Schlars Program

sarmiento1 · 04-11-2007, 10:08 PM

did anyone get Echols scholars? I hadn't heard of it before it was mentioned in my package. Pros?

gwennberry · 04-19-2007, 08:34 AM

My daughter got into the program. I understand it's a big advantage to be able to register for classes first. The first year dormitory looked o.k. - suite style, but you still have a roomate. The campus was beautiful and the kids looked good - not too nerdy! She's trying to decide between UVA (out of state), Duke, UPenn and a free ride to UConn. What are your thoughts?

jOHN ROSS · 04-19-2007, 09:33 AM

The physical plant and surroundings at UPenn and UVA could not be more different. My D chose not to look at UPenn after we had driven through the area around the school on a crew regatta. I understand the younger folks use the word "sketchy" the describe the area around UPenn. Duke is a great school as well. Hard not to look seriously at it. UConn is, in my opinion, not even close to the same league as the rest. Your choice on the $$$$ ssue.

sarmiento1 · 04-26-2007, 07:41 PM

gwennberry. i ended up choosing amherst over UVa Echols program; however, I would have loved Duke, though I got little or no financial aid. That was actually why I was between UVA and Amherst. In terms of academics, Penn and Duke are somewhat more rigorous/prestigious, so I do not know if that will affect your decision-making process. If money is an issue, as it was for me, I might take the free ride; however, if not, I think that students at Duke are just as nice, and the campus is more beautiful than UVa.

nurjahan · 06-11-2007, 03:36 PM

well its not that Duke campus is better than UVA campus..
both are equally good in their own ways.. Its just that Duke's campus is Gothic while UVA's is neoclassical...

melli · 06-12-2007, 10:54 PM

Um, we had one of our sweetest victories over Duke's basketball last school year?

Gwenberry, that's right. Registering for classes first is WONDERFUL, and is the no requirements perk of being an Echols scholar. That's right, no area requirements. You're free to explore only your interests from day one.

Upoh · 06-13-2007, 09:41 AM

You can apply for Echols at the end of first year right? Does that meanyou can be notified if you've made it before you make your second year fall schedule (so you don't have to do any reqs)?

UVAMalex09 · 06-13-2007, 10:15 AM

You will be notified before you have to make your schedule for next semester.

SigmaCentauri · 06-14-2007, 06:05 PM

Note: Echols scholars who want to go to the Comm school still have to do complete the language requirement.

melli · 06-15-2007, 12:09 AM

Yep, and does taking a 300 level language class fulfill that req? Or does it HAVE to be a full two years?

coronax2 · 06-27-2007, 06:03 PM

melli, my son tested out of the first three semesters of foreign language, and just had to take the 4th semester. His advisor told him that would be sufficient for Comm School, but you should also check in case I misunderstood.

vistany · 06-30-2007, 01:15 PM

The formula for Echols remains a mystery to me. Never did figure out of it was numbers, amazing EC's or the essay - rec component. Anyone have clear insight they would be willing to share?

Thanks!

UVAMalex09 · 06-30-2007, 06:19 PM

Sheer dumb luck.

I know Echols and Rodman scholars who are supergeniuses in HS and beyond and are average joes throughout their years as Wahoos.

ehiunno · 07-01-2007, 01:10 PM

Yeah, Malex is probably right about the luck component. I have also heard it is extremely helpful to have a fairly clear idea of what you want to do as demonstrated in your EC's and essays. They don't want to let people into the program who aren't focused on achieving a goal, because when you have the freedom of an Echols scholar it is really easy to screw yourself over if you aren't focused. They also want you to be extremely well rounded in addition to this. So yeah, focused and well rounded tend to do it.

Its very much like getting into a top tier school, there are certain things they look for, but there is a essence of dumb luck to it.

For example, a good friend of mine will be attending MIT this fall. He did not get Rodman Scholae. I, however, got rejected from Olin College and Cornell, yet got Rodman scholar, and will be entering as a Rodman Scholar this fall. So yeah, its kind of a crap shoot, but being driven and focused on a goal helps a lot, as long as that is accompanied by a general well roundedness.

vistany · 07-03-2007, 05:01 AM

ehiunno, when you say focused, do you mean in terms of a career or something else?