LSA Honors College

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>So, I just got accepted into LSA, and I'm considering applying to the Honors College there, but before I do I want to hear a little more about it from current Honors College students.</p>

<p>Is it significantly harder than normal LSA? I'm a pretty strong student, and I'm used to a big work load (4.0 GPA with full IB Program and a lot of other activities on the side), but going away to college will be a big change, and I don't want to be overwhelmed my first year.</p>

<p>What are the perks of being in the Honors College? What don't you like about it?</p>

<p>Can you apply after your freshman year?</p>

<p>Can you still graduate with honors/take honors classes if you're not in the Honors College?</p>

<p>Does it help with getting into grad school?</p>

<p>Anything else?</p>

<p>By the way- I'm a science person all the way, and I'm aiming to eventually go to med school. I don't know if that makes any difference.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Current junior in the Honors Program here:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>No, not significantly harder. In fact, what the Program states on their website is true: you’ll probably do better in your Honors class than in your non-Honors classes, because your Honors classes will engage you more. For high-performing students, those classes that engage you, that motivate you to actually do the reading and think about writing great essays, will lead you, regardless of a little extra work/reading/writing/projects (for exclusive honors classes or seminars or for adding honors to an otherwise non-honors class), towards a better grade. I’ve noticed this over five semesters and agree on this effect with my honors peers. </p></li>
<li><p>I’ve written on this subject before. I’ll post one of my earlier responses, but please also look through my comment history for answers to this question. </p></li>
<li><p>Yes, though the admissions rate is lower. </p></li>
<li><p>There are three ‘Honors’ designations for your diploma at Michigan. There is the completion of the Honors Undergraduate Program, which is taking eight honors classes over your first two years while maintaining above a 3.4 GPA. Second, there is class-rank based honors: Distinction, High Distinction, etc., based on where you place in your class. Third, there is the honors awarded for completing an honors thesis: you complete a thesis by applying for <em>your individual major’s</em> honors thesis program, and each department at the university has a different admissions program for getting into their thesis program. For some departments, it’s a simple interview and resum</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>As someone currently in the Michigan Undergraduate Honors Program, I feel the need to mention that the greatest benefit of being in the Honors Program here is something that Goldenboy usually chides us, and at times rightly so, for not having: eliteness of your peer group and the gains in academic and intellectual life that affords. The Honors Program has a higher average GPA, SAT, and ACT range than any Ivy League, and by gaining admittance to the program and taking classes through it, you can engage in discussion and debate alongside the truly best and brightest in the country while still reaping all the commonly-known benefits that Michigan has to offer: some of the best academic programs in the country, arguably the best college town in the country, and arguably the best overall attitude and outlook of any student body in the country. And if you accept housing at South Quad, one of the best dorm experiences at Michigan, then your core group of friends usually becomes this same elite-yet-friendly, brilliant-yet-hilarious, challenging-yet-helpful band of Honors brothers. </p>

<p>In addition, the Honors Program label affords you easier access to, at least in my experience and those of my peers, research positions, summer programs, and any crazy or interesting things you’d like to do with your degree or scheduling in general. </p>

<p>As for the Honors Program not being the deciding factor in your decision about where to attend, I urge you to investigate the individual program rankings of your prospective majors. After three years, one of my small conclusions is that most of your educational experience will be determined by the quality of your faculty, and Michigan’s general faculty is second to only Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton’s. But in certain areas, such as Philosophy and Political Science for me, Michigan’s faculty is on par with the aforementioned faculties and significantly above those of its peer institutions, namely Duke, Penn, Columbia, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Berkeley, Notre Dame, UCLA, and Cornell, among others. If Michigan has a significantly better program (not just undergraduate; remember, the faculty determine your educational experience, and graduate rankings grade faculty), go with Michigan. If Duke, Duke. </p>

<p>I have a few close friends in the MSU Honors Program, and in all relevant respects, the two programs, whether they are dubbed ‘college’ or ‘program’ are identical: both immerse you among other Honors students in prime housing locations for a better intellectual and academic life, both afford you classes with these students, and neither specifically afford you the chance to do a thesis, but both make the leap into undergraduate thesis programs easier. </p>

