<p>My d was just invited to apply as a Dana Associate. (Yay!) Anyone know anything about the program, other than its glossy brochure? She didn't like the fact that Dana Associates apparently go through orientation together - felt too cliqueish and exclusionary to her ("Oh, there go the smart kids"). Does anyone know if that is in fact the attitude of other kids towards the Associates? Do they also share an "honors dorm"?</p>
<p>Thanks for any info you can give me.</p>
<p>Gongratulations !
My D is a sophomore who received the Presidential Scholarship, not the Dana Associate, but last year I had a nice chat with a mother of student in the honors program.</p>
<p>Both were very happy with the program. I don't recall any mention about an "honors dorm", but there may be one. I know it is a close knit group who do special things together, socially and academically. They watch movies, have special dinners, meet regularly in small groups with professors, and take some classes together. I hope this is accurate.</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about any stigma, Muhlenberg has some well defined subgroups - theater arts kids, pre-med students, and athletes. So having a small cohesive group at Muhlenberg is a good thing :)</p>
<p>Thanks so much, SJCM! We're really excited about the potential. </p>
<p>One more question - can you be a member of more than one well-defined subgroup? My d is a dancer, so she'd probably be with the performers, and if she gets the Associate, she'd like to be able to move smoothly between the groups. Her friends in HS are very eclectic - theater, music, athletes, math lovers, all are part of her group. But there are enough clicques that make it hard just to sit with another kid at lunch. Is that an issue? (Did I even explain it coherently?)</p>
<p>:) Chevda, my D insists that all the "groups" get along well, and she almost dismisses the fact that there are subgroups.
So I say the more groups to move between the better at a school the size of Muhlenberg.
My niece, was a record setting field hockey player back in the late 90's and Phi Beta Kappa. Smart and athletic :)</p>
<p>Your D's high school interests makes me think she will like the Muhlenberg atmosphere.
Regarding the cafeteria ( which is quite plush by PA LAC standards) might be somewhat segregated, but there is also the cafe where many students dine regularly, so she can vary her locales!!!</p>
<p>PS, you explained it very "coherently" ....LOL.
I wish I could address it better for you. Perhaps a 'berg student may come out of the woodwork to assist, or your D or you could be sure to ask these questions of current students</p>
<p>As for orientation:</p>
<p>During the three days of orientation, students are broken into small groups of about 15 people. These groups go to the meetings together, eat lunch together, and generally get to know each other before classes begin. The groups are determined by which First Year Seminar (FYS) you are in. Since Dana Scholars all take the same FYS, they will be in their own group. Muhlenberg Scholars and RJ Fellows are the same. It won't, however, be as if they are their own clique of smart kids since there is no way of knowing which group is which FYS since all the groups are treated the same.</p>
<p>Also, there are no honors dorms or housing. Except for completing around three(? not sure, I'm a Muhlenberg Scholar so I don't know too much about the DS program) independent mentorships with faculty, they will be treated as normal students. </p>
<p>Here are some Dana FAQs:
<a href="http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/interdis/dana/faq.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/interdis/dana/faq.htm</a></p>
<p>Last time, I promise!
She should be absolutely fine moving between groups. There are plenty of people who are double majors Pre-Med/Theatre, mixing with two of the biggest groups on campus (the scientists and the actors). I haven't noticed anything very cliquey though groups will start to seperate a bit in the second half of freshmen year. The general atmosphere on campus is very friendly (people always holding doors open, sharing tables in the dining hall, etc).</p>
<p>My daughter was also just invited to apply. She intends to major in acting with minors in dance and voice. Does anyone know how the Dana program integrates with performing arts? Could my daughter choose a mentorship and internship in performing arts/theatre?</p>
<p>Thanks so much, everyone. I'll show her your responses; I'm sure she'll feel better about things.</p>
<p>And MichaelNKat, good luck to your D!</p>
<p>Thank you Chedva, and to yours also. BTW, did you happen to see the p.s. at the bottom of the letter :).</p>
<p>Yes, I did, and I loved it! Nothing like having a director of admissions with a sense of humor!</p>