Classics and Ancient History Program
Program Overview
Lucius Sergius Catilina (108-62 BCE), commonly referred to by his cognomen as “Catiline,” was a high-born Roman politician. Unobtrusively successful during the early phase of his career (the cursus honorum), he repeatedly failed in his bid for Rome’s highest office, the consulship.
Not much is known about Catiline, as our primary sources are the speeches and letters by the Roman orator and politician Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43) and The Catilinarian Conspiracy by the Roman historian Gaius Sallustius Crispus (86-34).
What lessons can be learned from studying The Catiline Conspiracy?
Eureka Alumni from this program have received admission offers to Stanford University, Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, University of Chicago, Amherst College, and other top US universities.
Alumni from this program have gone off to pursue majors in Economics, English Literature, and Applied Mathematics.
The research experience and skills students receive at the Eureka Program have helped students win prestigious awards in the Latin Oratory and Literature Contests of the National Junior Classical League Convention. Some alumni from this program have also received eminent recognition for their work with Classics Studies, such as getting their work published in The Concord Review, a journal with a 5% acceptance rate.
Many students from this program are also very engaged in their communities, starting Latin oratory societies and even self-designing a Latin curriculum for 30 younger students. One alumni even created a website where Latin aficionados can publish their own works on the Classics.
The below sections will provide more insight into the students that have attended this program and share their experiences and successes.
Research Topic Samples
The Problem with ‘Accurate’ History: Complexity within Sallust’s Bellum Catilinae
Sallust's Bellum Catilinae is a primary account of Catiline's conspiracy that has intrigued historians for its complex portrayal of its protagonist. Sallust portrays Catiline as a complex character rather than a simple villain or hero. He uses Catiline to represent the widespread decline in the late Roman Republic. Sallust includes four speeches by Catiline, Caesar, and Cato to show the complexity of history by allowing historical figures to express their viewpoints in their own persuasive voices. Sallust draws attention to the complexity of history in his analysis of Catiline to warn contemporary readers about the Republic's danger. An alumni of this program authored this thesis to further his love for classics, which could have supported his admission to Harvard, Princeton and Stanford University.
College Admission Results
Attended Eureka
2019
High School Name
Kent School
Admission Offer Received
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Stanford University
Eureka Research Title
The Problem With 'Accurate' History: Complexity Within Sallust's Bellum Catilinae
Attended Eureka
2019 Summer
High School Name
Webb Schools Of California
Admission Offer Received
• Princeton University
• Stanford University
• Brown University
• Columbia University
Eureka Research Title
Research Topic - Undisclosed
Attended Eureka
2019
High School Name
Stuart Country Day School
Admission Offer Received
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Eureka Research Title
Sign Language Documentation: Why And How
Attended Eureka
2020
High School Name
Indian Springs School
Admission Offer Received
• (ED) Amherst College
Eureka Research Title
De Coniuratione Catilinae
Attended Eureka
2020
High School Name
St. Paul's School
Admission Offer Received
• (REA) Yale University
Eureka Research Title
Investigating The Impact Of Museums On Indigenous Health And Wellbeing
Attended Eureka
2019
High School Name
Hill School
Admission Offer Received
• Stanford University
Eureka Research Title
A Multidimensional Analysis Of The Character Of Catline As Described By Sallust
Attended Eureka
2020
High School Name
The Experimental High School Attached To Beijing Normal University
Admission Offer Received
• Pomona College
Eureka Research Title
Research Topic - Undisclosed
Attended Eureka
2019
High School Name
Boston University Academy
Admission Offer Received
• Stanford University
• Brown University
Eureka Research Title
Misleading Arguments: Contradictions In Socrates' Apology And Phaedo
Attended Eureka
2020
High School Name
St. Stephen's Episcopal School
Admission Offer Received
• (REA) Stanford University
• Washington University in St. Louis
Eureka Research Title
The Parallelisms And Differences Between The Government-Subject Relationship
Attended Eureka
2021 Summer
High School Name
Deerfield Academy
Admission Offer Received
• (ED) Swarthmore College
Eureka Research Title
Dies Irae - Why Apocalyptic Fiction Is So Popular In The Modern Day
Student Experiences
Eureka Student Research: Three Essays: Exegesis, Application, Evaluation
Eureka Student Research: Utilitarianism: a Ruthless Calculator or Practical Tool?
Eureka Student Research: How Baron d’Holbach’s Radical Atheism in Relation to Happiness
Community Activities
The Concord Review is a distinguished academic journal that publishes exceptional research papers written by high school students from all over the world. The journal provides a global platform for high school students to showcase their research and writing skills and aims to promote the development of critical thinking and writing abilities among high school students. The Concord Review has gained immense recognition as a prestigious academic journal and has been commended by educators, scholars, and policymakers for its significant contribution to high school education. The journal is very selective, accepting around 5% of works received. Several Eureka students have submitted their work to The Concord Review and have had their works accepted.
The Global Diplomat is a student-run organization dedicated to educating youth on politics, global affairs, and public policy. We provide a platform where students can explore and express their diverse point of views on topics they care about. A Eureka alumni of the Classics program was an Editor for the organization.
The National Junior Classical League aims to encourage an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome and to impart an understanding of the debt of our own culture to that of Classical antiquity. A Eureka alumni of the Classics program participated in the League, and won Fourth and Fifth Place at the Latin Oratory and Literature Contests respectively in 2019.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers partner to present the National Student Poets Program, the nation’s highest honor for young poets (grades 10–11) creating original work. Annually, five students are selected for one year of service, each representing a different geographic region of the country. The Program believes in the power of youth voices to create and sustain meaningful change, and supports them in being heard.
Honors and Awards
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that is open to high school students in the United States. Students enter the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and meeting other requirements. A Eureka alumni of the Classics Studies program received the scholarship.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a national program that recognizes and celebrates the creative achievements of young artists and writers in grades 7-12. It provides opportunities for exhibition, publication, and scholarship, as well as a platform for talented students to showcase their work to a wider audience. Several of Eureka Alumni from this program have received this award.
Click to Read Abstracts
Information Sessions
Disclaimers
* Some students names are hidden from this page for privacy purposes
* All college results rankings are based on the 2022-2023 U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings
