<p>Watchman - Maybe I’m misunderstanding what you’re saying, but everyone in college has the opportunity to take an honors major, provided that their grades are high enough. In other words, the intelligent students get put into the honors program, based on how they perform in college or high school - it’s not based on money, unless you’re arguing that poor people are dumber. Yes, a poor person probably had fewer resources in HS, but once he/she is in college, assuming the poor kid is smart, he/she can also make it in the Honors program, regardless of skin color. You’re saying certain ethnicities value education more, and I agree, and you can’t help how you’re raised, but what’s your point - intelligent, hard working students shouldn’t get rewarded because there’s students who are not as smart or hardworking? makes no sense. it’s not like the honors program is limitied to white/asian people. In my college, anyone is free to pursue the honors track provided they have the right grades. </p>
<p>Back on topic, definitely free printing, and something to spice up the common room/lounge - maybe a new TV or new furniture?</p>
<p>Maybe because a change in priorities might help change the part of the “capitalist structure” they’re supposed to fill.</p>
<p>Also, how do you feel about dorms that have different prices? How about the school offering different tiers of meal plans? Not everyone can afford the best meal plan; how dare they stick it to those students that can’t afford as many luxuries in their education.</p>
<p>I don’t think watchman is denying that good students deserve recognition, because they do, but awarding them better dorms, study rooms, foods etc, is not conducive to a learning environment. </p>
<p>As stupid as it sounds to some people, it IS elitist, it reinforces the idea to regular students that honors kids are somehow better people than they themselves are. I’ve been a straight-A student my entire life, and as tempting as it would be to accept that kind of treatment, I think it’s outrageous. I think it’s appropriate that honors kids get separate dorms, being around the same kind of people as yourself is always more enjoyable, but treating them better for that reason is a slap in the face to everyone else.</p>
<p>Also, Racinreaver, as painful as it is to admit, money does in fact run a large part of the world, and it’s true that we need to accept, to some extent, the idea that wealthier kids will always have some kind of advantage, but the difference between those two scenarios is that the school actually has the power to do something about it.</p>
<p>colleges compete for the best students and offer fin aid and
perks to the ones they want. After college, businesses, schools
etc compete for the best candidates and do pretty much the same
You prove yourself and most of the time you get rewarded. If you
don’t want the perks - moral scruples etc you can always turn them
down and live in a craphole. Problem solved.</p>
<p>simpson - I agree it’s elitist, but i don’t see anything wrong with it. our society is a capitalistic one and we’re taught to be competitive from an early age. In school, the the best athletes were often rewarded by being captain of the sports team. the kid who did best on the spelling test got a sticker next to their name on the bulletin board. the kid who won the talent show got a trophy. in college, it is natural for the administration to encourage students to be as intelligent and hard-working as possible, so they offer perks, which attracts the brightest students and also encourages current students to work harder for good grades, thus making the college look better and encourage students to challenge themselves and learn more. yes, it’s unfair to the poor sap who’s getting C’s, but I think the smartest and hardest workers deserve small treats like free printing and comfy armchairs. it’s not really a huge deal either.</p>
<p>I think some of you need a wake-up call. You’re honors students, not royalty. At least at my school, you already get to pick classes before everyone else, have better advisers, and get reserved spaces in the best dorms, what more could you possible need? Not to mention, honors students tend to get more scholarships than regular students, so you’re paying less for school.</p>
<p>Free laundry? What does that have to do with academics? Plasma TVs? Definitely not conducive to studying.</p>
<p>^who cares if it’s conducive to studying? the point is, perks for bright students attract more bright students, and colleges want to have smart student bodies. whether or not it’s conducive to studying is irrelevant. i’ve noticed some colleges have perks for athletes, or even musically talented students - so why not reward students who are intelligent as well. after all, colleges are about learning (from the administration’s point of view I mean :))</p>
<p>Bwhaha! You need to check your assumptions. Scholarships aren’t just for honors students, unlike early class registration or reserved spaces. You make it seem like being an honors student automatically gives a bunch of stuff. Honors student isn’t something you’re born with pal, it’s something you work for and hard at that. If you’re so butthurt over stuff like this in high school, the real world is going to be a slap in the face. </p>
