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What is the University Scholars Program?
The
University Scholars Program is a two-year honors program available to
qualified incoming freshmen students on the Boca Raton Campus of Florida
Atlantic University. Freshmen students from all majors and colleges are
eligible for the Program.
What
are the requirements of the Program?
The
University Scholars Program is a two-year program which students begin
in their freshmen year. It consists of a minimum Honors Core of 16
credits.
12
credits are comprised of 4
Honors Seminars, usually taken during the
freshmen year. 1 credit of the
SLS 1501 -
Introduction to Academic Life is taken during the fall
semester of the freshmen year.
3
additional credits are taken during the freshmen or sophomore years and
consist of Honor sections of regular core classes, upper division Honor
substitutes, elective Honor seminars or directed independent study
courses approved by the Dean.
In
addition to academic requirements, students perform twenty hours of
community service during the freshmen year.
The
University Scholars Program requires a student maintain a 3.0 grade
point average (GPA) in Honors courses and a cumulative 3.5 at the
conclusion of 60 hours of college credit and fulfill their community
service requirement. Students receive an Honors Certificate at the
Honors Awards Ceremony held in the fall semester of the junior year. A
notation of "honors" will be made on their final transcript.
What do I need to get into the Program?
The
Program admits a limited number of students each year. Most admitted
students will have a 1800 SAT/26 ACT and a 3.3 GPA. You must first be admitted
to Florida Atlantic University.
What if I do not meet those requirements?
Students who feel their test scores and/or GPA do not reflect their
ability to succeed in the Program can apply and they can be given
Probationary admittance if there is space available in the Program. In
applying students must indicate the reasons why they feel their test
scores/GPA do not reflect their abilities and what other special
circumstances should be considered. If they do well in the first
semester they will be given full admittance.
How
do I apply?
You
can apply on-line by going to our
application page. Also you can copy that page and mail in. Also
if you received a brochure from the Program, you can follow the
application instructions listed in the brochure.
What if I am a Presidential Scholar?
If
you have been awarded a
Presidential Scholarship, you are strongly encouraged to apply
to the University Scholars
Program.
Your qualifications
are strong and most likely you will be admitted.
Is there any financial aid that goes with the Program?
The University
Scholars Program does not award any separate financial aid or
scholarships. Various scholarships (Presidential, Martin Luther King,
etc) may be applied for through the
Admissions Office. Additional financial aid is available through
the
University Financial Aid Office.
Is there special Honors Housing?
Although an Honors Living and Learning Community is offered during
certain years, this option will not be available for the 2009-2010
academic year. There will, however, still be a special University
Scholars section of the First Year Experience course, as well as the
University Scholars seminars themselves, which create a unique kind of
learning community.
What classes do I take in the University Scholars Program?
The University Scholars Program is a Program of 5 Honors classes and the
SLS 1501 -
Introduction to Academic Life. During the first year students take four Honors Seminars
plus the Seminar. In their second year they take an additional
Honors class. Students also will take regular freshmen core classes
during this period.
What are the Honors Seminars?
The
Seminars are specially designed classes for students in the Program.
They are developed and taught by some of the top-ranking faculty at
Florida Atlantic University. They substitute for regular freshman core
classes. For a list of past Honors Seminars, go to the link
Honors Seminars.
Will being in University Scholars Program increase the number of courses
I have to take?
No.
Honors seminars in the Program substitute for the courses you are
required to take as a freshman and sophomore.
What if I am a pre-professional student (e.g. pre-med, pre-law) or
enrolled in the one of the engineering or science programs, will I be
able to be in the University Scholars Program?
Yes. Many of our students are enrolled in the pre-professional programs
or are in the various engineering and science programs.
Will being in the University Scholars Program help me either in getting
into graduate or professional school?
Definitely. As this is an Honors Program, your participation will mark
you as a serious and successful student.
Will being the University Scholars Program be a problem if I want to
transfer to another university?
No.
If anything it will help you as it will indicate that you are a good
student.
What about Gordon Rule Writing classes?
All
FAU students are required to take 4 Gordon Rule writing classes. All Honors Seminars seminar are Gordon
Rule writing classes. Thus, students fulfill their writing requirement
through the Honors Seminars. For more information about the Gordon Rule
and other concerns of freshmen, go the
FAQ page of
Freshman Academic Advising Services.
As a student in the University Scholars Program, will I get special
advisement and priority at registration?
Yes. Students in the Program are especially advised personally by
Assistant Director Hyacinth Wideman. As students in the Program they do
not have to go through the regular advising process during registration,
thus they do not have to stand in long lines waiting for an advisor and
they are given priority in registration to ensure they get all the
classes they need and want. Mrs. Wideman strives to ensure that any academic or
advising problems students have are dealt with immediately. Furthermore,
she is available any time for additional assistance or advising.
Are Honors Seminars more difficult than regular freshman classes?
It
is hard to say if they are more difficult; however, they are very
different. Instead of large lecture classes, Honors seminars are small
classes where students get a lot of individual attention and feedback.
In an Honors Seminar students explore a small number of topics in depth,
rather than do a broad survey of topics common in regular freshmen
classes.
Will being in the University Scholars Program hurt my college in GPA?
Because of the small class size, individual attention and large amount
of student/faculty interaction and feedback, we find that students
typically do better in their Honors seminars than in their regular
freshmen classes. Frequently students note that the grades in their
Honors seminars have helped their overall GPA.
What happens when I complete the Program?
Most
students complete the requirements in their second year and in the fall
of the junior year we have a ceremony in which they are awarded their
certificates of completion by either the President or the University
Provost. Students are allowed to invite their family and friends to this
ceremony. In addition, your completion of the Program will be noted on
your University transcript. Students then go on to continue their
undergraduate program in the department in which they are majoring. |
