<p>My D just got the letter for this honors program as freshmen. I have read the information on their website but still not sure about the details. Can anyone tell me more about it?</p>
<p>Was this something your D applied for previously? Or is it automatically awarded based on info provided in the application? I’m not familiar with this program.</p>
<p>It is automatic. I think it gives to the top 15% or so freshmen.</p>
<p>My son also got the letter. The honors program is somewhat low key. I believe that you do get priority registration which is important at a big statue U. There is also an honor’s house and access to the library stacks. Other options are college specific. For LAS, where my son applied, you must take an honors seminar LAS 122 leadership and society. </p>
<p>was it a email or physical letter,</p>
<p>It is a real letter.</p>
<p>What do they use for the criteria?</p>
<p>I guess mainly by scores and GPA as there is no recommendation letters.</p>
<p>I was also accepted into the James Scholar program, and I had the chance to meet with some of the people running it at the Admitted Students Day last week. Basically, it allows for priority class registration and the ability to work closer with professors if you desire by designating some courses to be honors level. To maintain it, you need to keep a certain GPA and do a certain amount of honors courses, and give back to the community through activities such as teaching chemistry to local elementary school children. Apparently it can vary based upon which college you’re in; this is only what I heard for LAS. It seems like a nice program - basically, if you’re willing to put the extra time into the program, you’ll get some benefits.</p>
<p>A certain % of incoming freshman will be accepted (no extra application, they just use your admissions application), and others can self-nominate later on.</p>
<p>I’m trying to figure out if being accepted as a James Scholar means that we’re likely to get a scholarship, but I have no clue.</p>
<p>^ I am hoping for the same too.</p>
<p>Son was awarded scholarship money but that was before the James Scholar notification. No money yet from MN or Purdue so looking more like Go Illini for his ChemE aspirations.</p>
<p>Any James Scholars for the Engineering School yet?</p>
<p>@FlightDelay, congratulations on the scholarship! </p>
<p>To help the rest of us, could you let us know if you are instate or out-of-state?</p>
<p>In state.</p>
<p>@FlightDelay
It seems your S and my D share a common interest on ChemE and accepted by the same several schools too. Congratulations on the scholarship. We are from MI and my D has not heard any scholarship information from UIUC (nor Purdue) yet but from UMN and UMich. I guess each school has different criteria for scholarships and in state schools are more likely to offer better aid.</p>
<p>billcsho - so much has changed since I graduated back in the last century :), has been a real eye opener for me. I fully agree, seems like each school is completely different and in state has better odds for receiving merit aid and more of it. Best of luck to you and your daughter, keep us posted on your final school decision.</p>
<p>We know UIUC has poor aid to oos students, so we are not keeping our hope high on it. UMN offered very good scholarship and has great ChemE program, but my D is kind of reluctant to go there due to the weather and the distance from home. I guess most likely she would go to the in state flagship (UMich) too unless there is good FA package from UIUC or Purdue which is not very likely. Sadly, the tuition and fees have increased a lot in the last decade but not the financial aid or scholarship. So the decisions these days are mostly depending on affordability.</p>
<p>UMichigan is still a great school, it isn’t just a state flagship! I’m a lot like your daughter @billcsho , I also applied to UIUC and UMN for ChemE and was also accepted to the James Scholars Honors Program. It’s cool to see someone with the same interests!</p>
<p>UIUC and UMich are about the same in engineering ranking. ChemE is the weakest link for UMich though. My D actually named UIUC as her top choice school for National Merit as UMich does not sponsor any NM scholarship. However, we just received a letter from NMSC today saying UIUC does not sponsor NM scholarship anymore either. So her chance to attend UIUC is even lower now.</p>
<p>billcsho - UMich is a great school, if your daughter ends up there it’s a highly respected engineering school whose graduates are highly sought after by corporate recruiters. Can’t lose at any of the ones mentioned.</p>