<p>Can anyone give any insight to the Honors program. Benefits, drawbacks etc? Looking for more in depth info than is on the website.</p>
<p>Well, I am going into the Honors Program this fall. To start as a freshmen, you must be admitted into the Freshmen Honors Program, which deadline has already passed (I think). Its benefits include waiving English 150 and the Freshmen Research Mentor Program. Then you could became a member of the honors Program within your College as a sophmore and get benefits like graduating with Honors, Honor courses/sections are limited to 25, raise the credit limit from 18 to 21, and Priority scheduling. You also have access to the Honors Building which I was told that many student will stop in during shorter breaks to relax and use the wireless internet. </p>
<p>Basically, the best benefits are priority scheduling and the people. ISU is a large campus, and this way you’ll get to interact with a different group of people. Plus the advisors are there to help with scheduling and, I would assume, grad schools or internships.</p>
<p>I can’t decide if the Honors Seminars are really a benefit. They are short, 1-2 credit courses that, from what I can see, meet once a week. These courses change every semester and I think that it gives teachers a chance to teach about an interest that might not be what they normally teach. Like there is a biologist that has a course on Tolkein.</p>
<p>Tell me what you think, cause I guess I can only give you a specualtion right now.</p>
<p>mm99,
just wondering how do you like the program so far?
Son just received an invitation to apply for the honors program.
I assume if accepted, he will start in the fall, which will be his sophmore year.
I’m wondering if he will be limited to just taking honors classes or is there a minimum requirement? He plans to accelerate some classes.</p>
<p>Hi mm99,
I’d love to read your comments as well. DD applied for Honors over Christmas break. She hasn’t heard yet if she’s been accepted. It did sound like there would be real advantages. If I remember correctly, priority registration is a big one.</p>
<p>Jasper- He wouldn’t be limited to taking only honors classes. Instead he would take an honors section of a class or a seminar and the requirements vary by college after freshmen year to graduate with honors. If you tell me which college he is a part of, I can tell you the requirements to graduate as a member of the honors program.</p>
<p>Glaw- As a freshmen the priority registration really does matter. Two of my friends that were not in honors could not get into classes they wanted spring semester. Members of the honors program register one year above what they are classified.
And First year honors program members have to take a one credit pass/fail course, which was a nice change of pace compared to my other classes. It is a small group with two upperclassmen as your section leader. During class there are some small projects to complete, like a four year plan, and one group project. Overall, it was a good experience.</p>
<p>mm99,
thanks for the info. Son is in College of Engineering, EE and Computer Eng dept.</p>
<p>Of course, Engineering has the most difficult requirements to explain. This college uses a point system for different opprotunities. For ex. A minor is worth x amount of points, a seminar/300+ level class is worth one(?) point. I am not a member of this college and do not have a list of the credit values/points needed, but maybe I can find out from a friend.
I do have a sheet with the minimum guidelines and engineering wants students to take three seminars and as many 300+ level graduate courses as possible. Also, the honors project will need to be worth 2-6 credit hours. </p>
<p>I know my friends who are in the freshmen college of engineering and honors (sidenote: freshmen apply to university honors and then have to submit another application to the college honors program for sophmore year) really had to think about continuing with honors since the requirements are a little higher for them. For some, they were already going to minor in something and they want to do the other things, so getting to that point level is not difficult. And the priority registration is important to them. </p>
<p>Also, these requirements are for upperlevel students. Freshmen Honors seminar helps students learn about the requirements. I’m sure your son knows the requirements better than I do. But I just want to end by saying priority registration is amazing.</p>
<p>mm99,
thanks for the info. My son mentioned there is a orientation session today, I think. So he will attend and get the scoop. Right now, he seems pretty siked about possibly being in the honors program, and would appreciate priority registration, smaller class sections, easier access to faculty and other perks. This semester, he had to request for credit extension. No big deal, but with honors, he’s allowed 21 credits, automatic. Also, he mentioned some additional scholarships would be available to him as well. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Yeah, the extra credit limit can be a plus. Don’t forget that it is a plus on any scholarship application and there are some leadership positions available if your son wants to add leadership to a resume.</p>
<p>Yay! Our DD received her Honors acceptance today. She had applied over Christmas break and was waiting to hear. I think this puts even more of shine on ISU. So good news for the weekend!</p>
<p>Congrats GLAW!</p>
<p>GLAW,
that is great news. Congrats!
Hope my son hears something soon.</p>
<p>Hello again everybody, I’ve been wondering if there is a thesis requirement with ISU’s Honors college. Anyone?</p>
<p>Son was just admitted to the honors program. Also, he received a scholarship.**** Yeh!</p>
<p>Son was just admitted to the honors program. Also, he received a scholarship. Yeh!</p>
<p>Just to set the record straight, the scholarship wasn’t awarded from the honors program.</p>
<p>Congrats jasper60103!!! So, is he going to go to Iowa State? After so many weeks of “what ifs”, I think DD is finally nearing a decision. She has managed to find some possible roomies on-line. And the continuous contact is keeping her interest alive. I hope she makes up her mind before spring break. It would be nice to have it settled and start the next phase.</p>
<p>Thanks, Glaw. Actually, my son is currently in his 2nd semester.</p>
<p>Yea, its a nice feeling to be settled. Son was set after spending a
weekend at ISU. We even visited his 2nd choice again
just to make sure.</p>
<p>Anywho, don’t let it drive you nuts.
I believe when it comes to picking a college there’s more
than one right choice. Good luck.</p>
<p>Truer words…I think that all of the schools she applied to and was accepted at are terrific. In this economy, we are also trying to make a wise financial choice. (she received a full tuition offer.) There are many wonderful schools, but I think the school is not just the student’s choice but one that the family can live with too. Did you have any concerns at all about Iowa State or was your son sold from the start?</p>