<p>I wasn't really interested in being part of the honors program this semester since it would be my first semester. I was afraid I would get too overwhelmed. The more I think about it though, I really want to be part of the honors program. I read that very few people get into Honors later on and they have to be invited! How can I get invited? Making a 4.0 during my first semester?? I'm sure a lot of people do that. Is there something else?
Has anyone joined the honors program after their first semester?
I would really like some insight. Thanks!</p>
<p>You can’t join in late unfortunately. But no worries. Coming from someone who just finished his first year in the Honors Program, it’s really not all that it’s hyped up to be. The best part about it is housing, the people you meet, and the exclusive honors advisors. Other than that, you can always challenge yourself more than the Honors kids. If you want to graduate with honors, you don’t have to be in the honors program.</p>
<p>Most of the kids in Honors decide not to really pursue it after freshman year anyways. Unless you’re up for the Sophomore Honors Award (3.7 GPA or higher), there’s really no point in continuing with it since it’s just annoying to fulfill all the requirements.</p>
<p>Check with an honors adviser. There may be a way to switch in if you do well.</p>
<p>It might be possible, but it’s really not worth your efforts. As SoccerWolfP stated, the biggest perks are the guaranteed central campus housing, which isn’t a problem for any sophomore, and meeting people in this housing, which you will have already done in your own housing space. The program is only 2 years, so missing any time at all means that you’ve already shortened it by a good amount. Also, you would have very limited time to complete the requirements.</p>
<p>Besides, going through the program makes absolutely no determination of whether or not you graduate with honors. Many students don’t do honors the first two years and end up graduating with honors after writing an honors thesis. Other students who do go through the program don’t graduate with honors because they don’t write the thesis. This is because the first two years and final two years are considered two entirely separate programs.</p>
<p>Therefore, it may be worth it for you to pursue an honors track starting in your junior year, but doing it in your sophomore year after not doing it freshman year is kind of pointless. And, well, SWP was correct in saying it’s not all it’s hyped up to be. I was worried about the “overwhelmed” thing to an extent coming in too, but being in honors is 99% the same as being a non-honors LSA student. The difference is almost indiscernable, in my experience. As SWP also pointed out, most don’t continue it past first year. I stopped after first semester. I immediately saw how limiting the requirements made my class selection so I just disregarded the requirements when scheduling classes last year and this year.</p>
<p>So don’t worry about it. You won’t be missing anything.</p>
<p>I’m a bit surprised by what I’m hearing. I wasn’t in honors so I’m talking some from ignorance, but I would think it a better educational experience in honors. I knew some honors students in my days at UM and they were a bit sharper and more intellectually inclined and I gained from knowing them.</p>
<p>It’s good to have honors on your resume.</p>
<p>I suggest going for honors and sticking with it.</p>
<p>Seaslipper, having Honors on your resume and being in the LSA Honors Program for freshman and sophomore year are two separate things. The only Honors that really counts for anything is the Honors on your diploma, and that is only attained by writing an Honors thesis. Successful completion of the first two years of Honors results in the Sophomore Honors Award, which is worth so little that it doesn’t even show up on transcripts. I don’t even have mine on my resume.</p>
<p>OP, the important thing, as entenduintransit has championed on CC repeatedly (nice job!), is that they are separate programs. I’ve heard of people joining Honors for second semester of freshman year after talking to Honors advisers, but all the advice posted in this thread already is sound, and I have little to add. I would say that the people who really like the Honors Program tend to get involved in the activities associated with the learning community, such as Lunch with Honors (short lunch seminars/discussions).</p>