<p>I am currently a sophomore who recently found out about the Ivy Scholars program at Yale.
The program seems very interesting, but I don't know... Right now, school is pretty packed and I have prep school apps to fill out. Would it really be a good investment of time to apply?
Does anybody know a good deal about this program? Quite frankly, I really don't know much about it, so info would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance =]</p>
<p>Hey, it's nice to see a topic about Ivy Scholars here on the boards.</p>
<p>From what I recall, the application process is not that extensive or as time-consuming as other programs (TASP comes to mind). The personal statement was pretty straightforward for me since the questions were very specific.</p>
<p>As for whether it's a good investment of time to apply, that depends on your personal interest in the subject matter. If you're a big fan of international politics, philosophy, and history, the seminars and lectures will definitely interest you. The lecture quality is generally high. Also, the program is very rigorous! It's pretty much Camp Sleeplessness...but it's good preparation for Junior Year, lol. ;) The program also has an admit rate of slightly over 20%, so you'll be surrounded by some very intelligent peers, which obviously increases the quality of discussions. The cost is not unsubstantial, however, so that's another thing to keep in mind.</p>
<p>Anyway, if you have any more specific questions about either the program or the application process, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>thanks a lot!
ahha, i know this one person who went to Telluride, and from what i hear, the process of admission is even more extreme than that of colleges. im glad this is not as intense as TASP.</p>
<p>and yes, I love discussing philosophy and history. I think, if I get in, I am going to like ivy scholars a lot. </p>
<p>wow this was more than what i expected to hear. by the way, have you attended ivy scholars before?</p>
<p>I know two guys who went to this program and loved it (they're debaters). I wouldn't apply if it's for a resume boost, and it's pretty expensive, but it's a legit program.</p>
<p>mmm no. i just wanted to apply because the program sounds interesting.
plus, you can work with the yale staffs and the faculty too. that is awesome. </p>
<p>i'll weigh things in later around mid january.</p>
<p>On the topic of Telluride, can anyone tell me if this is a worthwhile program to boost the college application? The program looks good, but I need some real page booster.
Thanks in advance</p>
<p>Hey, I went to Ivy Scholars last summer and I'm a senior in high school. I just want to say before you consider going to the program think carefully about how you want to focus your summer. Personally, I think my time would have been better spent on doing a long internship this past summer cuz I feel like it may be more impressive to an admissions committee and of course you get paid instead. I think that it if you are really into Yale and into International Relations it is probably the best program there is. Professor Minh Luong's lectures are pretty top notch and I was really glad I got the opportunity to hear him. Also you meet some pretty world class professors like John Luis Gaddis, Charles Hill, and Paul Kennedy (If you checked the reading list Paul Kennedy writes one of the books you're supposed to read). And pretty much everyday you get the chance to listen to another really well known professor either at yale or someone pretty high up in the political administration. Overall, I feel like as a sophomore, if you want to spend the time and the money, you should definitely go.
I just want to strongly advise that YOU SHOULD NOT APPLY BECAUSE YOU THINK IT WILL GET YOU INTO YALE. My sister went two summers back and she didn't get into yale and this year I've talked to a lot of my Ivy scholars friends who applied early to Yale and I heard that only one of them got in. Yes statistically it might sound nice but I will assure you, you are going to meet very intelligent kids from the top schools in the country so I feel like the chances pretty much even out.
All in all its a good program. You should apply but blanche neige is right, its REALLY intense. Lectures/seminars run from 9 am to 10 pm, even later on some days. and you only have hour long lunch and dinner breaks in between. You're lucky if you can get three hours of sleep per night. : )</p>
<p>wow. once again, thanks for the really informative info.
I want to let you know, as much as I am interested in Yale, I'm not applying there just to boost my chances of receing admission at that school.
