Quotes from recent Take Five Scholars

When asked what they would say if a student asked their advice about the Take Five Scholars Program, recent Take Five Scholars said:

"It is an excellent opportunity to further take advantage of the academic freedom so characteristic of University of Rochester. Depending on your major, the program you create can bring fresh energy to your educational experience."

"It is an AMAZING UNIQUE opportunity that you DEFINITELY should take advantage of. This extra year has been GREAT and I cannot tell you how amazing it's been - I've reached new levels of understanding and intellectual depths. This has been such a rich experience and has truly enriched my life. DO IT!!!"

"Take 5 is an opportunity that you can't let pass you by. I would highly recommend studying abroad if your Take 5 proposal permits. Take 5 is an opportunity that University of Rochester is very unique in offering.'

"It is a fantastic program that lets students take extra courses in areas that they are interested in for an extra year of study outside their major. It is unlike anything any other school has and should definitely be taken advantage of if you have interests outside of your major."

"I highly recommend it! It was an inspiring year where I realized how important it is after college to continue studying, learning and reading. It was a good transitional year. However, it is challenging, it is a lot of hard work, and your performance is included in your GPA. So, it is not a good choice for someone who has nothing else to do."

"It's a wonderful opportunity to spend a year really ENJOYING school. When you get to choose your own courses and, if you're starting a new field, take easy classes again, the pressure level totally drops and the work is enjoyable. Getting to spend an extra year here, surrounded by friends and overall having a great time, was something I really needed to do before I was ready to leave Rochester. I really feel good to move on now. Also, this program looks great on job resumes."

"ABSOLUTELY. My take Five experience was probably the most meaningful endeavor of my academic career. The freedom and flexibility of the program provided a unique support network that enabled me to pursue interests that I never would have been able to pursue. My Take Five experience was also key in developing a different perspective on my plans for graduate study. In my interviews for graduate programs, my involvement in the Take Five program was definitely a factor that set me apart from the others."

"It's a great deal, especially if you want to study abroad but don't think you can complete your degree requirements if you do. If you want to do it, start planning as early as possible--you need maximum flexibility to make sure you can get the classes you want. Doing Take 5 gives you an extra year to think about grad school, fellowship applications, etc., that you might not be prepared to apply for in your 3 rd or 4 th year."

"It changed my way of thinking. Coming from a scientific background, the way I approached any situation was in a clear cut, right or wrong, manner. My Take Five program opened up my way of approaching situations and made me realize that the answers aren't always clear."

"It's a terrific opportunity to expand you knowledge & abilities. I would have never known the many things UR has to offer, outside of engineering without being a Take 5 scholar. I found some abilities in myself that I would never discovered had I not been able to take a variety of classes & go abroad. The best part of my T5 experience as an academic curriculum was my semester abroad. Socially, my fifth year was the most fun, too."

"The widely applicable academic result of my Take Five experience is that I have improved my methods of critical and creative thinking which are applicable to all areas of study that I encounter. However, the knowledge that I have from my participation in the Take Five Program goes much beyond the world of academia and I believe I can be applied throughout my life. I have gained a dynamic education in academic fields and social behaviors through my experiences, which would have passed me by had I not been a Take Five Scholar."

When asked if they feel that participation in the Take Five Scholars Program was worthwhile, recent Take Five Scholars said:

"Yes - my educational experience would have been almost unbelievably incomplete without the education, extracurricular opportunities, and personal growth I experienced in my fifth year."

"Absolutely. I had so many great experiences in addition to the academic aspect. The whole year has been wonderful."

"Yes! I learned so much in my classes that I would never have had an opportunity to learn. Despite the heavy workload at times, I loved the material, and learning about the classical world, and watching how it came alive in our classroom discussions."

"Very worthwhile. I was able to delve into studies I never would have had the opportunity to study. For example, studio art, art history, Italian language, history, and religion. This is definitely an experience I will remember for a long time to come."

"Definitely, it allowed me to spend a year taking courses in the areas I was weakest in, while still letting me be in a safe environment where I wouldn't get in over my head."

"Yes, because I get to learn many things that I didn't get to learn in the regular four-year program. I also became more mature as a person, and have a better idea of what I want to accomplish in the future years."

"Yes, I would definitely do it over again if I had the choice. It really did open up new ways of seeing the world to me. Also, after four years, I wasn't ready to leave UR, I would have missed a lot. Now, I feel that I am ready to move on."