<p>I got a 31 on the ACT, but I have a 3.2 GPA UW (3.4 W). So, I'm not automatically eligible and have to do the supplement of the app - write the essay. I kind of slacked a bit in highschool, but I know that I can do better in college (because I'll be studying something I'm really interested in). And I'm really determined to do better.</p>
<p>What I want to know is, how difficult is it to get into the Honors college for those who don't meet the 3.7 GPA requirement and thus have to do the essay supplement? Is there a lot of competition, or do I have a pretty good shot if I can pull up a good essay? At the risk of completely offending people, I know that many MU students are not exactly the most academics-oriented people... so I'm hoping it won't be too competitive..?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>You should just write the essay, send it in, and find out. My son’s experience–wrote the essay, heard back within a month–was in 2007. That could still be the case today, or not. You might not hear that quickly, because applications in general are up, and they’re busy. I’m sure the competition varies from year to year. And by the way, at Mizzou–and any big university–you will indeed find “academics-oriented people” if you choose.</p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>I’m in no way putting down Mizzou students as a whole - after all, it was my top choice because of the j school… just hoping that because it has a reputation for having so many party animals and such it won’t be TOO difficult to get into the Honors program.</p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about Humor College.
My daughter takes some classes there, but she will not accumulate 20 credits to get Honor certificate when she graduates. She took two Honor classes during her freshman year + two classes this year, and she can take one next year ( even though she prefers to take a different class) - that is it, no Honor classes for any J-sequence as well as for required upper classes. All together it will be 14-15 units, so in case if you get a lot of credits for AP classes you will be in the same situation :-)</p>
<p>The value of the Honors College for my son was living in an honors FIG and having some small classes in the beginning. Like Tori_mom’s D, he doesn’t take honors classes now (junior year) because he has been into upper-level courses in his major and minor for a while. Originally he was in the J-school, and no, there aren’t honors sections there beyond the entry-level courses. I do recommend that you write the essay and do some honors classes early in your college career. Have you visited Mizzou? You’ll get a better feel for the students there if you do.</p>
<p>Well, the reason that I want to get into the Honors College isn’t so much for the credits as for the FIGs, dorm (hoping for Mark Twain), and the general experience. I’ve read here on CC that the Honors College comes with A LOT of benefits and is a really great experience.</p>
<p>@Geezermom - I have visited. I visited back in September and really loved it. Everyone I met was so friendly and helpful, especially some of the students I met over at the KOMU station (I want to go into Broadcast Journalism). Within the first 3 minutes of stepping on campus I was impressed. My mom and I didn’t know which way Jesse Hall was, and the very first girl that walked by offered to help us, was super sweet, and actually went out of her way to walk us over there. :)</p>
<p>^^ Sounds like a good plan. Some students (my son included) like the first Honors “humanities” course you take freshman year. Mark Twain might be scheduled to close next year for renovation, so check the Residential Life website.</p>
<p>Mark Twain will indeed close at the end of the fall semester 2011.