I want to go because I really like debating and the program seems a nice fit for me.
wow, I've never met someone who attended ivy scholars, this is pretty amazing. does it help to apply early? how was your overall experience with the program? im sure they were challenging and intense, but anything else? like something you've personally felt about the program. </p>
<p>and, three hour sleep at max? are you serious? that is like school all over again. but then again, im looking forward to the challenge. thanks so much.</p>
<p>I don't think applying early will ever hurt your chances, and since you know about it now, it's probably in your best interests because you also get earlier notification, I think. But I applied regular, and I don't think I'm that amazing ;), so don't worry if you feel time-pressed for whenever the early deadline is.</p>
<p>And to your earlier question, yes I'm an Ivy Scholars alum. I'd say it's definitely a very unique academic experience, partly for the sheer intensity. Also for me at least, a lot of the philosophical lectures we had sort of 'stayed' with me...like it changes your perception of the world, even though you don't realize it at the time.</p>
<p>LOL I don't remember it being as bad as 3 hrs sleep max, but topramen is right, Ivy Scholars isn't for the faint-hearted. They really give you your money's worth in terms of lectures, seminars, and other activities...which means sleep gets sacrificed. It's actually more fun than staying up for school, because at least your suitemates are all "suffering" with you! Anyway, if you think the program sounds like it's for you, then I'd definitely advise you apply. Again, feel free to ask if you've any more questions.</p>
<p>cool. thanks!
i think i will apply. but i looked at the application and the part where it asks you for your test scores on all these bunch of tests (i.e. SAT I, SAT II subject tests, ACT, PSAT, AP Tests) is really intimidating. out of the tests they asked, i only took the psat, which i still haven't received my scores for yet. do they really care i don't take all these tests? it almost seems like a pre-requite for qualification, largely because they ask for so many tests. </p>
<p>and since you guys are ivy scholar alums, when you were applying for ivy scholars, have you taken the tests which they listed on their application?</p>
<p>Yeah maybe I might have exaggerated the whole three hrs of sleep thing. I personally got an average of five but I just generally heard that around. As for applying early, I'm actually not really sure about the whole chances of admittance because one of the administrators last year Nick coburn Palo was my former debate coach so he basically gave me a spot at the program. (Yea you mite say its illegit but whatever). So I can't really tell what you can do to better your chances of getting in. All I know is that its an extreeemely competitive program to get into. I mean kids from some of the best high schools like Phillips Academy, Pingry, and Collegiate go there and they pretty much only accept one maybe two kids from the same school. There are also international kids that apply (mostly canadian kids) so it definitely is competitive. </p>
<p>That being said I think if you really express genuine interest in the program and if you are a hard worker which I can probably tell you are then you have a good shot at getting into the program. I think it might be easier for rising juniors since just not as many apply I think. I'm not really sure when blanche neige attended the program but last year they changed it up quite a bit. It used be a debate camp and a Grand Strategy camp. Now its basically only grand strategy.</p>
<p>Here's a more in depth description:</p>
<p>Every day we had lectures or seminars from morning at 9am until evening 10pm. After the lectures, we had to work quite a bit late into the night either to finish reading for the next day's seminars or to write our Marshall Briefs, which were basically our policy/research papers. At times, though the work was overwhelming, I still enjoyed it because I was able to learn about political science and international affairs from pretty renowned experts and I do Lincoln douglas debate which helped a lot. The most important aspect of the program was that it pushed me to my limits and made me realize how hard I am capable of working. It really teaches students to be efficient with their time and manage it well, which I personally think is really helpful for rising juniors and seniors. </p>
<p>I especially appreciated the program because it provided some really rare opportunities: it hosted lectures by Yale history Professor Ted Bromund, Professor Paul Kennedy author of "The Rise and Fall of Great Powers", Ambassador Charles Hill, Dean Podolny of Yale's school of management, Professor David Hennigan, a philosophy professor at Yale. We were also able to ask questions to Harold Koh, Dean of Yale Law School. He was probably my favorite just because his was just a funny story in his past and a Q&A session. We heard that he was a really strict guy but he was really humorous and the entire discussion was about life lessons: basic stuff.</p>
