<p>I got into this vague program at Fu. I've read a couple threads on it, but no one seems to have a consolidated list of stuff about it and its all generally vague... anyone have some consolidated info on it? Or could a current Fu student tell me about it?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I believe you get full tuition, and research internship opportunities. And some other amenities like seminars where famous people speak at.</p>
<p>Definitely not full tuition (that would have been awesome), but I think I read somewhere that you get grants instead of loans (…I don’t really know what that means). But the research opportunities and seminars sounds about right.</p>
<p>Any current Fu students?</p>
<p>Another 2016 scholar here interested in hearing from current members!</p>
<p>Still vague but perhaps somewhat helpful: [Columbia</a> Undergraduate Scholars Program - WikiCU, the Columbia University wiki encyclopedia](<a href=“http://www.wikicu.com/Columbia_Undergraduate_Scholars_Program]Columbia”>Columbia Undergraduate Scholars Program - WikiCU, the Columbia University wiki encyclopedia)</p>
<p>I was awarded C. Prescott Davis Scholar too. Seems pretty vague - but there are preferential internship and research opportunities.</p>
<p>Should I take it over Carnegie Mellon Computer Science?</p>
<p>I got into Carnegie Mellon as well (I think I applied as Biomed or Mechanical). CMU’s C.S. program is world renowned, so if you want a job in that field I’d go with that. If you’re more into starting your own company I’d go with Columbia.</p>
<p>I’m debating between UPenn and Columbia myself, but I’m leaning towards Columbia anyway.</p>
<p>@silverturtle - thanks! it did help a little bit.</p>
<p>C.P. Davis 2016 here too! Research opportunities sound great with this.</p>
<p>My kid also got this. I called FA people this morning to ask if it comes with any money and they said the letters were sent yesterday and FA package will explain what is being given. They refused to mention anything over the phone and so it looks like we will need to wait on the letters.</p>
<p>Hey all, congrats on your acceptance and on being chosen as Scholars! </p>
<p>I’m a freshman John Jay Scholar in Columbia College. It’s pretty similar to the C. P. Davis program, but geared towards the College students. Anyway.</p>
<p>The Columbia Undergraduate Scholars Program comprises the John Jay Scholars (CC), the C. P. Davis Scholars (SEAS), Kluge (minority students, I think?) and the Global Scholars (international). It is essentially an honorary merit scholarship. (Honorary, because Columbia does not give out financial aid for anything other than financial need.)</p>
<p>If you’re on need based financial aid, CUSP waives half of your work-study requirement. (In the past, before Columbia instituted a universal no loans policy, CUSP replaced all Scholars’ financial aid loans with grants. Now we all have grants anyway.) CUSP gives you access to free cultural events in NYC–plays, musicals, interesting speakers, etc. Throughout the year you will participate in a biweekly seminar with other Scholars and an advisor based on a particular theme–this year we dealt with the Millennium Development Goals. And, my personal favorite, CUSP gives Scholars the chance to apply for an exclusive Summer Enhancement Fund that allows us to pursue unpaid internships, research, or travel over the summer. We also have a separate advising office.</p>
<p>It’s true that the whole outfit is rather mysterious. I remember when I got my JJ acceptance last year it was nearly impossible to find concrete details about the program. If you come to Days on Campus, though, there will be a separate Scholars reception where you can get some of your questions answered. It’s actually sort of a joke among Scholars that none of us really knows what the program is for or how we were chosen for it–simply because the idea of a merit scholarship at Columbia, where the average talent level is already so high, is a little odd. But there you go. It doesn’t have a huge impact on your academic or social experience, but there is some money involved (in an under-the-table kind of way) and we get some other nice extras throughout our four years. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decisions!</p>
<p>Is it possible for students who are not eligible for financial aid to get any money via this scholarship?</p>