I was accepted into Penn State’s Engineering program and am a millennium scholar finalist. Can someone explain to me what it is like to be a millennium scholar and whether they would recommend it? Also what is the interview weekend like? How many other finalists are there? The website says the scholarship starts at $15,000, what is the average amount that people have received?
I’m accepted into the engineering program and a finalist in the Millennium Scholars program too, and I was wondering the same thing! I wonder how many people ever accepted.
Sup guys! I am a finalist too and wanted to know more about the program. Please pm me your information so we can meet during interview weekend. If I am correct, the program accepts about 30 or so students. I was pm’ing a mom who had a son that applied.
To be honest I have no idea how to pm, I just made this to reply to this post lol. Do you think having the interview means we have a good chance of being accepted? And what are you planning on majoring in, vic1157?
It’s cool, I’ll pm you. and I am just as clueless as you, did you read the whole e-mail? I am planning on majoring in Electrical Engineering, how about you?
Yes I read the whole email, but they really don’t give much information on anything! I’m worried about what the interview questions will be. I’m planning in majoring in computer engineering.
Hey guys! I also got accepted as a finalist. To my knowledge about 70 people are selected as finalists, and I think if you choose to accept it, it’s yours. They take extras knowing that some people will not take this deal.
@mattyice63 are you sure? Where did you hear that from?
If you look at some of the older posts, it mentions that they accepted 70 finalists, which is where that came from. As far as acceptance, that’s just what I’ve kind of come up with logistics wise. If they do actually take 70 finalists, and accept 24-48 in the program, I belive they are looking at this the same way airlines do, by saying they are going to overbook it, knowing people are not going to be taking it because they have different offers from other places, but everyone they invite as a finalist are people they want in the program. I do not know any of this for sure, it is just what I am thinking. So to answer, it’s just my best guess.
Hey, guys! Prospective physics major here, and I’m happy to meet some of the other people accepted as finalists! I think that it would be a great honor to be a part of the millennium program, but the only thing holding me back a little bit is the fact that we have to do the summer program 
Hello! I’m also a finalist, planning to major in chemical engineering. @Katana1085, I’ve looked more into the summer session, and it actually looks like a good time! I mean, it does eat up 6 weeks of the summer and seems to be academically intensive, but in past years the scholars visited NIH and different challenge courses. Apparently the goal of the summer session is not only to allow students to acclimate to the academic rigor of a college environment, but also to bring the scholars together, creating a tight-knit group of students beginning their freshman year of college with an intimate knowledge of the campus facilities.
My big concern is the interview process and its impact on acceptance. Do you think that acceptance to the program will be based on the interviews alone at this point, considering that our applications have already been reviewed? Or do you think that the finalists are chosen with the expectation that around half of them will end up attending other schools/declining the offer for other reasons (making the interview process more of a marketing campaign)?
This is great. I wanna at least know everyone before interview weekend. And I second what @15jonesvo said. The summer session looks cool… while there will be academic rigor, it seems like it would be a lot of fun.
Abut the selection process, that’s what I was wondering…would they give us the option to accept or decline or how would that work? I think it will follow @mattyice63’s theory. But other than that, this program looks great with all the perks and scholarship money… it’ll force me to maintain focus while having dedicated individuals surrounding me.
Anyways, I wish all of you guys the best of luck and PM so we can get to know one another.
Hello! I plan on majoring in Biochemistry, and was invited to the Interview Weekend. I guess I waited too long, though–the Penn Stater is all booked. Hope to see you guys there!
Update: the Penn Stater still has rooms open, but the website is glitchy. Call to get reservations.
Hello fellow finalists! As the millennium scholars program is a fairly new one, I’m intrigued to find out more information about the interview process, benefits/negatives, and so on. Hopefully someone will answer all of our questions! Hope to meet some of you in the duration of the weekend!
Mackenzie
Hi! I am also planning on majoring in Biochemistry. I hope to meet you guys. Btw, my name is Fabiola. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one with doubts. Goodluck hope to meet you there!
Has anyone who went to the interview weekend heard back yet?
I haven’t yet. Have you found anything about the survey they mentioned?
Nothing! I think they were on break, so perhaps in the next week or so….
I predict that decisions will be sent mid-next week. Also, there’s no way to take the ALEKS assessment without enrolling, right? I know they said to take the test ASAP, but I cant remember if they clarified whether that was for finalists who were selected for the program and choosing to accept the offer or for everyone. I wouldn’t be worried about it, but I talked to another finalist (not enrolled in Penn State) who claims he took it already…