Meyerhoff

I'm a Meyerhoff Scholar. The program has its ups and downs, but one thing that really bugs me is the stupid statements that people make about Meyerhoffs. Some of this rant is definitely due to my time spent in magnet, where people made even more ignorant statements.

"I get good grades, I should be a Meyerhoff." Do you want to go to graduate school and get a PhD? Do you want to do research as an undergrad? Are you even a STEM major? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then STFU. (If you answered yes to all these questions, consider being an affiliate) Being a Meyerhoff isn't just about getting good grades; doing scientific research is a HUGE aspect of it. It's what I'll be doing this summer. And next summer. And every summer after that. Not to mention I'll be working at least 10 hours a week in lab every single semester the rest of my undergraduate career. Then there's the whole doing-your-best--in-every-aspect-of-your-life thing.

"Hbraowski favors the Meyerhoffs." No duh, Meyerhoff is his brain child. When Meyerhoff was formed, he was the director. It is literally his dream in physical form. If your dream came true, wouldn't you care for it?

"Meyerhoffs are clique-ish." So is every other group on campus. Fraternities. Sororities. Ethnic clubs. Bands. Singers. Sports teams. Religious groups. Other scholarship kids. We don't even get our own designated housing. And we aren't nearly as clique-ish as people make us seem. We do talk to kids outside of Meyerhoff. Out of the 60ish people that are still in my cohort, I only actually talk to 15ish of them on a regular basis. The rest are just there.

"Oh my gosh, Meyerhoffs were caught drinking on campus!" Do you drink underage? If yes, STFU. Be glad you didn't have to be chewed out by the director of Meyerhoff. He's an intimidating man. If not, good for you. But still, would you care if it was another scholar, such as a Sherman scholar? No. You're the one that's putting Meyerhoffs on a high pedestal; don't be surprised when you find out that Meyerhoffs are just like other college students and make stupid mistakes. It's just that our stupid mistakes come at a higher price (literally tens of thousands of dollars).

"Of course you're smart, you're a Meyerhoff." What, there aren't smart people outside of Meyerhoff? No. If I wasn't a Meyerhoff, would I be any less intelligent than I am now? No. Meyerhoff doesn't make you smart; it makes you focused.

Meyerhoff isn't perfect; it's got some huge flaws. But my fellow M's are my family and I will defend them against anyone who attacks them (unless they are being idiots in which case they are on their own).