<p>Hi,
My son just received an invitation to apply for Dana Scholars. :)I was wondering if anyone can explain the differences between Dana Scholars and the 2 other honors programs. I know it has been discussed here before, but I didn't really understand the differences (sorry!). One important question, though, is if all 3 honors programs require students to maintain a 3.3 GPA or that is only the Dana program. Thank you in advance for any help!</p>
<p>I’ve wondered the same thing, and only today, ran across this at the Muhlenberg site:</p>
<p>[Muhlenberg</a> College: Dana Scholars - FAQs](<a href=“http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/dana-scholars/faqs.html]Muhlenberg”>http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/dana-scholars/faqs.html)</p>
<p>At the bottom is this question: “What are the differences between Muhlenberg Scholars, RJ Fellows, and Dana Scholars?” You can read the full answer at the site, but it appears that the Dana Scholars program emphasizes internship and mentorship with faculty.</p>
<p>We were told when our daughter went to spend a day attending classes that each scholars program focuses in slightly different interests or areas and they try to place the students based on where they fit the best. Still not quite sure though.</p>
<p>Dana scholars is the only one that has a separate application by invitation.</p>
<p>Happy that DD received request to submit essay, she finally submitted and now we wait to hear. Hopefully assuming since she was invited that she has acceptance to Muhlenberg.</p>
<p>My daughter did apply for Dana Scholars. When she looked online after her acceptance to Muhlenberg, for her financial aid award for the 2013-2014 academic year, the Dana Associates Program merit award was listed in addition to her Presidential Scholarship. Does that mean she got into the Dana program? Although she did receive a letter notifying her that she had been selected as a recipient of a Presidential Scholarship, she has not received a letter about the Dana Scholars Program. Has anyone else?</p>
<p>Yes it does. Congrats to your DD. My DD received the same acceptance with the Presidential and Dana Scholar Awards. Where are you from? We are in PA</p>
<p>We are from Maryland and my older daughter is a senior at Muhlenberg, but was not accepted into the Dana Program. She still has had a good experience at Muhlenberg and has definitely been challenged. My younger daughter has a difficult decision as she was accepted everywhere she applied and received merit money everywhere too. My daughter hopes to major in Biochemistry or Biology. What about your daughter? Is Muhlenberg her first choice? Do you think they will eventually send out letters about the Dana scholars acceptance?</p>
<p>She is still waiting on 4 schools. Hopefully she will have all her answers soon. Emory is her #1 but maybe cost prohibitive as she has desires towards med school. The $$$ of college is ridiculous. She also was accepted to Dickinson, Gettysburg and Delaware Honors. All with significant $$. Waiting on Emory, Richmond, William & Mary and Wash & Lee. </p>
<p>As for the Dana letter, we saw the info online and it listed the entire fin aid pkg. I am sure there will be an official letter or statement at some point.</p>
<p>Where is your DD leaning? where else did she apply?</p>
<p>dad2grls if it comes down to $$$ then I guess go where it is most affordable. but, I think emory is a school I would go to for grad school (IMO)richmond/washington and lee /gettysburg are very frat heavy. (that bothers me, maybe your daughter is ok with that)
mulenberg what be my choice numero uno!</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone. Our daughter also applied for Dana scholars but received Muhlenberg scholar as well hghest Presidential award. Sill not clear on differences other than the number of scholars in each progam and slightly different focus, not that I think it really matters.</p>
<p>Similar to others here she wants to study biology, possibly pre med. Also accepted with merit to Dickinson, Delaware, Saint Michaels, UVM, Rutgers, TCNJ and Villanova ( didn’t apply for merit, big oops). Still waiting on Skidmore, Richmond and Saint Marys.</p>
<p>I think top choices are Muhlenberg, Dickinson and SaintnMichaels. Will be tough month.
God luck to eveyone, maybe will see you at accepted students day.</p>
<p>@ Zobroward</p>
<p>I see you are a big advocate for Muhlenberg. May I ask you how you feel this school differs from Brandeis. My daughter is trying to decide between the two. Outside of location and the low male to female ratio, can you elaborate on what the advantages one would have over the other</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>darthdad, while I have a lot of respect for brandeis. the male/female ratio is about the same for brandies and muhlenberg. (roughly)
muhlenberg is 100% undergrad focused and has a super warm feel to it.
it is like choosing between the ritz carlton and four seasons. I just give the overall advantage to muhlenberg. I would choose brandeis over boston univ or tulane etc…
but muhlenberg is a special place (IMO)</p>
<p>@Zobroward</p>
<p>thanks for your input. Any thoughts to the differences between the student body? One more studious than the other?</p>
<p>How is academic rigor? Is the workload of one more manageable than the other?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Absmomof3-Was the Muhlenberg Scholar award listed with your D’s fin aid award online? My D was asked to apply to the Dana Scholars Program as well and we received a letter saying she was not accepted. We did not receive any fin aid info on line so I had to call the school. I straightened it out and within an hour my D’s award was on line. She received the top Presidential award, and a talent award; nothing else. I would find that strange that she would not be offered some honors program. I want her to be academically challenged, if she attends. Muhlenberg was her academic safety school.</p>
<p>3daughters- My daughter was in basically the same position. Muhlenberg was one of her safeties; she got oodles of merit money and a talent award but no honors program. She really loved Muhlenberg and decided to go there anyway. I would say she is being academically challenged. She has gotten on Dean’s List but I don’t think it’s been a piece of cake. She gets individual attention from her teachers and is able to take advantage of different opportunities they offer (for example, presenting a paper at a Women’s Studies conference). She has really been able to pursue several different interests and get involved in lots of ECs. I’m not sure she would feel as free to do that if she were in a different environment. Each kid is different though so you and your daughter will know best where she will flourish.</p>
<p>@3daughters, Muhlenberg Scholars was listed in addition to her Presidential award. She also received an acceptance letter and information on the scholars program in the mail.</p>
<p>I do think your daughter can still be academically challenged without the scholars program. Most of the classes are for all students and from what i’m hearing, opportunities for research, etc are open to everyone.</p>
<p>Congrats on the awards.</p>
<p>LeftofPisa-What is your D’s major? What year is she at Muhlenberg?</p>
<p>PM’d you. Trying to preserve some semblance of privacy for my D. :-)</p>