<p>I have always wondered what is the point of being in a Honors Program. Besides getting extra financial aid, what are the main reasons to apply and accept a Honors Program position? </p>
<p>I say this b/c I find it useless esp. in a strong academic university like UMCP. I can see its purpose in some of the less academically focused Universities, such as Frostburg State. </p>
<p>Begin the discussion...</p>
<p>The list of benefits is pretty long, but the ones that come to mind are smaller class sizes and getting to take H-versions of regular classes as well as honors seminars. Being in the honors program is what really put my mind at ease about going to such a large university too. It makes it feel like a school within a school.</p>
<p>Better dorms freshman year as well from what I have read.</p>
<p>For most it is the chance to do some amazing internships, especially if you go the govt politics since DC is right there and it is mandated that you take an internship by the end of your soph yr. Many of these kids have been able to continue them over the next following summers, which gives you a great edge when trying to enter the workforce.</p>
<p>Also you do g better dorms and smaller class sizes, but the best part is you will dorm with people that are also in the program and that gives you the best of both worlds a large university, but the feeling of a small college. You won’t feel so much like a number.
It is also great that the majority of the kids will be taking the same classes, so instead of contacting a stranger for notes that you missed or help with a difficult class, you just take the elevator up a floor or maybe just knock on your neighbors door.
Many Gemstone students also like the idea of the group project, since each one is unique.</p>
<p>Colleges use Honors to be competitive in attracting the best students, to keep them from going to other(<em>cough</em>Ivies* ) colleges. It raises the profile of the college and thus aids in attracting other less “gifted” but qualifying students to apply.</p>
<p>I chuckled at the “better dorms” line. I’ll be living in Wicomico. While I haven’t seen it yet, I haven’t heard fantastic things about the size or comfort of the rooms. </p>
<p>But all that is worth it to live with the people in your program. That was a major draw for me.</p>
<p>My dtr was accpted to some great schools, including UCBerkeley and chose UMD Honors over the other schools. She realized she didn’t want to be a ‘number’ and liked the idea of a smaller program within the bigger school with sports, etc.</p>
<p>rschlegel - see you at Wicomico on Thursday ;D</p>
<p>…I forgot to add that she got NO MONEY from UMD! 4.7 wgpa/ 32 ACT/ lots of leadership & community service, etc. etc.</p>
<p>Haha see ya there. I’ll be the one trying to keep my family in line and moaning about the heat and lack of AC.</p>
<p>I think when they say better dorms they mean not Easton…sorry Easton residents.</p>