<p>Can someone tell me a bit about their experience in the College, are there honors dorms? Is anyone here thinking of participating in the program? </p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman and is in the program. If you are in Honors you are required to live in a learning community (I’m not sure of the exact term). She chose an “Honors” community but I believe you can choose something else as long as you are in a “community”. Basically, she is in a regular dorm where about 75% of the kids on her floor are also in the Honors program. </p>
<p>As first semester freshman, you are required to take an honors seminar which consists of activities designed for the kids to get to know one another. It was nice, but I don’t think she formed any lasting relationships. </p>
<p>So far, I think the biggest benefit of the program are the specific “Honors” classes. There are ordinary classes, chemistry, calculus… which are smaller (class size) which I think were beneficial for my daughter last semester but there are also fascinating class un ordinary choices available just for the honors’ students. Look at the Renee Crowne website for the list. My daughter was excited reading through it the other day as she was trying to make her choices for next semester.</p>
<p>As with most programs of this nature, I believe she will get out of it what she puts into it. If she carries through with the community service component and the “Capstone” project requirement, she could grow and benefit greatly. It could be a great experience for the self-motivated student who will take advantage of all that is offered. Will my daughter be that student? We will see! </p>
<p>My son is a graduating senior in the Honors program. He applied and was accepted - so students should know that if you are not offered this opportunity upon acceptance you have that option. He lived in the Honors dorm his first year and while it wouldn’t have been his first choice he made lifelong friends there. There is a mix of Honors and non-Honors students.</p>
<p>By far the greatest benefit to being in the program is that you get to register ahead of everyone else. What this means is that you can choose not only your classes, but your professors (most of the time). At a school the size of SU, this can be the difference between an average education and a great education. As the previous poster mentioned, the Honors classes are small and were some of the best my son had in his four years. The best profs want to teach these students. As a side note, it’s worth mentioning that he felt it was easier to get good grades in the Honors classes…</p>
<p>He loved the community service component and has stayed involved with the organization beyond the program requirement. He opted out of the Capstone project because he’s in the Newhouse/Whitman double-degree program and with all the extra credit requirements and related senior year work he did not feel he could manage it. Plus he wanted to be able to enjoy his senior year. Who could argue with that?</p>
<p>I don’t think my son could have had a better college experience anywhere. I highly recommend the Renee Crowne Honors program. </p>