<p>I just recieved a packet from UIUC inviting me to join the Chancellor's Scholars Program. I wasn't intending on attending U of I so I haven't researched any honors opportunities and don't know anything about the program. The letter described that the program was only for 125 students. Can anyone share what they know about the program and its benefits?</p>
<p>same. i was about ready to to commit to another school when this packet came home today. I did some internet research, and from what I understand we’d get first priority in picking classes, we get to take “honors” versions of some gen eds (they aren’t supposed to be harder, just more discussion-based and with approx 20 kids instead of 80+), there’s a special “honors house” that lets us hang out/study/participate in social activities, we have more paid research and study abroad opportunities, and it’s noted on our transcript.
aka it’s extremely tempting. and just when i thought i had my mind made up…</p>
<p>I got it too…</p>
<p>I had already decided I was definitely going to UIUC. This just makes it better.</p>
<p>Are you guys James Scholars too?</p>
<p>^yep, i think if you’re a chancellor’s scholar you’re pretty much automatically a james scholar. but that’s awesome that you’ve already chosen u of i, so this is just icing on the cake 
congrats!</p>
<p>I got the letter too! I was already planning on UIUC, and I had looked into the honors program, but I had completely discounted myself from it because of the number of spots. Needless to say, I was freaking out when I got this =) </p>
<p>Did anyone else receive the OOS scholarship accompanying this, $10k renewable for two years?</p>
<p>I didn’t think I would make it into this program either, so I was pretty surprised. I’m in-state so I didn’t get that scholarship. I got some others though.</p>
<p>just wondering, is anyone here a rogers or matthews scholar too?</p>
<p>Not I. Just to throw this out there, it feels like a crazy proportion of people winning these scholarships are active on CC… maybe there’s a correlation? =D</p>
<p>Yet another fancy title. I think UIUC should focus on coming up with more full-ride scholarships. It’s sort of ironic when your kid has to choose between Brown and Williams and Northwestern because they’re all so much more affordable (even with $18k in merit money). Maybe they could start by cutting back on sending a pound of junk mail every week!</p>
We found this honor to be selected amongst top 125 accepted freshman students a sour pill to swallow when none of the College of Engineering (bioengineering meerimgg) larger merit scholarships accompanied it. USC, Miami, Tulane, U. Michigan (OOS) , and Case Western provided merit scholarships and thus significantly lower total cost of attendance than UIUC. Ironic that their ‘top’ Scholar designation will have a lower yield producing matriculation students for the University than lesser ones. /venting_off
@SoProudofMyChildren I wholeheartedly agree with you!
My son (Valedictorian, National Merit Finalist, 36 ACT, 2240 SAT) got none of the larger engineering scholarships available. The gave him a couple small ones, including one non renewable one. I was really hoping, as you said that being one of only 125 Chancellor Scholars would have improved his chances, but I guess he did not meet the criteria of their “holistic” selection process. SMH
I’d like to know what the heck one needs to do to actually get some meaningful merit aid from U of I.
@5collegebound - I wonder whether the recurring larger Engineering merit scholarships required previous display of specific EC engineering interests and activity? My child had none outside of core academics strength. How about your son? BTW, my child had a close friend who also got Chancellor with no recurring merit scholarship in a social science major.
Where is your child deciding between? Wwe are deciding between Stamps (full CoA) at University of Miami, and USC with Trustee full Tuition and having a really brutal time deciding due to extensive similarities.)
SMH acronym is a new one for me 
@SoProudofMyChildren I’ve never done any engineering related research or activities in my life. I took two Physics, one Bio, and one Calc class related to Bioengineering (which is core academics) but nothing else. It’s odd. Best of luck!
@Nedcone
well, you blew my theory out of the water related to ECs.
Are you committed to UIUC, if not where?
good luck!
@Nedcone Weighing my options currently, but UIUC, Howard, and Columbia are top three currently.
Thanks!
Son also received an engineering scholarship from UIUC. He is OOS from Wisconsin. The scholarship is nice. Still Wisconsin is more affordable for us.