How do I apply for the honors program?

If you are a high school student applying for fall semester admission to the college, simply complete the Scholarships and College Honors Programs Application.  The application is available online at: http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/forms/scholapp.html.

If you are a transfer student or a continuing CFANS student, simply complete the Honors Application available for download at: http://www.cfans.umn.edu/forms_and_applications,
and submit it to Gary Cooper in room 217c of the Classroom Office Building. The program requires that you complete 60 credits at the University of Minnesota, so if you are a transfer student you will need to have at least 60 credits remaining to complete to be eligible for Honors.

If I don't meet the automatic requirements for the CFANS honors program, can I still apply and get in?

Yes.  Students may apply to the Honors Program at any time provided they will have at least 60 credits from the University of Minnesota at graduation and satisfy the admission requirements.  Admission to the program is ongoing.

Can I take Honors classes from other colleges, and have them qualify for CFANS honors program?

Students in CFANS Honors are welcome to take honors courses offered through other honors programs at the University, but only CFANS Honors Colloquia will satisfy the college Honors Program requirements.

What is the difference between honors program and high distinction?

Students who complete the Honors Program requirements and graduate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher over their last 60 credits are eligible for the Latin Honors designations: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.  Latin honors designations are noted on the diploma.  

The designations of Distinction and High Distinction are simple GPA designations noted on the transcript of students who graduate with an overall GPA of 3.75 or higher. You do not need to participate in honors to have this notation made on your transcript.

Students in the Honors Program may graduate with honors and distinction.  For example, a student who completed the Honors Program with a 3.8 GPA over their last 60 credits and maintained an overall GPA of 3.75 would graduate Magna Cum Laude with Distinction.

When is the appropriate time to start an Honors Experience project?

Students typically begin their Honors Experience during the junior year. Some students have completed the Honors Experience earlier, but it is generally more fulfilling wait until you are further along in your studies.

The Honors Experience generally requires two semesters to complete.  For more information for more information contact Gary Cooper.

Does every student have to take honors classes?

Only students admitted to the Honors Program may take honors classes.  Student admitted to the Honors Program must complete two Honors Colloquia before they graduate.

How hard is it to graduate with honors?

The CFANS Honors Program is intended to provide a learning community and challenge for students who are keen to develop their curiosity and capacity to think critically.  To that end, the CFANS Honors Program requires students to participate in Honors Colloquia and complete a faculty mentored Honors Experience.

The greater challenge to graduating with honors is maintaining the appropriate grade point average over your last 60 credits.  While graduating with honors should be an important goal, participating in the colloquia and undertaking an Honors Experience are important academic enrichment activities in their own right.

How accessible are undergraduate research opportunities and how much time commitment does it require?

In addition to registering for the Honors Experience there are other ways to become involved in research as an undergraduate.  Many faculty have active research programs and are frequently looking for interested undergraduates to assist them.  Your advisor is a good place to begin.  Ask him/her what faculty are doing in the department and how to approach them if you interested in learning more.

The university also sponsors the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).  The UROP program makes funds (up to $1,700.00) available to many undergraduates each semester. The application process is competitive so a thoughtful, well-developed proposal is essential. For more information on the UROP program check their web site at: http://www.urop.umn.edu.