Honor's College: Program sees increase in applicant interest

The number of applications for the Honors College, and the average grade point average of enrolled students, has increased significantly in recent years. The number of applications for the college increased to 825 for the current semester, up from 759 in Fall 2005 and 456 in Fall 2004. Enrollment has held steady, indicating an increasingly selective admissions process. In Fall 2001 the average Honors College student had a GPA of 3.68. The average has increased to 3.96 this fall. Maria Fracasso, dean of the Honors College, said that the Honors College has also seen a clear increase in average SAT scores. "Over the past three years, the average GPA has increased by 0.2 points and the SAT average has increased 40 points on the verbal/math section," Fracasso said. "Our Fall 2006 freshman had an average weighted high school GPA of 3.96, average SAT of 1870, and 75 percent ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class." Until two years ago, the number of applicants equaled the number of admitted students. But this fall, only 70 percent of applicants were admitted. When considering applicants, the Honors College looks at SAT scores and grade point average, among other attributes. High school students applying are expected to have a grade point average of 3.7 or higher and a combined SAT of 1800 or higher. Current and transfer students are expected to have a minimum of 3.5 college GPA. "The Honors College has increased its standards, but not just because of increasing applications," Fracasso said. "We are finding that raising standards is also increasing the interest in the Honors College from prospective students." She said a simplified admission process and a more challenging curriculum have contributed to the increase in applications. "The increase in applications in recent years is for several reasons," Fracasso said. "There have been a number of enhancements to the Honors College including expanded curricular and extracurricular opportunities, and expanded scholarship opportunities." The monetary incentive is definitely part of the Honors College attraction, along with the ability to register early, live in honors housing, and participate in small classes. "I heard about the scholarship I could get, as well as getting to live in a different dorm and sign up for classes early," sophomore computer science major Casey Calvert said. "[I] just thought those would be nice benefits to have." Vicki Moore, a sophomore elementary education major, said she first considered the college after receiving information from it over the summer. To Moore, applying sounded attractive because of the "$4,000 scholarship and the honor classes sounded pretty interesting." Fracasso said that while the scholarship attracts students, it is not the only reason for applying. "Scholarships certainly attract some students, but they are also looking for academic challenge, recognition, and the opportunity to interact with other high achieving students," Fracasso said. A majority of honors students are admitted during their freshman year, but current and transfer students still apply.

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