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Discovery Houses
What is a Discovery House?
Discovery Houses are unique Rutgers University, School of Arts & Sciences Living-Learning Communities at the Livingston campus. Small, select groups of first-year students enjoy the benefits of sharing common residential and academic experiences while making new friends, exploring common interests and being a part of a close community of peers. Discovery Houses create purposeful links among the academic, residential, and social elements of the undergraduate experience during your first year.
Discovery Houses are available in four interest areas: Business, Heath & Medicine, Law & Leadership and Psychology. Students considering studies in these areas will benefit from living in Quad 2 on the Livingston campus and taking a cluster of three shared courses with the same cohort of peers. If you want to be a part of a unique community while gaining insight into one of the four interest areas, living in a Discovery House may be for you!
Shared Courses
In addition to other courses that you will take in your first semester, here is a sampling of the cluster of courses that you may take with other members of your Discovery House in your first semester:
Law & Leadership
Psychology
Business
Health & Medicine
In the second semester of the first year, students will have the option to co-register for specific courses with fellow students in the Discovery House community.
Why should I join the Discovery House living-learning community?
Students who live in Discovery Houses will benefit from the following enhancements:
The Discovery House Commitment
Members of the Discovery House communities will be expected to:
What Students are Saying
Enrichment Activities
Students in the Discovery House program will have the opportunity participate in uniquely designed enrichment activities for their particular house. The Dinner and Dialogue event series was created to provide students with the opportunity to talk with faculty in an informal setting concerning a selected theme or topic. These themes were either chosen by Discovery House Peer Mentors or the students.
Previous Dinner and Dialogue Series
Take a Tour!
Students accepted into the program will live in Quad Two Residence Hall on the Livingston Campus. Quad Two is a residence for first-year students and offers study rooms, laundry facilities, kitchens, lounges, and a central multipurpose room. Quad Two has lots of green space surrounding it, is adjacent to the Livingston Recreation Center, Tillet Dining Hall, near Livingston Student Center, Livingston Bookstore and walking distance to the Louis Brown Athletic Center (RAC). All resident students on Livingston Campus are allowed to have cars, a unique privilege only available to those students!
Take a virtual tour of Quad Two Residence Hall.
Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Houses
What are the unique benefits of the Discovery House program?
Students in the Discovery House (DH) program live with students who share common interests and courses, make new friends more quickly, enjoy special activities and field trips linked to their interest area, establish relationships with faculty outside the classroom and are provided with math and writing tutoring in their residence hall. Students in the program reported the following benefits:
Do I have to live on campus to participate in a Discovery House and related activities?
Yes. The Discovery House is a living- learning experience on the Livingston Campus. But students who plan to commute to campus or live elsewhere on campus may sign-up for a Byrne Family First-Year Seminar or a First-Year Interest Group Seminar (FIGS) that is peer-led. If you plan to sign-up for a Discovery House, you must complete the online Housing and Dining application found on the Admissions Enrollment Pathway.
Can I live in a Discovery House even if I'm not planning to major in any of the topical areas listed?
Yes! All that is necessary is that you share an interest in one of the topical areas and plan to register for the three course cluster.
Does the Discovery house cost extra?
No. The Discovery House program is free and there are no additional fees.
Are there any requirements to apply to the Discovery House Program?
No. The only requirements is a commitment on part of the students to enroll in the three academic courses particular to that community, participate in community activities and events, support the academic success of community members and attend monthly community meetings in residence.
Can I really have a car on campus?
Yes. This privilege is unique to first-year students living on Livingston campus!
When will I know if I have been assigned a Discovery House?
Your application will be reviewed and confirmation of placement into the program will be by July 15, 2009. E-mail rulc@echo.rutgers.edu with questions.
Are there special student staff members working with this program?
Yes. There will be upperclass peer mentors who will live in Quad II, who will be provide you with assistance answer your questions and provide programming and special events for the community. Additionally, you will have a junior or senior student mentor who will be your First-Year Interest Group Seminar instructor (FIGS) and help adjust to campus life at Rutgers and helping you to explore your academic interest area.
I have already completed my housing application for next year, how do I select Discovery House on Livingston?
Just submit a Discovery House application online, provided here. You can also sign-up on your academic Planning and Advising Day when you make your course selections.
Can I live in a Discovery House and be a part of Douglass Residential College at the same time?
No. Since the Discovery Houses are located on the Livingston campus and DRC is on the Douglass campus, first year students cannot participate in both programs. However, Discovery House students can participate in DRC in their sophomore year.
I already submitted my Housing and Dining application for another campus. Can I switch? Yes. Once you apply to the Discovery House program and you are accepted we will notify Housing of your selection.
Does my Discovery House application replace the housing application with University Housing and Residence Life?
The Discovery House online application does not replace filing a housing application. You must complete a housing application and contract for final placement into the Discovery House program.
Apply Now!
Complete the Discovery House online application below. Be sure to tell us which of the four Discovery Houses you would like to live in: Business, Heath and Medicine, Law and Leadership or Psychology.
