Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholars (RCPRS)? What is this?

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>Does everyone, who got admitted into the College of Engineering, get this? To clarify, this is the email I received:</p>

<p>"Dear Prospective Rawlings Cornell Presidential Research Scholar in Engineering:</p>

<p>Congratulations on your acceptance to the Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholars (RCPRS) program in the College of Engineering at Cornell University! We are excited by the diverse interests of students comprising this exceptional group and look forward to sharing with you an insider’s view of undergraduate research in the College. </p>

<p>If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a brochure for Cornell Days. Cornell Days are eight specialized visitation days for newly admitted students so that they may get an insider’s look and feel for the Cornell campus and community. We believe that Cornell University’s wealth of opportunities and wide ranging diversity is unique in truly embodying our founder Ezra Cornell’s spirit of establishing an institution for any person, any study. </p>

<p>We hope you will visit Cornell in the coming weeks during Cornell Days, and want to especially encourage you to come to campus starting the evening of Thursday April 14th and continuing on Friday, April 15th. Engineering Learning Initiatives is hosting the Engineering RCPRS Luncheon on Friday, April 15th. We have highlighted some specialized events on this particular Cornell Day, and have attached a suggested itinerary for you and your family if you do visit us on the 15th. The highlight of this special visit day will be an informal, exclusive luncheon with current RCPRS Engineering students and faculty mentors. You will also have the opportunity to attend research lab demonstrations, an engineering course, and take a campus or residence hall tour. </p>

<p>If you are able to arrive on campus by the evening of Thursday, April 14th, we strongly encourage you to attend the Rawlings CPRS Senior Expo Poster Session where you can see displays showcasing the work of senior students in the program. Immediately following the poster session, you and your family will be invited to attend a special reception for visiting prospective RCPRS students. At this reception you will get a brief overview of the Rawlings CPRS program and have a chance to ask questions about the program.</p>

<p>In addition to the RCPRS and College of Engineering events we highlight on the itinerary, we also encourage you to take some time to explore the Cornell campus, tour the facilities, or view the exhibits at the Johnson Museum. We are confident that you will find something of interest during your visit.</p>

<p>Please contact Alice Rockey, with Engineering Learning Initiatives, at <a href=“mailto:eng-learning@cornell.edu”>eng-learning@cornell.edu</a> or call (607) 255-9622 by noon on Tuesday, April 12, and let us know if you and your family will be joining us for our RCPRS Visit Day and luncheon. If you have dietary restrictions, we ask that you notify us at that time.</p>

<p>If you will be visiting the Cornell campus on a day other than April 15th, be sure to contact our office to let us know. We would love to meet you, even if only briefly, and help direct you to key resources within the College.</p>

<p>Research is a hallmark of the College of Engineering at Cornell, and we are delighted to welcome you to this fascinating world of discovery.</p>

<p>With warm regards,
Lisa Schneider</p>

<p>Lisa Schneider, Ph.D.
Director, Engineering Learning Initiatives
167 Olin Hall
College of Engineering
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
ph: (607) 255-4621"</p>

<p>So, why does it say prospective and then it says “accepted”? Is that a typo? Can anyone shed some light on this program? I tried googling it/ searching CC threads but I wasn’t able to find much. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>I think it’s for select people. [Cornell</a> University Cornell Presidential Research Scholars: About](<a href=“Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University”>Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University)
It says that they select prospective freshmen into this. They give $8,000 for research and replace 4,000 a year of loans. It sounds awesome and makes me want to go to Cornell even more now. Congrats and Maybe we’ll see each other at Cornell! :D</p>

3

<p>Hey I got this too - does anyone have more info on this program? The website wasn’t too informative.</p>

<p>EDIT: Never mind, it’s actually very descriptive: <a href=“Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University”>Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University;

4

<p>It is offered to a little over one percent of accepted freshmen each year. It is I think about 200 spots total for each incoming class. There is no additional application for incoming freshmen. However, a very limited number of spots are available to sophomores already at Cornell for which you have to apply. It is simply a great program. Here are some of the highlights,</p>

