<p>Hi there - are there any engineering students online or knowledgable parents of engineering students that could advise an incoming Honors College Engineering student? My son signed up for the Engineering LC not realizing that there may be a conflict with the Honors College. We can’t tell if the conflict is only with Honors Housing and Engineering LC or if it is more, confict with courses, etc. He has selected Honors Housing in the Quad which he thinks he will get since he signed up early. </p>
<p>If there is anyone with experience with this scenario and can advise, please let me know if these programs are mutually exclusive and you must pick one or the other. If they are - is it better to be a freshman in the Engineering Learning Community or a freshman in the Honors College?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance to any one who can provide information.</p>
<p>Both programs are good but do different things. Living communities put like minded kids together for a few classes and housing. It is a nice way to meet people and get support the first two semesters. Check the classes required for the learning community. My son came in with math and science AP credits and did not need several of the mandated classes. He wanted village housing and was willing to try different clubs until he found his niche. There are many engineering kids not in the Learning Community but my son knows some who did go that route and they speak very highly of it. </p>
<p>In some ways the Honors college offers more flexibility of classes…but 18 credits must be Honor credits before you are done, which adds difficulty. Early registration and Honors housing are nice perks, however, engineering is tough and lots of kids drop Honors before they are done. When interviewing for coops, honors college was nice to have on resume and was asked about…but other academic honors would have been just as good.</p>
<p>Because the Engineering LC requires certain classes it may conflict with Honors. Both the engineering and honors advisors are very helpful, I would call both and you will get two different perspectives. These are two good choices…</p>
<p>My daughter will be a senior in engineering, and came in as part of the Honors College AND an Engineering Learning Community in Fall 2010. I am not sure why, but the Honors College REALLY tried to convince her to NOT join a Learning Community, saying she would have all kinds of scheduling conflicts…well, she had NONE. Besides, it is only one year, AND just a couple classes. The young lady who was in charge of the Learning Communities at the time (sorry, her name escapes me) said that the Honors College always tried to do that… The main reason she came in as part of a Learning Community is that she wanted to live in the Village, and felt she would have a better chance of living there as part of an LC, as she was not a Presidential Scholar and had no guarantee. She got in the Village, and was housed with 3 other girls, only two of whom were in Learning Communities – but NOT an Engineering LC. She did very much enjoy having the chance to have two common classes with a set group of people. In addition, she had a class that took the place of Intro to Engineering (and ALSO gave her an hour credit, while Intro to Engr is a 0 credit course). She took Calc Honors as well, so she did not have that class with her group. Her entire LC was registered for the Chem I class she had to take, so it was nice to have a group of about 20 in a class of 150 that she knew faces of when she got in the class. I am not certain that all the same classes are offered now as part of the LC that were in 2010-2011, but I can only say to really look at the schedule of classes offered, talk to the Engineering Advisors (one of them was who taught the one-hour Engr class for my daughter’s LC), talk to the head of the Learning Communities programs, and take what the Honors College advisors say with a grain of salt. My daughter still has a 3.9 average, is still in the Honors College, and her largest gripe (as a math/science person) was having to take an Honors Lit class in order to fulfill her 18 hours of course credits! LOL! … so I think she has done okay…other than spending most of her waking hours living in RBD! Good Luck whatever you decide!</p>
<p>adkv57 - thanks so much for the information. My son did get a response from the LC today via email who explained much of what you say above. I hope that he can make it work and do both. It sounds like a great way to get a jump start with a support group to “go to” for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>I don’t have a lot of experience with the Learning Community, as I was not in one. However, I would like to add that outside of the learning community vs honors college issue, the advisors for Honors College are very approachable and knowledgeable. They have helped me so much, both academically and personally. You will very much enjoy having them as advisors. Best of luck in your LC, the HC, and Auburn!</p>
<p>My son (and his parents) are looking forward to CWE and meeting all the advisors. The responses here have given me a list of questions to ask and discussion points my son can have with the counselors. I think which ever way he goes, he will be successful…you don’t read very much negative about Auburn academics. </p>
<p>My son, however, did select the Quad instead of the Village as his first choice, more for the “dorm and college experience”. However, does anyone know if you select to participate in both the Honors College and the Engineering Learning Community you can do so from the Quad Residential Honors Halls or should he be in the Village Honors Dorms? Does it matter?</p>
<p>There is no learning communities in the Quad as I know. All are operated in the Village. You could participate but will have to go the Village for studying session. BTW, good choice on the Quad Honors housing. The value makes very good sense.</p>