<p>Hey, I'm a current GT student in the honors program, so maybe I can shed some light on these questions and what not...but I guess also keep in mind that some of this is just my opinion, and like always, with anything, one should always ask around to get a better idea of what the general on consensus is, etc. etc...</p>
<p>First off, both GT and CMU are great schools. Personally I'm an out of state student, so it's not like I get in-state tuition to GT or anything. Long story short, if all is the same, in terms of I guess rep., personally I would choose CMU. Of course, it also depends on what you study, since CMU and GT are better than each other in different things. Aside from that, I think it's reasonable to find the two schools to be very comparable in lots of things (both technical schools, both have funky ratios if you will, both are on the east coast but on non-coastal cities, etc. etc.), it's just one's public and private. I guess visiting each (if you have the chance to), is probably your best bet in helping you ultimately figuring out which you like best, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Personally, in reference to what someone said in a previous post, I too, would also not use GT-Honors as a major deciding factor. Frankly, the program is really young right now, which is one reason it's called a "program", and not a "college", like how some schools with more developed honors programs might call them "Honors Colleges". Additionally, it's really not ASSSS serious nor intensive, nor time-consuming as some programs at other schools. I mean, like, that doesn't mean it's easy or anything, it's just, I feel it's reasonable to assume that at some schools, anything "honors", is hella-harder and takes up way too much time.</p>
<p>You don't have to live in the dorm (as far as I know), but I mean, unless you're like an athlete, or you already have friends you know you want to room with, you might as well, and just get an experience for what it's like; it's a good community feeling, and you might like end up meeting kids you like better. If you don't end up liking it, you can always change at the end of the year (or perhaps the semester-mark); additionally, I'm under the impression that even if you already want to live with some friends that are going to school with you, you can do that AND live in the honors dorm. In terms of the housing process, you would just be "bringing them in [into the honors dorm", effectively. No biggie or whatever...</p>
<p>You have to take a few honors "core classes". What this is, is usually there will be a section(s) set aside for courses that you'd usually generally take as just general requirements when you get here (things that any student would take first, like calculus (of various levels), chemistry, physics, etc.). What you get from that is class sizes that are smaller, possibly more motivated professors/TA's/fellow students. I mean, generally, that's all good stuff I would say. More attention from a professor that's probably better, and more students in your class that are also interested in doing well. Are they harder? Well, I would say they are certainly not easier, or rather, they are at least as difficult, if not more so, than a standard course or section that is non-honors-program. Also, note that a "Honors Course", is not necessarily the same thing as an "Honors Program Course". An "Honors Course", is just a generalized designation that I'm sure every college and university uses, to denote an "accelerated, more hardcore" version of a course, and all that jazz. These "Honors Program" courses you're taking are not necessarily "Honors Courses". Basically, "Honors" and "Honors Program" are two different things/designations, though occasionally, the two will intersect (meaning maybe an "Honors Program" course/section you're taking, happens to be an "Honors Course").</p>
<p>Aside from that, you need to complete 3 seminar courses. These are 3 credit, discussion based courses, that you take when you can (generally starting from your Freshmen Spring). I mean, you take when you can, as in, if you go off and co-op, or study abroad, I mean, obviously, you're not going to take these courses, because you simply can't. They'll usually work with you, but I mean, if you're instead trying to duck out of these courses, I mean, obviously they're going to be a little disappointed at that. Of course, that's only reasonable right? Since by applying and if choosing to join the program, you're agreeing to take these courses. It's like if you told GT you're coming, but you told them you didn't want to take Physics and Math or something like that. I mean, GT would be like, ".........wait, what?" Anyways, yeah. Difficulty? Not so much, but not necessarily a walk in the park either. Interesting? Generally. They have like 8-10 every semester (not for summer semesters right now), and you get to pick and choose which you want (obviously some type of first come, first serve type thing goes on, but that's only logical). The professors I would say are better than average, as after all, they have to volunteer to teach these courses, so no professor is being schlepped into teaching a seminar they don't want to (I think). Is it a lot of work? It depends. Some are quite the female dog, and just suck. Others are a more reasonable, but once again, when you're picking courses, and they list out course descriptions, they'll probably tell you what the course is about, and how much work it is. So don't really worry, not so many surprises. Though for the record though, I should mention that at least for the other kids I've talked to, at least some people are a little averse to these courses now. In all honesty, they are a little difficult to fit into your major usually (as like a major-related elective), and don't necessarily contribute to your major that much either, academically, and intellectually. If you're really like, gung-ho about your major, getting through it as fast as possible, and only taking things that are directly related, you may find these seminar courses, inconvenient. Other than that, realize, they should usually be at least moderately interesting (if not more), will be a relatively smaller class, the professor will be generally better, the work won't be that hard compared to a normal 3-credit class, and that besides major-electives, you have like 12 credits or so (depending on your major), worth of free-electives. To give you an idea of what seminar classes are like, here are some of the courses given this Spring 2008:</p>
<p>Chem 2803: Origins of Life
Coa 4803: Art & Architecture in the Muslim World
Eas 2803: Energy, Environment, & Society
Econ 4813: Economics of Sustainability
Ece 2803: Failures & Disasters: Society/Technology Interaction</p>
<p>Ahh okay I'm too lazy to type the rest, look around on the Honors Program website to find the rest.</p>
<p>Oh, and btw, "Core Classes", the first type of class I mentioned change every semester. For example, some semesters they might offer English 2, others they won't, and will offer MatLab, etc. They usually figure out which to offer depending on what most people that still need to take core classes need to take, professor/TA availability, etc.</p>
<p>Can you drop out of the Honors Program? I mean, yeah, but really I mean, as with a lot of things, maybe it's not necessarily how you should think of it. In short, realize that there is indeed an out, but I mean, that shouldn't even occur to you when you decide to join, I would think. Right? I mean, think about it.</p>
<p>How do you know if you're accepted to the honors program? You should get a separate letter, distinctly from the honors program. I don't know if this comes in the general acceptance package, or if they mail the letter in a separate envelope, but the letter should not be confusing. Like there should be no mistake that it says "Honors Program" at least a few places on the letter. Actually, there might be a few other ways of notification, but I think the letter is the pretty general way. If you're not sure, of course, it probably doesn't hurt to call or email the office. I don't mean the admissions office. I mean the honors office. The contact info is listed on the GT Honors Program website. Call and ask if you're not sure, it can't hurt.</p>
<p>Finally, in a more pragmatic sense, (this is just my opinion), I mean, it's not like the program is a super super super amazing good thing (as in how becoming like...a Rhodes Scholar or something, would be a super super super amazing good thing), but between good and bad, I (and I think most people), would find it to be a good thing, or at least more of a good thing, than a bad thing. Some smaller classes, some possibly better professor, some possibly more hardworking people, possibly a closer type of academic advisement, and if you're super-enterprising, I guess, another thing to write on your resume.</p>
<p>It's really not THAT serious, but that being said, that doesn't mean that if you decide to join, it should be like, totally nilly-willy, you know what I mean? Don't join just because it looks good and you really don't give a flying fugg. I mean, you should be committed (like with anything you join, or commit to, like when you start playing soccer for your school back in HS or something), and you should want it.</p>
<p>I hope that answers everything. If you have any more objective questions, like what and how many classes to take or what not (that sort of stuff), it probably doesn't hurt to call or email the office directly, as they would have the best answers for that sort of thing.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>