<p>Can anyone here who has participated in UNC's Honor Program tell me what they think about its benefits? I know that there are honors seminars available to these students. But it is not like an honors college at some other schools (Schreyer at Penn State, for example). Do many of the honors program students room together? Are there event and/or social opportunities for these students to connect with each other? Any other upsides? (Or any downsides?)</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for the info.</p>
<p>The general consensus on these forums has been that Honors courses are great, but that the program is not as integral to one’s college experience as it might seem. So it’s a nice benefit, but in and of itself it’s not a reason to come to - or not come to - Chapel Hill. I agree with that assessment. </p>
<p>I was thrilled to be in the Honors Program coming in. Several of the honors courses I’ve taken have been among the favorite courses I’ve taken in college. In particular, I was glad to be able to take smaller, seminar-style sections of courses that would otherwise be gigantic lectures.</p>
<p>Looking back, though, the Honors Program has not been nearly as important to my academic experience in college as I thought it might be. The courses were great, but I think I would have had just as awesome of an experience academically, intellectually, and socially without the Honors Program. There are just so many other outlets at UNC where you can find the intimate intellectual and social environment that the Honors Program offers. You sometimes have to seek them out, but you can find them.</p>
<p>It’s important to note that:
– While Honors Program students get priority in registering for Honors courses, anyone can take them if there is space.
– You can apply to the Honors Program once enrolled here - you don’t have to be invited upon admission
– Being in the Honors Program is not the same as graduating with Honors. That is a separate process run by your major department that often involves writing a thesis.</p>
<p>To answer your more specific questions: Honors students can request an honors roommate, and are then grouped together, but that is optional. The Honors Program also hosts activities throughout the year that are both academic and social in nature that allow you to interact with faculty and other Honors students.</p>
<p>Agree with everything that ThoughProvoking said. And would like to emphasize that the Honor’s Program should not make or break your decision in terms of coming here. Partially because you can also apply to become a member of the Honor’s Program Spring of your first year here, or Fall of your Sophomore year. And that 40% of students that take Honors classes are not in the Honors Program. </p>
<p>I wasn’t admitted to the Honors Program on my acceptance here, but took 4 Honors classes before being admitted into the program.</p>