<p>I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear in my other post, but if you are invited to Scholars, you absolutely can do both Scholars and Virtus. </p>
<p>Bear in mind that you do have to apply to Virtus, and preference is given to students not invited to participate in another living-learning program. However, you can do both as long as you are willing to live in Easton; there is a requirement of being housed in Easton to participate in Virtus. Scholars does not require you to live in the Cambridge Community, but guarantees you housing in the Cambridge Community should you want it (and accept housing in time!).</p>
<p>What that means is that if you prefer to live in the Cambridge Community, you cannot do Virtus.</p>
<p>So, yes, as far as academic support and career prep, they are difficult to distinguish. The thing I did not mention about Virtus is course clustering where they suggest you all take the same sections of the same class:</p>
<p>“Course Cluster: Students are encouraged to take their first year math, science and engineering courses in clusters. This will provide support through community and continuity in course work during the first year. The goals are to build community among students in engineering and develop and enhance academic and professional skills.”</p>
<p>[SEEDS</a>, Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.seeds.umd.edu/]SEEDS”>http://www.seeds.umd.edu/) Once you get to the page, you can download a document with the clusters</p>
<p>Scholars has several different programs to choose from that augment your engineering education, and you can choose either to explore something entirely different or something more closely related to engineering. You are take 2 classes related to your program theme and those typically fulfill gen ed requirements anyway if you keep an eye out for those options. I did post a separate thread just about College Park Scholars <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1455032-college-park-scholars-info.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1455032-college-park-scholars-info.html</a></p>
<p>My freshman chose not to apply to Virtus because the Cambridge Community cannot be beat for proximity to engineering classes. Easton is close to Byrd Stadium, so further away. Not horrible, but if you need that extra 5 minutes of sleep…</p>
<p>There are enough engineers in Scholars to have that same ability to easily have group study sessions (formal ones are arranged for finals review), so you wouldn’t be missing out so much on that aspect by living in scholars.</p>
<p>Since you state you are undecided, you might be interested in taking a 1 credit course called
ENES181 Dialogue with the Dean; (1 credit) Grade Method: REG/P-F/AUD.
Restriction: Must be in a major in ENGR-A. James Clark School of Engineering; and Must be a new freshman or transfer student. Introduction to Engineering as a Profession, Overview of Martin Institute and Clark School Education and Research Programs, The Future of Engineering and Engineering Education, Basic Technological Literacy, Business and Entrepreneurship Issues for Engineers, the Joy of Discovery, Student Projects: How to get involved, Research and Development Programs: How to get involved, What the corporate sector expects from a new engineering graduate.</p>
<p>Hope this helps…</p>