<p>Hello all, I was just accepted OOS to UVA on Friday! I was wondering if Echols scholars notifications came out with the admissions decisions (meaning I didn't get in) or at a later date. Thanks! </p>
<p>Also, what are the greatest advantages to the Echols program?</p>
<p>Echols notifications lagged admissions by less than a week last year. Check Dean J’s blog as she has given a heads up in the past.</p>
<p>Searching this site for opinions on Echols may be useful. For my D the early registration time has been really helpful and she has loved her dorm experience. Exemption from area requirements can be an advantage for some, but if you enter with a lot of AP credit the effect is negligible. </p>
<p>[Echols</a> | The Undergraduate College of Arts & Sciences, U.Va.](<a href=“http://college.artsandsciences.virginia.edu/echols]Echols”>http://college.artsandsciences.virginia.edu/echols)</p>
<p>Dean J mentioned on her blog (in the comments this afternoon) that Scholar emails are ‘expected’ to be sent (read not guaranteed) on Wednesday. As Mom2 mentions, I’m sure Dean J will have a blog post.</p>
<p>As Mom2Twins has said, most students who are contenders for Echols/Rodman have so many AP/DC/IB credits that exemption from core requirements really isn’t much of a benefit – they’ve already fulfilled their requirements. Additionally, unlike other honors programs which often separate students in exclusive honors classes, Echols/Rodman students are mixed in with the masses which is great because they’re given the opportunity to meet more students. Our D has said the only perks she’s found that make a difference are priority registration (register before classmates in your grade only) and a separate Echols advisor. I share this not in effort to dis the program but rather to encourage those who weren’t invited. I’d hate to see students miss out on the incredible experience at UVA simply because of Echols/Rodman. Besides, if it really means a lot to you, you can always apply spring of your first year. I believe they accept around 40-50% of the applicants.</p>
<p>Advising at UVA is an extreme disappointment. My D is an echols and expected much more from the Advisors. D is just one of the MASSES, no personal interest whatsoever. D is one of the top 23 as far as SAT scores for the class of 2017. It was mentioned in Dean speech beginning of the year. That was it. No other recognition etc. They get you in for the stats and then your on your own. Big wigs at the top probably haven’t a clue that their “advisors” are useless.</p>
<p>I am currently an Echols scholar at UVA. If I remember correctly, I got my notification via email about a week after receiving my acceptance letter. I have found the greatest advantage to being an Echols scholar the priority registration. The benefits of this are immense. Many of my friends who are not Echols scholars have problems signing up for classes and getting into classes they want. It is very nice knowing that getting the classes you want is pretty much guaranteed. While I have had a great experience with my advisor, I guess it all depends on who you get - some are better than others. Getting to live in the new dorms is a nice perk as well.</p>
<p>I’m sorry you are so disappointed, Helen, though your expectations for continued recognition for your specific high school achievements seem a bit off for an adult. Time to move on and take initiative at the college level, which includes seeking out as much advising as you feel necessary. Make an appointment or go to office hours and develop a relationship with an advisor. I highly recommend the COLA classes, which allow the student to choose a small seminar class in an area of interest with a senior faculty member who then serves as the student’s advisor. My D chose to do just that first semester and found the result to be very satisfying. If your D (or are you the student?) is waiting for stroking and coddling, I suggest you would find many universities lacking.</p>
<p>Each class that enters UVa has many, many accomplished students. Those that have the highest SATs, valedictorians, those that excelled at the state and national level in their sports, those that have state and national awards in their academic ECs, published authors, I could go on. Which students do you single out and recognize? I believe UVa selects each class diverse in talents that give the university community a balanced feel. They do select a few students from each class that they feel show great promise to participate in the Scholar programs (Echols, Rodman, & Arts). It is very telling that these are not simply the highest stat students, but each are individually selected for their own merits.</p>
<p>I certainly don’t mean this to sound as negative as it may, but… I’m not sure why anyone would expect to receive ongoing recognition in college for anything they accomplished at the high school level - especially something as arbitrary as being “one of the top 23” in the class on a standardized test score. The recognition for this came in the form of acceptance to the university and admission to the Honors program - along with the mass of Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and perfect SAT/ACT peers who are also there. </p>