<p>The program was essentially Yale post-graduate education for high school students, which as one can imagine is a rare opportunity. Professor Luong told us that all of the extremely well-reputed lecturers attended free of charge, which meant that they all took the program very seriously and were genuinely committed towards teaching us. I also really liked Professor Luong's lectures on leadership. Many if not all of Professor Luong's lectures on being a successful leader provided pretty useful insight and advice. I actually use some of the notes I took from his lectures every now and then (especially the one on etiquette).</p>
<p>The only problems I had with the program were concerning a few of the instructors. I am aware that all of the instructors were told to be strict and to work the students as hard as they can but a few of them were at times somewhat threatening. I think that most of the instructors were helpful throughout the program and I liked that they were all fairly young so we could connect with them pretty easily. But, there were a few times when they were unnecessarily condescending or rude. They are the instructors of the program but since they were only a few years older than me I expected a little more mutual respect from them. Other than those minor concerns, I felt that the program overall was motivating and I definitely feel that it was worth the money and time.</p>
<p>I know you're not planning on doing the program solely to get a better chance at yale but I do want to add that I know people who have done the program twice and still didn't get in so...</p>
<p>O and I don't think you really need to worry about the testing.</p>
<p>wow. thank you so much. im just amazed at these really insightful feedbacks from people who attended ivy scholars. now, my interest level of this program has definitely boosted, and i am happy to make the decision that i am going to apply for this program, regardless of whether i receive admittance or not. </p>
<p>my knowledge about the grand strategy is only as far as what the online program brochure tells me, which still sounds very interesting. the challenging lectures, discussions, Q&A, and other things you mentioned all just make me want to go to ivy scholars even more. im also a debater (parliamentary and public forum mostly). initially, i thought this was a speech and debate program, which got me excited and thinking whether i should apply. but although you told me it is not necessarily a debate camp, i still want to go really bad. i just hope i can convey my sincere interest to the admission workers well enough so that they know i really want to be at this program. thank you very much once again. </p>
<p>everything about this summer program amazes me. starting from the unique focus to attending lectures by some of Yale's renowned professors. just amazing.</p>
<p>Yea its pretty cool</p>
<p>If you're a debater, then there are actually a few sessions where you can practice your public speaking skills. I'm a debater too and I know that practicing impromptu and extemp actually helps when you need to speak spontaneously in debate.</p>
<p>You sound like the person who'd really benefit from the program, so good luck with your application. :) Also don't worry about test scores. I applied during my sophomore year too, and I only put my PSAT score. I remember I talked to the professor who runs this program on the last day and asked what he looks for in the application, and he says he doesn't really place too much emphasis on test scores and transcripts, but more on your essay and recommendations. So just write a smashtastic essay and pick teachers who like you. ;)</p>
<p>yea that's certainly correct. If you're an extemp debater, its great practice before starting a new year of debating next year and you get to avoid all the kind of annoying aspects of a regular debate camp. If you're in lincoln douglas, not so much. I agree that it forces you to do some public speaking which is good but the ISP now is less focused on the technical debating skills. I did really like the marshall brief presentation. It was cool and probably going to be useful because there aren't many times now where you are going to be forced to present in front of a hostile panel of adjudicators that ask you ridiculous questions and pretty much do anything to rip your pres apart. You only get that experience later on in college during postgrad work so I really liked that a lot.</p>
<p>thanks for the responses!
i actually do parliamentary debate (which is an impromtu debate).
i really think im going to enjoy this program, i just hope i get in! (crossing fingers)</p>
<p>Ah, it looks so cool. I would so apply if I was a rising Junior/Senior.</p>
<p>hey is the essay for this program like several mini essays or one gigantic essay that covers all the questions?</p>
<p>this program sounds cool and the responses here were very helpful.</p>
<p>i was just wondering how good people generally were at debate and if this is considered a "debate camp", since i'm not actually that into debate...</p>