<p>Could some current honors students speak to the following:
Myers dorm - is it considered a 'fun' dorm for freshman?
Is registration much easier being in honors?
Do you primarily take honors classes?
Are you really able to get to know the professors and they you?
If anyone is on the 4 yr fast track for a Masters, any info on that would be great
If you're in honors @ UGA, you probably had other top school choices, what made you choose UGA?
If you participate in CURO apprentice program, are you glad you made that choice as a freshman?
Are you very happy with your choice?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Before I reply, I just want to say that I got into honors late, so I’m not an expert when it comes to this program. It’s great for those who come in as freshman and are already in the program because they provide a lot of support for freshman, but as an almost junior, I missed out on most of what they could offer because I came in after my freshman year. But anyway…</p>
<p>I haven’t lived in myers, but I’ve got a few friends who live in there. It’s great for those who need to study, but from what I’ve heard, it’s not a “fun” dorm. It’s the honors dorm, so it’s going to be quiet. I hear meeting people is a little difficult because most of the time, doors are closed. But again, I haven’t lived in there, and this is second hand information, so…But if you want a guaranteed “fun” dorm, I would suggest one of the high rises (Creswell, Russell, or Ohouse…avoid Brumby at all costs). Creswell and Russell are for freshman only, so you’re going to meet people your age. Ohouse houses more than just freshman, but that could be a good thing. You could learn the ropes from them. </p>
<p>Registration is definitely easier because you get an early registration date, and you can register before most people. Like, today was the date for honors registration. A freshman I know has a registration date of April 17. It makes a huge difference to whether or not you get the classes (especially science lab sections) that you want. This takes away the hassle of trying to get the classes you want during the drop/add period where you’re basically hoping somebody will drop the class so you can pick it up. </p>
<p>Taking honors classes is up to you. I think there’s a freshman seminar requirement in addition to needing to take at least one honors class every other semester to stay active in the program. I would highly highly HIGHLY advice you to take as many honors classes as a freshman as you can. To graduate with honors, you need 9 honors courses. This requirement is easiest to fulfill if you take all your required intro classes as honors (like psych, poly sci, sociology, etc). Once you get past these classes and into your major class, you’ll more than likely have to “honors option” the class, which is like an extra assignment, in order to get honors credit. As a person who got in late, take my advice. TAKE HONORS CLASSES EARLY. Take as many as you can to fulfill the 9 course requirement. Because I got in late, I’m basically out of luck when it comes to fulfilling that requirement (as in, I can’t and won’t graduate with honors program honors). I had already taken all of the intro level classes that come as an actual honors class and am left with honors optioning all of my upper level classes if I want to do it. It’s a hassle and it’s extra work. Just take as many honor classes as you can as a freshman. There’s a rumor that it’s easier to get A’s in Honors classes, which I sort of agree with. I took honors women studies. I went into the final with a B and came out with an A-. <strong><em>However</em></strong> you have to get POH (permission of honors) to sign up for honors courses. Also, there’s a 2 class limit for POH’s, which I’m pretty sure is true for freshman. So basically, you’re limited to 4 honors classes in a year. BUT! If you do that for your first two years, that’ 8 already. Although, I would call the office and check that information because I might be wrong. I know there’s a 2 POH limit a semester, but you might be able to take more if the class is open later on <em>shrugs</em> Call the office and ask if it’s possible to take more than 2 honors classes a semester, and if it is, how does that work because you can only get permission for 2 before you register. </p>
