Academics

Honors Program

The Honors Program at Alvernia assists students of outstanding intellectual promise and high motivation who are interested in pursuing future graduate or professional studies or who prefer a more challenging program at the undergraduate level. The program recognizes encourages students to achieve academic excellence, often letting them work at their own pace, and facilitates a stimulating exchange of ideas and information between them, with their varied interests and different disciplines. The honors program provides co-curricular activities, service opportunities, and intellectual and social support, adding significant dimensions to the student’s academic program.

The Honors Program provides talented and academically motivated students the opportunity to join an academically challenging and stimulating environment:

1. Students are surrounded by similarly-minded students who take learning seriously.

2. Students are in courses taught by faculty who focus on interdisciplinary topics and active learning styles, as well as emphasize reading and writing.

3. Students take courses on unusual topics that stretch the way they view the world and force them to grapple with complex and ambiguous questions;

4. Students are encouraged to participate in numerous co-curricular opportunities both related and unrelated to their course of study.

Admission to the Program

Students are automatically enrolled in the program based on their high school performance, including GPA, SAT scores, and class rank. The requisite criteria are a 3.5 GPA, an 1100 SAT score, and ranking in the top 25% of their graduating high school class. In addition, students who show academic promise yet do not meet all of these standards may be enrolled in the program. Students who do not meet the automatic admissions requirements, but would like to ensure their consideration for the program should submit a letter of intent to the Director of the Honors Program.

Letter of Intent

The Honors Program seeks individuals with a passion for learning new things, a willingness to achieve excellence, and a sense of excitement about College and their future. In order to assess your interest, please address the following questions in your letter of intent:

1. Why would you like to be in the Honors Program?
2. What talents or skills would you bring to the Program that are important or unique?
3. Which is more important to you—good grades or enhanced understanding of a subject? Why?
4. What is your dream job? How will your undergraduate education help you get there?

For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Victoria Williams, Director of the Honors Program
Francis Hall 406
Office Phone (610) 796-5511
victoria.williams@alvernia.edu
http://www.alvernia.edu/honors