fungjj92

What exactly is the difference between the two? Besides, of course, the essays you have to write.

Is there an advantage to applying to one over the other?

Thanks!

h0pp3r

I attended admissions sessions on both and there is basically no difference.
The Rodriguez was originally started to help out hispanic scholars and the Ervin to help out black scholars. This has since changed, and now they are very similar programs with very similar criteria. It does help (slightly, but it is noteworthy) to be of the race that the scholarship was originally instituted for. The session actually recommended applying to both to higher your chance of receiving one of them, and the class of 2013 actually had (aroundish) 6 students that got into both programs. To compare, about 20-40 kids got each scholarship. Hope this helps out!

acolombianp28

To get more specific, 5 kids have both Ervin and Rodriguez for class of 2013 and there's 23 Rodriguez Scholars for the class of 2013. While I don't have statistics for Ervin Scholars, I do agree with hopp3r that it's recommended to apply to both for a better chance at each (or both) and if you're not of the corresponding ethnicity (Latino for Rodriguez or African American for Ervin), don't be discouraged from applying, I know there's actually a wide range of ethnicities in both programs and entrance to each is very dependent on how well you fit the values of each scholarship.

meercat

the Annika and Ervin scholars are both programs for students who are helping bring diverse leadership potential to the campus. my older sister actually was offered the Danforth, Ervin, and Annika scholarships, and had to pick 2 of the programs to participate in. Because she is extremely interested in Latino culture, she chose the Annika and Danforth programs, since the majority of Annika Scholars are (still) Hispanic. For the record, my sister is not African or Hispanic.

fungjj92

These responses are great-- thanks so much =]