<p>I just got this email about the Murray scholarship... How does this compare to the Echols scholarship (besides the monetary difference)?</p>
<p>yeah i got that too. i dont know what the echols scholarship is? do you mean monroe? but murray is the top merit award so im assuming it has a lot to do with the opportunities you are offered at william and mary</p>
<p>I believe Echols is one of UVA's scholarship awards. And i know about neither.</p>
<p>i think that echols is similar to monroe
murray scholars get full in state tuition and fees, possibly room and board as well</p>
<p>geckolord, will you share the content of the email?</p>
<p>Murray Scholars program is doc'd here: </p>
<p>My guess is that they're asking for an essay submission from the finalists, after which I think you visit the school, interview with the selection committee and current Murray scholars, who will then choose the winners. I think 4 or 5 are funded each year. </p>
<p>It's very prestigious, and carries with it a full ride (Virginia in-state value; if out-of-state, you still pay the difference) and $5000 for independent research projects of your own design. Monroe doesn't carry with it the full-ride, but includes, I think, $4000 for independent projects, $1000 for freshman summer, and $3000 sometime after that. If you're a Murray finalist, I'd think at worst you'd be offered Monroe (and admission, if you were wondering about that.) </p>
<p>IIRC, Echols (at UVA) has some features in common with Monroe (like first-year shared housing) but is more of an inter-disciplinary program - it frees students from area requirements so they can take more upper-level courses in their stead. Although most Monroe's bring with them a lot of credits from AP classes, W&M is still a liberal arts schools, so you still must do the area / GER requirements. </p>
<p>Hope this is all accurate, but could be wrong, so take with a grain of salt ..</p>
<p>The Monroe Scholars at W & M are similar to the Echols and Rodman (Engineering) Scholars at UVA. The Murray Scholars program at W & M is a merit-based program for top students, similar to the Jefferson Scholars program at UVA. Echols/Rodman and Monroe are similar in that no merit scholarship money is awarded; instead, the recipients receive a variety of perks (housing, preferred registration). There's a stipend for summer study for Monroes; I don't thnk Echols Scholars receive that. There is no separate application process involved; every student is evaluated for eligibility for these designations when apps are reviewed.</p>
<p>The Murray Scholars designation at W & M is accompanied by a merit scholarship equivalent to the cost of in-state tuition, room and board, and fees for 4 years. OOS students who receive the award must apparently pay the difference between in-state and OOS tuition. </p>
<p>The Jefferson Scholars program at UVA covers both in-state and OOS tuition for its recipients (details below). The Jefferson Scholars have been around a long time, and I believe there are 30 or so named at UVA each year. The Murray Scholars program is smaller and newer - only 5 students are so honored each year. Separate application is required for Jefferson, and nominations must come from VA high schools or a set list of OOS schools. I believe that up to 5 additional students may be selected by the UVA admissions committee to apply for the Jefferson.</p>
<p>Here's info on the Murray Scholars selection process, as well as links to pages about each program: "All freshman applicants are reviewed as potential Murray Scholars - there is no separate application process. The Admission Committee selects deserving applicants as potential finalists and requests that they submit an additional essay that will be used to select students as finalists - this is a change from last year. Murray Scholar finalists are invited to William & Mary for a an expense-paid weekend visit each spring. Finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee, make a presentation, tour the campus, and meet with faculty and students. From the events of this weekend the Murray Scholars will be selected and notified shortly after their visit."</p>
<p>Murray Scholars program: W&M</a> Murray Scholars Program | About the Program
Monroe Scholars: James</a> Monroe Scholars Program | Charles Center</p>
<p>Jefferson Scholars (UVA): Jefferson</a> Scholars Foundation: Undergraduate Scholarship "The stipend for the 2008-09 academic year totals $20,173 for Virginia residents and $40,473 for residents outside the Commonwealth of Virginia. This sum represents the actual reported cost, including tuition, room, board, books, and miscellaneous expenses, for students enrolled full time in the University for the entire academic year."
Echols Scholars (UVA):Echols</a> — Echols Scholars Program, Arts & Sciences, U.Va.</p>
<p>Murray is a pretty big deal</p>
<p>ya i wrote my essay and just sent it in. hopefully they'll notice that it only took me 2 days to write..(so its not like i got dozens of people to review it...meaning it's all me) </p>
<p>I really liked the topic... They probably have a vision of what people are gonna write. They'll never see this one coming....</p>