Has anyone here been in an Honors Program at a school? I have been accepted to the Honors Program at each school I have applied to and am wondering what it’s like and if it’s worth it. Any first-hand experience would be greatly appreciated!
Every school’s honors program is different. You really have to look at each one. Some perks you might find in a Honors program:
- Smaller classes
- Some classes only open to Honors students
- Early registration
- Special events and trips
- Special housing
- Additional advising
- More research/grant opportunities
There can be downsides - Honors may require more classes than the regular core. The level of work may be much higher. Some highly structured majors may find it difficult fitting in classes for an Honors program. Some Honors programs are difficult to transfer out of if it doesn’t work out for you. Some Honors programs really don’t offer much at all other than the Honors designation.
D is in an Honors program, and it’s been a fantastic experience for her. She writes more papers than her non-Honors peers, but that’s fine by her. She thrives in small discussion groups, and has had some classes as small as 9 students. She’s also taken full advantage of special events and presentations for Honors. S has also been invited to Honors programs at every schools he’s accepted at, and some of them offer great benefit - but that was something we looked for when he chose schools.
At my school the Honors Programs gives you some nice options, i.e. great housing, options for classes reserved for Honors students, unique seminars, etc, but honestly is not any more beneficial than any of the other programs that exist for students on campus. A majority of my friends within the program have described it as rather useless, and I’ve yet to meet anyone that has spoken passionately for the Honors Program. Honestly a lot of people joined it freshman year for the guaranteed good housing.
But once again, that is just at my school (University of Michigan).
Timely question. D was just invited into her schools’ honor program (well, actually you had to apply so I guess technically she was accepted). I’ve yet to do any research about it and I know she applied without knowing much and figured she’d take a look when and if she was invited. I’m concerned that with her extremely rigid course plan that she doesn’t have room for extra classes. I doubt that the honors distinction would be a bigger benefit than her being able to complete her double major in a timely manner (four years and no more lol).
The benefits of honors program vary greatly from school to school so you need to check with each institution individually.
What school does your D attend? Is it public or private? Thanks for the help – you are very insightful
The schools that have accepted me into their Honors Program are the University of Iowa, Baylor and Olivet. As one is public and two are private, maybe there is a difference?
The comment about double majoring is very helpful. I would like to double major (history/math and philosophy), so I’m curious how being in the program would affect things (for better of for worse).
@forgetmenot98 - D is at Loyola Maryland.
I don’t have a lot of experience with honors programs at public universities, but I doubt the difference is so much between public and private as it is in relation to the resources a particular school decides to put into their Honors program and the enthusiasm of the faculty that administer the program. At some schools it’s nothing more than putting an Honors label on a couple of courses, some have a dedicated Honors curriculum, some even have an entire Honors College within the school.
You need to look at the core requirements of the regular program at the school and then at the Honors program. If Honors has a separate core curriculum, that may include additional classes, which is where there could be difficulty fitting everything in. Others don’t require any additional classes beyond the normal core. Honors kids often don’t have problems fitting everything in, as they’re already proven to be high achievers. Also, sometimes you can double-dip - a course you need to take for Honors may also be able to count towards credit for your major. D has a double major and a minor, but there is a lot of overlap within the two majors as well as with Honors courses. The best Honors programs will require additional reading, writing, and critical analysis beyond the norm for non-Honors classes. That to me has been the real benefit for D - having an Honors designation on her degree doesn’t mean as much as the process she has gone through to earn it.
Honors programs will often come with an Honors adviser who can help you work out a plan to achieve your goals. D’s Honors adviser has been invaluable in helping her map out her plan, especially since she didn’t decide her majors until sophomore year and also spent a semester abroad, which can complicate matters, but she also needs to graduate in 4 years (that’s how long her scholarship lasts).
Best of luck whatever you choose!
Thank you for all the insight! I will be certain to take everything into account. I’m very grateful for people like you – people who are willing to take the time to educate novices like me! Thanks!