Attention: Students interested in applying for the Business Discovery House will be taking an Introduction to Microeconomics in the Fall semester, which requires math placement at the Pre-calculus level or above.
Attention: Students interested in applying for the Health & Medicine Discovery House will be taking General Biology 101 in the Fall semester, which requires math placement at the Pre-calculus level or above, as well as placement into Expository Writing.
* It is required that all students interested in either Business or Health & Medicine Discovery House take their placement test no later than June 1st, 2009.
Space is limited for this unique experience, so apply early. NOTE: If space is available you will also have a chance to sign-up for a Discovery House during your Academic Planning & Advising Day.
IMPORTANT! The application does not replace filing a housing application with University Housing and Residence Life. You must complete a housing application and contract for final placement into the Discovery House program and fulfill all of the requirements. Your application will be reviewed and confirmation of placement into the program will be by July 15, 2009.
- What is a Discovery House?
- Shared Courses
- Why should I join the Discovery House living-learning community?
- The Discovery House Commitment
- What Students are Saying
- Enrichment Activities
- Take a Tour!
- FAQs
- Apply Now
- Contact Us
What is a Discovery House?
Discovery Houses are unique Rutgers University, School of Arts & Sciences Living-Learning Communities at the Livingston campus. Small, select groups of first-year students enjoy the benefits of sharing common residential and academic experiences while making new friends, exploring common interests and being a part of a close community of peers. Discovery Houses create purposeful links among the academic, residential, and social elements of the undergraduate experience during your first year.
Discovery Houses are available in four interest areas: Business, Heath & Medicine, Law & Leadership and Psychology. Students considering studies in these areas will benefit from living in Quad 2 on the Livingston campus and taking a cluster of three shared courses with the same cohort of peers. If you want to be a part of a unique community while gaining insight into one of the four interest areas, living in a Discovery House may be for you!
Shared Courses
In addition to other courses that you will take in your first semester, here is a sampling of the cluster of courses that you may take with other members of your Discovery House in your first semester:
Law & Leadership
- FIGS: Exploring Law & Leadership (1 credit)
- Law & Politics (Political Science 106, 3 credits)
- Expository Writing (3 credits)
Psychology
- FIGS: Exploring Psychology (1 credit)
- Psychology 101 (3 credits)
- Expository Writing (3 credits)
Business
- FIGS: Exploring Business (1 credit)
- Microeconomics 102 (3 credits)
- Expository Writing (3 credits)
Health & Medicine
- FIGS: Exploring Health & Medicine (1 credit)
- Biology 101 (4 credits)
- Expository Writing (3 credits)
In the second semester of the first year, students will have the option to co-register for specific courses with fellow students in the Discovery House community.
Why should I join the Discovery House living-learning community?
Students who live in Discovery Houses will benefit from the following enhancements:
- Living with students who share common career goals and course selection
- Special field trips with classmates
- First-year Interest Group Seminar taught by a peer instructor who will introduce new students to special university resources related to their potential major and career
- Reduced bus travel because most classes are scheduled on students' home campus
- Ability to have a car on campus—a privilege unique to first-year students living on campus!
- Social events with faculty members from class to discuss ideas and career options
- Academic support that comes to your door (in house tutoring for math and writing)
The Discovery House Commitment
Members of the Discovery House communities will be expected to:
- Enroll in all three academic courses particular to that community (See above for listing of the courses)
- Participate in community activities and events
- Support the academic success of community members
- Attend monthly community meetings in residence
What Students are Saying
- "Living in discovery housing has helped me to make friends and form study groups." —Danielle Gal
- "Discovery housing has become my home away from home, and the friends I made here have become like a family." —Alokk Kumar
- "My experience as a discovery house student has led to the creation of lasting friendships and potential networking connections for the future." —Alicia Ivory
- "Discovery housing has allowed me to further discover myself and my passion for business." —Arnab Sengupta
- "With Rutgers being so large, the discovery house has made it seem smaller, allowing me to have the best of both worlds." —Michelle Behling
Enrichment Activities
Students in the Discovery House program will have the opportunity participate in uniquely designed enrichment activities for their particular house. The Dinner and Dialogue event series was created to provide students with the opportunity to talk with faculty in an informal setting concerning a selected theme or topic. These themes were either chosen by Discovery House Peer Mentors or the students.
Previous Dinner and Dialogue Series
- Business House
"Leadership: How to Develop Leaders for Tomorrow's Global Business"
Hosted by John Markert, Rutgers Business School - Health and Medicine House
"Personal Genomics: Implications of Personal DNA Sequence information in
Medicine and Social Policy"
Hosted by Dr. Martha Haviland, Life Sciences Department
"Genetics, Health care and Personal interests"
Hosted by Dr. Terry McGuire, Genetics Department - Law and Leadership House
"Freedom of Expression or potential 'racist' acts"
Hosted by Professor Gordon Schochet, Political Science Department
"Torture and treatment of prisoners during War. What kind of treatment is appropriate for a democratic society to provide for suspected terrorists?"