<ol>
<li>You get to work in a substantial research project from your freshman year.</li>
<li>Faculty is very receptive as not only they are assured of the quality of the scholar but they do not have to pay their salaries. Salaries are given through the program.</li>
<li>There is loan forgiveness of $4000 per year in addition.</li>
<li>You can pretty much chose your research mentor.</li>
<li>There is a systematic ramp up. When you enter Cornell, they take you through orientation, peer mentoring and other activities to ease you into the program.</li>
<li>It looks great on a resume.</li>
<li>Most scholars have gone on to doing bigger and better things after graduating from college.</li>
<li>The program really helps you hone your research skills and other skills such as presentation, networking etc.</li>
</ol>

<p>However, if you accept you have to commit to doing research which is above and beyond your class load. Usually, it means 10-15 hours/week doing research.</p>

5

<p>Prospective vs Accepted</p>

<p>Cornell Presidential Research Scholar program is at an university level. When you get this you have been accepted to it. However, your research work need not be the same as your major for example you could major in Psychology and choose to do a research project in Computer Science. Although, generally you would want your research project to align with your major to enhance your understanding in your field of interest. You probably have been accepted into College of Engineering and they are trying to make you aware of the options in College of Engineering through this program. If you attend the program you will get more details there about the kind of projects people do.</p>

6

<p>Just got this! </p>

<p>You’ve probably checked your admission decision online or received your letter in the mail and know of the good news about your admission to Cornell. Congratulations!</p>

<p>I am writing today to deliver more good news – you have been selected as a Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholar. This program is one of three student recognition programs sponsored by the Cornell Commitment Office. Your selection is an added honor and distinction and you will be receiving more information very shortly in the mail regarding this recognition.</p>

<p>We hope that you will be able to visit us during Cornell Days, our special 8-day period for welcoming admitted students to campus. On Thursday, April 14, the annual Research Scholars Senior Expo will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Biotechnology Building. Immediately following the Senior Expo, you and your family are invited to stay for a reception and learn more about the program. Alternatively, on Friday, April 15, you are invited to attend the Cornell Commitment information session where we will share more details about the Hunter R. Rawlings III Presidential Research Scholars program. The information session will be held from 11:00 a.m. to noon in the Robert Purcell Community Center on North Campus. Visit the Cornell Days website (cornelldays.cornell.edu) for more details.</p>

<p>In the meantime, further information about this prestigious program can be found on the Cornell Commitment website ([Untitled</a> Document](<a href=“http://www.commitment.cornell.edu%5DUntitled”>http://www.commitment.cornell.edu)). Please be sure to contact us with any questions at <a href=“mailto:rcprs@cornell.edu”>rcprs@cornell.edu</a> and expect to receive information about our upcoming Web chat for admitted students. Once again, congratulations on your admission to Cornell and your selection as a Research Scholar.</p>

<p>With best regards,</p>

<p>Jason C. Locke
Director
Undergraduate Admissions Office</p>

7

<p>^same.</p>

<p>Congrats everyone!</p>

8

<p>Son got it too - feels good after getting Duke, Princeton and Yale rejections yesterday.
Up to 200 students are supported each year - I think this is the total number, not 200 freshmen. Also 2% - 200 freshmenn would be more like 10%.
I wonder how many of those are in engineering?
Cornell looks good, not sure we can afford it. Will see all the options soon I guess.</p>

9

<p>Website says that less than 2% of all Cornell students are in this program.</p>

10

<p>so almost 14,000 undergraduate students at Cornell, 200 makes ~1.5% of that.</p>

11

<p>Cornell Engineering for the last two years had 7 freshman scholars for each year. Incoming freshman engineering class is about 700. The percentage of total students for each year is somewhere around 1.5%</p>

<p>If anyone has any specific questions, I would be happy to answer. I am a parent with a child in this program.</p>

