Drury Distinguished Scholars Program: Your Path to a Full-Tuition Scholarship
If you’ve received an invitation to compete for the Drury Distinguished Scholars Program, congratulations—you’re already among the elite. Join us for the competition on Saturday, December 6th!
The Details
When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m.
Where: Drury University campus (in-person)
Prize: This competition offers a four-year full-tuition scholarship (five years for Architecture majors) and the chance to experience Drury’s educational philosophy firsthand, as well as additional scholarship opportunities.
Here’s the key insight: your GPA and test scores won’t decide the outcome. Every invited student already ranks in the top 8% academically. What faculty evaluators are really seeking is critical thinking ability, strong communication skills, and meaningful extracurricular leadership. They value depth of involvement over a long list of superficial activities.
The Three Components
Component 1: Presentation (10 minutes)
Deliver a presentation on any topic you’re passionate about using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva. Past topics have included service and civic responsibility, sustainability, science and technology, fine arts, and historical or political ideas. Choose something that showcases how you think and communicate complex ideas.
Component 2: Interview (15 minutes)
Two faculty members will interview you about your extracurricular involvement. This is your opportunity to share the stories behind your achievements and articulate what drives you. Focus on depth and meaning rather than listing every activity.
Component 3: Group Discussion (40 minutes)
Join 4-7 other candidates and two faculty members to discuss two articles exploring technology, AI, human connection, and mental health:
“Aristotle would scoff at Mark Zuckerberg’s suggestion that AI can solve the loneliness epidemic” by Gregg D. Caruso
“The great rewiring: is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness?” by Candice L. Odgers
Come prepared with marked-up copies, notes, and thoughtful reactions. The goal is to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and collaborative thinking, not to have all the “right” answers.
Why This Competition Exists
Drury designed this three-part process to introduce you to their interdisciplinary liberal arts approach, give you a preview of campus intellectual life, and help faculty identify students through meaningful interaction rather than just paper applications. The connections you make during this competition can lead to research opportunities and mentorship throughout your college career.
Final Advice
Be authentic. Choose a presentation topic that genuinely excites you. Reflect on what your experiences have taught you. Read the discussion articles critically and form real questions rather than trying to guess what evaluators want to hear.
Drury isn’t just looking for impressive credentials—they’re seeking future scholars and leaders who will contribute meaningfully to their community. You’ve already shown that potential. Now it’s time to demonstrate what makes you truly distinguished.
Register here to begin your journey toward becoming a Drury Distinguished Scholar.