<p>Harder or smarter workers get rewarded. This is how it is and how it should be. I dread the day when people start bawing over how employers should disregard grades or work performance because ‘after all, not everyone was raised to succeed!’ Some people say, no, work performance is a perfectly valid way to assess who gets raises and who doesn’t. Guess what? Grades are the same thing. Carry on :)</p>
<p>Scholarships aren’t just for honors students, and I don’t think the poster you quoted was saying that they were, but honor students do tend to get more merit-based aid, because merit aid is based on similar qualities/attributes as being accepted into an honors program.</p>
<p>Did I say that scholarships were just for honors students? No, I said that honors students as a whole get more scholarships than regular students, which is not a bad thing. They deserve them based on their GPAs and test scores.</p>
<p>What I was trying to say was that the rewards that Honors college students get should be based related to academics. After all, that’s the reason you’re in the honors college. If you get better grades, then great, you should get reserved class spaces and all that jazz, but you shouldn’t get free laundry.</p>
<p>Oh, and I’m not in high school, Miss Silvestris.</p>
<p>Point duly noted, thank you. However it sounded as if you were using the face that honors students typically get more scholarships than non-honors (a logical supposition I suppose) as a way to justify that they get too much already, which is an odd and opinion-based judgement. </p>
<p>And of course not. Free laundry? Why? I’m not arguing that honors kids should get plasma TVs, I’m merely refuting the basis on which your argument lies. I myself chose not to be in honors for various reasons, so it’s not like I’d get any benefits from something like this happening anyways.</p>
<p>Hi,
Interesting discussion here however I am lost!
What is an Honors Dorm and how do you gain the privilege (?) of residing in that specific dorm?
(And, yes, I am in High School) :P</p>
<p>It’s a dorm where kids in the Honors Program live. You “gain the privilege” of living in it if you’re accepted to the Honors Program of the school, which has varying requirements and applications depending on the school.</p>
<p>Criteria for Entrance
Each honors program has its own entrance requirements. Here are possible requirements colleges may consider when admitting students to their honors program:</p>
<p>High GPA (usually 3.5 or higher)
High college admission test scores (usually a combined score of 1160 or higher on the SAT and/or 26 or higher on the ACT)
Strong high school curriculum
In top five or ten percent of high school graduation class
Letters of recommendation
Essay
Interview
Please keep in mind that the list above contains examples of what colleges may consider for admittance into an honors program. Some programs will only have one or two requirements, while other programs will have more. Check with the college’s coordinator of the honors program to find out the specific entrance requirements. </p>
<p>How to Apply
For some schools, if you meet their entrance requirements for the honors program, you are automatically accepted into the program (you just have to notify them if you do not want to participate). For other schools, you may have to fill out an application in addition to meeting the main criteria. If your school requires an application, be sure to find out the deadline for submission. </p>
<p>Benefits of Joining
The benefits of joining a college honors program are numerous and may vary from school to school. Here are just a few examples:</p>
<p>Small classes. Small class sizes enable students to form more fulfilling relationships with their professors and with other students because they allow for more interaction and discussion. Usually, honors classes have no more than 25 students.
Graduate school preparation. At many schools, the class regimen of an undergraduate honors class is similar to that of a graduate class. Many honors classes place a great deal of emphasis on continuing education through graduate school.
Special activities. Students who participate in an honors program often get to participate in honors retreats, cultural events at theaters and museums, campus-wide recognition banquets, dinners with faculty members, etc. This is a great way to start networking.
Scholarship opportunities. At some schools, students who participate in the honors program may also qualify for certain scholarships. Check with your school’s honors program to see if they offer any scholarship opportunities for program participants.
Priority registration. Some schools allow priority scheduling for students in the honors program. This helps to ensure that honors students will be able to complete their individualized academic programs.
Honors degree. Students who graduate in the honors program will have that notation recorded on their diplomas and permanent records. This is a valuable addition to resumes.<br>
If you are interested in joining an honors program, contact the director of the program at your school. He/she will be able to inform you of any regulations and benefits of the honors program specific to your school.</p>