Frequently Asked Questions - Honors Experiential Events

What is the difference between ‘Honors Opportunities’ and ‘Honors Experiential Events’?

Honors Opportunities are the many ways in which you can work toward earning your Freshman/Sophomore Honors Certificate. All of your options for honors opportunities are listed here. Note: At least two of your honors opportunities need to take place in the classroom. Classroom experiences are Honors Seminar (HSEM) courses and any departmental courses with H or V designators.

Honors Experiential Events are optional, pre-approved, eclectic, on- and off-campus events. You can satisfy one of the honors opportunities for the Freshman/Sophomore Honors certificate by attending four experiential events and writing a short reflective essay for each.

Do all four experiential events + the reflective essays have to be in different semesters?

No. You can attend the four experiential events at any stage during your freshman and sophomore years. New events are posted at the start of each term.

Are the experiential events a wise option if I have a lot of PSEO/AP/IB transfer credits and I will officially be a Freshman/Sophomore for only 1 or 2 semesters?

It depends. The experiential events serve best those students who have at least three semesters to complete the Freshman/Sophomore Honors Certificate or for those who may have many graded credits, but still plan to be at the U for four years. We recommend you visit your Honors-CLA advisor to discuss what would be best for you.

What if I can’t be there for the entire time of the event?

Students who are unable to be present for an entire event should choose another event that fits their schedule. We offer a variety of days and times each term.

If your schedule is simply too busy to allow attendance to the experiential events, you may find it best to complete the honors opportunities in the more traditional way - in the classroom setting. We would be happy to discuss with you which honors opportunities suit your situation. Call us at 612-624-5522 and set an appointment with your advisor to discuss your options.

May I attend the exact same event held on a different evening than the event’s designated date/time and have it count as an experiential event?

Yes, but ONLY if you email Rebecca Dosch-Brown (dosch018@umn.edu) ahead of time and let her know which evening/date/time you plan to attend.

Honors-CLA Events Calendar and Descriptions