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APPLY TO BE AN ACTION SCHOLAR

If you are an incoming first-year or transfer student and Drew Action Scholars aligns with your passions and goals, we encourage you to apply to earn a generous scholarship while joining a select group of like-minded fellow students.

It’s easy to apply. After you have submitted your Drew admissions application, you can apply for Action Scholars through your admissions portal.

Priority application deadline for Action Scholars is February 1. Early Decision and Early Action candidates are encouraged to submit their scholarship applications as soon after the admissions application as possible.

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MEET THE DREW ACTION SCHOLAR FACULTY

Learn more about the faculty at Drew University who will lead you through your Action Scholar experience.

MEET THE FACULTY

MEET THE MENTORS

Action Scholar Mentors are junior or senior Drew students who work with Action Scholars faculty to oversee a small group of first-year Action Scholars. This peer-to-peer communication conduit is key to the success of the program for first-year students.

MEET THE FACULTY

THE COMMUNITY IS YOUR CLASSROOM!

Drew’s focus on experiential learning means plenty of opportunities for real-world experience. Connect your passion for action with your academic interests at Drew.

Examples are:
● Medical Geography
● Refugees and Resettlement
● Theatre in the Community: The Newark Collaboration

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Action Scholars

The CCE is a critical component of the University’s mission, bridging the relationship between education and action for the common good. We believe civic engagement is the holistic process and practice of developing informed, intentional, imaginative strategy and action to address and positively impact social inequities.

Take Your Passion Outside the Classroom

Are community service and civic engagement an important part of your identity?
Do you want to continue your volunteerism in college and gain valuable life skills and experiences?

Like you, Drew believes knowledge and passion are too valuable to leave in the classroom. Drew Action Scholars is a unique, hands-on, informed-action program for students who are passionate about leading social change and committed to Drew’s mission to flourish both personally and professionally by adding to the world’s good with rigorous, independent, and imaginative thought. The two-year program, with a four-year scholarship, is driven by a distinctive, results- and action-oriented approach to real-world problem-solving.

Accepted students join a cohort of peers committed to community, innovation, and global impact in a connected world. All first-year Action Scholars are supported by a junior or senior peer mentor and reside together in on-campus. Complete the two-year program and receive a four-year scholarship of $10,000 ($2,500/year).

COMMUNITY. INNOVATION. GLOBAL IMPACT.

Learn more about the three pillars of the Drew Action Scholar commitment.

#1

ACTION SCHOLARS

COMMUNITY

Build knowledge and the practical skills needed to make a difference in our local communities through collaboration, advocacy, deliberation, & more.

#2

ACTION SCHOLARS

INNOVATION

Use design thinking, lean start-up, & other strategies—create change through social ventures, triple bottom line orgs, & technological innovation.

#3

ACTION SCHOLARS

GLOBAL IMPACT

Develop international & intercultural perspectives and skills to be successful in global cultures and economies—& change the world for the better!

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Program Details

All Drew Action Scholars can choose from any of Drew’s 45+ majors. The first-year curriculum is specifically designed for the Action Scholars program, the second-year consists of convening and immersive experience, coupled with 100 hours of experiential learning each year.

As a Drew Action Scholar, you will also join your peers for retreats, town halls, and pitch events. All immersive experiences and co-curricular requirements count towards the 100 hours of experiential learning.

FIRST-YEAR PROGRAM

First-year Action Scholars who live on campus will reside together in Brown Hall with other first-year students. This will allow targeted programming specific to Action Scholars and an environment conducive to group work for your shared classes and team projects. More information about housing can be found on the Residence Life website.

Enroll in classes designed for Drew Action Scholars.

  • CE 160 Drew Action Seminar I: Thinking through Problems
  • CE 260 Drew Action Seminar II: Exploring Solutions

Lead and participate in a public Town Hall focused on problems and solutions explored in your coursework.
Preparation for the Town Hall will encourage you to research best practices; consult with relevant public and community groups, clients, customers, or other stakeholders; develop an action plan; take action based on that plan; and prepare to present and facilitate a dialogue on your approach.

Second-year Action Scholar students will select a customized and approved immersive experience, which will count towards the required 100 hours of experiential learning. In addition, students will attend the Action Scholars Monthly Convening, which are related and helpful workshops or other hands-on activities only available to Drew Action Scholars.

Some available second-year experiences include:

  • Select internships and study abroad experiences
  • Community-Based Learning classes
  • CE 270: Innovation Action Lab course
  • Select an additional approved course of action!

First- and second-year Action Scholar students may participate and get involved with the following immersive experiences:

  • Action Scholars and mentors come together for an annual retreat
  • Enjoy priority consideration to participate in leadership summits, conferences, and special projects
  • Engage with community organizations and local government
  • Build prototypes and technology applications
  • Pitch and advocate for new ventures and solutions
  • Join field trips, networking, and mentoring events

Are you eager to impact your community locally, nationally, or globally?

Apply To Be an Action Scholar

WE CAN'T WAIT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU!

When you apply to be a Drew Action Scholar, be prepared to respond to these three questions on the application:

  • Describe your interest in any or all of the Drew Action Scholars focus areas: community, innovation, and global impact. If possible, please connect these interests to your experiences or activities.
  • Tell us about a problem, challenge, or opportunity you think needs attention–and why?
  • Tell us about a time when you worked with others to accomplish a goal. What was hard? What went well?

If you are an incoming first-year or transfer student and Drew Action Scholars aligns with your passions and goals, we encourage you to apply to earn a generous scholarship while joining a select group of like-minded fellow students.

It’s easy to apply. After you have submitted your Drew admissions application, you can apply for Action Scholars through your admissions portal.

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