<p>Congratulations and good luck!</p>

4

<p>Intarsia- Thanks so much! That was very helpful, and I’ll definitely take it all into consideration.</p>

5

<p>There’s no harm in applying to the Honors college, as it costs no extra money for the application or anything. Also, if you do make it in you get to stay in south quad as a freshman which is a definite plus. Honors classes also often have a higher set curve because professors believe the students are better due to their being in honors classes, and will likely help with med school applications. If you don’t like it you can always get out of it, but definitely apply as you have nothing to lose but a few hours for an essay.</p>

6

<p>Does anybody know how the Honors Program compares to the Residential College?</p>

7

<p>I can’t testify to the program itself, but definitely apply early. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to get in. If your application is one of the first they look at, you’re going to be at a huge advantage.</p>

8

<p>“The longer you wait, the less likely you are to get in. If your application is one of the first they look at, you’re going to be at a huge advantage.”</p>

<p>I think that is a little bit of an overstatement. D was accepted EA last year and submitted her honors app around Feb. 1. During her campus visit, we met with the honors people (before she was accepted) and I asked if she would be harmed by not immediately submitting her honors app when she was accepted. They told us that as long as the app. was in before March 15 (IIRC), she would be fine. After that date, it is possible that it would be harder to be accepted because there may be less slots available.</p>

9

<p>Intarsia, I was interested in your comment that South Quad is one of the top “dorm experiences.” When I went to UM (about a million years ago admittedly) South Quad was where they put the football team and as a result it was commonly referred to as the “zoo dorm” Not so anymore?</p>

10

<p>West Quad has become more of the athletic dorm, but I believe South Quad still has a few athletes on its top floors. But, to my knowledge, most of the football team is now housed in West Quad; my good friend was Denard’s roommate there my freshman year. Regardless, I have lived in both dorms, and neither was a ‘zoo.’ o.o</p>

11

<p>boatlift, things have changed in a million years. Although I never heard the phrase “zoo dorm” used to describe South Quad before, it was known as the football players’ dorm and wasn’t considered desirable. Now it is very popular. It has a great location and is a terrific dorm experience.</p>

12

<p>Thanks Intarsia. Glad to hear that both WQ and SQ are solid places to live (I am not going to ask about the food since I suspect that has also probably changed for the better). The location of both dorms has always been excellent for most LSA students. Congrats on three years in the HP. Your prior note about the benefits of the program is very encouraging. My D is now saying HP or “somewhere else.” I’m hoping she gets in, but I know that if she doesn’t there are still alot of great ways to get that more “academic experience.” I also get the sense that the HP is alot more work just given the rigors/demands of the Program. True?</p>

13

<p>I’m applying to the Honors College. How important is the essay? Is it the sole admissions factor, or do they review your other admission materials?</p>

14

<p>This may be very dumb of me and I haven’t looke into it much, but how do you apply to the honors program (I’ve already been accepted to umich)</p>

15

<p>I thought that the Residential College was moving to West Quad next year while East Quad is being renovated. So I wonder if West Quad will still be as much of an “athletic dorm” next year.</p>

16

<p>“I also get the sense that the HP is alot more work just given the rigors/demands of the Program. True?”</p>

<ol>
<li>No, not significantly harder. In fact, what the Program states on their website is true: you’ll probably do better in your Honors class than in your non-Honors classes, because your Honors classes will engage you more. For high-performing students, those classes that engage you, that motivate you to actually do the reading and think about writing great essays, will lead you, regardless of a little extra work/reading/writing/projects (for exclusive honors classes or seminars or for adding honors to an otherwise non-honors class), towards a better grade. I’ve noticed this over five semesters and agree on this effect with my honors peers.</li>
</ol>

17

<p>One nice thing about HP is that you can fulfill the honors classes requirement by taking junior or senior level classes your first year. D is currently taking a 300 level history class and absolutely loves it.</p>