<p>Anyone received the following email to apply for this program? Did all who were accepted receive it or only some?</p>
<p>Dear Trelawney,</p>
<p>Congratulations on being accepted to Duke University!</p>
<p>Because of your excellent record, you are invited to apply to an exciting
program at Duke University your first year at Duke to learn about computer
science:</p>
<pre><code> Duke Emerging Scholars - Computer Science (DES-CS)
</code></pre>
<p>DES-CS is for first-year students interested in learning about computer
science who have had little or no programming experience. DES-CS is a small
group of students (18 or fewer) taking computer science courses together over
the first year at Duke. </p>
<p>DEADLINE: You must send in a short application
to apply. The application is due May 31, 2010.</p>
<p>Acceptances for DES-CS will be sent out by June 15, 2010. </p>
<p>More information about the DES-CS program, the three courses
and the application can be found on the DES-CS web site:</p>
<pre><code> Duke Emerging Scholars - Computer Science
</code></pre>
<p>DES-CS is a one-year Duke program that introduces you to computer science
problem solving and introductory programming with Python and Java.</p>
<p>Every day, computer technology touches our lives in more ways. You
can be part of the future; taking computer science courses opens the
door for you to careers that:</p>
<pre><code>- are challenging and creative
- allow you to make a difference in the world
- range from health care to business
- pay well
</code></pre>
<p>As a DES-CS student, you will take two regular computer science courses and
two half-credit seminar courses in the one year program. In the fall you
will take the introductory computer science course CompSci 6 (Introduction
to Computer Science) and the associated half-credit CompSci 18S (Problem
Solving Seminar). In the spring you will take CompSci 100, a course on
turning data into information and knowledge, and the associated CompSci
18S. The two half credit CompSci 18S courses will count for your required
first-year seminar course.</p>
<p>The course CompSci 18S is a problem solving seminar for DES-CS students only
where you will learn how to solve challenging problems related to CompSci 6
and CompSci 100 in small groups. We will examine a large range of topics
including genomics, social networks, robots, puzzles, storage
and manipulation of large amounts of data, and compression of data.
In this course you will:</p>
<pre><code>- enjoy working with other smart, motivated students
- make friendships that will last through your years at Duke
- have fun!
</code></pre>
<p>The DES-CS program only involves 1 1/2 credits each of the two
semesters. In each of those semesters, you can still take three other
courses of your choice.</p>
<p>The DES-CS program is for beginners who want to try computer science. You must
have little or no experience in programming. If you have already taken AP
CompSci or a substantial programming course, then you should not take the
DES-CS program. We'd be happy to discuss the correct placement for
a computer science course for you.</p>
<p>If you have questions, contact us by e-mail:</p>
<p><a href="mailto:des-cs@cs.duke.edu">des-cs@cs.duke.edu</a></p>
<p>If you are headed to a Blue Devils Days, either I or someone from the
computer science department will be standing at the Computer Science table
and can tell you more about the DES-CS program.</p>
<p>We look forward to seeing you at Duke in the fall!</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Susan H. Rodger
Professor of the Practice
Department of Computer Science
Duke University</p>