<p>I just received an email from the College of Engineering program about the Virtus program and I am a little confused. I thought Gemstone was the living and learning community for engineering majors. I also noticed the students in the Virtus program are housed in Easton Hall. Does anyone know about this program and about Easton Hall?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>I have exactly the same question. I got into gemstone and I got the virtus email. I just replied asking if the two programs can be done together so we’ll see.</p>
<p>I got this reply</p>
<p>es, you can be a part of both programs. On your Virtus application you would just indicate that you would be living with the Gemstone program. You would still have access to the study centers, monthly events and the other components of the Virtus program.</p>
<p>Virtus is the male equivalent of Flexus, which is for women. I know a current freshman who is participating in both Flexus and Gemstone, and she chose to live in Flexus housing. I asked some of the Flexus students about this at the engineering preview last night, and they told me they thought it made most sense to live in Flexus freshman year, because you have more classes with other Flexus students than you do with other Gemstone students. Gemstone groups are not formed until end of freshman (or beginning of sophomore?) year. (Take this recommendation with a grain of salt, because the Flexus students are probably somewhat biased in favor of their program.)</p>
<p>Also - Gemstone is not just for engineering students. It is an Honors option for students of any major.</p>
<p>I believe Virtus students live in Easton Hall. Last week when I was on campus some students told me that dorm is loud, a lot of parties and not very clean. They told me that Ellicot Hall is quieter and more studious and better for engineering majors. Does anyone know if this is true?</p>
<p>Yeah. That is true</p>
<p>Flexus housing over Gemstone housing? For years they’ve both been housed in the same building.</p>
<p>^ They’re not going to be in the same building next year. They’re trying to consolidate Honors housing in Ellicott quad. So Flexus is being moved to Easton. (I think I have the right dorm; somewhere in the same quad as Denton.)
So my question is… if you’re in Easton, and you’re on a floor of engineering students (Flexus/Virtus), will that make up for the rest of the dorm being full of students who are louder, and bigger partiers? I.e., does the atmosphere of you floor control your experience, or is it more your overall dorm? (My daughter is an incoming engineering student, choosing between Gemstone housing and Flexus housing.)</p>
<p>HoCommon…I am going to be a mechanical engineering major and I am going to live in Ellicott with the Gemstone program. I think it fits me better since I would prefer a quieter dorm. Also I think it would be nice to live with other than engineering majors. Also Gemstone program is for 4 years honors program which could be a good thing. Might still do the Virtus program…need to find out more information about it.</p>
<p>I talked to some Gemstone students at the open house today and they said that Ellicott Hall is the quietest by far. Might be some bias there, but seeing as the majority will most likely be serious students, it makes sense. I also think it will be cool to be in a team with people you live right next to.</p>
<p>Talked to the person in charge of Virtus program today and she was very helpful. You dont have to live in Easton Hall if you dont want to but you will have access to engineering study room and tutors. The only drawback I see is you have to take an one seminar class. I am thinking of living in gemstone community but also signing up for Virtus program so I can be better connected with engineering program. May help with future scholarships and/or internships.</p>
<p>I think I will pass on this. I figure that I will meet enough people in engineering through Gemstone and through my classes. Besides, I don’t want to do too much and I plan on doing the aerospace engineering honor society as well as other things such as sports and maybe marching band.</p>
<p>What makes you think engineers don’t party?
Ellicott is the quietest on North Campus. (I maintain that the female singles in Caroline are the quietest on campus though)</p>