<p>How much value to the student are the Honor’s Programs at Ohio State? At some schools, it’s a big deal, but at others it’s merely a residential housing society, without much academic enhancement, without learning among similar peers, without much prestige at graduation. Any experiences you can pass on about Ohio State? How does it compare to programs at schools like U of Pittsburgh, Maryland or Delaware?</p>
<p>Talking to my son, and his friends in the program now, they said the main benefit is the early scheduling. Other than that, they didn’t see any real benefit, but maybe they didn’t take advantage of the extras the program offers. In my sons case, taking ChemE, he felt it hurt his GPA his freshman year. The courses were already hard, and this just made them harder with smaller curves because of all the other honors students taking the courses. I talked to another ChemE graduate, at OSU, also. He finished Chem E with a 3.9. He never saw any benefit other than the early scheduling. He said it never came up in any job interviews either. It said Honors on his diploma. I’ve talked to the career centers about this. I said if a company was looking at a student that took regular classes, and had a 3.5, and an honor student with a 3.2, would one look better than the other. The told me honors had never come up with employers, just the GPA, if that.</p>
<p>Thanks, that is helpful. Any other experiences?</p>
<p>I have a son in honors engineering and agree with above, first year honors is harder and a drag on GPA. Daughter was in Honors last year and early scheduling was the advantage. They found it difficult to make friends in honors dorms as opposed to D2 who is not honors. Also Honors last year was harder to get into as D1 and D2 had the same stats.</p>
<p>My son, a chem e grad with 3.9 gpa. For engineering honors you have to do an Engineering Honors contract and meet a bunch of other critieria to maintain your status for early scheduling as you move through the program. DS may not have been thrilled about this but I know the contract kept him motivated to do more than what his curriculum demanded. He became involved with service, leadership, and research that he might not have pursued otherwise. These things may not be a huge boost if you are applying for a job, but they are helpful if you are trying to get into a professional school or graduate program.</p>
<p>I can’t find on the website how many Honors classes students are required to take each year (especially the first two years). Anyone know this? Also, my D would be in Fisher School of Business and it looks like they have their own honors? Or is it all one big Honors program?</p>
<p>My son just completed first semester freshman year as engineering honors. He finds honors valuable and for now plans to continue in the program. It is not for everyone. The courses are more difficult and can potentially bring down gpa…this has not happened to him but if it does he will consider changing. He likes the smaller class size and being with other honor students. Also he plans to apply to med school and his pre med advisor has told him the honor designation is helpful…I guess time will tell.</p>
<p>The requirements for maintaining honors status and graduating with honors (not necessarily the same thing) are determined by each individual college. College of Engineering requires an Honors contract and 18 Honors credit hours by junior year. Fundamentals of Engineering Honors is program only available to first year honors students that offers all required honors classes for engineering. </p>
<p>Honors is a tough program. Honors classes, especially STEM classes, are more difficult versions of already tough courses. It is not HS honors. It is not AP. It is not just a designation on your transcript. It is possible to do well in the program. In fact, a 3.5 GPA is required to even stay in the program. As far as graduating with honors, certain employers recognize the merit of specific programs. It also helps with professional and graduate school admission.</p>
<p>Professors often treat you better when you’re in honors. </p>
<p>Your classes are also taught by professors, not teaching assistants. When I took non-honors classes, a lot of people were unprepared for college. In honors classes, more of the students seemed motivated.</p>
<p>Thanks. Can anyone comment on honors other than engineering? Any insight into Honors in Arts/Sciences or Business school? Especially the freshman and sophomore years.</p>
<p>My daughter is considering OSU and would want to be in the honor’s program. She is interviewing for the biomedical science program later this month. She really wants to get in this program. What are the honor’s dorms like and which of the three is the best for science-minded students? Thanks so much. If anyone has info on this program your info would be appreciated.</p>
<p>does anyone know when EA admitted students will be informed if they’ve been admitted to honors?</p>
<p>Website says by mid January - but honors representative told me they expect to be a few weeks later - so early to mid February.</p>