<p>My son is researching the Engineering Honors Programs at Univ of Texas-Austin. From what he has found........smaller classes, research opportunities, special seminars..........it sounds like a great opportunity. He has the academic credentials to get in quite easily. My concern is, Engineering is challenging enough as it is, is it really worth going into an Honors Program, be it at UT or any other college? Anyone out there in this particular Honors Program at UT or any other Engineering Honors Program? Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm in EHP for Electrical Engineering. It basically consists of Honors sections for the following: Calculus, Physics, Differential Equations, and the introductory EE circuit class (that is, EE302). EHP students also take a special Senior Design project class that requires a thesis. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I did not apply to EHP before my freshman year and consequently, by the time I was admitted, I had already taken all of these classes. I don't necessarily see research opportunities suddenly open to me in EHP that were not available (at least formally) when I was not in EHP. That said, once admitted, I did start to receive emails on numerous events/other opportunities on campus that I had not known about before as well as the ability to bypass the over-17-hour Engineering rule without problem. I also started receiving more attention from my academic advisor. I do not know the impact of EHP on scholarships but would imagine that it wouldn't hurt.</p>
<p>So, I can't tell you whether the honors sections are more challenging as I didn't take them. However, I do think it's a good addition to your diploma, if nothing else.</p>
<p>Heh, only a few of your classes will be smaller, and it isn't going to make much of a difference. If your son is smart, he will learn enough of the information in honors or regular. If your son can maintain a decent GPA, it shouldn't matter if he is Honors or not. I am EE right now, and non-honors, and I am glad that I didn't even consider honors. I am sure that the fact I was in regular Calculus and Diff Eq didn't make much of a difference, and even though I made an A pretty easily, EE302 was still a pretty annoying class. I am 100% sure my GPA would have been ruined had it been for Honors classes.</p>