[Residential</a> Life Master Plan](<a href=“http://reslife.missouri.edu/RLMPnew/marktwain.php]Residential”>http://reslife.missouri.edu/RLMPnew/marktwain.php)</p>
<p>Even though Mark Twain might seem like a good choice because it’s the closest dorm to the J-School, you won’t be taking the bulk of J-School classes until your junior year and the Mark Twain rooms are tiny. My son attended a summer program at Mizzou and stayed in Mark Twain. It was considered top notch when I was at Mizzou (35 years ago) but that was because it was then a private dorm with suite-style rooms, A/C and a pool. The suites are tiny and the bathrooms tinier! It badly needs renovation.</p>
<p>Huh. The main reasons I’ve been hoping for Mark Twain are the proximity, and I’ve read on here that it has a real community-feeling + people really become close since it has almost all Journalism students. Also the cafeteria downstairs hahah.</p>
<p>What dorm would you recommend, if not Mark Twain? If I do get into Honors obviously I’ll be wanting Mark Twain or Schurz regardless (but I guess not Mark Twain since it’ll be closing…), because I really want to be in a Honors Journalism FIG. But if not, I’ll still want to be in a Journalism FIG… Thanks!</p>
<p>When my son lived on campus he walked or rode his bike easily whereever he needed to go. Now that he drives to campus, he still keeps a bike in the garage where he parks because it’s on the edge of campus–though lately a snowmobile would have been more useful. He had a great community feel in his freshman dorm (Schurz). The big central lounges there helped, and so did being in a FIG. Schurz is right next to one of the big dining facilities.</p>
<p>Geezermom - I was wondering, how was your son notified as to his Honors College admissions decision? Through email, checking a certain page (like the regular admissions), etc.? Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, this might be a dumb question, but if Mark Twain isn’t going to close until after Fall 2011, what are the drawbacks if I do end up living there Fall 2011?</p>
<p>I don’t remember how he was notified–probably through e-mail, but I’m not sure (this was the fall of 2007). One thing to remember about Mizzou is how good they are about answering questions. Never hesitate to send them an e-mail if you are unsure about something. I hope you find out soon, because housing signup for next year’s freshmen probably begins soon, right?</p>
<p>It takes a while to get into the rhythm and routine of your college living situation. I think it would be hard to move all your stuff in in August, get to know the people you’re living with, and then have to pack up and move at the end of the semester, most likely during finals week. I’m guessing that not everyone will be able to move as a group to the same dorm. It would just feel like an inconvenience. But if it doesn’t bother you, go for it (noting what the poster below says about the condition of MT).</p>
<p>ringojackson: I’m not sure if you are reading the Honors College requirements properly. The requirements are a minimum of 29 on the ACT and a class rank in the top 10% or better. GPA is not a factor.</p>
<p>The acceptance into the Honors College comes in a letter. Our son is admitted to the Honors College for next fall.</p>
<p>For what’s its worth, if you are worried that you won’t find enough “academically minded” fellow freshman, our son was considered for the Mizzou Scholars grant. It requires a 33 or above on the ACT. According to a letter we received from the Chancellor this week, over 250 incoming freshmen qualified to applied.</p>
<p>My school doesn’t rank, so I was told that in this case applicants should have around a 3.7.</p>
<p>And thanks for the little statistic (again I hope nobody finds it offensive, but MU DOES have a large party reputation so I was a little worried…)</p>
<p>Honestly, you don’t want to live in Mark Twain. It’s away from the rest of the dorms on campus, and the people in the journalism FIG’s have a long standing reputation of being weird. That is, the worst of the worst of the arrogant j-schooler, who thinks they’re going to work for the New York Times, but really aren’t that talented.</p>
<p>Other dorms to avoid are the Responsibility, Discover, Excellence, and Respect. Those dorms = anti-social.</p>
<p>I think the best dorms right now are Hatch/Schurz and Hudson/Gillett (I assume Gilett is re-opening for next year). Those dorms are always pretty social, and they’re pretty nice dorms.</p>
<p>Really? If I end up getting accepted to Honors (expecting a letter sometime this week) then my top choices are Mark Twain or Schurz (for the FIGs)… I’ve read somewhere that Schurz isn’t the nicest, because the rooms are very small and there are communal bathrooms.
But I guess I’ll take your word for it and try for Schurtz, as I’d choose my social life over a bigger dorm any day… Thanks!</p>
<p>I really wanted that first floor cafeteria though haha… oh well. :(</p>
<p>Communal bathrooms are really not as big a deal as you might think. Schurz rooms may seem small, but I’ve seen smaller (e.g., in newly renovated Defoe Graham). Schurz also has a large, central lounge on every floor. And again, I’ll bet you would not enjoy packing up all your stuff in December and moving from Mark Twain to somewhere else. akhman24 has good suggestions–all in a good location with plenty of dining facilities nearby.</p>
<p>Well, I ended up getting “partial” admittance. Which means while I’m not fully admitted to the Honors College, I get to take one or two Honors classes my freshman year and work with the Honors staff. Disappointing, but better than nothing. And I can always try next year. Plus I can’t say it’s not understandable of them to have some doubts and give me a “test-run”, since my GPA is so below their requirements.</p>