What Are the Benefits of Joining the Honors Program?

Joining the Honors Program allows you to become a special member of the honors community. It will give you unique opportunities to learn from and contribute to a group of students and professors who have a special dedication to learning. This dedication extends to learning in a variety of contexts — in the classroom, of course, but also in the residence halls and in the world of research.

Membership in this community comes with special privileges. You will be able to register early for courses, which makes it more likely that you will be able to get both the honors courses and the regular courses you want. You will also be able to fulfill some of your general studies or concentration requirements in the special environment of honors courses. These courses tend to be smaller than regular courses. Honors courses are typically capped at 15, and many of them have 10 or fewer students in the class. Obviously, this kind of intimate setting allows for more personal interaction and bonding with professors and classmates. While these courses don't necessarily involve a lot more work than regular courses, they do present greater opportunities and challenges and the chance to face these opportunities and challenges in the company of other highly talented and motivated students.

One of the greatest benefits of the Honors Program is the opportunity to undertake a year-long independent research project. (See the description of Senior Honors Projects in Section III above.) This may well provide the richest learning experience of your entire college career. It will certainly help you become a more disciplined researcher and a more mature thinker. Of course, successful completion of this project will also help you stand out in your application to graduate school or as you begin your career.

By joining the Honors Program, you will also enjoy membership in the Honors Club and eligibility to live in the Honors House at Mohn Hall.

Another great benefit of the Honors Program occurs at graduation. Provided you have successfully completed all the requirements of the program, College Honors will be conferred upon you. This includes recognition during the graduation ceremony, an honors medal, as well as the special designation on your diploma.