Department Summit Descriptions
Below are the descriptions of what to expect for each department Scholarship Summit experience (on-campus or virtual) as well as details of any materials that need to be prepared or submitted prior to the summit.
Note: Sign up for a department summit by January 15, 2021 in order to remain eligible in the Scholarship Summit experience.
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
- 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”x36”)
- 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 3 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 bwaybright@georgefox.edu
- Note: Do not send original artworks.
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. Observational drawing is particularly helpful. For more information on building a strong portfolio, please consult the resources below:
Here is information about how to use google slides:
https://www.google.com/slides/about/
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 Business Summit will consist of the following:
A 10-minute Interview
You will interview with a College of Business faculty member during the Summit. Please come prepared to ask questions of the interviewer and to share/expound on your interest in pursuing Business as a major.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Kelly Borror at kborror@georgefox.edu.
We look forward to meeting you!
Cinematic Arts
Please submit the following materials to professor Dawn Ford prior to the Summit at dford@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 Dawn Ford. 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.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Professor Dawn Ford at dford@georgefox.edu
Communication
Please submit the following materials to Dawn Ford one week prior to the Summit at dford@georgefox.edu. Please contact Professor Ford 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 & Information Systems
A week prior to the Summit, you will need to submit your essay..
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 & Group Activity
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.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Tamara Wytsma at twytsma@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 Tamara Wytsma at twytsma@georgefox.edu.
Exercise Science and Health & Human Performance
As a participant in the Exercise Science/Health & Human Performance Department Summit, you will need to submit the following information prior to the Summit:
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 be given three to four questions to respond to in writing. Following, you will interview with an Exercise Science faculty member who will choose one of the questions for you to 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
The history summit will consist of a writing assignment designed to test:
- Analytical skills
- Ability to interpret historical documents
- Awareness of the factors that contribute to social, economic and political change from one time period to another
- Skill in using historical evidence to support a thesis
- Writing ability
The examination will be based on reading materials provided by the Department of History. These will be sent to participants via email one week before the event.
Time Required: 30-60 minutes for a writing assignment and 15-30 minutes for an interview.
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 John Johnson at jjohnson@georgefox.edu.
Music
Students should come to the audition prepared to demonstrate your technical abilities:
- Perform three pieces in contrasting style (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th century)
- Sight-read or sight-sing a portion of a work preselected by the faculty
You will need to submit the Music Scholarship Application and two Music Recommendation Forms.
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.
If you have questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Danielle Warner at dwarner@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?"
- 2000 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.
Politics
The Politics Summit will include a written exercise and an interview with Politics faculty. This will allow participants the opportunity to demonstrate their communication, critical thinking skills, and their potential as students in the field. Students will be evaluated by Politics faculty members and will have the opportunity to interact with them.
If you have questions regarding the Politics Summit or format, please contact Caitlin Corning at ccorning@georgefox.edu.
Psychology & Cognitive Science
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.
Theatre
Performance applicants in acting and directing will have a 15-minute time slot for their audition and interview. The first three minutes will be designated for the audition and the following seven minutes for the interview. Applicants should prepare two contrasting 90-second monologues (comic and dramatic, or classical and contemporary). Direct questions regarding audition materials to Rhett Luedtke, professor of theatre, at rluedtke@georgefox.edu.
Design / Technical Theatre & Stage Management applicants will have a 20-minute time slot for their portfolio review and interview. Designers should email a portfolio of materials representing their work (design statements, photographs, drafting, sketches, renderings, models, etc.) one week prior to the summit to professor Bryan Boyd. Technical theatre, business or management students should prepare a narrative explaining their experience and interest in their particular fields of theatre. If materials are available, these students are encouraged to bring portfolios as well. Direct questions regarding portfolio materials to Bryan Boyd, associate professor of theatre, at bboyd@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 Nancy Schifferdecker at nschifferdecker@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