Scholarship finalists (notified by letter) for Scholarship Day 2009 at Gustavus must complete these two steps:
1. Indicate your desired day to audition/interview by clicking here.
2. Return to this page to view the instructions for preparing for your specific audition or interview.
Scholarship Day 2009 combines the interviews and auditions for our competitive scholarships with information sessions, activities, panels, recitals, and other opportunities to learn more about life at Gustavus.
Finalists for our top academic scholarship, the President's Scholarship, our four fine arts scholarships (art, theatre, dance, and music), and forensics scholarship will be invited to campus for Scholarship Day, on February 28 or March 7.
Beginning at 9:20 a.m., each candidate’s schedule is different as it is tailored to the events and activities related to the various competitions. You will be mailed your personal schedule one week before your assigned Scholarship Day.
8:30 a.m. Scholarship Day Check-In Begins (Christ Chapel Lobby)
9:00 a.m. Scholarship Day Welcome (Christ Chapel)
9:20 a.m. Interviews, auditions, and sessions begin (Various buildings)
In addition to the competition components there are a variety of information sessions and tours. Each session lasts 30 minutes, with the exception of the one hour and ten minute full campus tour, and most will be offered more than once.
Gustie Roundtable
Curriculum II
January Interim Experience
President's Scholarship Panel
Undergraduate Research Panel
Financial Aid
Forensics
Multicultural Life
International Education
Gustavus Music Students' Recital
Student Panel, Music Majors
Student Panel, Non-Music Majors
Campus Tour
Residence Hall Tour
Fine Arts Tour
Science & Technology plus Library Tour
Student Activities Tour
Download the full Scholarship Day 2009 schedule. An updated schedule will also be available at check-in. You and your family will have ample opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary place!
Business casual attire is appropriate, but keep in mind it is winter in Minnesota! Please be comfortable, but don't wear jeans. And, no, wearing Gustie Gear doesn't improve your chances of winning a scholarship.
About 500 visitors (scholarship finalists, their families, friends, and any other guests of the finalists) are at Gustavus each Scholarship Day. For many students, this is the first real interview or audition they've had to do. A lot of people are nervous-- unnecessarily!
We hope you will relax and let your true personality and ability show. The interviews and auditions are as much a way for you to question the counselors, faculty, and current Gusties as it is a time for us to get to know you better. Be prepared for your scholarship competition (see instructions below), but also plan to have fun and to learn more about our great college.
We are very confident you will enjoy the day if you come prepared, stay relaxed, and take advantage of all the opportunities to ask questions and interact with members of the Gustavus community.
Go to www.gustavus.edu/welcome for directions to campus and for local overnight accommodation recommendations. All campus parking is open to you on Scholarship Day.
In case of an emergency on Scholarship Day, contact the Admission Office at 507-933-7676.
If you are also applying for need-based financial assistance, be sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible so that you can receive a complete financial aid award as soon as Scholarship Day decisions are complete.
For tips and additional information, go to www.gustavus.edu/admission/financialaid.
Coordinated by Joy Reese, jreese2@gustavus.edu and Megan Coe, mcoe@gustavus.edu
The President’s Scholarship competition will include an interview with one or two faculty members or administrators plus an essay exercise, each lasting approximately 30 minutes.
During the interview, you will discuss your academic and extra-curricular accomplishments and explore your possible contributions to Gustavus.
Please select one of the following essay questions and be prepared to write about it on Scholarship Day.
1. Describe what you hope or expect your academic journey at Gustavus to include.
2. Choose any invention, work of art, piece of literature, scientific or mathematical theory, musical composition, or any other creative piece and describe how it has shaped and changed your thinking.
3. Select one of Gustavus' core values -- excellence, community, justice, service and faith -- and describe how you would convince someone of this core value's importance to you.
All you need to bring to the competition is your intellect. We will provide the paper and pen. No notes are allowed in the essay room. Be sure to call 1-800-487-8288 immediately if you receive testing accommodations in your high school so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Auditions on Saturday, February 28 ONLY.
Coordinated by Alecia Tromiczak, atromicz@gustavus.edu
Students will attend a group theatre or dance workshop before individual auditions and interviews. If you are a finalist in both theatre and dance, you must attend the dance workshop. These workshops will take place at the Black Box Theatre and the Kresge Dance Studio. You will be escorted to the sites following the opening welcome, and there will be time to change. The workshops will take place from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and are considered part of the audition process. Individual auditions follow the group workshops. If you are a finalist in multiple areas, please be prepared accordingly.
Acting
You will be expected to perform for the theatre faculty two contrasting monologues, no more than four minutes total for BOTH. Theatre Department faculty will also conduct a five-minute individual interview following the monologues.
Directing
Bring materials of show(s) you have directed. Examples include but are not limited to: production book, photos, programs, etc. Be prepared to share your experiences in directing during the interview.
Theatre for Social Change
Be prepared to discuss your involvement with theatre and/or activism for social change. Present any supporting documents, scripts, or photos you may have.
Technical Theatre
Includes areas of design, technical theatre and/or stage management. Present a resume of experiences and, if available, portfolio of renderings, sketches, programs, etc. Be prepared to discuss your work.
Dance
Students will need to be dressed (dressing rooms available) to do both a modern class and a ballet class. Ideally you should wear footless tights, as the modern class is done barefoot and the ballet class should be done in ballet shoes. Bring your own music on CD or cassette tape. We will provide the player. You will be expected to perform a two-minute solo. Please note that the studio floor is not appropriate for pointe shoes or tap shoes.
Coordinated by Lindsey Weis, lweis@gustavus.edu
The Art Scholarship competition will include a portfolio review (either from the slides or CD you provided or from the original works you bring on the day) and an interview with a faculty member. A tour of the Schaefer Art Building, led by the faculty, is also scheduled for you and your family.
Coordinated by Alan Meier, ameier@gustavus.edu
Bjorling finalists are asked to perform the same two pieces they submitted on their audio recording as part of the scholarship application. You will not be asked to sight read or play scales.
You are encouraged to bring your own accompanist for your audition, but most instrumentalists play unaccompanied. All vocal finalists must be accompanied and one will be provided if you are unable to provide your own. Vocalists requesting that an accompanist be provided must e-mail their request and also mail their original accompanist music to Alan Meier in the Admission Office no later than January 30.
Coordinated by David Kogler, dkogler@gustavus.edu
Forensics scholarship finalists will interview with the Director of Forensics and a Gustavus student who is involved in the forensics program. Please be prepared to discuss your forensics accomplishments, community service involvement, leadership attributes, and how you would contribute to the Gustavus forensics program. This interview will last no longer than 30 minutes. Finalists and parents are also encouraged to attend one of the forensics information sessions offered during Scholarship Day.
