F.A.Q.'s
Frequently Asked Questions for the Honors College
- What is so special about being in the Honors College?
- Some say that I will not have a life once I get into the Honors College and that it will be too hard. Is that true?
- What are the requirements to remain in the Honors College?
- To graduate with honors, what requirements must I fulfill?
- If I have a friend who is currently not in the honors program and would like to apply, what should he or she do?
Frequently Asked Questions for the Senior Honors Project
- Where do I start?
- Who can be my sponsor in my department?
- How many credits do I take?
- What format should be used?
- When should I begin the project?
What is so special about being in the Honors College?
There are so many special benefits that you will receive as an Honors student at The University of Akron. Academically, you will have special Honors sections of many courses and will take three (2-credit) colloquium courses. The topics vary, but the classes are small and are just for Honors students. You will have personal advising from the beginning of your program with a designated advisor from your major area of study. (Undecided? – no problem…special advising for that, also).
In place of your general studies university requirements, you will be able to substitute honors distribution requirements. You and your Honors advisor will design these requirements to allow you to study selected courses based on your interest. You can explore new topics, or study a known area at a much higher level. The honors distribution requirements will open up opportunities for you to use the many areas of study offered at a major university.
Your final year on campus will include an undergraduate research experience. The Senior Honors Project is a chance to complete a research project with a faculty member in your chosen area of study. Many students describe this as one of the best experiences of the entire Honors requirements. If graduate school is your next goal, then this research provides a particularly strong foundation for your moving to the next academic step.
Special housing is another benefit. The Honors/Orr Complex residential and academic center houses nearly 420 Honors students, and includes the Honors computer lab, classrooms, as well as the Honors College offices. You can work with other students in the many rooms available for group study, or relaxing.
Many of the students in the program receive some form of scholarship as they pursue their degree. A wide range of scholarships is available.
Some say that I will not have a life once I get into the Honors College and that it will be too hard. Is that true?
Many students say that the courses are more interesting, even if more challenging. For several of your courses, you will be with like-minded students who want the opportunity to learn in an environment that supports self-motivation. Honors courses typically involve more discussion and, perhaps, more reading and group interaction. You will be given opportunities to refine your writing and verbal skills while learning a variety of topics.
The Honors Colloquia are good examples. A small class format, an unusual topic, a great teacher, and other Honors students give you a special academic experience. Faculty members select topics that are of special interest to them. The class discusses, reads, and learns together about this area of study. Why not go to the web page about the curriculum and check out some of the upcoming colloquia topics?
In terms of life…we think that you’ll find that Honors students are some of the most active on campus. They are leaders in student government, athletics, honoraries, and social fraternities and sororities. Many of the students have jobs, while many participate in intramural sports, or go to plays and lectures. One thing is for sure, Honors students seem to realize the value of the many activities available to them on campus and take advantage of these opportunities.
What are the requirements of remaining in the Honors College?
There are gpa and some course requirements. The gpa requirement is on a sliding scale. The cumulative gpa should be 3.25 after two semesters of study (or at least 32 credits toward graduation), 3.30 after four semesters of study (or at least 64 credits toward graduation), 3.40 after six semesters of study (or at least 96 credits toward graduation). The sliding scale allows students time to find a major they like and become established in it.
While completing your major and college requirements, an honors student files a senior honors project proposal by the end of their junior year, registers for the senior honors project in the senior year, and completes the honors distribution requirements before graduation.
To graduate with honors, what requirements must I fulfill?
The traditional honors titles associated with any qualified student at graduation are all expressed in Latin: cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude (listing those categories here in increasing order of gpa). Many of the honors students graduate with either the magna or the summa prefix, but the lowest category requires at least a 3.40 graduation cumulative grade point average, and that gpa is also the minimum needed to graduate as a University Honors Scholar. One tricky thing about the gpa is that it is not necessarily the one on your semester report, as the “graduation” gpa includes courses you may have repeated. That’s a university rule. You might need to ask the registrar about your graduation gpa.
University Honors Scholar is the title that will appear on the transcript of all the honors students who have (i) completed the three honors colloquia seminars, (ii) received at least a B on the senior honors project (and turned it in on time), (iii) completed the honors distribution requirements (as submitted with the advisor's signature), and (iv) have the gpa as described above. On all official UA transcripts, under degree honors, students receive the University Honors Scholar title. An honors student who completes all of these requirements, but whose graduation gpa is below 3.40 still has the phrase Completed Honors College Requriements listed on their transcript under the "degree honors" listing.
If I have a friend who is currently not in the honors program and would like to apply, what should he or she do?
It’s easy to apply to the Honors College. Just go to the online application at a page on this website, namely at www.uakron.edu/honors/admission-application.html. If your friend is in high school, make sure that they also (1) apply to the University and (2) fill out the general scholarship application form, available online at www.uakron.edu/administration/StudentAffairs/financialAid/sclrAppl.php
If your friend is already a student at UA, he or she should be a freshman or sophomore, with fewer than 64 credits already completed. Then the honors online application is the easiest way to apply.
Where do I start with the senior honors project?
First of all, you must look for a sponsor in your department.
A sponsor is someone who would be willing to have you work in their lab or would guide you on your project. You can do this by going to your department and asking the secretary for a list of professors and their research. If they do not carry this, you should go by what the professor teaches and make an appointment. Ask them all the questions you need such as what is their line of research or if they would have any ideas for your project. Your Honors Faculty Advisor may be helpful in directing you to an appropriate sponsor.
It is important for you to pick something you like, especially for those who would like future experience with research and writing. Remember that you will be dedicating a couple of semesters to your project, if not more, and it is nice to pick something that interests you. Once you have found a good sponsor and the professor has decided to sponsor you, ask him or her when would be a good idea to start on your project. It is important that you have most of your topics, questions and an idea of who your sponsor will be by the latest of the middle of your junior year so that you will not have to rush during your senior year. Your senior year will be filled with deadlines, projects and exams-- you must organize yourself well so that your senior honors project is a success.
Who can be my sponsor in my department for the senior honors project?
Your research sponsor should be a faculty member you would like to work with! Maybe a professor you had for a course that you really enjoyed. Perhaps someone whose research sounds especially interesting to you. Ask the other students in your major for suggestions. The idea for your project could be a special problem your professor hasn't had time to complete, or it could be an idea of your own. If it's from your sponsor, then you need to like the type of research they are doing. Often departmental web pages will list publications that describe the type of research different professors are doing.
How many credits do I take for the senior honors project?
Usually students enroll in three hours per semester up to a total of six hours. The minimum is two credits, but students who dedicate more time to the project feel they accomplish more. Check the number of credits your department will let you have by either asking your project sponsor or by checking the course offerings to see what credits the senior honors project can be worth. For example, in Biology, the course choices are 3100:499-001, 002, or 003, worth 1, 2, or 3 credits, resp.
What format should be used for the senior honors project?
Of course this varies depending on your home department. English majors have some guidelines that mathematics majors don't. The title page should be the same for everyone; see the format for the title page at curriculum-project. Note that the readers' signatures should be included as well as the signatures of other faculty involved.
When should I begin the project?
Begin planning for your project during your junior year. The proposal is due to the Honors College office on the 14th week of the last semester of your junior year, or before you have completed 96 credits. Then start working on it as soon as possible afterwards.
