<p>I was recently accepted into both the Presidents Leadership Class and Norlin Scholars Program at Boulder. However, it is not possible to be in both programs at once.</p>
<p>For those who know about the programs what program do you think would be most beneficial? It's a rather broad question to ask, I know.</p>
<p>tphan3, I can speak a bit to the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) as my daughter’s boyfriend and several of her roommates/friends participated in it (they are all seniors at CU now). PLC is a pretty intensive program involving a large time commitment. I know that you are required (at least they used to require) to dress up (coat and tie, etc.) at least once per week as they have well-known speakers come to talk to the group on various topics. I think that the program is very good. Her roommates spent quite a bit of time in the program. They had executive positions as juniors.</p>
<p>The only downside I heard mentioned from my daughter’s boyfriend is that because it is such a large time commitment, you make friends from within the PLC group but you don’t have a lot of time to socialize outside of it. That can be a negative thing. But there are lots of great kids from within.</p>
<p>From what I recall, the freshman year is the most intense, with each year after that loosening up a bit. My daughter’s boyfriend stopped after junior year because he was working for a professor in a lab and writing his thesis, doing lab work, and simply didn’t have enough time to do PLC as well.</p>
<p>Sorry to say I don’t know anything about the Norlin Scholars Program. My daughter elected not to do either of those and she is Phi Beta Kappa and will be an honors graduate, so it did not hurt her at all to not participate. Best of luck in whatever you decide.</p>
<p>Students at CU own coats and ties?</p>
<p>Some of them do, drb!!! ;)</p>
<p>Congrats! 
I did not make it into the PLC, but I did make it into the Norlin Scholars. I’m glad that I didn’t after hearing about the time commitment. They only took 8 out-of-state applicants. Did you know that they invited 300 applicants for the Norlin Scholars and selected 25-30? Only 50% are incoming Freshmen. The rest are current CU students.</p>
<p>I am flying out to Boulder on the 9th and attending the Norlin Scholars luncheon on the 10th. Are you going to be there? I am accepted in to the Leeds School of Business. What school have you been accepted into?</p>
<p>My brother is a junior at CU and I think he only wears a coat and a tie to fraternity and sorority formals. LOL!</p>
<p>I have been to CU 4 times and the only thing that I don’t like about it is the cold weather. My brother doesn’t seem to mind it though. I’m looking at some CA colleges also.</p>
<p>Yeah, I already RSVP’d for the Norlin Scholars luncheon on the 10th. I’ve been accepted into the Engineering College for Chemical/Biological Engineering.</p>
<p>I’m still conflicted about deciding between Norlin and PLC, but I’ll probably make a decision after Accepted Students day. Where did you find out the information about the Norlin statistics? That’s interesting.</p>
<p>Haha, I don’t mind the cold weather. Born and raised in Colorado, albeit the weather is VERY bipolar. The cold isn’t nearly as bad as the Northeast though. It won’t be bad if you decide to enroll at Boulder.</p>
<p>For anyone who is familiar with the two programs, would PLC or Norlin scholars be worth paying the extra money (and going into debt) to come from out of state for? In other words how prestigious would one of these programs be (I’d probably do PLC) and how would it be recognized by grad schools, future employers, etc.? I only recieved the Chancellor’s scholarship, which is $15,000 over 4 years, and while I absolutely love Colorado and everything it has to offer I’m having a hard time justifying paying around $35000 a year to go there over Ohio State (in state, +$2700 in state scholarship & honors program).</p>
<p>Depends mainly on family finances. We expected to pay OOS/private tuition so we had $ saved for that purpose. We are happy with the outcome because experience/opportunities were greater than what in-state would have provided. PLC sounds like a great and unique opportunity, depending on career goals. Not so useful for technical/arts careers, great for social sciences/political/journalism. Also pre-professional.</p>
<p>Just as an update for any students later on in this 2011 admissions cycle, I chose PLC over Norlin Scholars.</p>
<p>I felt PLC was much greater fit for me. The program curriculum was recently overhauled so it is much different from past years. So take any comments regarding curriculum with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>However, my friends in Norlin Scholars love the program as well. So you’ll have to see how each program “suits” you.</p>
<p>The opportunities that PLC offers you are amazing. Such as the Gift of Google event, and how PLC students can be hired by Google, etc.</p>
<p>Furthermore, PLC is creating a fund (much like UROP) that students can apply to for unpaid internships, independent projects, etc.</p>
<p>PLC has a wide-spectrum of students admitted into the program - this is what makes it great. The weekly recitations lead by PLC upperclassmen are great. You truly bond with your group. I’m sad that I’ll be changing recitations next semester.</p>
<p>Thanks for the update, tphan3 - what was the application process like for PLC? Do you know how the criteria for selection differ for PLC vs. Norlin Scholars?</p>
<p>For PLC you have a fairly long application. You should take your time with writing this essays. I only learned about PLC after January, so I had a time crunch. So it’s good that you’re starting early. For the PLC process, after you apply you will be notified within a few weeks if you have been selected for an interview. If you’re in-state you will have the interview at the Boulder campus this year. If you’re OOS you will have a skype interview with the admissions board for PLC.</p>
<p>For my interview (I’m in-state), I walked into a board room of about twelve individuals composed of PLC admissions officers, community members, parents, etc. It was actually quite fun. Don’t worry and relax when you have the interview.</p>
<p>As for Norlin, you write an essay about yourself basically, see the Norlin Scholars website for the exact information. Like all other college essays, make it shine.</p>
<p>Thanks typhan!</p>
Similar challenge here- I know your post is several years old now, but if you see this message, would love to hear what you decided to do and benefit from your wisdom!