The program is a joint merit-based scholarship program that seeks to increase collaboration between UNC and Duke University. Students cannot apply to the program directly -- the admissions offices on both campuses choose applications from the overall applicant pool.
Thirty finalists are selected for the four-year undergraduate scholarship program in March and come from different U.S. states and foreign countries.
The program provides full tuition, living stipends and laptops, and scholars receive degree certification from both UNC and Duke upon graduation.
Duke President Nan Keohane said she believes the program has drawn students to Duke and UNC who might otherwise have gone elsewhere.
Although these students cross the boundaries between Duke and UNC, the program still needs to overcome challenges and make changes, said Eric Mlyn, director of the program.
"A program this ambitious and innovative is going to run into obstacles -- but we overcame them," he said.
Mlyn said there were some technical difficulties like getting students registered for classes on the other campus.
UNC Chancellor James Moeser said there will be minor changes made to the program next year -- bus schedule changes, course corrections, the definition of a Robertson Scholar's ideal profile, recruitment guidelines and the possible introduction of direct applications.
A new staff member will also be hired to focus on national recruiting and marketing, he said. Moeser also said he wants to eliminate the perception that only Robertson scholars are allowed to take classes at the other campus.
