American University Honors Program v. UW Honors Program

<p>I got into the Honors Program of both schools and am debating which one should I choose? it's said online UW honors program is quite competitive (average 3.93 + 1399) does anyone know how beneficial it really is? Ranking wise UW is defiantely over AU but AU also offered me 22,000 scholarship, yet i still have to pay about 24,000 for the rest. On the other hand UW's tuition for out-of-state is not toooooo high to start with (about 33,000). considering all the facts above what do you all think? Thanks!!</p>

<p>Definetly go for UW Honors!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>I'll meet you this fall hopefully. I got into the UW Honors too. If you graduate with UW Honors in your diploma, ur like automatically in into your first-choice graduate school (depending on other factors).</p>

<p>really?? yea I'm pretty sure I'm going to UW now. the Honors Program just makes it more awesome than ever! Are you from Washington? cuz I also have some questions about the school in general. like I heard the dorm is pretty crappy but is it livable? and what do you hear about the Honors Program? I called them today and checked out on line most of the stuff seemed very interesting and challenging. Are you planning living on the Honors Floors I am if there is space avaible....my msn: <a href="mailto:zmillan2002@yahoo.com.cn">zmillan2002@yahoo.com.cn</a> good luck getting everything signed up and I hope to see you in the fall!!</p>

<p>Great to hear that you're joining UW Honors! I'm in the Honors Program now, have lived on the Honors floor for a year, and love every minute of it! I'd be happy to answer any questions you have regarding UW, the Honors Program, or just anything in general. Did your peer mentor ever contact you? I would be happy to talk with you more. Just send me an email at <a href="mailto:samlim87@u.washington.edu">samlim87@u.washington.edu</a>. </p>

<p>To answer your questions though, the dorms are actually not that bad. They are actually pretty awesome. If you applied for an honors floor, you'll either be in Lander (which is all freshmen) or McCarty (which is all grades). The Lander honors experience is especially good for freshmen because you'll be in many of the same honors classes as your floor mates. If you do an honors FIG, you'll probably have some of your neighbors in class with you. For freshman year, Lander is a better option because everyone is in the same boat as you, and they plan and arrange events just for you (with lots of free stuff). Just this year, President Mark Emmert visited the Lander Honors floor and spoke with us for over an hour. To give you an idea of how big this was, President Emmert is one of the top university presidents in the nation. He recently went on a trip to India with 7 other university presidents from around the US as guests of Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. He's a tough man to track down, and I was able to talk to him personally. More on Lander--1101 cafe is right downstairs as are the laundry rooms and Southwest Activities Center (pool, ping pong, foosball, air hockey, etc.). On the other side of the building is Terry, so you'll meet and see many of your friends in this building. It's close to the Ave (University Avenue) where there are plenty of good restaurants and small shops. The post office, University Bookstore, and several banks are all located on the Ave. The four main bus stops are also right outside of Terry/Lander making it easy to get to and from Downtown Seattle.</p>

<p>On the other side of campus is McCarty. You'd be close to the other residence halls like McMahon, where you can get food at McMahon 8. It's a classy dining facility with plenty of food choices and a great atmosphere to meet with friends. McCarty is nestled in a back road with plenty of trees and shade while overlooking Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains in the east. Downstairs, you can find Ian's Domain, an internet cafe with computers, wireless access, and a big screen TV. The first floor has a ping pong table and other fun stuff. Right across the street is Denny Field where you'll have access to a tennis court, basketball hoops, and a playing field. A ways behind McCarty is the IMA where you can find all sorts of athletic equipment and opportunities.</p>

<p>To answer your questions about the Honors Program, I can't do it justice without talking to you in person. It's such an amazing program that meets the individual needs of each student. To give you an idea of the program, honors students take 47 credits of honors core (6 5-credit western/world civ classes, 3 5-credit natural world classes--there's an arts & sciences option for non-science minded people like me, and a 2 credit honors seminar) instead of 75 credits in the Areas of Knowledge. It's all very complicated, and I'm not quite sure what all the requirements are. Honors classes are not what most people think. Unless it's a math or science class, an honors class seeks to expand your ways of thinking and learning instead of pumping tons and tons of material into you only to force you to regurgitate it on a test. It is easier to get a 4.0 in an honors class than a regular class if you stay consistent with your homework and put in the effort to learn. </p>

<p>Another great thing about the Honors Program is the class sizes. While you'll still have to take some general ed classes that will be 500-750 person lectures, honors classes are almost always less than 30 people per class. This lets you get to know the professors really well and spend more time talking to them and your classmates. If you take any honors classes, make sure you at least take one with Clarke Speed. The way I describe him is that he's your favorite history/social studies teacher combined with Robin Williams. How's that for a professor? I have taken two classes with Clarke, and we have a really great mentor/mentee type of relationship. Beyond just classes, the Honors Program will provide you with great opportunities to meet with well-known professors, community leaders, and nationally-recognized individuals. </p>

<p>Within campus, the Honors office has its own computer lab for honors students. We can print up to 15 pages a day for free from the computer lab (you can probably print more--they just limit it so people don't use too much paper). The honors advisors are always accessible and much more helpful than the advisors at the Gateway Center downstairs. The Gateway Center is open to all UW students (all 42,000 plus of them), so they serve different communities. There are several conference rooms and a small library in the honors office. It is located in Mary Gates Hall, which is the academic hub of UW. It's just down the hall from the Dean of Undergraduate Education's office and just a floor above the Center for Career Services, the Gateway Center, a computer lab, and the Undergraduate Scholarship Office.</p>

<p>I hope this gives you a better idea of UW and the Honors Program. If you have any more questions, just shoot me an email. I've been very involved on campus, and I'd be glad to point you in the right direction. I hope to see you in the fall!</p>

<p>thank you sooo much for your advice! I'm going to UW offcially!!!! I'm sooo excited it took me god knows how long to decide. keep in touch!</p>