<p>They are making a few changes next year to Honors College -
Please know that beginning in Fall 2009 we are combining the Calhoun Scholars Program and the University Honors Program into a single program, the Calhoun Honors College. By combining these two programs, we will be able to provide all Honors students with enhanced academic experiences, both in and out of the classroom, including Honors courses taught by top Clemson faculty; a new series of intellectual engagement activities, such as book and film discussion groups, opportunities to apply for study-abroad and other travel grants and the Dixon Fellows Program; and much more.</p>
<p>Does anybody have any sense of how this will affect the Honors program? I'm concerned that it might be a cost-cutting measure that will weaken the offerings of the program. The Calhoun Scholars Program used to offer enrichment activities beyond a traditional Honors program, whereas University Honors was just a traditional Honors program. Will the new, combined program be more similar to the old Calhoun Scholars, or the old Univeristy Honors? Does anybody have any insight?</p>
<p>Actually, if you ask any Calhoun Scholar who was in the first 2 years of the program, there was little differentiation between the 2 programs (CSs got emails a day or two before UHs about tickets, opportunities, etc.), PLUS the CSs were SUPPOSED to do a LOT of work (mostly reflection papers and the like) on the events they were required to go to, whereas the UHs could go and enjoy and not feel like they were being punished with extra work. Eliminating the distinction and making the whole honors program a single honors program is smart -- don't even know why tey allowed the two tiers to be creted in the first place -- never made sense to me or my students (who were older and not able to be in the 2 programs). This, bottom line, is a very good thing -- and from what I hear the new director is has a lot of energy, enthusiasm and support in improving all aspects of the honors program.</p>
<p>I’m glad I found this thread. This is why I was getting confused since I had made copies from the honors website in April and then again in July. Everything seemed to change… program names, FAQs
Does anyone have updated info on the changes? My son may be applying, but we need to know more with regard to the difference in time needed for satisfying requirements. Also, is research a big part in Clemson honors college? My son doesn’t think he wants to do research. (although I’m sure he’d love to combine an international study-abroad with missions)
What I’d really love to hear is a comparison between Clemson and UGA’s honors programs. My son has strong academics (top 3% of 700, 33 ACT, 1500 SAT) and EC’s, but he wants to do intramural sports and be involved in a Christian group/para-church during college. He doesn’t want to be in an academic pressure keg. S is just not concerned with multiple degrees, having research published, huge income, prestige etc… That’s why we don’t know if an honors college would be a good fit for him. He has the potential to do whatever he wants academically, really, but he just wants to be happy and have a balance of fun/studying. At the same time, he has so much to offer and we don’t want him to miss out on all that honors has to offer if he was selected.
Sorry so long.</p>
<p>it will tell you the difference between general and departmental honors and also there’s tons of info there on the honors college in general (how to apply etc…)</p>
<p>as for christian groups, there are billions of groups here ranging from Campus Crusade to Chi Alpha. In fact, FCA (Fellowship of christian athletes - but open to everyone at clemson) is one of the biggest organizations on campus.</p>
<p>Thanks Pierre0913. I hadn’t heard of Chi Alpha. The poster HoComom ^^^ said the UHC and the Calhoun Scholars program have been combined into a single program. From the website it lists both, so have they NOT actually combined into one?</p>
<p>well it seems that the UHC and Calhoun Scholars Program have disappeared and been replaced by a “General Honors” program and “Departmental Honors” program</p>
<p>Feedback, I’m with you. Although my son does not have the same glowing stats as yours, he is a good student, but enjoys his extracurriculars. I am fearful that going to a large state college will not be for him without being in an honors program, but do not want him to miss out on college life because he’s having to take so many extra courses and work so many hours on research. I would rather him spend the time on coops/internships than research, as I think it would serve him better in the business world. Thanks for this post. We are looking into Clemson, as it is one of the few southern, but far from home, colleges that offer biomedical engineering and may be affordable for us.</p>
<p>Thanks Montegut. Nice to know I’m not alone! One of my concerns if S decides not to apply to the honors program, is whether this will look bad to Clemson/UGA, and will it negatively impact his chance for merit scholarships. I know he’ll do really well at whatever he decides to do, cuz that’s just who he is. We need the scholarship though, especially for Clemson. (OOS and a daughter coming behind him in 2 years)
I totally agree with you about internships and co-ops. We’re from Michigan originally and we love it down here in GA. I don’t know if that may be a concern you have for your son. haha I still say, “pop” and my kids laugh at me.</p>
<p>My son is a sophomore in the Honors College. He says that there are not more requirements than if he wasn’t in Honors. He finds the courses more interesting and liked living in Holmes Hall as a freshman.</p>
<p>He has done research - he really enjoys it and it helped him get an interesting intership this summer. But it’s not a requirement and many honors students don’t do it.</p>
<p>I don’t think being in Honors matters for the OOS scholarship (he has one but he got it before he got into Honors if I recall) but I think being in Honors is required to be considered for the National Scholars Program, the full-ride merit scholarship at Clemson.</p>
<p>Thanks, Feedback and Mary. Not being in Honors hurting scholarship chances was a concern for me as well. Good point about the Holmes Hall. A plus of Honors is being housed with other academically minded students. I think son will enjoy research, and I agree, it will help with internships, but just don’t want him to get in a time crunch. Any special application for the honors program?</p>
<p>There is a separate application for the honors program and you can find that on the Honors College website. (They don’t do a good job of telling you about the separate application process)</p>
<p>There is a separate application. I believe my son got an email about it as soon as he submitted his Clemson application on-line. But I’m sure it’s available on the Honors College website.</p>