Grand Challenges or Honors

<p>Since you cant be a part of both, which program is better to be a part of?</p>

<p>I think Grand Challenges. Just my take. </p>

<p>Honors, but I’m Honors so I might be a bit biased. You get to take Honors intro classes, which are guaranteed good professors. Trust me, it’s a huge advantage.</p>

<p>I was wondering the same thing too as I am attending next year. I was leaning towards honors but upon further thought, I think I won’t be pursuing either because they seem like extra work/burden and classes for not much gain. From what I hear, employers are not going to see you any differently than anyone who is not in the programs. Is this perception true? I don’t want to be misguided.</p>

<p>I would love to hear more about honors, as my child must decide between hp and gc by tomorrow. Do the hp kids bond? Is there a hierarchy if they are living with psp students? Is there more work in hp classes? Which core classes would be good to start with as honors classes. Thanks so much for any info from current students.</p>

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>Like yjm416, I may be a bit biased as I am a current member of the GC program. However, I would definitely say that you get more out of the Grand Challenges Program (Sorry, Honors!). As a GC student, I can’t also be in the Honors Program, but I can absolutely still take Honors classes. Additionally, Grand Challenges does one better than just helping you get good professors for your classes (which is somewhat of a void point, as I haven’t yet met a “bad” professor here): they facilitate networking with them on academic, professional, and social levels.</p>

<p>One of my favorite memories of Tech thus far was having dinner with a group of other GC students at an electrical engineering/neuroscience professor’s house with him and his family. Additionally, I have shared meals with Bud Peterson and his wife Val, nearly all of the Deans of our various colleges/departments, and know the Provost (and his cat) on a first name basis! Moreover, I conduct research in a lab here on campus. Through GC, I’ve made connections with people who I collaborate with on my research.</p>

<p>I could talk about GC all day long, but I’ll try to restrain myself. If you want more details to make your decision, please don’t hesitate to contact me through our Program director. You can also browse my and others’ responses to similar questions on this forum or check out our website if you haven’t already.</p>

<p>Best of luck with your decisions! </p>

<p>Thanks Sara! I agree that gc sounds amazing, and I did not know that gc students can take honors classes. I wish that info was available before my child made his decision. I really would love it if an honors program person can talk a little bit about hp.</p>

<p>I would like to make a clarification regarding my previous post regarding non-Honors Program students taking honors classes: Although it has happened before, this is NOT a standard rule. I was misinformed on this point and I apologize for confused anyone or caused any unnecessary stress. I should have double checked my sources before posting. Again, I’m sorry for the confusion! </p>

<p>Both are great programs and I’m sure you/your student will make the right decision! </p>