Stony Brook Honors Programs

<p>I was just accepted into the Stony Brook Scholars program, What is the difference between the scholars program, WISE and the Honors college?</p>

<p>What I gathered from the web site:</p>

<p>Honors College:
-much more selective: 60 or so freshman are usually enrolled (2%-3% of entire freshman class)
-Take special “extra” seminar classes
-Required to take extra classes outside of major
-Have to complete a final senior project under the guidance of a mentor in your major</p>

<p>Scholars:
-Less selective (10% of enrolled freshman or about 250-300 students are usually in this)
-Can take some classes that are “scholar” level but not extra
-Can live with other scholars
-Get to go on some special trips
-Priority registration for classes (honors prob gets this too)</p>

<p>I browsed over these two links to find that info:</p>

<p>Honors: [Stony</a> Brook University - The Honors College](<a href=“http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/honorscollege/]Stony”>http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/honorscollege/)
Scholars: <a href=“https://uaa.stonybrook.edu/university-scholars[/url]”>https://uaa.stonybrook.edu/university-scholars&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>WISE is Women in engineering I think</p>

<p>I was invited to scholars btw, and so far it actually sounds like the better deal to me.</p>

<p>yea I’m wondering the same thing
the distinction between WISE and the other two are pretty clear since wise is specifically for women pursuing a medical, engineering, or science career but I am unsure about the difference between university scholars and honors college (I got into scholars as well)</p>

<p>I believe the one big difference is bigger scholarship for honors college…but most of the social activities are coordinated with both honors college, wise and univ scholars…also with univ scholars and the other three you can take different first year seminar classes (these are p/f classes that are small intimate classes with a prof i think mostly discussion goes on in these first year classes. Also, ;you should see about getting into honors programs within your major…such as physics, engineering, comp sci, etc. the priority registration is a big plus as well</p>

<p>ps you do get priority registration in univ scholars and wise as well as honors college…so all three programs are very similar…you can’t be in multiple programs such as wise and honors…also, i don’t believe the diploma you receive is different from anyone else’s in the univ. but you could ask if any of these programs state anything on your diploma.</p>

<p>S2 was accepted into Scholars and the scholarship he was offered is less than the one S1, who is currently in his second year in Honors, received. S1 has said quite a few times that he and some of the other HC students wish they could take DECs instead of the honor seminars and mini courses, solely because the topics aren’t always interesting. The one he’s currently taking is music, which sounded more interesting than the other choice, art, but still not what he wants to spend time studying. </p>

<p>The only things I can think of that might be different, based on his experience: his diploma will say honors and it’s easier to get a research position if you mention HC. HC only takes 60 students a year, while I believe there are 100+ Scholars.</p>

<p>As for priority registration, I remember two years ago it was: incoming athletes register first, then HC and WISE, then Scholars and then the rest of the incoming freshmen. After that, it appears registration dates are based on how many credits you have. </p>

<p>Some people think Scholars is a consolation prize for those who didn’t get into Honors. It really isn’t.</p>

<p>How did you decide on Stony Brook Honors College over other more prestigious schools and was it a difficult decision? We have to decide this week. Help!</p>