Chances at Honors College

carbonbeach
Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:42:51 +0000

Our D has a 4.3 weighted, 3.8+ unweighted, National Honor Society, very rigorous course schedule (AP, one college course this semester, etc.). However, her SAT scores were lower than she expected at 1200 CR and Math. She probably would have declined honors, but we were surprised she wasn’t offered it. She had great ECs with lots of community service, diversity in ECs, and leadership experience. I was told she probably barely was bypassed for Honors due to the slightly lower than expected SAT scores (in retrospect she should have taken the ACT, too). The college adviser suggested she contact her after receiving her first semester HS grades and she’d probably get in with no problem. She also mentioned a lot of students apply after their first semester or year at UA and if their college grades are good they get in then. I think that’s a pretty good idea because then you’ll also have an idea how much extra honors work you can handle and hear the real campus word on the Honors College, getting a better handle on if it’s for you.

As for the Honors College, I can’t speak for it personally. I know some participate more in the Honors College activites than others, but some baseline participation is, of course, expected, such as a senior thesis, minimum GPA, etc. Your college adviser for UA should be able to tell you much more than the UA website. One of the main perks seen for UA’s Honors program is that you can to register for classes very early with the upperclassmen. The college adviser explained to our D that wasn’t a huge issue because if you wake up early and stay on top of registration, even petition professors to get in their classes after others drop out, you should get all the classes you want.

I suggest you call your school’s UA rep for the best explanation. I assume you’ve visited the UA Honors website? Good luck!