessons each semester.
For further information, contact the professor in your area:
- Band, Orchestra, & Percussion: Dwayne Corbin, dcorbin@georgefox.edu
- Jazz and Saxophone: Nathanael Ankeny, nankeny@georgefox.edu
- Choir and Voice: Danielle Warner, dwarner@georgefox.edu
- Worship Team and Music Industry: Aaron Barnhart, abarnhart@georgefox.edu
General questions should be directed to Kathy Harris at music@georgefox.edu.
Nursing
Send a Resume and Essay (.pdf format only) to nursing@georgefox.edu one week prior to the assigned Summit date.
Resume
- one (1) page that includes the following:
- include the number of hours spent on each
- Education background
- Leadership, volunteer, and extracurricular activities
- Work and/or internship experiences
- include the number of hours spent on each
Essay
- An essay answering the following questions: “What is a challenge you have overcome? What did you learn from the experience?"
- 2,000 character maximum (approximately 300 words)
- Double spaced
- 12 pt. font
- .pdf format
Case Study:
On the day of the Summit, students will be assigned to work in groups through a prioritization case study. Although the case study relates to patient care, no nursing knowledge is required.
Psychology
Prior to the Summit, you will need to submit the following materials to Carol Jaquith at cjaquith@georgefox.edu:
- Leadership and/or relevant volunteer experience (e.g. church, mission, community)
- A short statement (300 words maximum) about why you are interested in the study of psychology
- A writing sample (e.g. a paper written in high school; maximum two pages)
Prior to Scholarship Summit, you also need to read the article Current Issues and Advances in Misinformation Research, by Steven J. Frenda, Rebecca M. Nichols, and Elizabeth F. Loftus and come prepared to discuss it with faculty members from the psychology department.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Kris Kays at kkays@georgefox.edu.
Theology
Students will be invited to demonstrate their interest in and promise for study in Theology through reading a short text and participating in a group discussion moderated by our professors. At the time of the summit, each student will receive a text (perhaps a few paragraphs long) and will be given time to read and comment upon that text in the group. After the group discussion, students may be asked to reflect in writing their thoughts on the discussion or on the text in general. Student responses in the group setting should demonstrate excellent analytical skills, attention to detail - both literary detail and in their interaction with fellow students - as well as collegiality, thoughtfulness, and careful listening to others in the discussion.
Note: If you have a documented physical or learning disability and need to make accommodations to participate or if you have other questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Sarah Taylor at taylors@georgefox.edu.
Social Work
The Social Work Summit is intended for students who are interested in studying social work. Social Work Education is grounded in the liberal arts, which provide the intellectual framework for the professional curriculum that prepares students for the practice of social work. Social Work is a helping profession that is committed to the well-being and human rights of every individual, group and community. Its goal is the enhancement or restoration of human social functioning and the creation of societal conditions favorable to this end. Particular attention is given to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and live in poverty. Social workers gain knowledge and abilities in order to offer them to others in service and empowerment.
Students who participate in this Summit will have an interview as well as be expected to answer the following question:
What social problems were evident in your community? How did you know and what should be done about it?
The written response for this question is expected to be completed during the Summit.
Time allowed: 50 minutes