<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I received an email today saying I was accepted to UVA as an Echols Scholars. After researching Echols, I've read that it's generally the top 5-6% of applicants at UVA and these scholars receive 1st choice signing up for classes. Besides signing up for classes first, is there really any other advantage to Echols? How prestigious/competitive/good/hard to get into is Echols?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I got into Rodman, and apparently Rodman and Echols share honors housing in one of the New Dorms, Alderman. Rodman scholars get seminars, special classes, and a summer program, so there might be something along those lines for Echols Scholars as well.</p>
<p>Echols Scholars also get all of their area requirements waived.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure there was a link in the email to the Echols website, which explains the program in detail. If it there wasn’t please let me know so I can correct it for the next round.</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>Echols and Rodman live in the Balz-Dobie and Watson-Webb residence halls, which are 2 years old and have many amenities.</p>
<p>By the way, professor Echols was not only a well-respected math professor, but he was a hero during the burning of the Rotunda in 1898. From historian Dabney:</p>
<p>“Echols was “utterly fearless. At considerable risk, he tried, without result, to check the flames raging through the [Rotunda] Annex [this 19th century addition has subsequently been removed]. He then put together a hundred pounds of dynamite and attempted to blast away the link between the Annex and Rotunda, to keep the fires from spreading.” This failed, and he then climbed to the Rotunda Dome and hurled a sack of explosives on the connecting structure while flames lept around him. The detonation was heard 15 miles away, but had no effect, and the Rotunda was left a gutted shell.”</p>
<p>Echols scholar here! Congratulations, as being named an Echols or Rodman scholar is a huge honor! Yes, priority registration for classes is the biggest advantage to being an Echols scholar, but do not underestimate how big a deal this is! It is a significant advantage over other students, as it basically guarantees you the classes you want. The new dorms are really nice, and this is definitely a nice perk. Not having to fill area requirements is nice, but really, being an Echols scholar is all about getting to sign up for classes first.</p>
<p>Actually, in setting off the dynamite Echols blew a hole in the Rotunda and caused the fire to spread more rapidly. Depending on the source Echols actions are recounted as overzealous and unfortunate, noting the naming of the scholar program ironic.</p>
<p>Interesting Blue. At the same time, use of dynamite was a pretty common way to control fire damage at the time, even thought the results were often not good. There weren’t many good alternatives - they didn’t have high speed pumps or aerial ladder trucks. </p>
<p>When my historic church caught on fire a few years ago, the firefighters punched a hole in the top of the roof, causing the flames to jump upward. The roof was destroyed, but the rest of the church (including all of the stained glass and woodwork) was saved.</p>
<p>The Echols Scholars are actually named that because they were originally housed in the Echols dormitory (or so I’ve heard).</p>
<p>The two main benefits are priority registration, but I would actually argue that exemption from distribution requirements is the best benefit. That’s just my opinion though. They often work synergistically by allowing you to take upper level classes easily and exploring several specific areas in depth. The dormitories are a nice perk too although some people don’t like being cordoned off from the remainder of the class. All in all, the program’s benefits are great.</p>
<p>Don’t forget exemption from course requirements.</p>