<p>Because honor classes are smaller, you’ll definitely be able to get to know your professor and they you. BUT just because you’re in an honors class doesn’t mean that this relationship is automatic. You yourself have to put in the effort to see the professor and talk with them. The relationship you have with a prof is entirely based on you. They have other students and other work to worry about, but they will make time for you if you make time for them first. But note this, to have a good relationship with your professor does not require a small class (or an honors class). If you take the initiative to talk to your professor and go to them when you need help (instead of your friends), you can get a great relationship with any professor independent of the class size. I had a GREAT general chemistry prof. There were 200 people in that class, but by the end of the semester, I had gotten to the point where I’d go to her for help, but then after that, we’d just sit and talk. I took the initiative to go to her during office hours regularly. And don’t get intimidated!! You’re paying them. I have one biochem professor who I first thought was a complete a** at first because of the way he treated me. But sometimes you just have to realize that the way they act may just be their personality and it’s not something that will change, but your opinion might. Give all of them a second chance if your first impression wasn’t so great. They may surprise you! I will say a minority of profs probably are really just a**es and don’t give a crap about you (and I’ve had one of those). But then that’s life and you just have to get through it. There are plenty of free tutoring places on campus that you can go to if you need it (or just the answers to the homework at least…)</p>
<p>That was a really long answer to that question, and maybe a little off topic, but it’s probably my biggest advice for any incoming freshman: you have the power to make yourself a NAME to your prof, not a number. Using that power is completely and utterly up to you. </p>
<p>Oh, and another thing - I love ratemyprofessor.com, but take that with a grain of salt. My rule of thumb is that if there’s ONE good review out of a thousand, then that’s enough for me. If there’s one good review, then that means that all the other people just had problems with the class that probably didn’t have anything to do with the professor. My bio teacher right now has horrible reviews, but she’s really great if you give her a chance. So yeah…that’s that.</p>
<p>Can’t tell you anything about the 4year masters. I had no idea that existed actually…</p>
<p>Haha, to be honest, I didn’t have any other top schools (but then again, this question is more appropriate for those who got in as freshman…although…I will say…I had a 4.0 in high school and still didn’t get it…but that’s probably because I turned in the application late…but that’s a different story…). </p>
<p>I wasn’t a CURO apprentice, but here’s my opinion on that: DON’T THROW AWAY THE BROCHURE AUTOMATICALLY. I got the brochure and application in the mail and everything and said “I’m not going to do research. I don’t want to do that!” and threw it away. And now, two years later, I’ll be starting working in a lab this summer because I want to do it. If you’re premed, I would seriously seriously seriously consider this program. Med schools are pushing more and more for research experience, and this is probably the EASIEST way to get into it, and it looks great that you started as a freshman. If you’re a science major, think about it and let the idea sit for a little bit. There are plenty of science labs on campus and some of the top research facilities. The complex carbohydrate facility is one of the best in the world (or at least so says my biochem prof…). There are also opportunities for non-science majors, and the CURO-AP program gets you into those labs as well, so just because you’re not a science major or going into science doesn’t mean there isn’t research to be done! If you think you can handle this along with everything else, seriously think about it, but make sure you’re mature enough to handle the time commitment. I’m not sure exactly how it works, but I know my lab will take about 20 hours a week, which is basically a part-time job. Getting into this program is probably easier than trying to get into a lab later (it took me a while to find one and get a ‘yes’ from a lab). Plus, it gets you connected with faculty. Can anyone say networking? Plus, because you’re an incoming freshman, they know you don’t know anything, so they’ll probably have more patience with you since you probably don’t know much. Just don’t be like me and automatically turn down the idea. Think about it!</p>
<p>Yes, I’m happy with my choice, but if I’m going to be honest, I chose it based on reputation and the campus. My choice was between UGA and University of Hawaii at Manoa (of which my parents are alumni, which made the decision harder). UH is nice, but the campus is a little old. UGA’s campus is much more updated. UGA also has a higher reputation over UH. I came to visit UGA after having seen UH, and I fell in love with it. I loved that everything was packed close together. I love seeing a lot of people (even if I don’t meet any of them). The size was perfect for me, because I couldn’t stand a small school anymore (my graduating class was 86; my high school had 400). I loved that UGA was good at football (all my schools were horrible at sports). I just got a generally friendly feeling, so I chose UGA. UGA’s what you make it. I wish there were more things for people to do that didn’t drink, but I don’t think I would’ve found that at any other college (It’s college). That’s my only complaint really…and the hills. I hate hills. But other than that, LOL, it’s great!</p>
