Presidential Scholars

Last fall Dartmouth's first Presidential Scholars arrived in Hanover and stirred both curiosity and resentment

among students and alumni. In response to complaints that incoming students were being singled out within a group that was already intellectually able, a seven-member committee was formed to revamp the program. Under the new plan, the automatic nomination of recruited high school seniors was dropped. Presidential Scholars will now be chosen among rising sophomores and juniors. Applicants to the program must rank in the top three percent of their class or be nominated by a faculty member. The total number of Presidential Scholars will be capped at five percent of each class. Added lures for the new program are research apprenticeships and stipends. Students say they are pleased with the policy shift.