<p>As for benefit of the program, while the new dorms are a very nice perk, the key advantage (as already pointed out by others) is priority registration - and the value of that should not be overlooked. My S also believes a direct advantage is the access to faculty, should it be desired, through the honors program connections and activities. But, it is all driven by the student who needs to make the most of it - it won’t seek them out (same goes for non-honors students). Similarly, Advisors are there to help when called upon, not to initiate assistance. Being offered a position in the Honors program is a lot like being offered a job with a good company. It’s simply an opportunity to come in an utilize the company’s resources to do great things, but the expectation is that it’s still up to the individual to take that opportunity and excel. </p>
<p>SadieLane12, congratulations on your acceptance. Whether you get into the Scholars program or not, take it upon yourself to make the most of your time at school - it goes by very fast.</p>
<p>HelenH…One thing you must recognize is that your D chose to attend a state school; although UVA is smaller compared to most state schools, it’s a state school nonetheless. One of the advantages to attending a school such as UVA is that students must learn to advocate for themselves. The advising and opportunity is certainly there; however, you need to seek it yourself. Our D has had a good experience with her Echols advisor, however, in fairness, she’s a fourth year whose distinguished major advisor and Echols advisor just happen to be one in the same so perhaps it’s not the same for others.</p>
<p>As for recognition, I must echo what others have said. Our D was a NMF, national champion athlete, etc. in high school. She’s never once mentioned it to anyone at UVA. In fact, when she was home at Christmas I was making idle chit chat and asked her what other lawnies beside her were Echols. Her response? “I have no idea, Mom, we don’t talk about stuff like that.” Like blueiguana said, there are so many high achieving, talented students at UVA. I’m happy the school fosters a community of inclusion rather than exclusivity and snobbery.</p>
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Actually, an advising overhaul is in the works. I think COLA is an early indication of the changes that are coming.</p>
<p>I do think that the expectation has been that students will be proactive when presented with a host of resources at a University with as much as we have here, but expectations have obviously changed over the years. When I was a student, I didn’t have a deep relationship with my advisor. My memory is of showing her the schedules I had planned and she signed a card so I could go register (so old school, I know). I was much closer with a few professors in the department with whom I worked regularly, so I wound up having several “unofficial” advisors for “big picture” conversations. I hope your D has hit it off with a few other faculty members like I did. :)</p>
<p>You can read all about the new strategic plan here: [Homepage</a> | Strategic Planning](<a href=“http://strategicplanning.virginia.edu/]Homepage”>http://strategicplanning.virginia.edu/)</p>
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I’m so curious now. Was this at DOTL, Orientation, or Convocation? </p>
<p>We usually put together a packet of interesting profiles for the President. Citing SAT scores doesn’t really resonate with people after they are out of high school, but mentioning a few interesting stories is usually in the welcome talk at Convocation. Dean Roberts makes passing mention of how many students has a perfect SAT sometimes at DOTL, but the President usually focuses more on the stories.</p>
<p>We don’t admit a student to boost our overall test scores. Those are impressive at the applicant stage. There’s no target or goal for the admitted class when it comes to testing. I’m pretty thankful. Years ago, I heard that one admission office out there runs a daily SAT average and that actually influences how they read the day’s files. I really, really hope that isn’t true! It sounds really strange to me.</p>
<p>As Dean J mentions, U.Va. is quite aware that the advising system needs an overhaul. One of the major points of the Cornerstone Plan, which is a projection of Strategic Planning, is the conception of Total Advising. There are currently focus groups taking place to pinpoint what students dislike about advising, so that they can ensure that they make the necessary changes. One great aspect of this is that the focus groups are actually planned by student leaders who are working with the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and the Associate Provost for Undergraduates.</p>