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Will
all my courses be honors courses?
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No.
Most students take two Honors courses
each year out of an average of eight
to ten semester courses. No specific
Honors courses are required until you
declare a major. The number required
then varies from department to department,
but is seldom more than two per year. |
| Won't
being in Honors lower my grades and
make it more difficult to get into graduate
school?
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No.
You should not expect your grades in
Honors courses to be lower than your
grades in non-Honors courses. Faculty
teaching Honors courses are aware of
the ability and motivation of Honors
students and grade accordingly. Moreover,
many students find that, since they
are more motivated in Honors courses,
they get better grades in Honors courses.
Many students earn nothing but As in
Honors courses. Graduate and professional
schools (as well as employers) evaluate
the quality of courses, not just grade
point average. Admissions officers and
prospective employers view your Honors
courses as evidence that you are highly
motivated and willing to work harder
to get the most from your undergraduate
education. |
| Will
being in Honors restrict my study in
any way?
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No.
All opportunities available to non-Honors
students are available to you. The Honors
Division enriches your learning experience
and offers you more options. |
| Shouldn't
I wait until I see how I do at the
University before I join Honors? |
No.
Every year we talk to students who are sorry
they waited to join. No extra demands are
made upon you at the start, and Honors advantages
begin with your application to the program.
We provide our applicants with everything
they need to know before they arrive on
campus. Our special Honors orientation program
gives you a friendly introduction to the
University and reduces the stress of the
transition from high school to college.
It is important for you to get to know each
other and for us to get to know you as soon
as possible, so we can begin to help you
find campus resources that meet your personal
needs and interests. Finally, it will be
to your benefit to take advantage as a freshman
of everything Honors-CLA offers. You will
not be required to take any Honors courses
you do not feel comfortable about taking.
Most new students find that Honors provides
extra help, not extra pressure. |
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Are
Honors courses more difficult than
non-Honors courses? |
Most
Honors courses are accelerated or cover
material in greater depth. These might
require additional reading or writing.
Yet, the major difference is not how
much you do, but what you do. Students
say Honors courses require less "busy
work" and more independent research,
with the total workload being about
the same. Moreover, Honors advisors
help you work to your capacity without
overloading. |
| Does
being in Honors cost more? |
No.
Tuition and fees are the same whether
you are in Honors or not. There are
no extra costs whatsoever. In fact,
participation in Honors may help you
win additional merit aid as a freshman
and as a continuing student. Honors
students win most of CLA's academic
merit scholarships. |
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How
do I get a University application?
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If
you need a University application, write
the University of Minnesota Admissions
Office, 240 Williamson Hall, 231 Pillsbury
Drive S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455. Or
you can call the Admissions Office:
Twin Cities, 625-2008; elsewhere in
Minnesota or out of state, call 1-800-752-1000. |
| How
do I get an Honors application?
(new window) |
If
you would like to apply to Honors-CLA, call
or write the Admissions Office to request
a copy of the booklet, "Academic Scholarships
and Honors Programs for Freshmen." |
| What
are the admissions requirements? |
Admission
to Honors-CLA is selective. Generally, the
freshmen we admit are in the top 10 percent
of their high school classes and score at
least 28 (composite) on the ACT or 1260
(combined verbal and math) on the SAT. If
you do not meet both of these requirements
but wish to apply, you will be considered
on the basis of information in your application
materials. |
| How
can I get more information? |
The
Honors-CLA staff will be glad to answer
your questions. Simply call (612) 624-5522,
or write the Honors-CLA, College of Liberal
Arts, 20 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Dr. SE, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
MN 55455. We will be glad to meet with you
(and your parents) if you want a personal
orientation to the Honors Division. Please
give us advance notice of your visit.
If you want to visit the campus—something
we highly recommend—call the VISITLINE
(612) 625-0000 to make reservations
for a campus tour.
We are here to help you in any way that
we can. If you have questions, do not
hesitate to contact us. We will do all
we can to help you become a successful
student at the University of Minnesota.
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