<p>?? and how hard is it once you're in?</p>
<p>it's really easy to get into.</p>
<p>when you apply, if you write an adequate paragraph about each program you're applying for, and if you have it in the woman's office BY the date that's listed (not postmarked by! this is key) then you'll get into a focus program. you'll either get your first or second choice... i haven't heard many stories of people getting their third pick.</p>
<p>focus difficulties vary from program to program. mine was definitely on the easier side. many of them require you to REALLY stay up to date with your reading (not being prepared, or not showing up to class, is really noticed when there are only 15 kids).</p>
<p>At BDD they were talking about FOCUS. The lady said that about 5/6 ppl are chosen but the selectivity really depends on the specific programs applied to as bluestar7 said. I believe she said that the genetics, exploring the mind, and power of ideas are the most popular ones applied to and thus would be the hardest to get in. Also I've heard from former FOCUS students that the coursework is extremely demanding but also extremely rewarding - its very reading, writing, and discussion intensive - for ppl who want to hit the ground running their 1st semester.</p>
<p>FOCUS is pretty easy to get into... just not the one's high in demand. I know for our year (2008) Exploring the Mind was huge, and a good handful of people that I talked to didn't get in. The Genome one was big too.
I lived with the Humanitarian Challenges and the Power of Ideas people. They both worked pretty hard - HC seemed especially challenging, while PoI had a lot of reading. My friends in both of them said that although it was hard, they loved it; and that by the end of the semester, although they loved it, they were ready for it to end. So make of it what you will :)</p>