<p>I’m a Muhlenberg Scholar so obviously I know much more about that program than the others, but I can try to explain how honors programs work (in general) at the 'berg. Each class year has 15 Scholars, 15 Danas, and 30 RJs. </p>
<p>Honors programs have special classes. Dana scholars have specific seminars they have to take, an internship, mentorship, and the Dana forum. I’m sure you’ve seen the requirements (muhlenberg.edu/depts/interdis/dana/). Muhlenberg Scholars and RJ Fellows (muhlenberg.edu/depts/interdis/rjfellows/index.html) are a bit more open- courses are first open for pre-registration from Scholars and then the remaining spots are open to the campus. It’s nice that you can get more of a mix but it also prevents some of the bonding with fellow Scholars/RJs. More from the website: </p>
<p>" What are the differences between Muhlenberg Scholars, RJ Fellows, and Dana Scholars?</p>
<p>Dana scholars are assigned to one of the first year seminars designed specifically for Danas. Afterwards, they are required to satisfy 3.0 course units of independent internships/mentorships under faculty guidance. </p>
<p>Muhlenberg Scholars are required to take Scholars Courses in all fields of study: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. In their Senior year, they must take a seminar and complete a Scholars project. </p>
<p>RJ Fellows are required to take a specially designed first year seminar as a group. Like Muhlenberg Scholars, they must complete courses in all fields of study. Additionally, they take a Senior Signature Interdisciplinary course and participate in the planning and execution of the annual RJ Symposium, a public program involving former RJ Fellows, scholars, and speakers in appropriate fields."</p>
<p>All three programs have program-specific First Year Seminars (FYS). All freshmen here MUST take an FYS in their first year. It’s basically a small class that can focus on any number of topics. These include things like “Dark and Stormy Knights”, “Playing with Food: Cuisine as Culture”, and “Queer and Pleasant Danger”. The list changes each year. These are the groups that you spend orientation with. The classes focus on helping students develop college writing skills and learn how to actively participate and discuss.</p>
<p>The groups have a fun kind of rivalry going on…mostly between Dana and Muhlenberg Scholars. Clearly, Scholars are the best. We were hand-picked from the applicant pool 
There’s been talk of quiz nights and paintball attacks.</p>