Scholars vs. Virtus for Engineering Students

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
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<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>This is my first post on CC, but I've been observing for a while. I was accepted at UMD College Park to the Clark School of Engineering (Undecided for now, probably going to do Mechanical) and the College Park Scholars program. Like many of you I'm sure, I have spent much of the past week reading up on programs and opportunities on the UMD site. </p>

<p>What I have gathered through my investigation and reading is that, as an engineering student, choosing between the Virtus Program and the Scholars is going to be a difficult decision. This thread <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1455365-attn-engineers-special-living-learning-program.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1455365-attn-engineers-special-living-learning-program.html&lt;/a> gave some excellent information and pathways to further understanding about what the program has to offer. </p>

<p>At face value, the scholars (College</a> Park Scholars - What is Scholars?) appears to offer a superior community oriented experience based on growing as a person while being exposed to real world situations and challenges. However, Virtus is also a living and learning program, a program focused entirely on engineering and finding success in academics and beyond. Also, it has a strong focus on working with all the engineering students around and utilizing tutoring opportunities. I would say most of you already know all this, so I will pose my inquiry.</p>

<p>Am I missing something, or are the pros and cons of each program difficult to differentiate? I'd love to hear from Engineering students with the same concerns, or perhaps current students. I am merely posing this question to spark some discussion on the topic. The more viewpoints and observations contributed, the better off we all are. </p>

<p>I hope I'm not the only one with this question and that this will help a few others out, I look forward to all of your replies. Thanks for reading.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear in my other post, but if you are invited to Scholars, you absolutely can do both Scholars and Virtus. </p>

<p>Bear in mind that you do have to apply to Virtus, and preference is given to students not invited to participate in another living-learning program. However, you can do both as long as you are willing to live in Easton; there is a requirement of being housed in Easton to participate in Virtus. Scholars does not require you to live in the Cambridge Community, but guarantees you housing in the Cambridge Community should you want it (and accept housing in time!).</p>

<p>What that means is that if you prefer to live in the Cambridge Community, you cannot do Virtus.</p>

<p>So, yes, as far as academic support and career prep, they are difficult to distinguish. The thing I did not mention about Virtus is course clustering where they suggest you all take the same sections of the same class:</p>

<p>“Course Cluster: Students are encouraged to take their first year math, science and engineering courses in clusters. This will provide support through community and continuity in course work during the first year. The goals are to build community among students in engineering and develop and enhance academic and professional skills.”</p>

<p>[SEEDS</a>, Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.seeds.umd.edu/]SEEDS”>http://www.seeds.umd.edu/) Once you get to the page, you can download a document with the clusters</p>

<p>Scholars has several different programs to choose from that augment your engineering education, and you can choose either to explore something entirely different or something more closely related to engineering. You are take 2 classes related to your program theme and those typically fulfill gen ed requirements anyway if you keep an eye out for those options. I did post a separate thread just about College Park Scholars <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1455032-college-park-scholars-info.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1455032-college-park-scholars-info.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>My freshman chose not to apply to Virtus because the Cambridge Community cannot be beat for proximity to engineering classes. Easton is close to Byrd Stadium, so further away. Not horrible, but if you need that extra 5 minutes of sleep…</p>

<p>There are enough engineers in Scholars to have that same ability to easily have group study sessions (formal ones are arranged for finals review), so you wouldn’t be missing out so much on that aspect by living in scholars.</p>

<p>Since you state you are undecided, you might be interested in taking a 1 credit course called
ENES181 Dialogue with the Dean; (1 credit) Grade Method: REG/P-F/AUD.
Restriction: Must be in a major in ENGR-A. James Clark School of Engineering; and Must be a new freshman or transfer student. Introduction to Engineering as a Profession, Overview of Martin Institute and Clark School Education and Research Programs, The Future of Engineering and Engineering Education, Basic Technological Literacy, Business and Entrepreneurship Issues for Engineers, the Joy of Discovery, Student Projects: How to get involved, Research and Development Programs: How to get involved, What the corporate sector expects from a new engineering graduate.</p>

<p>Hope this helps…</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for the thorough and informative reply, Maryversity.</p>

<p>Your explanation and supporting opinion cleared it all up for me. I was slightly confused before, but definitely feel more confident in sticking with scholars only. I do not believe finding friends to study with will be much of a problem. I am rather outgoing and have always befriended any new faces in my high school classes. So, I’ll make friends within the scholars dorm and from class that I can study with and the cluster aspect of Virtus won’t be as vital.</p>

<p>As to the undecided aspect, though I was admitted as an Undecided Engineer, I have my heart set on Mechanical Engineering for a variety of reasons. I fully intend to focus in that field once at the university. </p>

<p>This changes the course of the thread, but nevertheless, when can you focus and change your major if you were admitted as undecided?</p>

<p>Again, thank you for the answer Maryversity.</p>

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<p>I’m happy to help as best I can…I was a bit confused myself last year until we went to several programs…there really is so much that Maryland has to offer, it’s sometimes hard to wrap your head around all that’s available! </p>

<p>I’m not exactly sure about the timing for declaration of discipline/major because my son had declared from the beginning, but based on what I found online, you actually <em>may</em> be able to declare at orientation…? Go to an accepted students’ day and/or engineering preview day coming up soon if possible - only two dates: March 7 or March 24. I found it extremely helpful!</p>

<p>[Preview</a> Program Registration and Information | A. James Clark School of Engineering](<a href=“http://www.eng.umd.edu/prospective/preview]Preview”>Preview Program Registration | A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland)</p>

<p>In the interim, what they have online is: </p>

<p>► How do I change/declare my major within engineering?</p>

<p>Engineering students are encouraged to select their major or engineering specialization as soon as possible but must choose no later than the end of their third semester.</p>

<p>Engineering students can change their major within the School of Engineering by simply submitting an online Major Change form.</p>

<p>[Major</a> Change Request Form | A. James Clark School of Engineering](<a href=“http://www.eng.umd.edu/advising/major-change-form]Major”>http://www.eng.umd.edu/advising/major-change-form)</p>

<p>For mechanical engineering, here is the four-year academic plan in two different formats. The first page is the suggested sequence by semester (it’s not set in stone, so you do have wiggle room to some degree such as taking ENGL101 second semester instead of first, or if you place out of Math 140 and 141 you can start with Math 241, etc) and the second page lists all the required classes by category.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.eng.umd.edu/sites/default/files/images/current/forms/4yrplan/2012-2013/enme-4yr-acadplan-2012.pdf[/url]”>http://www.eng.umd.edu/sites/default/files/images/current/forms/4yrplan/2012-2013/enme-4yr-acadplan-2012.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Which scholars program are you doing (have you received confirmation yet)?</p>