<p>My son is a John Jay scholar. It is not a scholarship, though the scholars program does help in arranging grant money for summer projects. Rather, it’s an honorary designation. In freshman year, there are a number of CUSP (Columbia University Scholars Program) events, from social to educational, including a speakers series and scholars projects, that give the scholars some academic enrichment and the opportunity to get to know each other. My son has appreciated the program, but it’s really not a reason to choose Columbia over another school if the other school seems more suited to the student. My son actually did choose Columbia over Harvard, where he was also admitted, but it was for other specific reasons, not because he was named a John Jay scholar. And he is loving Columbia and very happy with his choice.</p>