<p>My daughter was just invited to join the honors program at Lynch. She’s flattered and really interested but there is very little about it on the BC website. Can anyone give me some info on the program? What’s involved? What are the pros? Are there any cons? Does it have any particular beneifts or perks? Is there a community service component involved? I’d love to hear from someone who has some first-hand info.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I was in the same boat at your daughter last summer - flattered and excited by the honors invitation, but also hesitant because there was so little information about it online. That being said, I would DEFINITELY advise your daughter to accept the invitation. </p>
<p>What I love most about Lynch is its amazingly personal atmosphere. BC is a wonderful school, and it gives each and every student the opportunity to be more than a number. The Lynch administrators, however, don’t just give students this opportunity, they go out of their way to help them achieve it. Before school has even started, the deans try to recognize incoming student by name and face. During Welcome Week they arrange an ice cream social to introduce themselves, share what the college is all about, and get to know students even more personally. They also work each year to improve FYPDS, which is a seminar all freshmen take to help them adjust to college and make some friends. I’m sure all colleges claim they do things like this, but the Lynch faculty follows through. They don’t just talk the talk, but truly make an effort to know their students and help them whenever necessary.</p>
<p>The best part about Lynch Honors is that you get everything listed above to the extreme. Because the program is so small, your Lynch Honors class freshmen year is extremely close. Lynch classes as a whole are small and personal, but the freshmen honors class is extremely so. By the end of two semesters, my class had become incredibly close-knit. In addition, Dr. Hauser Cram teaches the class, and she is AMAZING. She is a phenomenal teacher, incredibly involved and passionate, and one of the kindest women I have ever met. She’ll push you and the workload isn’t light, but she’s also so much fun, makes the material fascinating, and works so hard to include the students in the discussion. You never get the impression she’s teaching you, but rather that she’s engaging you in conversation. She changed my outlook not just on education, but society and life as well. Quite honestly, I would recommend the honors program simply so your daughter can meet her. </p>
<p>To address the rest of your questions, the Honors program itself is not that different from A&S honors or any other program. Along with one honors Lynch class each semester of freshmen year, you also take the Western Cultural Tradition course with other honors students from the other three schools. You can choose to live in honors housing, or you can opt out of that. Lynch is very much into service programs and trips, but these are open to anyone, and not required for honors students. (Although the website makes it sound like service is a huge component of the program, it’s more of a wonderful option you have than an obligation.) Dr. Hauser Cram requires you to work with a child one hour per week for her class in the fall semester, but that’s the only service you’re required to do.</p>
<p>I hope that gives you a little insight. I’m not sure if you’re looking for anything more specifically, but if you have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask!</p>
<p>Thank you! That was tremendously helpful! I’ll have my daughter post here if she has other questions.</p>
<p>Just a quick question- what is your opinion on honors housing? My daughter wanted to get the experience living with all different types of students, but is also interested in considering honors if it’s much better housing or in students’ “first choice” residence hall. Is the honors housing worth the disadvantages of rooming with all honors students?</p>
<p>I’m not an expert or anything about honors housing because I did not live in honors housing, however I had a few friends that lived in honors housing and really disliked it. They said the floors are very disconnected (I’ve been to Meidoros a few times and the floors are not normal dorm floors) and always quiet. I actually know some people that WEREN’T even in the honors program and were put into honors housing because so many people in honors declined that option. At the same time though I have heard some stories that the people in honors tend to be very close! I don’t mean to discourage your daughter at all, just giving my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Like LalaLacey, I chose to live in regular housing, so I’m not an expert on honors housing either. From speaking to people who did live there, however, I can add a little more. Honors consists of one dorm (Medeiros) which is divided into three sections (A, B, and C). While they are all the same building, these sections are separated entirely from each other, meaning you can’t move from one to the other while you’re inside. These sections are also segregated by gender, so if your daughter decides to live there, she would be living with all girls. The floors of Medieros are also much smaller than other dorms (I think there are two rooms per floor, but I could be wrong), as are the rooms. Each double also has a lock, so residents have to carry a key wherever they go. (In contrast, all the other dorms have keypads, so residents never worry about losing/forgetting their key or getting locked out). The entire dorm of Medeiros is more open than other dorms, and each section has a huge common room on the first floor with couches and a TV.</p>
<p>Some people love this small, open, and personal set-up because it inspires a communal atmosphere. Not only is this a plus socially, but when classes start you’re more likely to have class with people you know, and you may avoid the awkward first few days where you don’t know anyone. A bunch of girls in my honors class were all in the same section of Medeiros, for example, and they were great friends from the very beginning. On the other hand, some people dislike Medeiros because it’s atypical. To some it doesn’t feel like the normal freshmen year experience, it’s definitely more studious, and you are required to participate in a certain amount of “honors housing program events” each semester. I would also say there can be a stigma of being the “honors” kid when you meet someone new and tell them you live in Medeiros. This doesn’t always happen, but some people DO judge unfairly, so you’re daughter should take that into consideration.</p>
<p>When you ask if Medeiros is the “preferred” housing, however, I would say no. It’s a unique experience, but it’s not one non-honors students spend time wishing they could have. There’s the advantage of being guaranteed housing on Upper, but that’s the only reason people in other dorms are jealous. As for the people in the dorms, BC is so big that your daughter will meet people no matter what. If she is very sociable and outgoing, I might recommend not doing honors. That’s not to say the students in Medeiros aren’t sociable, but the atmosphere can be very academic and quiet. In the regular dorms, you can always find people who are studying OR socializing, so it’s a good mix.</p>
<p>Overall, I think you’re daughter will probably be happy no matter where she ends up. Whether you live on Newton or Upper, honors or non-honors, old dorm or new, there are pros and cons to each living situation. As long as you make the best of it, you’re freshman year should be a wonderful experience, and I’m sure she’ll have a great year!</p>