<p>Sorry, I am not familiar with the CT Scholars Program. If you look at the two threads titled "Any Union Students," you will see my comments. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to discuss them. Overall, my son has had a good experience at Union and we would recommend the school.</p>
<p>Thanks fiona-</p>
<p>We may have more questions after we visit campus on April 9. At that time, we will also learn more about the National Science Foundation funded CT (converging technologies)Scholar Program. They say it is worth an additional $5,000-$7,000.</p>
<p>As a parent I must admit, the nearby neighborhood troubles me</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about the neighborhood. Union has always done a good job of keeping students busy on campus. The neighborhood was about the same when I was a student some years ago, As a female student, I never felt unsafe.</p>
<p>Are the Presidential Scholarship and the Scholars program the same thing or different? Is it possible to get the Presidental Scholarship but not be invited into the Scholars program?</p>
<p>Call Union admissions ASAP. Sounds like a mistake. last I checked, Connecticut was part of the U.S.</p>
<p>I called them and they told me that they will give me a call back later in the week, but the international director of admissions email me in like 10. She told me that I JUST got the wrong letter (international letter) and that I wasn't reviewed as an international applicant. Ironically, she was either so nervous or something else that she misspelled words in the email. I then asked her why I never got the Union post card that other applicants got, but she hasn't gotten back to me, but w/e I still have a lot of choices to pick from. I mean Union is a great school, but I will live on. I am just really mad that they made a mistake with my application and refuses to admit it. Thanks a lot for your help connecticutmom. Yeah, I live in CT.</p>
<p>TimeMaster-</p>
<p>I admire your positive attitude, it will take you far in life! </p>
<p>I have to say that colleges do make mistakes in admissions, and I know this first hand. Last year, a school my S applied to had the financial aid office sending us all their scholarship paper work, we were very confused. Several phone calls later the problem was sorted out; the admissions office had just plain overlooked (yes, overlooked!) sending him his acceptance/rejection letter. Many weeks after everyone else, he finally received the acceptance package.</p>
<p>Be sure your answers at Union are coming from the Director of Admissions and not the receptionist or such. You do deserve an explaination other than "wrong letter", to answer your justifiable questions.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>To clarify, we received one envelope with 3 separate letters:
- acceptance, from dean of admissions
- Presidential Scholarship, from financial aid
- invitation to APPLY to be a Union Scholar, from director of Scholars program</p>
<p>It took me a little while to figure out that the scholarship and scholar program were not related. To be a scholar, son would have to fill out another brief application, it says 60 kids will be chosen. It says he would have smaller frosh seminars, would do an independent study as a sophomore, and have the "opportunity" to take extra classes. (Son's 2nd senioritis surfaced when he said, "Why would I want to take EXTRA classes?") Doesn't say anything about what qualified him to be offered this, just that they offer it to "top students."</p>
<p>I called financial aid. There is no minimum GPA to keep the Presidential Scholarship, which is nice as it removes another source of pressure. As long as the student is enrolled they receive the scholarship for 4 years.</p>
<p>Son is torn between Union and one other college, this will be a tough decision but in the end I think he'll do great and enjoy either school.</p>
<p>Ok, the CT Scholar is something different from the Union Scholar then.</p>
<p>We also received:
- acceptance, from dean of admissions
- Presidential Scholarship, from financial aid
- invitation to APPLY for CT (Converging Technologies) Scholar (doesn't say how many will be accepted only the potential dollar amount)</p>
<p>The 4 year scholarships are wonderful as long as tution doesn't climb TOO fast. That's amazing that there isn't a required GPA</p>
<p>The Union Scholar thing didn't mention any additional money, so the CT Scholar sounds even better. DS wasn't invited to apply for that, though.</p>
<p>Just curious Jelomom, what is your son/daughter's intended major? DS is thinking Economics. I'm wondering if the CT scholar is for science/tech type majors.</p>
<p>You see, that's the problem, DD is absolutely all over the board about a major. Union is attractive to her because it offers the liberal arts alongside the more technical. I am afraid the CT scholar would require her to stick to the tech/science fields and I don't think that she can make the firm commitment yet.</p>
<p>The $ amount is significant for the CT scholar $5,000 - $7,000/year</p>
<p>Lafalum, we are in a similar situation. We are going to visit Union next week, give S an overnight to help him make his decision. The scholarship offered by Union has turned it into a 2 horse race. (instead of 5)</p>
<p>"Call Union admissions ASAP. Sounds like a mistake. last I checked, Connecticut was part of the U.S."</p>
<p>Connecticutmom, you made me laugh in this time of near hysteria. Thank you for that.</p>
<p>Back from our visit to Union. One important thing I learned, is that if a student was invited to apply to be a Union Scholar, all the student needs to do is fill out the fairly simple application (a few questions - no essay) and the student will most likely be admitted into the Scholars program. I was under the (mistaken) impression that they invited far more to apply than they had room for and that it was an additional competitive process. </p>
<p>It sounds like a great program. Many additional opportunities with almost no obligations. With a normal course load being 3 classes, students said the ability to take a 4th course is a very attractive perk.</p>
<p>We were there yesterday too.</p>
<p>I wish that the CT Scholar was more like the Union Scholar. The CT seems very competitive. Offered to 116 applicates and only being awarded to 10.</p>
<p>Son was there yesterday with my hubby. They misplaced the letter that said what time the Union Scholar program was, so after a busy morning and lunch they went back to the car, where hubby checked his Blackberry and did some work emails and Son snoozed. They wandered back to Admissions at 3:45 only to find out they missed the Scholar program, which was the whole point of going on the 9th!!! And I'm sending this kid off to college on his own... and all these good colleges think he's a great self-motivated student... and don't get me started on hubby and the Crackberry.</p>
<p>But my son liked Union and says he's going to apply for the Scholar thing. Still has to go back to the one other college this weekend, and then decide. It's going to be a tough decision.</p>
<p>Oh.........Latalum</p>
<p>That could have been my story so easily, if it weren't for the fact that this year my husband was with my daughter and not my son. Need I say more! Crackberry is an excellent term for that d@#% hand held addiction.</p>