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Drury Distinguished Scholars Program

Drury University > Undergraduate Admission > Drury Distinguished Scholars Program

Competition & Selection Process

Registration for this competition must be completed before noon on Nov. 26, 2025

To participate in the Drury Distinguished Scholars competition, students must have received an invitation from Drury’s Office of Admission. 

The Drury Distinguished Scholars Program will take place in person on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. Selected students will receive a four-year full-tuition scholarship (*five years for Architecture) to Drury University. All participants will also be considered for additional scholarship opportunities.

Register Here

Criteria for Consideration

Drury University faculty will decide which candidates have the greatest potential for high level scholarship and/or research as determined by the following criteria:

  • Critical-thinking skills: synthesis, discernment, and analysis
  • Oral-communication skills
  • Extracurricular leadership and involvement

A candidate’s grade point average and test scores are not a final consideration; every student invited to participate in the Drury Distinguished Scholars Program has a high-grade point average and ranks in the top 8% of all students who have taken standardized tests.

Component 1:

Presentation (10 minutes)

You will prepare a presentation on a topic of your choice. The presentation will last approximately 10 minutes, followed by a 15-minute interview evaluation as part of component 2. You will be expected to utilize an audio/visual aid (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva)

In the past, most presentations have fit into the following categories; however, you are not limited to these 5:

  • Service and civic responsibility
  • Globalization, sustainability, and the environment
  • Math, science, and technology
  • Creation or inspiration from the fine arts
  • Historical, cultural, or political ideas and personalities

Component 2:

Interview (15 minutes)

Following your presentation, you will be interviewed by two faculty members about the extracurricular record accumulated during your high school years. You should consider this an appropriate time to talk about your honors, achievements, and passions as they pertain to your life outside of the classroom. Faculty judges will look for depth of involvement more than a long list of marginal involvements.

Component 3:

Discussion (40 minutes)

Your final component is a group discussion. You will be in a room with 4-7 other students and 2 faculty members to discuss the articles found below. Candidates should come prepared to speak to the central ideas explored in both pieces – how technology and artificial intelligence intersect with human connection, loneliness, and mental health across different stages of life. Be ready to share your insights, reactions, and questions that arise from the readings, particularly regarding the role of social media and AI in shaping modern well-being. You are encouraged to bring marked-up copies of the articles, notes, and talking points to support your discussion. No additional physical or visual aids will be permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Drury Distinguished Scholars Competition?

The intent of the Program is 3-fold. First, we want to ensure that students entering Drury University understand the value of Drury Fusion and our interdisciplinary approach to a liberal-arts education, regardless of intended major or career field.

Second, while selecting the most outstanding students is the basis for the program, the process of competing allows students to model the type of learning that occurs at Drury University. Additionally, students begin to make connections with faculty which can lead to special opportunities for research or other creative activity.

Third, we feel the best way to select distinguished scholars is through an in-person competition. The Distinguished Scholar Competition allows students the chance to interact with faculty and to showcase their intellectual abilities and potential for distinguished scholarship that may not always come out in an application or essay.

How many full-tuition scholarships will be awarded?

As of now, 4 full-tuition scholarships will be awarded; however, once we know the number of participants registered for the program, that number may increase to 5. A final determination will be made on November 26th after registration for the event has closed.

Will Drury be able to accommodate my technology needs, and what if I experience a technology error?

Drury University offers a wide variety of technological equipment. In the past, we have not had a request that we could not address in terms of equipment needs. Mac users should plan on bringing their own computer or conversion cable if needed (be sure to indicate this on the Presentation Plan). Technology failures have been extremely rare but have occurred. As such, you should have copies of your slides as a backup. The judges are instructed to base their evaluations on your substance, not your style, so a technological failure will not be held against you.

Can parents and family members attend?

Yes, during the competition there will be informational sessions specifically for parents. However, parents and family members will not be allowed to participate in or spectate any of the Components of the Competition.

What will I be doing when I am not presenting?

There will be places for students to congregate and socialize and enjoy coffee, lemonade, and snacks.

What if I have a conflict with the date?

Because of the nature of the event and the campus resources required to put the day together, we are unfortunately unable to offer alternative dates for presentations. If you have an extreme circumstance, please contact your admission counselor.

Can I take a campus tour on this day?

Yes, optional campus tours will be provided following the event. You might consider bringing walking shoes to change into before the tour.

What is the attire for the day?

We request that students wear business attire and dress to impress. If you wear a t-shirt and jeans, you will feel out of place, but there is no need for a tuxedo or ball gown.

I am from out of town, where are the best hotels and lodging?

Please visit this page.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the event?

Please contact your admission counselor with any questions about the Competition. If you do not know who your admission counselor is, please email druryad@drury.edu.

When will I receive the schedule that includes my presentation time?

A general event schedule will be emailed to you before the competition so you’ll know what to expect for the day. Your exact presentation and group discussion times will be shared with you when you check in on December 6.

When will I be notified of the results?

You will be notified of the results within two weeks of the competition. If you are a full-tuition scholarship recipient, we kindly request that you let us know as soon as possible about your ultimate decision on attending Drury in order to accept this award.

10 tips for an outstanding interview experience

  1. Dress nicely and maintain eye contact with the evaluators.
  2. For your presentation, pick something about which you are passionate.
  3. Prepare questions for the interviewers.
  4. Do not be afraid of a friendly debate. If an evaluator does not share your ideas, politely disagree and support your opinions with sound arguments.
  5. Follow the time requirements.
  6. Be genuine and sincere. You are presenting yourself, not your achievements. Everyone competing has high scores; find ways to stand out from the other great students around you.
  7. Style will not trump substance. Anticipate prying questions that delve beyond a face-value comprehension of a work.
  8. Remain calm.
  9. Practice, practice, practice. However, memorization is not the objective.
  10. Remember that your passions outside of the classroom are just as, if not more, important than your academic credentials.