Arts Merit Application

This scholarship application is for Bucknell Class of 2030 applicants interested in applying for an Arts Merit Scholarship.

Bucknell's Arts Merit Scholarships are awarded to selected first-year students who plan to pursue studies in art & design, art history, creative writing, dance, film/media studies, literary studies, music (major or non-major) or theatre (performance or design and technology). Financial need is not a requirement. You may apply for consideration in more than one area but each discipline has specific application requirements. Recipients will receive notifications along with their admissions decisions.

Arts Merit Scholarships range from $2,500 to $20,000. This scholarship is renewable annually if the participation expectations outlined below are met. Merit Scholarship awards do not increase in subsequent years.

Deadlines

Early Decision I: Nov. 1
Early Decision II & Regular Decision: Jan. 10

If you have any questions about the scholarship process, please reach out to arts.scholarship@bucknell.edu. If you have department specific questions, please reach out to your faculty liaison.

For more information, visit the Art Merit Website.

*Required Fields

General Information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Confirm Email Address

Birthdate

Which Scholarship are you applying for?

Art and Design

Art History

Creative Writing

Dance

Film/Media Studies

Literary Studies

Music (Major)

Music (Non-Major)

Theatre

Art and Design

200 to 300-word statement about why you want to major in Art & Design at Bucknell.

Applicants will need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

Portfolio of 10 JPEG images of artwork.
Document with information about each image: title, year created, dimensions, and media.

Art History

Applicants will need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

Submit either a document of 300 to 400 words or a video essay of 2 to 3 minutes in which you discuss one work of art that you find particularly compelling. Describe the work’s most important elements, including its subject matter and style/technique. Reflect on its historical significance.

Creative Writing

Please answer both of the following questions:

Area of Interest

Fiction

Poetry

Creative Nonfiction

In 500 words, explain why you are interested in the program and what skills or interests you would offer Bucknell's writing community.

Applicants will need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

A writing sample of either three to five poems or a piece of fiction or creative non-fiction (recommended: 1,500-2,000 words).
1 Reference - Teacher Recommendation

Dance

Essay (up to 250 words) on this prompt: A liberal arts dance curriculum emphasizes a broad-spectrum view of the discipline—history, theory, performance, and design and production. It also examines dance's relationship to other academic disciplines. Why are you interested in a liberal arts program in dance?

Applicants will need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

Dance Resume
Video (preferably featuring solo performances in all dance styles studied).
Written description to identify who you are in group pieces.

Film/Media Studies

In 500 words, explain why you are interested in studying film/media studies and what skills or interests you would offer Bucknell's film community.

Applicants will need to submit one of the following:

1. Sample film or televisual analysis that demonstrates critical thinking skills (1,500 to 2,000 words, double-spaced, 12pt font). No film reviews, please.

2. Sample screenplay (in proper screenplay format).

3. Video excerpt of creative film/audiovisual production work. No more than five minutes, please. For longer films, it is best to share the first five minutes of the work. In the case of shorter films, combining a 3 minute film with the first 2 minutes of another film is permitted. However, please note that this should not be a highlight reel. You may submit a video file or link to YouTube, Vimeo or other video-sharing sites. This can be work produced for a class, in a summer workshop, independently or for the purpose of this application.

Applicants will also need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

1 Reference - Teacher Recommendation discussing your film/media and creative abilities.

Literary Studies

Two (2) short (250 words, each) responses, selected from a series of prompts, about the study of and experiences with literature. (Listed as 2 text boxes)

Option A: Review the current Literary Studies course offerings on (Literary Studies Courses). Pick one class, based on title or description, that you would be interested in taking as a first-semester Literary Studies major at Bucknell. Why do you want to take that class? What excites you about that class? What will it help you accomplish?

Option B: Bucknell hosts a common reading for all incoming first-year students. Make a case for a book (any genre) that you feel all of your incoming peers should have read before coming to Bucknell.

Option C: Bucknellians who major in Literary Studies have infinite possibilities and careers after they graduate. Why do you want to major in English--Literary Studies at Bucknell? What can the English major provide you? What might this major do for your future plans?

Option D: Bucknell’s Literary Studies faculty regularly teach courses on banned and censored books as well as their history in the US. First, make a case for why you believe the censoring of books is beneficial or disadvantageous. Second, select a text from any genre that exemplifies your belief.

Response 1:

Response 2:

Applicants will need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

One (1) writing sample of literary criticism that exemplifies the applicant’s analytical work (2-3 double spaced pages).
1 reference - Teacher Recommendation that discusses the applicant’s capabilities and excellence in Literary Studies.

Music (Major)

All prospective music majors who complete an audition will be automatically considered for Arts Merit Scholarships.

Instrumental auditions include a performance of two to three pieces from different historical periods that best represent their technical and interpretative skills. Vocal auditions are to be a performance of three to four songs including at least one song in a foreign language. Singers who require an accompanist must provide their sheet music to the Department of Music at least two weeks prior to their audition.

Application

Complete the audition form on the Department of Music Auditions webpage to sign up for an audition.

Audition

Refer to the Department of Music Auditions webpage for specific audition requirements.

Music major candidates — including composition candidates — must attend an on-campus interview where they will have auditions and sample lessons with music faculty, meet current merit scholars, and tour music facilities. Requests for virtual interviews and auditions (such as long-distance travel) may be made to Brenda Ross (bross@bucknell.edu).

Music (Non-Major)

What instrument(s)?

Bassoon

Cello

Clarinet

Euphonium

Flute

French Horn

Guitar

Oboe

Organ

Percussion

Piano

Saxophone

String Bass

Trombone

Trumpet

Tuba

Viola

Violin

Voice

Applicants will need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

Upload an audition video, including:

Instrumental audition: A video featuring a solo performance (no large ensemble work) less than 10 minutes in length.
Voice audition: A video featuring a solo performance — do not master the audio.

Theatre

Area of Interest

Performance

Design and Technology

Essay (up to 300 words) on this prompt: A liberal arts theatre curriculum emphasizes a broad-spectrum view of the discipline--history, theory, literature, performance, design, and technology. It also examines theatre's relationship to other academic disciplines. Why are you interested in a liberal arts program in theatre?

Applicants will need to submit the following portfolio item(s):

Please submit a resume that highlights depth and dimension of experience in theatre (acting, directing, design and technology).
2 Letters of Recommendation - Theatre teacher, director, coach or mentor

Once you have submitted your Arts Merit application, next you must complete the following items based on your application round to fulfill the requirements laid out by each academic department. Please visit the Arts Merit scholarship website to review the requirements of your department’s scholarship application.

Complete your Common Application or Coalition Application by Nov. 1 for Early Decision I or Jan. 10 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision.
Submit all portfolio materials through your admissions application portal under the “Portfolio” tab by your application round deadline. Please note, you will only be able to submit portfolio materials after you have submitted your application to Bucknell. You can learn more about submitting materials and checking your application status by following the instructions here.

Arts Merit scholarship applicants will receive an email confirming their application which will include follow-up instructions and a list of required portfolio materials.

We look forward to reviewing your application!

Arts Merit Application

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