<p>So, I just want to begin by reiterating how excited I am to go to Uva (seas) this fall. I think I understand why I wasn't invited into Rodman-my stats are a little low comparitivly. However, I did some poking around the site and I read that first years can apply for Rodman towards the end of semester 1 for reconsideration. I was just wondering what exactly you have to do to have a shot at it. I mean, do they expect you to get involved in research that early? Or do you just need really good grades in your classes(I know that's probably not as simple as it sounds)? Will not being in the honors program hurt my chances of getting into a good grad school/landing a better job? Do the professers prefer the honors students more? I know it's only about 5% of the school, and obviously the other 95% have just as much of a shot at a great education if they work at it, but I just wanted to know how much of a difference not being in the honors program would make. </p>
<p>do they expect you to get involved in research that early? – no, but there’s other ways to get involved in SEAS without doing lab research.</p>
<p>Or do you just need really good grades in your classes(I know that’s probably not as simple as it sounds)? – not so simple, but yes, grades do play a part. You don’t need a 4.0, but I don’t think a 3.0 would cut it either.</p>
<p>Will not being in the honors program hurt my chances of getting into a good grad school/landing a better job? – NO!!! NO NO NO NO NO!! Please PLEASE do not think this! UVa SEAS has a VERY high job placement (it was ~90% for 2009 grads, don’t know about 2010. This 90% number came from the pool of those who did not go to grad school or military, fyi). Does Rodmans help? Sure, but stuff like good grades, internships, research, and most importantly, personality and interests, affect grad school/job placement way more.</p>
<p>Do the professers prefer the honors students more? – Not at all. Really, Rodmans float in and out, no one really pays attention to it that much.</p>
<p>Rodmans isn’t as big of a deal as Echols, in my opinion. All engineers stand out in their own way and everyone is very smart, in their own way. Registration priority isn’t as a big of a concern in the eschool as well. I think the only good perks are the extra classes and the different experiences outside the classroom, but honestly, you can achieve most of that even outside of Rodmans.</p>
<p>The benefits for the Rodman program are mostly centered around the community that the program builds, so I wouldn’t worry about being hurt by not being a Rodman scholar (nor should you worry about not being involved in the rodman community – there’s SO MUCH going on at UVa, and that’s just one thing). I don’t think any of my professors know that I’m a Rodman, and although it’s on my resume, it’s never been brought up in interviews. The program does have some good benefits, and I’d strongly recommend you apply, but not being in it won’t hurt your education at UVa.</p>
<p>The application process is pretty much what you’d expect – fill out a paper app, then an interview. Grades are very important, but your involvement in your first semester is also very important. That can be research, like you said, but also involvement in clubs or engineering organizations, or taking initiative in classes, stuff like that. They’re basically looking for people who are enthusiastic about their engineering education.</p>
<p>Professors have no way of knowing which kids are Echols or Rodman scholars, nor do they care, because the Echols/Rodman kids are generally good students but not head and shoulders above everybody else.</p>
<p>Okay. -whew- that clears things up a lot. I think I’m still going to try for it at the end of semester 1, but if I dont get in then it’s not as big of a deal as I thought it would be. </p>
<p>Just curious who decides Rodmans? My student did not get it when applied to UVA and applied during first semester. HS GPS was 4.57 and also lots of honors and leadership in HS. Then summer internship.
First semester at UVA was all A’s and one B+. Took on leadership role for the first sem project they had to build. Student athelete in HS and college.</p>
<p>No reason was given for the rejection. Even asked. This is just surprising considering what other universities offered. Unfortunately, we could not afford OOS. </p>
<p>Can anyone enlighten me? What are they looking for and who decides?</p>
<p>The Office of Admission invites people into the scholars programs during the application stage. Current students who were not selected can petition the programs directly to join after their first semester. The program pages describe characteristics we look for in the review and I’ve written about it on my blog a few times over the years.</p>