Q: How do I become an Honors student at NGCSU?
A: High school students send in an application, accompanied by two letters of recommendation, to the Program Coordinator. To be eligible for admission, high school students must have an SAT score of 1150 or above and/or a high school GPA of at least 3.5.
Students already enrolled in NGCSU may also apply by sending to the Program Coordinator an application and two letters of recommendation and possibly by participating in an oral interview with the Honors Council. Students already enrolled in NGCSU or transferring from another institution are eligible for admission if they have a college GPA of 3.4 or higher.
Q: Do I have to major in a particular subject?
A: An honors student may major in any subject offered at NGCSU.
Q: If I am in the program, do I take all honors sections?
A: To graduate with an honors designation, students need to take eight (8) honors sections. To be officially recognized as an Honors Program Graduate, students need to take eight (8) honors sections, two of which must be upper-division courses. The preferred strategy for fulfilling the upper-division requirement is to take Honors Research Methods during the junior year and to complete a Senior Thesis the following year.
Q: How do I upgrade non-honors sections?
A: Print the Honors Program Conversion Form and fill it out with the help of your instructor. Give the completed form to the Honors Program coordinator, presently Dr. Steve Smith of the Department of Psychology. Only 3000 and 4000 level classes can be upgraded.
Q: If I am not in the Honors Program, may I still take an honors section?
A: Yes, providing you obtain the permission of the instructor in the form of an override.
Q: What about housing?
A: No obligation exists in terms of where students live.
Q: Will the workload be too heavy?
A: Freshmen in the Honors Program tend to produce GPAs around 3.50. Freshmen who have the grades and SATs to get in the Program but choose not to join produce GPAs around 2.90. Judge for yourself. Honors courses will challenge students--but they will stimulate them, as well. Honors students receive more individual attention from their professors, a fact which usually helps students work more effectively. Honors students will have peer mentors to whom they may turn for help and advice. Most importantly, Honors students make friends with other dedicated students, and this atmosphere is the main reason students in the program are so successful when compared with students not in the program.
Q: Do I get special access to facilities?
A: Yes. All students in the program get their own access code to the Honors Lab, and are granted 24x7 access to this lab.
Q: How will the Honors Program help me after graduation?
A: Honors students benefit from the advice from professional mentors. Honors designation on students’ degree and transcripts also demonstrate to prospective graduate schools and/or employers, and fellowship committees, students’ intellectual achievement, initiative and self-discipline. And honors students will have the benefit of an enhanced learning program, a program which challenges students to develop their intellectual, analytical, and imaginative skills
Q: My question isn't covered here, now what do I do?
A: Refer your question to someone on the Contacts list. They should be able to help.