Frequently Asked Questions

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Honors Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can transfer students be in the Honors Program? Open

Yes, transfer students may participate in the Honors Program. Applications are due by July 31 in order to process applications in time for entrance in the fall semester, adjust fall class schedules as needed,and to participate in the August honors orientation.

Can current UIW students apply to the Honors Program? Open

Yes, current students may apply to the Honors Program each spring. Applications are due by July 15 in order to process application in time for entrance in the fall semester, review of fall class schedules, and participation in the August honors orientation.

How do I apply to the UIW Honors Program? Open

You may request an application from the Honors Director by completing an inquiry form on this website. The Director will then email the link to the application. Current UIW students must submit two written faculty recommendations with their application. After the interview, the Honors Council makes its final decision and offers invitations to the chosen applicants. Please review the eligibility requirements to be sure you meet the minimum GPA and test scores before requesting an application.

What is the selection process? Open

The application is reviewed for the applicant's potential match with the program. We have found that highly motivated students with curiosity about their world particularly enjoy our program. Upon review of the completed application, the Honors Council makes its final decision and offers invitations to chosen applicants.

Why should I want to be in the Honors Program? Open

More than a thousand colleges have established honors programs precisely because good students do better in them! Without a peer group that values academic excellence, social life can easily become more important than studying. Talented students can be bored in normal classes and coast through or put off simple assignments (just as they did in high school). Unfortunately, students who avoid challenges and try to take the easy way out often face severe shocks in college (it's not grade 13!) and graduate with mediocre academic records. If you want to go to graduate school, you will want to show the best you can be with your undergraduate record. Membership in an honors program shows a level of self-discipline, motivation and performance that graduate schools and prospective employers see.

Am I going to be taking all honors courses during my four years at UIW? I'm worried about the workload. Open

No. All honors students must complete from two to four honors courses during their undergraduate career. Depending on how each student wishes to earn points among the three categories of Curriculum, Scholarship, and Self-Development, there may be one or two honors courses on your schedule each year. In many cases, the heaviest number of honors courses are in the first two years, however, the honors classes may be spread over your four years of undergraduate study. Should you choose to do original research in your major as an honors thesis, that work is managed with the help of a faculty mentor over an 18-24 month time frame. The long time frame allows you to spread the work out so the load is manageable and not overwhelming.

What's the difference between a regular class and an honors class? Open

Generally, you will find that honors classes tend to be more interdisciplinary in nature and are more interactive. In addition, the class discussions and assignments in an honors class require a deeper level of critical thinking. There won't be more assignments; the challenge is in the type of assignments you receive. In addition, professors tend to use their honors classes to try out new teaching methods.

Can I sit in an Honors class? Open

Absolutely. Simply contact the director of the Honors Program at 210-832-3211 or jloden@uiwtx.edu in order to find out when the classes meet and how you can sit in.

Do I get extra scholarship money by getting in the Honors Program? Open

There is no additional scholarship money at this time for admittance to the honors program. However, a study-abroad scholarship is available to our honors students. The Honors Program also supports its students with extra experiences and funding. For example, you will have access to funds within the Office of Research and Graduate Studies for your honors thesis. We will pay your way to participate in a social-justice trip, for your attendance at specified workshops such as graduate school preparation and leadership development, and to professional performances such as the symphony, ballet, theater or opera.

Does participation in the Honors Program really matter? Open

Yes, it will speak volumes about your abilities and aspirations. Students in Honors programs are widely recognized as being the best students at a college, having both superior academic ability and the motivation to make the most of their college experience. Consider what an American college degree means to the general public. Because there are more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States, most people have no way of evaluating the quality of colleges in their local area. But people do know that if you join an honors program; you are a superior student who is clearly committed to getting the best education and the best courses and professors available to you.

Once I'm in the program what are the requirements to stay in the UIW Honors Program? Open

All honors students must earn 20 honors points within three categories--Curriculum, Scholarship, and Self-Development--to achieve University Honors. They also must keep up their grades to achieve at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. There are also participation requirements. Although not required, we strongly encourage every student to attend one of the social justice trips offered each year. A full accounting of the requirements are elsewhere on this site.