@gardenstategal Actually, my son has not yet been accepted. He has applied in Regular Decision. I’m sorry, if I somehow misled you into believing that he had already been accepted.
Hello,
Where can I find this information online?
Best,
https://www.colby.edu/admission/presidential/ here is where you can find some info about the program online.
My daughter’s email was similar, but tailored to the arts and humanities.
The Presidential Scholars Program in the Arts and Humanities offers a select group of students the opportunity to conduct research alongside world-class scholars and teachers, funding to design individual projects, and the chance to participate in activities offered exclusively to Presidential Scholars.
In their first year, Presidential Scholars are offered paid Colby Academic Research Assistant (CARA) positions, which pair them with a professor on a research project of mutual interest, with the option to renew this position in their sophomore year. Additionally, Scholars have exclusive access to Opportunity Grants of up to $3,000 for independent research, internships, or humanitarian projects. These opportunities span the curriculum, provide a catalyst for making a significant impact in the world, and help prepare Arts and Humanities Scholars for advanced independent study, honors theses, and a variety of professional and educational pathways after graduation.
Colby’s continued support of humanistic inquiry has given Presidential Scholars and faculty access to world-class resources in the arts and humanities. The Colby College Museum of Art and the Lunder Institute for American Art further innovative research and creative production to expand the boundaries of artistic expression and interpretation. Additionally, Colby’s Center for the Arts and Humanities, one of the College’s prominent centers of thought, research, and action, fosters an annual campus-wide discussion of an interdisciplinary humanities topic, runs experiential learning labs, and hosts an annual colloquium series.
To be considered for this program, we ask that you review the tentative list of CARA projects for the Class of 2024 and indicate your project interest by Sunday, February 23.
Please note: The Presidential Scholar selection process is entirely separate from Colby’s holistic admissions application review. In the coming weeks your application will be closely reviewed by our admissions committee, and you will receive your admission decision by April 1.
We look forward to learning more about you.
Best,
Randi L. Arsenault '09
Assistant Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid
This sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I’d be amazed if a student wasn’t offered admission after receiving this.
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I hope you’re right!
Pretty sure only RD applicants.
My daughter received the Presidential Scholar letter a few years ago when she applied (RD). She filled it out and sent it back. She received an acceptance letter about 2-3 weeks after that, beginning of March maybe. Definitely before RD decisions. The acceptance letter was just that, in a standard envelope. No big package or anything.
I will say she had mixed results with her CARA project and will just say it is highly dependent on the willingness/attitude of the Professor you are assigned to… She had a dud. But she was able to use the stipend to study abroad during Jan Plan one year. Colby was not her first choice in her journey… But it became her best choice. And she has had a great experience.
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Great feedback, @daniels327 If my daughter is fortunate enough to be accepted, we’ll have to revisit. She’s pretty artsy, so she’s not sure that she would find her tribe at Colby, however, the Arts and Humanities projects sounded terrific, not to mention Colby’s outstanding museum.
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I would say that if you received the Presidential Scholar letter, you will be accepted to Colby. My daughter received the letter, and was accepted as a Presidential Scholar. Her experience has been wonderful - amazing mentor and conducting interesting (paid) research in the psych lab during her first semester! Agree with a comment above that each student’s experience will vary depending on the project/professor assigned, but it has been great in her case. She’s very happy at Colby!!
Thank you. Is your daughter a first year?
A bit disappointed my D didn’t receive a letter. Top stats similar to @OverseasFather - Colby is not her number one choice, but it’s definitely moved up the list - and I know the Scholar opportunity would add value.
I’ll be glad when 4/1 is here and all decisions are out! Good luck to everyone!
@gotham_mom Yes, my daughter is a first year. Like others here, Colby initially was not her first choice, but after getting waitlisted at a couple first choices, Colby quickly moved up the list because of the Presidential Scholar program, as well as a very well done accepted students weekend (they also pay for Presidential Scholars to travel for accepted weekend). She now says she can’t see herself at any other school.
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@hviewer That’s great to hear. I hope that my daughter is accepted so that we can revisit. She is pretty artsy, so she’s not sure that Colby is the right fit socially, but loves the academic opportunities.
Has anyone on this thread heard anything about when decisions will be released? It looks like the last two years they were released on the third Friday of March which wouldn’t be until March 20 this year. I was hoping we might find out this week!
@gotham_mom Did your daughter put down the areas she wanted to study were in the Social Sciences? I did not receive this email but I put down Physics and Music for my potential areas of study and I suppose other than not being a qualified enough candidate this could be why I have not gotten it?
@Hamman895 She put down areas in the humanities which is consistent with the Presidential Scholar letter that she received. Good luck!
Thank you! Good luck to your daughter aswell!
Hi all, I am a Presidential Scholar at Colby and can provide some insight. The selection process for Presidential Scholars is based on test scores, grades, and most importantly, leadership activities. The admissions committee selects Presidential Scholars because they believe they have the ability to become leaders within the Colby community and are prepared to start research as a first year student. If you have near perfect grades and test scores, that will not be enough to be selected; almost everyone I know at Colby was near the top of their high school class. The acceptance rate last year was 9% and it will only continue to fall. If you get an email about being a Presidential Scholar it is a likely letter. They only offer Presidential Scholar designation to RD students, but if you are an ED student it is super easy to get involved in research as well. Presidential Scholar designation just gives you a guarantee and funding. If you didn’t get selected but feel you are qualified, don’t let that deter you from Colby. I have friends who were valedictorians and did not get this; it is not just based on numbers. Good luck to everyone!
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Also, this is not something they send to everyone. They only send it to people who they are considering to be Presidential Scholars.