Every year, a select number of prospective students are invited to Asbury’s campus to compete in the Scholarship Competition, a two-day event for high school seniors who are considering attending Asbury. The competition is typically split into two weekends; the first for this coming school year was last weekend, Jan. 23 and 24, and the second was Jan. 30-31.
There are technically 22 winners of the competition, but there are two different kinds of scholarships available. Two students will receive the John Wesley Hughes Scholarship, a scholarship that pays for the entirety of their tuition. The other 20 students will be presented with the Henry Clay Morrison scholarship, which covers 60% of their tuition. All other students who attended the event will receive a $1000 scholarship every year.
To be considered for the event, there are three distinct criteria for prospective students to meet, though the student only needs to meet one to be eligible. The student must have a minimum of 4.0 cumulative GPA, attendance at the Governor’s Scholar Program or be a National Merit Semi-finalist.
Roxy Mast, a high school senior from Tucker, Ga., said, “It has been super welcoming, and I think it’s been amazing to have been a part of it. Even being up in the [interview] room, it was very chill and low key. Even the quote from E. Stanley Jones that we had to write an essay on shows the emphasis on Christianity, and I think that’s absolutely amazing and I think that makes Asbury an outstanding college.”
Another high school student commented on the atmosphere of the competition, saying, “The environment was pretty relaxed, which I wasn’t necessarily expecting. And I stayed in one of the dorms, which was a really good experience to have just to get used to how dorm life would be if I were to go here. I can definitely feel the community, and it feels very personal. It seems like everyone knows each other and I think that’s really important.” The student, Laynie York from Louisa, Ky., plans to major in Pre-Art Therapy if she attends Asbury.
Many students find Asbury through a family connection, which worked well for a senior from Michigan, whose parents attended Asbury Theological Seminary. “I’ve known about Asbury for a long time,” said Ellia Lorenz, a visiting high school senior from Spring Arbor, Mi., on finding Asbury and coming to the competition. “The whole experience has been good. I think that it was a lot less scary than I was anticipating.”
During their stay at Asbury, prospective students have the opportunity to tour campus, meet with admissions counselors, attend chapel and chat with Asbury students outside of their interviews.
“I liked just seeing the students do student-things. It was nice to see them walk around campus and feel so at home. People definitely feel a sense of belonging,” said Esme Burghart from Wheaton, Il., a high school senior who is interested in studying Social Work.
Many current Asbury students have participated in the Scholarship Competition, which has turned into an academic tradition for the university.
Photo courtesy of Max Bramer.
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