12

<p>^ @ 2coll
do you know the number of Rawlings Scholars for Cals too?
I got the same letter from Cals and was wondering if there is any difference between scholars in Cals, engineering, etc.</p>

<p>Also, does it entail some other requirements or qualifications later on? for instance having to maintain certain GPA requirement or devote certain number of hours a week on research.</p>

13

<p>@2coll too, You mentioned that RCPRS scholars usually spend 10 hours a week devoted to research. I’ll be in the College of Engineering so I’m kind of worried that I won’t have enough time to focus on academics, get good grades, and enjoy Cornell. If I’m in this program, am I pretty much going to spend my entire time focusing on researching and academics? Or, will I still have some time outside of those two areas?</p>

14

<p>@ danokgh,</p>

<p>The percent is roughly the same for all colleges for Rawlings Scholars 1 to 1.5% of incoming class. There is no difference between scholars in Cals or Engineering. Of course, each school wants the scholar to join one of their faculty labs for obvious reasons. You can find answers to your other question at [Hunter</a> Rawlings III Presidential Research Scholars](<a href=“Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University”>Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University)</p>

<p>As a freshman 2nd semester, you are expected to do about 10 hours/week. as a freshman 1st semester you get a pass to adjust unless you come in with an arrangement.</p>

15

<p>i’m interested if anyone in the social sciences or humanities has worked as a rcprs scholar?</p>

<p>my daughter is newly admitted to ilr (yeh!) and wonders about the type of research she can engage in.</p>

<p>she has background in intel/nysef but might seek something less-science oriented.</p>

<p>can she do a project within american history or cognitive psych or even…punk music from the 80s?</p>

<p>how much freedom to research is actually granted under rcprs?</p>

<p>thanks in advance to any who cares to share.</p>

<p>be well</p>

<p>dadofdaughters</p>

16

<p>@ proster</p>

<p>So, freshman 1st semester you are not expected to do any research. Adjust yourselves with the surroundings, talk to various faculty regarding possible interests, network with upperclassmen scholars (you will be assigned a Peer Mentor), attend dinners and casual events. Most start some work starting Freshman 2nd semester. Even that can be postponed to your sophomore year provided there is some valid reason.</p>

<p>Most students at Cornell work either in food services, office positions, or part of work study. Unless you are rich enough to not need those jobs. Even if you are rich, any job will enhance your resume. Many students work even longer than 10 hours and lower rates. RCPRS scholars get to work on a research project that is substantial and publishable. As an example, here is what my child is involved with [Project</a> 1 : Research : Cornell Center for the Microenvironment and Metastasis](<a href=“http://www.cmm.cornell.edu/project1.html]Project”>http://www.cmm.cornell.edu/project1.html) . Started freshman 2nd sem, now sophomore. Maintains excellent GPA.</p>

<p>However, you can not accept the award and not do any research.</p>

17

<p>@ dadofdaughters,</p>

<p>If you have the interest, inclination and the background you can do research in any field of your choosing. You are not even tied down to your major. If you find a faculty who is doing the type of research that she is interested in doing, you will be fine. Here is a partial list of publications from RCPRS scholars [Hunter</a> Rawlings III Presidential Research Scholars](<a href=“Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University”>Cornell Commitment | Student & Campus Life | Cornell University)</p>

<p>In the past, they used to have project list of scholars on this website. Currently, the link is greyed out. They are possibly updating it.</p>

18

<p>2coll, how well respected is this program? Will this help in terms of distinguishing yourself when applying for grad school? </p>

<p>Sent from my iPhone 4 using CC app</p>

19

<p>@Wong</p>

<p>For med/grad school it would be a key differentiator if you use it well. True, there is a prestige component regardless but it opens up doors for you to do something substantial and perhaps even publish. And of course, rec letters from a research advisor.</p>

20

<p>What do you mean publish? Can’t you publish research even if you are not even the program ( or am I mistaken?). Also, I think we can publish in high school as a couple of my friends have (including myself). Just trying to feel out the program to see if it is worth joining. </p>

<p>Sent from my iPhone 4 using CC app</p>