<p>Should I do honors housing (McFadden), or am I going to feel cut off from the rest of the school? I already applied, with McFadden, Aston and Dunn as my first, second, and third choices respectively.</p>
<p>Also, I'm applying for the Champe Fitzhugh program in Italy this July. What are the chances of being accepted/has anyone done it? I've been taking Italian since 7th grade and would absolutely love to go.</p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>I’m doing Honors housing, it looks like it’s a pretty good setup. The way I see it, with 50,000 students you’re going to be cut off from a large portion of them no matter what. Best to get comfortable with the people I’m going to be having classes with at the very least… I’ll probably pledge a fraternity also, though.</p>
<p>How’d you apply for the Champe Fitzhugh? I got the info pamphlet but no application?</p>
<p>There was a form enclosed with the pamphlet for me, it listed the two essay topics and the return address and deadline. I mailed it out a week or two ago; if it wasn’t enclosed then you should call the honors programs office about it. Try Bettyann Zito; that was the name the application was addressed to to. From the Honors website:</p>
<p>Name Bettyann Zito<br>
Title Administrative Assistant, Honors Programs
Email <a href=“mailto:zito@tamu.edu”>zito@tamu.edu</a>
Phone 979.845.1957 </p>
<p>Best of luck (:</p>
<p>Howdy! I went on the Italy trip last summer, and I can only say: DO IT
It was a very good experience 
I made a lot of great friends that I still hang out with even halfway through the second semester. I’m not sure what the odds are of being accepted, but I do know that everyone on the trip was national merit, or Hispanic scholar or something of that equally prestigious type.
As for honors housing, if you want the full experience: apply for LECHNER
There is never a dull moment - always something crazy and witty going on, since everybody living there is really brilliant. Everybody in Lechner is super social, you definitely wouldn’t be cut off from people. Yeah, I’d recommend the honors dorms, or the commons.</p>
<p>I ended up choosing McFadden, Aston, then Dunn as my first, second, and third choices respectively. Is Lechner better? Haha, thanks!</p>
<p>kaitlin13, what can you share about the Italy trip? My son was accepted, but hasn’t decided yet Is it lots of work? Are the side trips mostly sight-seeing and focused on history, the arts, etc? Is it like being in summer school? Are there any parts of it where you enjoy the outdoors, such as going to the coast? It sounds like a great opportunity to me, but he will be unhappy if it is all work and culture!</p>
<p>I just got accepted to Champe Fitzhugh about 15 minutes ago… lol.</p>
<p>I’m super excited, just not really sure what exactly I’m paying for. Such as do the fees pay for meals, etc… Trying to figure out the ‘real’ cost of the trip, even though the University asks for $3500.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m going to be at McFadden or Lechner… I’m honestly not sure which. I indicated I wanted to be put in honors dorms when I accepted my honors scholarships, so its not something from my original housing contract. When I visited, a friend of mine told me the honors dorms have tons of events for new freshmen and stuff… its apparently a really great environment.</p>
<p>I spoke to an experienced budget-minded traveler at work. She told me that for a 2.5 week trip to Tuscany, budget 7-10k. The price they are charging is a bargain, plus the environment and the timing of the environment.</p>