@Lisn123 I don’t know anyone personally who went to Top Scholars weekend. I believe someone wrote about it last year so I can see if I can find that.
@viphan I do not believe it gives an edge on scholarships or grants, but they did talk about aid at one point and I believe someone gave me some tips on applying for scholarships. I’d say that it’s worth it to go because you can get lots of information on this while there by asking current students and program leaders.
This is what ahddha said about the program last year:
"I attended the Engineering Leadership Weekend this year and as a student who scoured the internet looking for information with no luck I figured I’d give my experience for students next year.
The program was for 60 students who had been admitted to COE early action and were invited based on their extracurricular and leadership activities. I tried to find a link based on talking to others about a certain thing or activity they were looking for but the students were pretty diverse in their activities (pretty much the usual sports, NHS, clubs, volunteer work; didn’t meet any intel or save kids in Africa types). One person I met did say she tried to sign up (it was done via Google Doc form) and received the message that it was full so she emailed the director asking to be put on a waitlist so sign up quickly if you are looking to go. This was the second year of the program and it is sponsored by a donor looking to increase enthusiasm in engineering.
After receiving the email I responded fairly quickly but then received no information for some time and started thinking that I wasn’t accepted or it was canceled but eventually I did receive an email with details about lodging and transportation. We stayed at the Campus Inn with a randomly assigned roommate (a lot of people had singles though). For transportation everything was covered. I had to call Conlin travel as an out-of-stater to make flight reservations and those who drove are able to get reimbursement after the event for gas and such.
Upon arrival a group of other students and I were driven by a car service to the Campus Inn where we checked in, got our rooms, and settled in. They gave us a free t-shirt (yay!) and name badge. At about 5:30 we set out for dinner where we did the usual introduction. After dinner we walked to a campus building conference room where we did some icebreakers which were led by students in the engineering school, a few of whom attended the program in the past. After the icebreakers we sat down and listened to presenters talk about StrengthsQuest. StrengthsQuest is an online quiz that shows your top five leadership traits which participants took prior to attending the program. It was just an okay seminar on how to work in teams by utilizing your strong points. After it was over we headed back to the hotel where we were briefed on the schedule for the next day then left to hang out in the hotel or go to sleep.
The next morning we got up and headed to the lobby where bagels and fruits were given for a light breakfast. We then got on a bus which took us to the Big House where we went on a cool private tour of the stadium. We got to see the locker room, club houses, and even got to go on the field where we had a snowball fight. After the tour we headed back to North Campus where we went into a lecture hall where we were provided with snacks and coffee during a Q&A section about anything with the director of the program. Then we went to workshops presented by current students. The first ones we could choose from were about Engineering Design Teams, International Experience, and something about an Arts & Engineering crossover dorm. The second workshops were about Volunteer service, Extracurriculars, and another choice I can’t remember. The two workshops were separated by lunch.
After the workshops we left the building and got on the bus which dropped us off at central campus where we grouped up with current students who volunteered their time to show us around. Unfortunately it was snowing and slushing and all that lovely Michigan stuff so we pretty much shopped around the main street. I was pretty disappointed that they didn’t take us on a tour of campus or something, especially as an out-of-stater who has never visited campus. I still don’t know what it really looks like. After this free time we walked to dinner (boot’s thoroughly soaked through at this point haha) and ate dinner with the current students kind of speed-dating around so we got to talk to a bunch of them. After this we got on a bus to the theater and watched an Indian Dance Show. After the show we went to the hotel and were again briefed on the next day and left to hang out, etc.
The next morning we woke up, checked out, and rode a very uncomfortable bus with luggage on our laps to a Pierpont Commons where we stored our luggage and then ate a buffet breakfast. Then we attended another workshop, either on Leadership or Entrepreneurship. Following this were final icebreakers, reflections, and final remarks from an assistant dean of engineering (I think…assistant dean of something for sure lol). The activities ended around 12/12:30 and people departed as their schedules required.
Overall, the weekend wasn’t at all what I expected. It was mostly socializing which isn’t some people’s idea of a good time and can be pretty hard to jump into all weekend. It wasn’t really about University of Michigan and I’m disappointed that I didn’t learn that much about the campus. I was hoping this would suffice as a visit but I think I’ll have to go to a campus day as well. I did have a good time though and hey, it was all paid for so if you’re invited, I’d say go for it.
Sorry this is so long! I just wanted to give a detailed description of the weekend and it accidentally turned into a novel…hopefully someone finds it helpful/interesting."
Thanks @michigangirl- my son did receive an email back regarding the Top Scholars weekend. It appears some details haven’t been finalized yet and not a lot of information was provided except I get the impression its a much more detailed and “inclusive” campus tour - then your basic tour. Not to mention that travel and accommodations are paid for. 
Our feeling is the more exposure the better, to make sure the college is the right fit for you.
Did anyone else get an email about StrengthsQuest for ELW?
Yea, I got mine a few days ago. I gotta do it this weekend.
I’m pretty sure Michigan Engineering Leadership is aimed at recruiting underrepresented groups into COE as last year everyone I knew that went to it was either female, or an underrepresented race.
@viphan Ohhh man you’re gonna have a blast with it!
@YellowWolverine
I’m a white male, so it might not be all about gender/race groups. I do come from a likely underrepresented geographic area though, so that might be part of it.
As its name, it is for students demonstrated leadership roles that they really want. Since only a small group of students are invited each year, it is hard to find information on the web. The same is true for a bunch other similar programs for top admitted students. There are a couple programs like that for scholarship winners which even include air ticket and hotel stay.
@ARandomGeek The test was a bit confusing, but I did get my top 5 qualities.
@viphan Yeah, there were some weird questions on there. I put down neutral for a lot more than I thought I would, but my qualities describe me pretty accurately.
I’m not sure if we have to do any sharing stuff though, or just bring our results with us…
I printed them out and put it away in my bag just in case I forget :))
Were we supposed to fill out all the parts in the “journal” section? Or just complete the test and get our results?
I wrote a couple sentences for each part, but it’s probably not that important
5 day countdown starts today!
Thousands of flights cancelled in NY area due to inclement weather. Good thing it wasn’t this past weekend.
Hey, so what are we supposed to wear to this thing? Are people getting dressy or would you say just dress like you would for a campus visit?
@nicholser
Maize. And blue. That is all.
And khaki 
They give us a free shirt, so that’s one less thing to pack. 
And lotsa layers! Friday will have a delightful low of 5 degrees.