USI » Honors Program » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

about the USI Honors Program

How will I benefit from the USI Honors Program?

Educational opportunities that are broader in scope or greater in depth than regular courses
Increased opportunity to develop your full potential for intellectual achievement
Increased opportunity for independent study, specialized work, and tutorial relationships with faculty
Enhanced opportunity to develop verbal and written communication skills, critical thinking, and investigative learning
Increased opportunity to develop leadership potential through collaborative learning
Participation in a community of other motivated students and faculty, including co-curricular and extracurricular activities
Priority registration (Day One of early registration)
Smaller Classes
Being a part of building the USI Honors Program and having a say in its future
Recognition on your diploma and transcript and at Commencement
A competitive edge in the areas of: fellowships, grants, graduate and professional schools applications, and the job market

Who is eligible for the USI Honors Program?

Students earning a combined score of 1200+ on the SAT Math and Critical Reading sections or an ACT composite score of 27+ are automatically accepted to the USI Honors Program upon application (given a HS GPA of at least 3.0)
Other interested students are encouraged to apply (evaluation is based on cumulative grade point average, class rank and extracurricular activities)
Students with 15+ semester hours at USI or elsewhere with a cumulative 3.25 GPA may also apply

How do I earn Honors credit?

Enroll in a "stand-alone" Honors section (one where all students are taking the course for Honors credit, such as HONS 101 or ENG 101H)
Enroll in an Honors "contract" section (one where the students taking the course for Honors credit complete an additional component for Honors credit -- that component is outlined in what is known as the Honors contract -- such as HUM 211H)
Develop an Honors component in a course not scheduled for Honors credit by talking with the professor -- this is known as an "ad hoc" Honors course -- click here for examples
For Honors Contract Form, click here

What are Honors courses like?

Will all of my courses be Honors courses?

No, students pick and choose what courses they would like to take for honors credit

What are the Honors faculty like?

Imagine your favorite high school teacher. . . Well, our USI Honors Faculty is shockingly close
Professors are not "out to get" the students
Professors enjoy and appreciate the stimulation Honors' minds bring to the classroom
Professors are friendly, helpful, and willing to do what they can for you
Professors want to challenge the Honors student to reach his/her highest levels of academic excellence

What academic recognition do I earn by participating in the USI Honors Program?

Every course for which Honors credit is earned is noted on the transcript
Students fulfilling the Honors Program requirements will graduate as a University Honors Scholar

To graduate as a University Honors Scholar:

Students must complete undergraduate work with a cumulative GPA of 3.25+
Students must complete 21 minimum hours of honors credit with an A or B grade
Students must take Hons 101: Issues for the 21st Century
Students must take an honors component to their senior synthesis course or an approved substitute
This title will be indicated on USI diplomas and transcripts
Honors cords are awarded to be worn at Commencement

I'm thinking about coming to USI, but I'm also looking at "Big Name University." Why USI and why Honors?

Actually, economists (at Princeton, no less) have looked at the question of the economic payoff of pursuing a college degree at an "elite" college or university -- and they found that the selectivity of the school in terms of admissions criteria doesn't pay off in higher income over one's career -- "[S]tudents' motivation, ambition, and desire to learn have a much stronger effect on their subsequent success than the average academic ability of their classmates" (National Bureau of Economic Research)
What appears to be as important or more important than where you go to college is what you do when you're there -- participating in things such as Honors is a great way to distinguish yourself...

Are student organizations affiliated with the USI Honors Program?

Most Honors Program members are active across campus and are involved in areas such as student government, the AMIGOs, Student Ambassadors, Resident Assistants, fraternities, sororities, and many more
Honors students may run for office on the USI Honors Student Council

Is special housing available for USI Honors Program participants?

The Honors Living-Learning Community (LLC) resides in the honors wing of Ruston Hall (the Honors LLC also involves a Freshman Interest Group course cluster)
This living area is available to Freshman honors students only
Ruston Hall features suite-style living: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a common area
It also has 24 hour computer labs and laundry facilities

How do I sign up?

Request an application from: