Honors College or WISE Program?

<p>Do any of you have experience with Stony Brook's Honors College or WISE Program? Which would be more suitable for a math/applied math major? Which gives out the most scholarships? Which has the most opportunities (and they can be any kind of opportunities--research, internship, types of classes)? Any info is appreciated.</p>

<p>All I know is that both are very selective and competitive to get into. The WISE program is great, but do keep in mind that it would be all women, if that matters to you. The WISE program might be more applicable to you if you’re in the sciences, but if you’d rather be with different majors then maybe go the honors college route.</p>

<p>Similar programs, but very different at the same time.</p>

<p>The HC is, as pxc says, open to everyone; the most important component, I think, is that you replace the general education coursework with the series of honors seminars. WISE, on the other hand, is more about the research/mentoring aspect. I think it depends on what you mean by “opportunities”… research is stressed in both programs, but they come at it a little differently.</p>

<p>Personally, I think WISE is a better fit for students who qualify for it, but I can understand why the HC has a little more cache.</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>How is research in Honors stressed differently from research in WISE?</p>

<p>It really doesn’t matter at all whether you’re a Wise/Honors/Regular/The Mickey Mouse Club student. To get research, you just need talk to professors who are doing the area you are interested in about doing it; acquiring more titles is not a serious factor at all. Everyone has access to the URECA (undergraduate research office) where they have information about a few possible positions and how to write a good letter to a professor about it.</p>

<p>Oh, okay. If research is easily accessible for everyone, it doesn’t matter which program I’m in, right? Then I guess my deciding factor will be–which would you say is more generous with scholarship money, Honors or WISE?</p>

<p>And what are other benefits of being in one over the other?</p>

<p>Both have merit-scholarships, and they’re about the same thing. There’s really not much difference between each one, except different specializations in each program. You need to talk to each one directly and get the facts first though instead of posting on this forum.</p>

<p>It’s not that it doesn’t matter – and I don’t know that a snide comment is necessary, inno – the programs have a very different focus, and treat the academic program differently. Yes, undergrad research is open and encouraged for everyone, but it’s required for HC/WISE students, so there’s a major difference. The major difference between the programs is the seminar structure.</p>

<p>Inno’s right on the scholarships; I believe they are the same.</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>the HC “ranks” higher than WISE, which was my reason for picking the former over the latter. but in actuality, they have the same function. HC tends to be more liberal arts, just because there are students there doing everything from history to business to art…and the sciences. WISE is more sci/math/applied based.</p>