<p>Can anyone tell us if this is a worthwhile program to pursue? Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it sounds really interesting, and well worth pursuing-my two cents.</p>
<h2>For those unfamiliar with KSP, here is the link:[Kaplan</a> Humanities Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www.kaplanscholars.northwestern.edu/]Kaplan”>http://www.kaplanscholars.northwestern.edu/)</h2>
<p>everyone who got into weinberg got this invitation correct?</p>
<p>I’m in the School of Communications and I got this too. How many others have received this invite?</p>
<p>they send it to all WCAS and SoC students.</p>
<p>does anyone have anymore more info on this as someone who has actually done the program/knows someone?</p>
<p>KSP- huh, never thought of that one. Cool. </p>
<p>Fittingly enough, I’m wearing my KSP shirt right now. I know it really well. A couple of things:</p>
<p>I thought it was a great experience, but you need to really like the humanities to enjoy it. Don’t just do it because you think it sounds awesome (well, maybe do that too. Maurie Kaplan, the donor, wanted it for that reason).</p>
<p>The classes have turned over completely for next year. The fall class soudns great, and the winter one might be good, I can’t judge.</p>
<p>It’s a great inner-community and you’ll meet some really interesting other freshmen.</p>
<p>The advising is awesome.</p>
<p>I’ll post more later.</p>
<p>how many people apply and how competitive is admissions?</p>
<p>It’s usually about 1/3. It’s selected in part to have a diverse group of students, but generally if you’re towards the top of the applicant pool you WILL get in. They admit you based on your full admissions profile, so your essays will count as well as academics.</p>
<p>Past experience in interdisciplinary humanities courses seems to help.</p>
<p>D: I didn’t get an invite…</p>
<p>Only students in WCAS or Communications can participate. An invitation is not necesary to participate in the program if you are in those schools. For WCAS, you simply list the program as your first choice Seminar.</p>
<p>i think xxInkxx should have gotten one… you are SoC right?</p>
<p>i’m r/tv/f, and i got one via email a day or two ago. either way arbiter is correct i believe…</p>
<p>Yea. I’m r/tv/f, too. I think the problem is my email account. I’ve been having some issues with it ><</p>
<p>Anyway, I hope that’s the case.</p>
<p>I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in the program to apply. I was a Kaplan scholar this year, and choosing to apply for Kaplan was one of the best academic decisions I’ve made:</p>
<p>1) Do not be scared off by the word “humanities”. I’m not a humanities major or anything close to it, and still I found the program rewarding. You will not be surrounded by strictly humanities majors. Kaplan does a very good job of shaping a diverse class both racially and interest-wise. You’ll have econ majors, math majors, science majors, along with the good ole’ humanities, literature, and history majors.</p>
<p>2) The seminar gives you two distros, each in two different areas. This is very useful when it comes to finish off distribution requirements.</p>
<p>3) Unlike in other freshman seminars where student may not get to know each other, Kaplan students are a very close-knit circle. By the end of the two quarters, you’ll know most of your classmates really well, and will have formed strong friendships with several of them. It’s very likely that some of your closest friends of freshman year will be from Kaplan.</p>
<p>Yes, there will be pretentious asses in the class (its Kaplan), but you’ll prob. end up friends with those pretentious asses.</p>
<p>4) The course is challenging, thorough, and thought-provoking. Kaplan pushes you to really think hard and deeply about the issues addressed in class, and challenges any pre-conceived notions you may hold. Strong emphasis is placed on student interaction and promoting a flow of ideas. Discussions are largely left to the students, with the professor subtlety pointing it in the right direction, never dominating it. More often than not, you and your classmates will be discussing and debating the material outside of the classroom, over coffee or dinners. Kaplan will – if not change – make you reconsider your perspective of the world. Most importantly, Kaplan will change the way you think.</p>
<p>That being said, Kaplan is not for those who expect to slack off in class, or want a freshman seminar that serves as a GPA booster. The class probably has the most intensive reading load out of all freshman seminars. You’ll be expected to read books in the span of a week, in addition to lots of course document readings. Students almost always fall behind. It’s not that huge of a deal since professors give a good outline during lectures, but make sure to hit the main texts, else you’ll be swamped come paper time and you’ll feel lost during discussions.</p>
<p>Since the teachers and course subject for next year is different than the two previous years, I cannot tell you anything about them. All that being said, I strongly recommend applying to the program, even if you are only merely curious. Even if you DON’T like the course subject, apply. Kaplan somehow makes even the most boring material tolerable. Professors are top-notch; they have to APPLY and be selected to teach. (It doesn’t guarantee you won’t get a bad professor, but the odds are lower).</p>
<p>If anyone has any further questions or concerns, feel free to message me.</p>