<p>Okay, so I was just admitted into the FYC program at NCSU about a week ago. Today I got an email asking me to apply to the University Honors Program. Can I do both? Even if I can, I'm not sure if i could handle it all. The FYC students are required to live in the FYC village but the Honors program highly recommends you live in their village for the first year, both require you to take specific seminars, the Honors program requires you to complete a large project, and the FYC program requires you attend certain on-campus events.</p>
<p>So, can I do both? Should I do both? How heavy is the work load compared to non-honors? Should I even consider applying for the Honors Program if am an Undecided major? Your opinions please.</p>
<p>"So, can I do both? Should I do both?"
You can definitely do both. FYC is a living/learning sort of deal, trying to get you "in tune" with what you want to do in the future, introduce you to college, that sort of thing. All ties to the program dissipate after your first year when you choose a major and change colleges.</p>
<p>Honors is an academic program strongly focused on undergraduate research. You would be required to take several HON designated courses and complete a capstone project. Usually this is TAing or research, but that is completed in your junior or senior year- not a big deal for an incoming freshman. In addition, the HON courses are actually often very interesting. See if anything catches your eye: NCSU</a> UHP Honors Seminars</p>
<p>"How heavy is the work load compared to non-honors?"
The workload, with exception of the HON courses, is as heavy as you make it. As an honors student, you can almost always take courses that have an H designation. These are generally more difficult. (If you enter a departmental honors program you may be required to take a certain number of these... for example, I'll most like be in the CALS Honors Program, and that requires 6 hrs of H courses. That would be determined after you pick a major/align yourself with a college.)</p>
<p>"Should I even consider applying for the Honors Program if am an Undecided major?"
Definitely! Undecided just means that you're open to change. (: A friend of mine was FYC her first year, is a Parks scholar, and is actively in her college /and/ the university honors programs. </p>
<p>Even if you don't apply now, if you finish your first semester with >3.25, you're eligible to apply for a mid-year acceptance into the program. If you have >3.5, they'll invite you to apply, otherwise it is on you to hunt down the application... I didn't see many people on their roster with below a 3.5, though, so if you choose that path really do your best. </p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Sorry for the long response!</p>
<p>Thank you so much taking time to respond. Now that I have a better understanding of what the program is, I think I'll apply. I have a couple more questions before I do though. A couple days ago, I was invited to the Scholars Program. Is there a big difference between this and the Honors Program? The website was kind of vague and I couldn't find much information regarding what the scholars program is all about except for trips and village events. Is it the same as far as the number of H courses you have to take and required projects? Which has more to offer?</p>
<p>"Is there a big difference between this and the Honors Program? Is it the same as far as the number of H courses you have to take and required projects?"
Scholars requires more ***H courses (so, like, BIO 183H) than Honors, but Honors has the four HON courses you need to take. The only time you'll have to take H courses in Honors is if you enter a departmental Honors program, like... NCSU</a> CALS Academic Programs sort of deal. (But you don't look at that until your sophomore/junior year, depending on your specific college.) </p>
<p>Scholars requires three semesters of "Forum," where you have to attend a certain amount of the class or other events that they deem 'enriching.' Here's the website that shows what the events are generally like: Scholars</a> Forum This "class" is zero credit hours, so you don't pay tuition for it or get graded on it- it's just a pass/fail deal. There is also no capstone research/TA project associated with Scholars.</p>
<p>"Which has more to offer?"
This depends on what you're trying to do. If you're planning on applying to some sort of professional school where undergraduate research would look very strongly on your application, I'd say go for Honors. (I'm pre-veterinary, so this was my deciding factor) Scholars is more focused on community-building and self-development as an individual. I didn't spend enough time in the program to give an opinion as to whether they succeed in that goals, but I do know a couple people who are in the program and don't mind it at all. </p>
<p>(I was going to give my opinion on the two living/learning villages, but you're FYC so you have to be in Tucker or Owen.)</p>
<p>In either case, applying to the Honors program doesn't guarantee admission. (Though I think the odds are pretty strong.) So if you do have interest in Honors, get your essay done and application in ASAP, and see what happens. (: If you're accepted, then look really, really closely at their prospective websites and decide between the two. I feel like everything I say is going to be slightly biased toward Honors, so I don't want to give any sort of ultimatum. </p>