Wake Divinity Scholars Virtual Visit

Theological education in the 21st century has to meet the needs of an evolving church and world. The Wake Forest University community offers a multi-denominational environment where voices of students and faculty engage contemporary religious life with intentionality. Here, students have the ability to participate in the evolution of ministry.

The Wake Forest University School of Divinity will invite several admitted applicants to discover how Wake Forest can transform their personal faith into a decision to lead.

2021 Wake Divinity Scholars Virtual Visit

Monday, February 15 – Thursday, February 18

Each year, the Wake Divinity Scholars Visit draws together the most promising leaders who will make significant contributions to the world in which we live. The School of Divinity combines the academic resources of a national top-ranked university with the teaching focus of a small college to create a unique learning environment. During the visit, invited applicants will have an in-depth experience of the school, meet with faculty and students, and begin to form valuable relationships with future colleagues who are also interested in justice, reconciliation, and compassion as you think together about how to define who our neighbor is in a multi-faith world. Applicants will also meet with a small group of faculty and students for an interview.

Apply for admission by January 15
Apply for admission by January 15

There is no separate application for the Wake Divinity Scholars Visit awards. Applicants who are eligible to be considered for the fellowships and merit scholarships must meet a minimum GPA requirement (3.3).

Applicants who meet the requirements should complete the online application for admission and submit all support documents no later than January 15, 2021.

Those who are selected to interview will be notified by January 25, 2021.

  • About the Awards: Fellowships

    The Samuel and Sarah Wait Graduate Fellowship in Theology and Ministry is the most selective and comprehensive of the School of Divinity’s merit awards.  The fellowship includes full tuition and a $7,500 annual stipend.  It is named for the University’s principal founders and is awarded to entering students who demonstrate strong potential for graduate-level work and exceptional promise for Christian ministry.  Wait Fellowships are awarded each year to applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.6 or higher.  The award is renewable for up to three academic years for those who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher.

    The Faith and Health Fellowship includes full tuition and provides a summer stipend of $5,000 for at least one internship at a partner site focused on faith and health. The stipend is available for only one academic year. Through a fellows cohort model, fellows will have curricular and cocurricular opportunities to be specifically educated about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern U.S. and to learn about inclusive practices that can lead to stigma reduction in faith communities. Faith and Health Fellows will be expected to earn a concentration in Religious Leadership in Food, Health, and Ecology (track: Health).  The award is renewable for up to three academic years for those who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher.

    The Jeanette Wallace Hyde Award provides full tuition and a $2,500 annual stipend for strong female candidates who demonstrate exceptional promise in religious leadership and strong academic ability.  The award is renewable for up to three academic years for those who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher.  Preference is given to candidates from North Carolina.

  • About the Awards: Merit Scholarships

    The Frances and Charles R. Council Award provides full tuition for candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and show financial need. The award is renewable for up to three academic years for those who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher. 

    The Baugh Divinity Scholarship provides full tuition for candidates who demonstrate academic excellence and intend to lead in justice, ministry, and service to church and community. Recipients must be committed to acts of compassion, inclusivity, and ministries in Baptist traditions, with preference given to students who are active members of a moderate to progressive Baptist church. The award is renewable for up to three academic years for those who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.

    Established by Mack Edward and Virginia Vestal Smith in memory of Dr. W. Randall Lolley (DDIV ‘71), the Randall Lolley Scholarship provides full tuition for Master of Divinity students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and financial need.  Preference will be given to students who intend to enter into congregational ministry.

    Dean’s Scholarship provides full tuition, funding for one summer internship, and a mentor-based financial well-being program for promising candidates who are committed to limiting their educational loans to no more than $20,000 of debt for Divinity School. Candidates will be required to participate in the programmatic components of the Dean’s Scholars initiative in order to maintain the scholarship. The award is renewable for up to three academic years for those who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher.

    The Honors Scholarship provides 75% of tuition and is renewable for up to three academic years. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding promise for ministry and academic achievement. 

    The School of Divinity Scholarship covers 50% of tuition and is renewable for up to three academic years.  Applicants must demonstrate outstanding promise for ministry and academic achievement.