9/15/09
English 102
The Capstone’s Competitive Honors Program
In 2003 The University of Alabama began its very first honors program. The program searched for students who excelled in their academic studies. There are three different honors programs offered at the UA (University of Alabama): Computer Based Honors Program, International Honors Program, and the University Honors Program (UHP). With all of the prestige that comes with being in the honors program, one may wonder, what are the benefits of being in the honors program? As well as what are the setbacks? Also, what kinds of classes are required as an honor student? How do you become an honor student at UA? Through personal interviews and intense research I have found the answers to those various questions on what it’s like to be an honor student at the Capstone.
The University Honors Program roughly makes up ten percent of the incoming freshman at UA. Max Kransy, who is a current member in the UHP was kind enough to answer a few questions I had about the program and what it is like as a student. My first question to Max was “how does one get into the honors program?” “You have to apply to the honors program it’s a very rigorous competition to get a spot” (Krasny). The next question I asked related to the housing the honors program provides its students, “Is it true that honor students get the newest dorms?” “Yes, the honor students get Lakeside and Riverside dorms, which are the newest on campus” (Krasny). These dorms also have a separate room with lock and key and new dining areas. I concluded from the interview that as an honor student at The University of Alabama you are allocated with the best housing on campus to help further your success in the program.
There are also other benefits that come along with being an honor student. They are able to have smaller classrooms with professors who are not graduate students. Honors students also get first priority when it comes to signing up for classes. UHP students will also receive higher preference when it comes to scholarships, internships, and awards. Upon graduation students will receive “University Honors Program, With Thesis, inscribed on their diploma and transcript.” This will be very helpful when it comes to finding a job, because it will make them more competitive in the job market. Although the benefits of being an honor student sounded great, I was still puzzled as to why there were students who have met the requirements necessary to be in the program, and yet were not accepted.
I asked Max “What is the downside to the UHP program.” He responded “The honors course selection is pretty thin, they require you take at least 18 hours of honors classes by the time you graduate, and there are only so many courses that relate to your major”(Krasny). Next I asked Max, “Can you be kicked out of the honors program?” “Yes, I was almost kicked out my first semester they require you to have at least a 3.0 GPA and only give you one semester to get it back if you fall below that.” After Max explained how rigorous the program can be, it made sense why some students may fear the honors program. Especially, with the combination of having difficult classes and high GPA requirements, this can be a heavy burden and also intimidating to first year college students.
Overall, being able to live in new dorms, and having smaller classrooms. Along with early class registration, extra counseling, and a special diploma that could potentially help you with a job in the future are all great benefits that attract many students to the University Honors Program. To the average student at UA looking into the UHP may focus on the negatives such as, the required honors classes, which are much more difficult than regular classes, also the high GPA that is required, which can be stressful to an incoming freshmen trying to keep above a 3.0. Considering the positives and the negatives in being in the honors program, it is fair to say that they are a group of unique and competent individuals who strive for academic excellence.
For more information about joining one of the three honors programs offered at UA you can contact the Honors College Interim Dean Dr. Shane Sharp at ssharpe@bama.ua.edu.
Works Cited
Krasny, Max. "Capstone Honors Program." Interview by Michael R. Kershaw.
"The University of Alabama Honors College." Honors College of the University of Alabama. University of Alabama. Web. 15 Sept. 2009.
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