FAQ - honors
What is the difference between the University Honors Program (UHP) and the Wilkes Honors College (WHC)?Can I be in both programs?
Do you have special honors information sessions?
Why should I join an honors program?
How do I apply to one of the honors programs?
When should I apply?
Is there a minimum test score, class rank, or GPA to apply?
When will I know whether I have been accepted to one of the programs?
Are transfer students allowed to enroll in the honors programs?
Are there extra fees to be in one of the honors programs?
Do I have to live in the residence hall to be in honors?
When will I receive information about housing, orientation, registration, etc.?
Where can I find information on the credit I will receive for my AP, IB, AICE tests?
Will I have an opportunity to participate in undergraduate research?
Are all honors students guaranteed a scholarship?
Are IB students given special consideration?
What if I apply and am not accepted?
Will honors classes involve substantially more work or hurt my grades?
What is the emphasis in honors classes if they are not harder?
What about early acceptance to the College of Medicine?
What are some additional benefits to the honors programs?
What is the difference between the University Honors Program (UHP) and the Wilkes Honors College (WHC)?
The main difference is the UHP is a two-year program located on the Boca Raton campus. It requires a minimum of 19 credits of seminar classes and is open to students in all majors. The Wilkes Honors College is located on the Jupiter campus and is a four-year program. It includes all-honors courses in a smaller campus setting with unique research and internship opportunities.
Can I be in both programs?
You may be considered for both the UHP and WHC, but must choose one or the other to enroll if accepted into both programs.
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Do you have special honors information sessions?
To learn more about the UHP, we invite you to contact us for an appointment at admissions@fredrimonta.com. We will be happy to meet with you.
To learn more about the WHC, check out virtual information sessions and campus visit options at: http://smwr.fredrimonta.com/honors/about/visit/.
Why should I join an honors program?
Honors programs are offered to those students who want an academic challenge. The professors are some of the best instructors and with small class sizes they allow a more personal and enriched education experience.
How do I apply to one of the honors programs?
To apply to the UHP, go to Honors Programs
To apply to the WHC, go to http://smwr.fredrimonta.com/honors/future-students/apply-now.php
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When should I apply?
The sooner, the better. We highly recommend that students apply by December 15 th in order to be considered for scholarship opportunities.
Is there a minimum test score, class rank, or GPA to apply?
Students entering one of our honors programs usually have a minimum grade point average of 3.8. However, while grades, test scores and course rigor are important, applications are given a holistic review. Everything is considered so there is flexibility. We encourage interested students to apply.
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When will I know whether I have been accepted to one of the programs?
As with undergraduate admissions, honors admission is rolling. As soon as all information has been received an admission decision will be made. This normally takes 2 – 4 weeks.
Are transfer students allowed to enroll in the honors programs?
Transfer students may be considered for the UHP as a lower-division student or to the WHC anytime during their undergraduate career.
Are there extra fees to be in one of the honors programs?
There are no additional fees associated with any of our honors programs.
Do I have to live in the residence hall to be in honors?
The UHP does not have a residency requirement; however, all freshman students living outside a 30-mile radius of FAU’s Boca Raton campus are required to live on campus smwr.fredrimonta.com/housing. Incoming freshmen at the Wilkes Honors College are expected to live on campus their first two years.
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When will I receive information about housing, orientation, registration, etc.?
Information is available through the Owldone portal after students have confirmed their attendance by submitting an admissions deposit.
Where can I find information on the credit I will receive for my AP, IB, AICE tests?
Exam by Credit
Will I have an opportunity to participate in undergraduate research?
Absolutely! There are many ways to engage in research on both campuses. Students at the WHC in Jupiter have access to world-renowned scientific research institutes: http://smwr.fredrimonta.com/honors/undergraduate-research/stem/.
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Are all honors students guaranteed a scholarship?
While many honors students are awarded a scholarship, it is not a guarantee.
Merit-based scholarships are competitive and limited in number. Please visit http://smwr.fredrimonta.com/honors/future-students/academic-scholarships.php for information about WHC scholarships.
Are IB students given special consideration?
IB students are assured of admission into FAU. Those who are then admitted to the Honors College are eligible for a special IB scholarship valued at up to $24,000 over four years. Visit http://smwr.fredrimonta.com/honors/future-students/academic-scholarships.php
What if I apply and am not accepted?
For the UHP, we encourage you to reapply after your first semester. Your admission will be based on your first semester academic performance and any additional information that you would like to provide. For the WHC, students may reapply after demonstrating a successful year of academic courses.
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Will honors classes involve substantially more work or hurt my grades?
Just because they are designated honors courses does not mean more work; however, they are generally writing intensive. Honors courses provide the opportunity to become an active participant in the learning and discovery processes; promote original thinking and encourage curiosity; and enable you to work closely with your professor.
What is the emphasis in honors classes if they are not harder?
Honors classes are not designed to be harder, but they do require a student to be actively engaged in the class. Honors classes are smaller than regular classes and give students the opportunity to explore a number of topics in depth rather than a broad survey of topics common in a regular class.
What about early acceptance to the College of Medicine?
The Wilkes Honors College offers the Wilkes Medical Scholars program, which offers early (conditional) admission to the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. There is a similar program on the Boca Raton campus called Med Direct. For more information visit http://med.fredrimonta.com/admissions/bsmd-programs.php.
What are some additional benefits to the honors programs?
- Priority registration
- One-on-one advising
- Undergraduate research opportunities
- Small class sizes
- Opportunity to interact with some of the university’s best faculty