I have a quick question about Honors notification. Earlier this week, DS received notification of admission to UT through the online MyStatus portal using his UT EID. He also applied for Liberal Arts Honors (LAH) back on September 2. It is my understanding that LAH will attempt to notify applicants who applied by the priority deadline before the winter break, possibly as early as next week. Does anyone know if the notifications from LAH come through the MyStatus portal, or is it initially written notification via snail mail? In reviewing the old threads on this matter it appears that it my be snail mail; however, I’m uncertain.
From my experience (admitted for incoming class of 2014), the LAH notification comes by mail. I do not remember getting a notification through MyStatus. I hope this helps!
Thanks @tardisgirl17, that’s very helpful as it is consistent with what I’ve seen on prior threads. I hope that you are enjoying your experience in LAH. I assume your username is inspired by Dr. Who, good to see there are some BBC America fans out there.
Yes, I am enjoying being in LAH! If you have any more questions about the program, I can try to answer them. You’re correct about my username, and there are many Doctor Who fans at UT as well. They’ve had viewing parties for the new episodes!
@fatherof2boys My Longhorn’s admission to LAH came via snail mail. A few weeks later MyStatus was updated to reflect admission to LAH also.
@tardisgirl17, thank you so much for the invitation to ask some follow-up questions. If my son is accepted into LAH, (fingers crossed), then he likely would choose to stay in the Honors Quad during his freshman year. Can you give me some insight into the material differences between Andrews, Blanton and Carothers. I guess my question presupposes you stayed in the Honors Quad; however, even if you did not I imagine you might have some general perceptions about the three. My wife and I are UT alums however I don’t recall having any friends who stayed in the Honors Quad. Also, if you don’t mind, since you are still relatively earlier in your UT experience, can you tell me what is the average class size for the Honors classes that you have taken? Do you perceive the Honors courses as being harder or having the same level of rigor as the non-Honors course for the same subject? Also, you guys might have an addition to your watch parties next year in the form of DS.
@FloMoMom thanks for the info. My family was pleasantly surprised to find out that DS had been admitted to UT a couple of days ago. As a non auto-admit applicant we were expecting to not hear back from UT until early next year at the earliest. DS and I attended a LAH session on campus and we were told by the program director that if we applied by the priority deadline we might receive an admission decision before the winter break. UT website further stated that applicants to UT who apply for honors might get an earlier admission decision to the University. Part of the motive for DS submitting an application to LAH was to get an early admission decision from UT, which we have now received. We are hoping that’s a good sign respecting his application to LAH.
I actually didn’t live in the Honors Quad, but I do have friends that did. I don’t think there are any major material differences between the dorms. Hopefully someone who knows the Honors Quad better will answer this question. There’s a great sense of community in the Quad, and I think these dorms feel a lot friendlier than the dorm I lived in. I regret not living in the Honors Quad.
The lower-division LAH classes I’ve taken have probably had an average class size of 15 people. With this small size, it’s easy to get to know your professors well and the class can be more flexible. I think that the classes may be more challenging, based on expectations of the professors, but definitely not overwhelming. I would argue that they are more writing-based. It really depends on the class and professor, though. In particular, I’ve enjoyed the discussion component that was present in the honors classes I’ve taken (rather than the professor just lecturing to us).
@fatherof2boys I don’t think you can choose which Honors residence hall when selecting your housing preferences. You can request the Honors quad, but don’t get to specify Andrews, Blanton or Carothers.
Thanks @FloMoMom, if that’s the case then at least it eliminates another thing to stress over if DS is lucky enough to get LAH admission.
@fatherof2boys did your son already apply for housing? If not, do it now. Housing assignments are based on date of original housing application.
@FloMoMom, yes, my son submitted the $50 deposit when he sent in his app back in September. I recall being a freshman at UT back in 1992 and I failed to apply for housing so I had to stay at a crappy dorm on Guadalupe Street. I did not want my son to have to experience that. If I understand the process correctly, we will be offered a housing contract once they are available by the Division of Housing.