<p>Holy cow I wrote a book…</p>
<p>jenmarie - WOW - thanks so much for all the great info</p>
<p>Hi! I came into UGA as an Honors student, so I might be able to shed a little more light on the Honors program from that aspect. </p>
<p>I currently live in Myers, and I have to say that I like it a lot. It is a pretty quiet dorm, and the reason the doors are usually closed is that they’re quite heavy and they have a high crack under the door, so it’s pretty hard to keep them open. Usually people try a bit at the beginning of the year, then give up and either lock the bolt before closing the door so that the door is open a crack or just don’t bother any more. As for “fun,” depends on what you make of it. The RA tries to get group activities together once in a while, and there’s usually something going on in the lobby or on the quad if you pay attention to the posters. It’s not a loud dorm, though. </p>
<p>I’ve heard some horror stories about Creswell, by the way; I think it might depend on what hall you get. </p>
<p>Total agreement on how awesome early registration is. It takes a lot of the frustration and worry out of registering because it makes it more likely that you’ll be able to take exactly the classes you want and when. One note, though: make sure that you sign up for your honors courses at advisement, not later, because you need to be approved by the Honors department for them and if you try to deal with it later the honors slots may all be taken. (I got advised by my major department this semester and forgot about that, so I’m not able to take a particular honors course I’d wanted to next semester.) </p>
<p>On Honors courses, you’re not actually limited to taking 2 per semester, but you are required to wait until drop/add to add any other Honors courses. That’s theoretically so that people don’t “hog” the honors courses. In my experience, some honors courses really are easier to do well in than their non-honors equivalent, but some can be MUCH harder. For instance, the honors Chemistry courses seem to have a much better class of instructor than the on-level Chemistry courses. On the other hand, I was foolish enough to take Honors Integral Calculus last semester, and that class was an absolute nightmare for everyone involved because the professor was a natural at mathematics and had no idea why everyone kept failing his insanely difficult tests. </p>
<p>There’s a third way of getting honors courses out of non-honors courses, which is to take an appended 1-hour seminar which will make the class an honors course. I’m doing that this semester for Evolutionary Biology, and it’s really pretty easy and not too much work to deal with. And hey, I get a 3000-level honors course for my capstone! I’d recommend looking into that option as well if you’re interested in a class which has such an attached seminar. </p>
<p>And a fourth: if you take three 1-hour honors seminars, that counts as one honors class for your graduation requirements. These are usually very little work on their own. I’d recommend taking at least two that interest you over your college career, since you’ll be required to take one for honors anyway (see below).</p>
<p>To actually answer the original question, I don’t primarily take honors, but I do try to take it when it’s available. I’m actually not taking any honors courses at all next semester, though–it all depends on what I’m trying to take and when. Some courses just don’t have the option outside of an honors-option, and it’s not worth it to fuss with it if you don’t have to. One of the main reasons that I don’t take primarily honors courses is that I came into UGA with most of my gen-ed credits filled through AP credit, so I don’t have that many honors versions of my classes available to take. Like her, I’m trying to scramble to take as many as I can while I still can take the easy ones! You will need at least three of your honors classes to graduate to be 3000-level or higher, however, and those can be difficult to find without honors-optioning. If you can get one, go for it!</p>
<p>I’m not on the 4-year masters track because my intended double major is making jsut graduating in 4 years a challenge in itself, but if you do join the Honors program as a freshman you will be required to take HONS1000H, which is a seminar introducing you to Honors. That will introduce you to all the opportunities the Honors program entails and give you a TA you can ask questions to to get more information about any Honors opportunity you want. </p>
<p>I totally chose UGA because it was cheap. 
