IT'S THAT time again -- time to register for classes. Which means, it's also time for another opinion column bemoaning priority registration for Echols scholars.
This week many of my fellow fourth years have probably watched as that one class -- a seminar, perhaps, or a small, popular upper-level class or even a class needed for graduation -- was filled within the first few hours of registration. What culprits snatched these spots so quickly? Who could possibly have filled up a class before most fourth years even logged on to ISIS?
The likely answer? Echols scholars, my friends. Echols scholars.
As most students are probably aware of by now, those beloved Echols scholars are given priority registration, logging on even before fourth years. In my four years at this university, I have found this to be not only increasingly unfair, but also rather patronizing, in that it makes the rest of us feel like we're just not quite smart enough.
There is just something wrong with the world when first-year Echols scholars are allowed to register before us "regular" fourth-year students. These overly-ambitious underclassmen enroll in upper-level courses, grabbing precious spots in popular classes and leaving many fourth years out in the dark -- or in second-choice classes.
Underclassmen Echols scholars have plenty of time to take popular upper-level classes -- especially because their schedules aren't filled by the area requirements that the rest of us have to take. They don't even have to have a real major -- that is, Echols scholars have the option of creating their own majors, which means they aren't even necessarily bound by major requirements. Surely a first-year Echols scholar doesn't need to register before a fourth year, who is likely scrambling to get in that one last required class.
Obviously, Echols scholars are admitted into the program for a reason, and one of the rewards for being so gosh darn smart is being able to register for classes before everyone else. The priority registration system attracts a lot of good students to the program.
Therefore, Echols scholars should be able to register ahead of everyone else -- in their respective class. Because the order of registration is determined by accumulation of credits, fourth years generally register first, followed by third, second and first years. Staggering Echols registration by years would help both upperclassmen and Echols scholars get into the classes that they want, while still being fair to those who have worked hard for four years.
At registration time, it's hard not to feel slighted by the University in favor of the Echols scholars. Priority registration implies that a first-year student who did really well in high school is more valuable than a fourth year student who has worked hard at the University for three and half years. I know those Echols scholars are smart, but are they really so much smarter than the rest of us? Really?
This is the University of Virginia, after all. I'd say we're all pretty intelligent, we're all pretty involved and we're all pretty hardworking.
And yet, it always seems to end up that small but popular upper-level classes are comprised mainly of the "smart kids." It's almost statistically impossible for Echols scholars to crowd everyone else out -- but they do make up a noticeable chunk in these classes. Is that really the best class dynamic? Wouldn't it be nice if there were a few "regular" upperclassmen thrown into the mix, instead of a class of first-year super-geniuses?
While the Echols program is an important one, and the students in it are certainly deserving of academic rewards, it is not only unfair that first years have priority registration, it's demeaning to us non-Echols fourth years. It sends a message, albeit unintentionally, that we're second-rate students.
Perhaps one day, a regular fourth year student will be able to log on to ISIS during that coveted Monday at 7 a.m. time slot. Until then, make friends with an Echols scholar and ask them to save you a spot.
Kristin Brown's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at kbrown@cavalierdaily.com.
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