Hosted by Professor Lisa Miller, Political Science Department - Psychology House
"What is Happiness?"
Hosted by Professor Gary Brill, Psychology Department
"A Fractured Mind" a discussion on multiple personality disorder
Hosted by Robert Oxnam * Conversation facilitated by Dr. Deirdre Kramer, Psychology Department
Take a Tour!
Students accepted into the program will live in Quad Two Residence Hall on the Livingston Campus. Quad Two is a residence for first-year students and offers study rooms, laundry facilities, kitchens, lounges, and a central multipurpose room. Quad Two has lots of green space surrounding it, is adjacent to the Livingston Recreation Center, Tillet Dining Hall, near Livingston Student Center, Livingston Bookstore and walking distance to the Louis Brown Athletic Center (RAC). All resident students on Livingston Campus are allowed to have cars, a unique privilege only available to those students!
Take a virtual tour of Quad Two Residence Hall.
Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Houses
What are the unique benefits of the Discovery House program?
Students in the Discovery House (DH) program live with students who share common interests and courses, make new friends more quickly, enjoy special activities and field trips linked to their interest area, establish relationships with faculty outside the classroom and are provided with math and writing tutoring in their residence hall. Students in the program reported the following benefits:
- 88% indicated that living in the DH had a positive impact on their experience in the residence halls.
- 81% indicated that living near other DH students who were in their classes had a positive impact on their academics.
- 85% indicated the program helped in establishing peer relationships at Rutgers University.
- 64% indicated that the program helped in establish faculty relationships at Rutgers University.
- 88% of current students recommend the program to incoming first-year students.
Do I have to live on campus to participate in a Discovery House and related activities?
Yes. The Discovery House is a living- learning experience on the Livingston Campus. But students who plan to commute to campus or live elsewhere on campus may sign-up for a Byrne Family First-Year Seminar or a First-Year Interest Group Seminar (FIGS) that is peer-led. If you plan to sign-up for a Discovery House, you must complete the online Housing and Dining application found on the Admissions Enrollment Pathway.
Can I live in a Discovery House even if I'm not planning to major in any of the topical areas listed?
Yes! All that is necessary is that you share an interest in one of the topical areas and plan to register for the three course cluster.
Does the Discovery house cost extra?
No. The Discovery House program is free and there are no additional fees.
Are there any requirements to apply to the Discovery House Program?
No. The only requirements is a commitment on part of the students to enroll in the three academic courses particular to that community, participate in community activities and events, support the academic success of community members and attend monthly community meetings in residence.
Can I really have a car on campus?
Yes. This privilege is unique to first-year students living on Livingston campus!
When will I know if I have been assigned a Discovery House?
Your application will be reviewed and confirmation of placement into the program will be by July 15, 2009. E-mail rulc@echo.rutgers.edu with questions.
Are there special student staff members working with this program?
Yes. There will be upperclass peer mentors who will live in Quad II, who will be provide you with assistance answer your questions and provide programming and special events for the community. Additionally, you will have a junior or senior student mentor who will be your First-Year Interest Group Seminar instructor (FIGS) and help adjust to campus life at Rutgers and helping you to explore your academic interest area.
I have already completed my housing application for next year, how do I select Discovery House on Livingston?
Just submit a Discovery House application online, provided here. You can also sign-up on your academic Planning and Advising Day when you make your course selections.
Can I live in a Discovery House and be a part of Douglass Residential College at the same time?
No. Since the Discovery Houses are located on the Livingston campus and DRC is on the Douglass campus, first year students cannot participate in both programs. However, Discovery House students can participate in DRC in their sophomore year.
I already submitted my Housing and Dining application for another campus. Can I switch? Yes. Once you apply to the Discovery House program and you are accepted we will notify Housing of your selection.
Does my Discovery House application replace the housing application with University Housing and Residence Life?
The Discovery House online application does not replace filing a housing application. You must complete a housing application and contract for final placement into the Discovery House program.
Apply Now!
Complete the Discovery House online application below. Be sure to tell us which of the four Discovery Houses you would like to live in: Business, Heath and Medicine, Law and Leadership or Psychology.
Attention: Students interested in applying for the Business Discovery House will be taking an Introduction to Microeconomics in the Fall semester, which requires math placement at the Pre-calculus level or above.
Attention: Students interested in applying for the Health & Medicine Discovery House will be taking General Biology 101 in the Fall semester, which requires math placement at the Pre-calculus level or above, as well as placement into Expository Writing.
* It is required that all students interested in either Business or Health & Medicine Discovery House take their placement test no later than June 1st, 2009.
Space is limited for this unique experience, so apply early. NOTE: If space is available you will also have a chance to sign-up for a Discovery House during your Academic Planning & Advising Day.
IMPORTANT! The application does not replace filing a housing application with University Housing and Residence Life. You must complete a housing application and contract for final placement into the Discovery House program and fulfill all of the requirements. Your application will be reviewed and confirmation of placement into the program will be by July 15, 2009.
For technical questions or comments about this site, contact vmars@echo.rutgers.edu.
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Last Updated: 03/31/2009