<p>I want to get into the honors college at MSU as a freshman (I barely missed the marks-top 10% of my class and a 29 ACT), and I was wondering how difficult it is to do it within your first semester.</p>
<p>I will be in the RCAH, so a majority of my classes will be there, and I'm planning on taking maybe an extra Japanese course for first semester. </p>
<p>(My plan is this-RCAH 111, RCAH 202, RCAH 395(I'm probably going to do the creativity seminar), and JPN 101). </p>
<p>But the other weird thing is is that I wasn’t even accepted into the Academic Scholars Program. Maybe I think my class rank is higher than it actually is…</p>
<p>You’d have nothing to lose by sending in the HC appeal (essay and first semester grades). My son’s HS does not do class ranks anymore. If your gpa and act score was “close” then go for it. I would really encourage you to try, then you will feel like you have explored all options. </p>
<p>Fwiw, in RCAH, you need about a 4.0 to get in to the HC during your Freshman year. </p>
<p>At least you have every year since I was a fresh. My annoyance with that fact was quite high but I’ve since realized that the HC would have been a PITA for me lol.</p>
<p>I don’t know your gpa and if that had any impact on why you did not/have not yet received an invite to ASP. Your 29 on the ACT would qualify you for ASP. You need to have a min. 3.8 gpa. If you think you meet their qualifications you might reach out to the ASP and seek some further info. Find out if all the invites gone out or is that an ongoing situation.</p>
<p>Obviously the best would be to get a direct invite into HC from your appeal… but if you don’t, remember HC is not the be all-end all at MSU. There are so many ways to enhance your college experience and in doing so add really interesting stuff to your resume if that is a goal. For example: participate in study abroad, alternative spring break, join a club and take a leadership role, volunteer, work on campus…</p>
<p>I had a 33 ACT in high school, and around a 3.7ish GPA. Whatever it was, I wasn’t invited to HC or ASP (didn’t appeal though- really didn’t care). I’m now a senior and have gotten in to 5 grad schools (yet to be rejected but still waiting on some), many of which are in the top 10 for my field of study. I am graduating with a 3.8+ GPA, internship experience in the Senate, PBK member, etc. HC is far from the be-all end-all in the grand scheme of things.</p>
<p>@vsb I have a 3.6 GPA. That’s why. -facepalm-</p>
<p>I’m not denying I can’t succeed without the honors college (my friend switched out of jmc into criminal justice and is getting accepted into good law schools, no hc). I just figured the flexibility of not having to take prereqs and being able to challenge myself in the honors courses would be a benefit. I’ll have to see how it’s going to work out.</p>
<p>I’m in the honors college and arguably the most difficult thing about it is finding classes that qualify as “honors” classes, especially as a music major. They always recommend taking “honors options,” which are extra projects done in your normal classes, but they will say that every class offers them and when you ask the professor they typically say something like, “Oh, we don’t offer it this semester, you can take ________ next year, though.” The problem with that is that you need 3 honors classes by the end of your sophomore year and most honors classes are offered in the later years. So I suppose it depends on you. Also, if you don’t think doing the honors program sounds right for you (or you don’t get in), you can still take honors level classes with approval or do honors options in classes that your professor agrees to.</p>
<p>I chose MSU over U of M. I have never regretted it. It’s about fit. Go where you’re happiest. </p>
<p>Please, stop stressing already. The RCAH is a great background for whatever you want to go in to. You’ll probably double major or get a specialization, but you can’t beat the small class sizes, the close relationships with professors, the civic engagement opportunities, the study abroad, etc, etc, etc. Really, you’re not going to find these things most other places. You will have professors who will go above and beyond to help you with anything and everything. You will have partnerships in the community that will prove invaluable. You will have opportunities open up to you that you never even dreamed of. </p>
<p>Sejine - Call an advisor in the HC, set up an appointment, go meet with them (they are very nice people), explain your situation & see what they can do.</p>