<p>I'm a Direct Admit and was wondering if I should partake in the Honors college. What are the pros and cons to doing it? Are the classes a lot harder and does it look good on you resume?</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, the main things are: freshman student advisors, special dorms for HHC students, denoted “honors” on diploma (although there may be other ways to have this besides HHC), ECs specifically for HHC students, being able to take honors classes and even some honors classes at other colleges (i.e Kelley) without actually being enrolled at that college, supposedly some of the honors classes have easier grading curves than equivalent normal classes, and you probably just generally get taken care of a bit more. I’m sure theres other things, but those seem to be the main ones that people in the program extol upon.</p>
<p>I don’t think that there is a downside to participating in Hutton. Most say that classes aren’t more difficult. In fact, most would say the opposite is true. Class sections are smaller, and oftentimes the ‘best’ profs teach them. </p>
<p>Of course, the honors notation won’t look bad on your resume. It might not be a huge plus when searching for a job, but it certainly can’t hurt. (A high GPA is more important, and many say honors classes can boost it.) Even if you don’t plan on completing all of the requirements for the honors designation on your diploma, you can still reap the benefits of HHC. </p>
<p>In other words, don’t let a fear of class difficulty stop you from participating.</p>
<p>my child is finishing up as a Hutton freshman.</p>
<p>Pro-
Possible scholarship money of $1000-$5000.</p>
<p>Honors dorms if you’re so inclined (my child hasn’t had to endure the hideous drunk vomiting roommate).</p>
<p>Cons-
My child doesn’t like it, says it’s a waste. But the scholarship is too good to give up so I’m making her stay in it. I’d also thought the “honors” designation would be a minimum one would want, to aid in acceptance to grad school, etc. I think research is going to be a lot more important that a fairly generic honors notation. But…??? She’s not at that point yet, so…who knows. She says the classes she’s taken so far have been a joke. DEFINITELY not difficult, in fact - some of them grade ridiculously easy. But HHC is not that hard to get into, discussions haven’t been as stimulating as she’d hoped. it’s just not personally rewarding. You hear things like “smaller classes/better profs”, but…the reality hasn’t been that way for her so far. And, she hasn’t been able to actually get into any honors classes in her major. It’s just not what it actually seems at first blush. And, you have an honors advisor, which I felt would be great. My child says that’s also not been a “plus”. Her advisor is - um - not what one would call the cream of this crimson school. Sorry. You asked. This has been our/her experience so far.</p>
<p>D is finishing her sophomore year as a member of HHC. The scholarship money is definitely a plus. She has had a two honors classes in her major and said one was exceptional. It has been her experience that taking finite through the honors college, with its small, small class size, was a distinct advantage - mainly because there were some math whizzes in there who provided insight. The honors notation is something she wanted to get but probably will not as she can’t fit the 2 required honors college classes into a schedule that includes a semester abroad, a minor and starting her master’s degree her senior year. The aspect she has most appreciated is meeting or sharing a meal with some of the outstanding speakers that Hutton brings to campus.</p>
<p>Besides regular scholarship money, Hutton also offers grants for study abroad opportunities. Not sure, but I think it is up to $2500 per student. S received Hutton help for his emerging markets class that went to Croatia and his Barcelona semester.</p>
<p>S did not receive any HHC scholarship money, so this travel money was a nice surprise.</p>
<p>My son got a hundred dollars from Hutton for his alternative spring break trip this spring. They do give more for overseas.</p>
<p>There is absolutely zero downside to being in Hutton if you are a Kelley student. The benefits are too numerous to even mention. The biggest are flexibility in scheduling, as in qualifying to take COAS honors classes to meet distribution option requirements and the ability to take Kelley honors courses your freshmen year (direct admits cannot do that), and the grade inflation in both the COAS honors classes and Kelley honors classes. Not a whole lot more that you could ask for. You won’t be forced to live in an honors dorm, attend any meetings at all, or any other thing that may seem inconvenient.</p>