I’m glad I did, because it’s a great bargain at the cost, but I was originally dragged to the idea of UGA kicking and screaming because I thought it would be just like high school all over again but bigger and with more drunks. So was one of my best friends, actually. Now we both love it, mostly for the Honors program. It really is a bit like a school-within-a-school.</p>
<p>I am not in the CURO apprentice program, but I hope to be conducting research through CURO in the next year or so (and my roomie is currently putting her first proposal together for summer work in fish reproductive studies). It’s definitely worth it to consider. A note: I’m in the Introduction to CURO class for science majors right now. I’m not sure that I’d do it again, given the chance–we really haven’t done much but tour labs and work on resumes, and I have all the skill on resumes that I need from my high school internship program. On the other hand, it does expose you to a variety of labs that you might be interested in. So… eh, it might be worth considering. </p>
<p>Oh, I love it at UGA. The people are great–I was lucky enough to fall in with a crowd which doesn’t drink much at all, by the way, so that aspect of the stereotype doesn’t apply to me. There’s a lot of stuff to do around campus if you’re feeling interested in trying something new and interesting lectures. I also love some of the aspects of being at a larger university that I thought I’d really not care about, such as the huge variety in classes and majors that UGA has to offer.</p>
<p>Sola, was that seminar for evol. bio. something you had to register for? I’m taking that in the fall. How’s the class?</p>
<p>Edit: Nevermind, answered my own question. But who did you have for it? It says West is doing it in the fall. Haha, I don’t think I’ll do it though. If I took that class, I’d be in class from 9:30-3:15 without any breaks.</p>
<p>Oh, I’ve got West now. She’s pretty green, mind, but she tries hard. She’ll want you to write a 500-1000 word essay every week, though, so if you think that’ll be too much work you should probably avoid it. She grades easily, too. </p>
<p>Class from 9:30 to 3:15 with no breaks would really suck! I’m looking forward so much to my Thursdays next semester; my current ones have me in from 9:30 to 4:00 (if I’m lucky) with one break, and then have me doing an extracurricular at 5:30 that goes until 7:00. It’s pretty exhausting.</p>
<p>has anyone heard about honors? i didn’t get accepted right away (in december)–they asked me to send in my first semester senior year semester grades
i heard they mailed decisions out wednesday of last week but i haven’t heard anything
does anyone know if the notify acceptance and denial or just acceptance?</p>
<p>I was just accepted for the CURO program…I’m pretty excited :D</p>
<p>vig180 - just wanted to offer CONGRATULATIONS
again on the Phd program you’re headed to.
We’ll miss your posts on UGA’s forum - the information they contained were a determining factor in my daughter choosing UGA’s Honors program over Duke/Vandy/W&L/UVA,& W&M, etc. </p>
<p>There is so much on CC that makes you feel that a top student must attend an Ivy/Top Ten and you have really given balance to the arguments. Thanks!</p>
<p>mr_success313 - Congrats to you too on the CURO acceptance - is that the
CURO apprentice program for minority freshman?</p>
<p>Myers is probably the least fun dorm on campus.</p>
<p>Milledge,</p>
<p>Allrighttt!!!</p>
<p>Sincerely,
A Dad</p>
<p>Actually, since UGA is a top ranked party school, even the least fun dorm there should be OK re social life.</p>
<p>if you’re looking for fun social life (and i’m by no means limiting this only to drinking…), i would honestly say look at any dorm except for myers. most of the kids in myers really don’t get out much. i understand that that’s partly because of the academic rigor of honors courses means they need to spend more time studying. i’m just saying that myers is truly not a fun place to be, based on all–literally all–accounts that i have heard.</p>
<p>myers has a few pluses though: i’m almost certain it’s the newest dorm on campus by a long shot. it’s very nice on the exterior and interior. it’s right next to myers quad, one of the most popular green spaces on campus. and it’s the closest dorm to snelling dining hall, which is open 24 hours a day on weekdays.</p>