<p>Columbia SEAS loves me - I don't quite know why, but they have lavished me with attention, from a likely letter in early March to an acceptance today accompanied by notification of my admission into the C. Davis Prescott Scholar's program. I'm flattered and pleasantly surprised by the attention.</p>
<p>Still, what exactly IS a C. Davis Prescott Scholar? I've scanned the site, and the information is kind of vague, I'll be involved in programs to help me "reach the fullest potential of my academic and leadership skills".</p>
<p>What exactly does that constitute?</p>
<p>Also, is any money involved? Do I receive a scholarship for being a scholar?</p>
<p>Thanks - I'm so excited that I got in, Columbia is probably my top choice right now... The Big Apple: It gives me chills to think about it!</p>
<p>Search the forum for the last time I answered this.</p>
<p>Short answer: I was a CP Davis scholar. It got me:</p>
<ul>
<li>Invites to a bunch of cool events and speakers, including one time where at my suggestion they brought a personal hero of mine (Arthur Kinoy) in to speak</li>
<li>Tickets to broadway shows and other outings, free - Converted all my loans into grants, although mine was a low number (~$8k) so I don't know if there's a limit to it</li>
<li>A chance to meet the various other "special" members of your class, many of whom are really fascinating people, in an even higher proportion than your normal set of classmates.</li>
</ul>
<p>I seem to remember there were 2-3 dozen of each of the 4 types of scholar (CP Davis for engineers, John Jay, Kluge, and Global for the College).</p>
<p>As best as I can tell, they get selected by the admissions committee based on their perception of "high value" applicants, who they want to attract or fight for their attendance. Meaning they think you were among the best students who applied this year, highest upside, whatever you want to call it.</p>
<p>Of course, to many (including myself) it seems somewhat arbitrary, so you'll get jokes about the names just being picked out of a hat. Although I don't know the method exactly, I believe there is indeed a method to the madness. And if anyone out there who is <em>ahem</em> in the know would like to clarify for me, I'd be very interested to learn more.</p>
<p>rabi is a) an older program b) has less bs requirements and bureaucracy c) has dominated the CC valedictorian award in the 2000s.</p>
<p>they're the top science students and get guaranteed summer research funding and housing. they can pretty much approach a professor, introduce themselves, and get a research position by dropping the R-Bomb.</p>
<p>Kluge is for URMs. Global is for internationals. John Jay is for the general CC body. CP Davis is for the general SEAS body.</p>
<p>Rabi scholars are hot physics prospects, who actually get a lot of benefits (as well as guaranteed summer employment). it's basically a merit scholarship, which isn't allowed in the ivy league -- ssssshhhhh.</p>
<p>My fin aid package from Columbia (SEAS) was much higher (8k more in grants) compared to say, MIT. I THINK this was probably the doings of the "program" that i know nothing about -.-</p>
<p>cheeky - you do, through the Urban NY (and SEAS NY) programs, which are grant-funded by alums from the 50s and have hotly-contested lottery-style signups for the various outings.</p>
<p>And of course there's TKTS, for those of you who are on a modest student budget but not quite eating dog food.</p>