What is the University Honors Program?
Why have I been invited to join the University Honors Program?
What are the benefits of participating in the University Honors Program?
What is expected of me if I join the University Honors Program?
Do students in the University Honors Program have harder courses?
Do students in the University Honors Program have higher GPAs?
What do I have to do to register for my honors courses?
What do I need to do to stay in the University Honors Program?
What happens after I let you know that I wish to join the program?
When do I need to decide?
I still have questions, how can I learn more?
Are there any students I can email to ask questions?
How do I reach Kathy Cooke, the director of the University Honors Program?
What is the University Honors Program?
The University Honors Program brings together students like you—students who have excelled in high school—to create a unique and powerful learning experience. Approximately 60 honors freshmen, along with existing honors students at Quinnipiac, create a small community within the larger Quinnipiac community. The strength of this community is that while you each will share an outstanding record of academic performance with your fellow University Honors Program students, each member will bring different skills, perspectives and backgrounds to the University Honors Program.
Why have I been invited to join the University Honors Program?
Your academic record suggests that the University Honors Program will provide you with the richest possible college experience. Your hard work, your outstanding performance in high school and your excellent academic credentials and accomplishments have earned you this invitation.
What are the benefits of participating in the University Honors Program?
- Excellent courses and enhanced educational opportunities
- Social and cultural events just for University Honors Program students
- A statement on your transcript that you have met the graduation requirements of the University Honors Program
- Special recognition at the graduation ceremony
- Access to a unique community and special events and opportunities
- Letters of recommendation from the University Honors Program
What is expected of me if I join the University Honors Program?
To join the University Honors Program you should:
- Participate in official University Honors Program activities (about three to five per semester), dependent on your schedule. Many opportunities will be available. Past activities have included trips to New York City and its museums, tours of New Haven, theater productions and organized trips to the movies.
- Take an honors section of QU 101 during Fall semester of your freshman year
- Take the required honors courses for your program
- Participate in a senior capstone or seminar experience
Do students in the University Honors Program have harder courses?
Honors courses generally involve additional or more sophisticated work that appeals to honors students themselves. This enhanced coursework is usually not burdensome but instead leads to a number of benefits, including challenges that honors students tend to enjoy and a unique set of educational and cultural opportunities. In addition, you will find that the hard work you put into honors classes pays off in terms of better learning experiences and grades in your nonhonors coursework.
Do students in the University Honors Program have higher GPAs?
Generally, students in honors programs, like the University Honors Program, perform extremely well and, on average, receive grades that exceed those of other students in the University.
What do I have to do to register for my honors courses?
If you join the University Honors Program, you will automatically be:
- Assigned an honors adviser for your major area
- Registered for relevant honors courses in the fall
What do I need to do to stay in the University Honors Program?
To remain in the program after your freshman year you must:
- Maintain a 3.3 GPA
- Continue to participate in the approximately three to five official University Honors Program activities that will take place each semester
- Complete (in most cases) a total of eight honors level courses while at Quinnipiac
What happens after I let you know that I wish to join the program?
Your University Honors experience will begin with special meetings during the June orientation weekend and fall semester move-in and will continue through a wide variety of cultural, academic and social events during the academic year. Your first semester will include participation in an honors section of QU 101, Quinnipiac’s introductory University curriculum course.
When do I need to decide?
If you wish to join the University Honors Program you need to return the form we send you by May 1.
I still have questions, how can I learn more?
There are several ways to learn more! You can:
- Meet students and faculty in the University Honors Program by coming to the honors reception on one of the Admitted Student Days. Admitted Student Days are March 29 and 30. There will be an honors reception each afternoon.
- Chat with students and faculty during the honors chat session. (We'll send you an e-mail with dates and more information.)
- E-mail or call faculty and students. See contact information below.
Are there any students I can e-mail to ask questions?
Yes! Here are some names:
-College of Arts & Sciences, Erin Baier '10, erin.baier@quinnipiac.edu
-College of Arts & Sciences, Angela Julian '10, angela.julian@quinnipiac.edu
-College of Arts & Sciences, Brendan Cline '10, brendan.cline@quinnipiac.edu
-College of Arts & Sciences, Lindsay Dillon '10, lindsay.dillon@quinnipiac.edu
-College of Arts & Sciences, Julianne Gardner '12, julianne.gardner@quinnipiac.edu
-College of Arts & Sciences, Erin Hodgson '12, erin.hodgson@quinnipiac.edu
-College of Arts & Sciences, Melissa Reilly '11, melissa.reilly@quinnipiac.edu
-School of Business, Tim Kurowski '11, timothy.kurowski@quinnipiac.edu
-School of Health Sciences, Matt Mills '11, matthew.mills@quinnipiac.edu
-School of Communications, Jessica Sutcliffe '10, jessica.sutcliffe@quinnipiac.edu
If you like, send your phone number and some convenient times to reach you to Kathy Cooke (see contact information below) and a student will call you.
How do I reach Kathy Cooke, the director of the University Honors Program?
Professor Cooke is available by phone at 203-582-3475 or by e-mail at honorsprogram@quinnipiac.edu.