Eckardt Scholars Program

<p>Hi! This thread is geared toward those accepted into the class of 2017 (congrats!) who were also invited to the Eckardt Scholars Program (The A&S honors program). The program details are sometimes a little confusing or dubious, so I'd be happy to answer any questions any of you may have. I myself am an Eckardt Scholar in my junior year.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if there are any potential eckardt scholars here but if there are then speak up!</p>

<p>Hi. I randomly came across this post and I do have some questions about the program. So…
Why are people really chosen for this program?
What it most useful about the program, and would it be helpful for an art major?
For me the distribution requirements are not a huge deal due to AP credit and varied interests…but that seems like one of the biggest aspects of the program. I’m not really a fan of “exclusive” activities or seminars. Would it still be beneficial? Also, does it waive the English requirement as well?
Do the required seminars that were mentioned take the place of other freshman seminars?
Is it assumed that all invited will join or is there an active choice made at some point?
Thank you for offering up some help. The description is somehow both extremely detailed and vague.</p>

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<p>Why are people really chosen for this program?</p>

<p>-The best of the applicant pool to A&S are invited to the program, and about 15 or so end up in the program each year. It’s done to give the brightest of the A&S school more opportunities, I guess.</p>

<p>What it most useful about the program, and would it be helpful for an art major?
-The senior project is very nice, as is the distribution requirement stuff. As an art major, you wouldn’t have to take any Science or Math classes (I’m not sure if you got 8 credits in each of them already through AP, though). You also wouldn’t have to take Social Science either. You can do whatever you want, as long as you’re working toward a degree. This freedom may help you double major or even dual degree (getting a BS/BS or a BA/BS). I pretty much only know Eckardt students who were able to complete a dual degree in 4 years.</p>

<p>I’m not really a fan of “exclusive” activities or seminars. Would it still be beneficial?
-The senior project is funded and allows you to definitely have something big to do senior year. This will be great on a resume and allow you to get close to a professor. You can probably start working with a professor during your soph or junior year, especially if theyk now you’re an eckardt.</p>

<p>Also, does it waive the English requirement as well?
-Yes, you don’t take Freshman Eng 1 or 2.</p>

<p>Do the required seminars that were mentioned take the place of other freshman seminars?
-Yup!</p>

<p>Is it assumed that all invited will join or is there an active choice made at some point?
-I think it’s an active choice, at least I had the choice when I was accepted. However, the only reason not to do it is that you think you won’t have time to do the seminars or the senior project. It is largely beneficial so there isn’t really a reason not to do it outside of those things.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. I’ll be able to answer anymore questions if you have them.</p>