Can anybody provide any insight into the Polymathic Program for CNS? On my honors applications to UT, I indicated that preference for the Dean’s Scholars Program, but recently got an email informing me that I had been invited to the Polymathic Program instead.
I have a few questions:
What is the intensity and focus on science in the program? I realize that it’s an interdisciplinary program, but I my plans are to major in Physics, go to grad school, and become a scientific researcher. So will this be a step in the right direction?
What’s the workload like?
Does it feel like you’re actually getting benefits?
How is research facilitated in the program?
And anything else you can tell me about the program would be great.
Thanks!
I know a kid in it. This will be second hand info, but here goes:
It sounds like a create your own major sort of program to me. The kid I know is a Physics major as well, but also intensely interested in Math, Music, and Psychology/cognitive science. He has a thesis proposal that combines these interests.
Freshman year he took a research methods class along with all the other research honors programs guys, including Dean’s Scholars, and then had to work in a lab with those folks. IDK what he did sophomore year, but I think he had classes that were research related and the pool of students were Dean’s Scholars, Polymathic Scholars, and Health Science types.
He says in the beginning there was an opportunity to switch between the programs, but as time goes on, you are committed to your program. He is now taking classes to learn about aspects of his thesis. Ask about the ability to switch. I think he mentioned a Deans kid who switched to Turing. The kid started in Math and moved to CS.
You can choose honors dorms and you get special advising and a leg up on course choice.
These kids do FRI.
Workload…this is really hearsay, but some kids do drop out of these honors programs (all of them, not just poly or deans, but Turing, too) due to the workload. They don’t want to write a thesis. Some kids take the perks and then run. My impression of the kids who stay with it, though, is that it isn’t too bad. They want the skills and experiences, so they enjoy the work. Some get lab jobs for the summer or during the school year, for example.
There was a summer workshop for the honors kids, including this kid, who stayed in Austin over the summer to do research, that was geared toward applying to the big post college programs like Goldwater and Marshall.
Thanks for the info!
I’m a bit curious on how you switch. Do you have to apply for a transfer or is it just given to you if you ask? But who knows, I may end up falling in love with Polymath and stay in it.
IDK. If there is some sort of accepted students day, go to it and ask. Or email the dean of the program.
@AggravatedTeddy could you please post your stats ?
@Lizardly, alright, thanks!
@PCMguy
SAT - 2210 (720R, 800M, 690W)
SAT II - 800 Physics, 800 Math Level II
ACT - 35 (33E, 35M, 36R, 34S)
AP - Physics B (5), Eng Lang (5), US History (4), World History (4)
Rank - 20/800 (Large public school)
GPA - 13.4 ACA, 4.7 Weighted, 3.96 Unweighted
Captain of swim team, VP of NHS, VP of student led bible study, Science UIL Team, employee at local Christian day camp, trilingual.
Senior course load - Varsity Swim (X2), AP Calc BC, AP Physics C: Mech, AP Gov, AP Macro, AP Span Lang, AP Eng Lit, AP Physics C: E&M
Tell me if you’d like any more stats.
@AggravatedTeddy I think they conveyed the message!
I have 32 on the ACT with 36 on Math!
Do you think I’ll make the cut for Turing’s ?
EC’s + Essays are top.
Btw, congrats on the invite.
Thanks!
But, I know nothing about Turing’s (except that I watched The Imitation Game…).
I would have to see the stats/credentials of accepted students vs. rejected students to give you a fair assessment.
I know what I do not know, and that is the most important thing that I know. 
@AggravatedTeddy Too much wisdom for one post. Don’t you think so? meme attached