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If your student is intellectually curious and wants to be surrounded by a cohort of peers who are too, one of the freshman honors programs at the University of Texas at Austin might be a good fit. Unlike some universities, UT doesn’t have just one honors track. Instead, it offers three paths: a college-wide program, department-specific programs, and major-specific programs.
The honors programs offer a home-within-a-home on campus, inspiring gifted students with rigorous classes, world-class professors and thought leaders, and dedicated advisors. Plus, the smaller size of each program gives students a close-knit community where they can make deep connections.
To be considered for an honors program, the student first applies to the University overall, then adds an honors program application. Alternatively, students can enter their honors essay on the ApplyTexas Application. Students can start the application process by responding to the short-answer question(s) of the program of their choice, which will display on their ApplyTexas or Coalition application. Most freshman honors programs also require a separate expanded resume, and some require one letter of recommendation.
Students self-report on their resume any AP or IB scores they may have taken or plan to take.
Here’s a look at some of UT’s most popular honors programs:
LIBERAL ARTS HONORS
LAH is a college-wide program that embraces 140 freshmen each year. Started in 1990, it is considered a small liberal arts college within the larger research university. Students in the program still have a declared major. For example, you might major in Mexican American Studies within the Liberal Arts Honors program. But students also get to strengthen their critical thinking skills through required LAH classes, such as “Reacting to the Past” and “Ideas of Civic Engagement.”
The multi-disciplinary approach offers an interactive and flexible curriculum that stresses real-world application. Liberal Arts Honors students often study abroad and participate in internships. They see themselves as global citizens and natural leaders. The program provides talented students with enriched learning opportunities as they move through their college years. If students want to “be the change they want to see in the world,” this program is for them.
LAH admissions requirements:
PLAN II HONORS
Plan II is an interdisciplinary arts and science honors major with a core curriculum. This curriculum builds from one year to the next, with specific courses offered in a carefully designed order to empower students with problem solving abilities, analytical skills, and writing prowess. The work culminates in a capstone thesis, an extensive independent research and writing project.
Students working toward a Plan II degree are allowed to take electives, but they must follow the Plan II core curriculum requirements. The Plan II Honors requirements range from a year-long world literature course from the ancients to the present, to a four-semester sequence in modes of reasoning, theoretical math or calculus, life sciences, and physical sciences.
Many students in this program are planning on graduate school, whether in economics, history, medicine, or law. Often, Plan II students take an additional year and earn a second, specialized degree––in business or architecture, for example. It is intellectually rigorous. These are students who enjoy engaging in scholarly debate both inside and outside the classroom, who aren’t afraid of leading discussions, and who seek rigor in their coursework.
Plan II is often compared to an Ivy League-style of education. Admission is competitive, with around 1.400 applications for 175 freshman spots. Admission criteria is holistic, often taking into consideration a student’s intellectual spirit, imagination, and originality, as well as leadership skills and the desire for a broad education. In other words, if your student loves to learn and enjoys being challenged, this may be the right home for them.
Plan II admission requirements:
THE CANFIELD BUSINESS HONORS PROGRAM
BHP offers students with academic abilities and leadership skills the analytical tools and interpersonal skills needed to thrive as a business leader. The CBHP is a degree program within the highly-ranked McCombs School of Business. It provides intellectual challenge and professional development for students, while also providing a smaller community group in the McCombs environment.
CBHP courses are accelerated and modeled after those in the MBA program. In fact, the McCombs School's most experienced faculty teach CBHP classes. There's an emphasis on class discussion and presentations, case study analysis, and research on actual business decision-making. The small class size (generally 30-45 students, restricted to students in the program) encourages deep interaction between students and faculty and creates a welcoming learning community.
CBHP provides students with training, networking opportunities, and support during their college years. Admissions is competitive, but according to UT, those who do find a spot feel that the effort it took to get accepted pays off.
CBHP admissions requirements:
THE TURING SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Turing is an honors program hosting approximately 150 students that is designed to challenge outstanding Computer Science undergraduates. The program's curriculum offers an accelerated path through the department's core CS curriculum, which itself is the nation’s 8th-ranked computer science program.
If you are admitted to the Turing Scholars Honors Program as a freshman, you take the special sections of the freshman classes and the special sophomore Turing Scholars classes. The Turing program also provides honors versions of popular upper-division classes and includes an undergraduate honors thesis that allows students to explore cutting-edge research. There is a minimum number of honors classes that you must complete in order to graduate as a Turing Scholar in Computer Science.
The Turing Scholars Honors Program considers a range of applicants, from those new to computer science to those who have taken so many CS classes that they would place out of the freshman sequence. But a demonstrated interest in computer science through classes or personal projects is definitely a plus for applicants.
Based on information from UT and student feedback, along with stats for placement in summer jobs and internships, scholarship awards, and corporate endorsement, it's clear that the Turing Scholars Honors Program is a valuable and enriching program.
Turing Scholars Program admissions requirements:
College of Natural Sciences honors programs fall into three categories: college programs, departmental programs, and academic distinctions.
CNS COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAMS
CNS's college honors programs allow motivated students to take advantage of the resources of one of the largest science colleges in the world. Each program is designed to foster faculty-student collaboration and to promote exploration of academic, cultural, and social interests. Students can apply to one of three cohorts:
CNS Departmental Honors Programs
CNS ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS AND HONORS EVENTS
Academic distinctions and honors events celebrate and recognize exceptional achievement through departmental honors, honors societies, and special events.
CNS Honors Admissions requirements:
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