Prospective Students
Is the Honors Program open to all majors?
Yes! Honors cultivates an interdisciplinary community, joining students from a variety
of backgrounds with a diversity of interests.
Why should I apply to the Honors Program?
Honors at Wilkes provides students with resources and opportunities that enhance their
intellectual, personal and professional development; their participation in the Wilkes
campus community; and their preparation for post-graduation success. These include:
- enriched academic work; grant funding to support co-curricular experiences such as study abroad and internships;
- Honors housing for first-year residential Honors students;
- a community that builds student networks across a variety of backgrounds and interests;
- preferential course selection;
- no additional cost for course overload;
- Farley Library book borrowing privileges for 90 days with one 90-day renewal period;
- social events such as field trips and introductions to notable campus speakers;
- a special notation on the transcript.
Is it hard? Will I be doing more work than other students?
We think of the program less in terms of “more” or “harder” work and more in terms
of experiences tailored to the interests and abilities of highly motivated, intellectually
curious students. Wilkes Honors students are academically able, self-directed and
self-motivated, ambitious in welcoming challenges, curious, enjoy learning about the
world around them, and open to encountering the unfamiliar, with all of its risks
and rewards. The Honors community provides students with the resources and opportunities
to develop these aptitudes more fully. While pursuing challenges, indulging your curiosity,
and exploring the unfamiliar can involve more commitment, these efforts also yield
significant rewards in terms of personal, intellectual and professional development.
Certainly, students with a variety of substantial additional commitments—such as ROTC,
athletics, creative performance, etc.—participate fully in Honors.
What are Honors students required to do?
We’ve posted information about requirements and expectations for current students
here. Although some do so in fewer terms, Honors students have a maximum of eight semesters
in which to complete these requirements.
How can I apply?
Upon acceptance to Wilkes University, students with distinctive academic, leadership
and community service records are invited to apply to the Honors Program. At a minimum,
students should be within the top 20% of their high school class with an SAT score
of at least 1190 or an ACT score of at least 26. For optimum consideration, high school
seniors should apply to the Honors Program by Jan. 15. Applications are due by no
later than April 15. Decisions are communicated on a rolling basis through the end
of April. More information about the application process.
May I apply to the Honors Program as a transfer student from another college or university?
Students transferring to Wilkes University are invited to the Honors Program if they
meet the minimum criteria of a 3.5 cumulative collegiate grade-point average with
an SAT score of at least 1190 or an ACT score of at least 26. They also must still
have at least six remaining undergraduate semesters at Wilkes to ensure they have
enough time to complete all Honors Program requirements. More information about the application process.
What is the Honors Program admissions committee looking for when it reviews applications?
The most important thing—with college generally, as well as with Honors—is finding
a good match between the student and the school or program. When reviewing applications,
Honors admissions committee members look for evidence of students’ academic achievement,
independent motivation, curiosity about the world, and openness to what is new or
unfamiliar. These are the aptitudes that the program is designed to more fully develop,
and these are the qualities that prove common within an Honors community that includes
students who are otherwise very different from one another in terms of majors, interests,
backgrounds, aspirations, etc.
How many applicants are accepted each year?
There are approximately 200 students in the Honors Program, with approximately 50
students in each class (first-year, sophomore, junior and senior).
I missed the April 15 deadline for applying to the Honors Program. May I still apply?
Current Wilkes students who meet the minimum criteria of a 3.5 cumulative collegiate
grade-point average and who still have at least six remaining undergraduate semesters
at Wilkes (to ensure they have enough time to complete all Honors Program requirements)
can become eligible for the program. Click here for more information about the application process.
May I change my mind about being in the Honors Program, as an applicant or as a current
student?
Students are able to withdraw from the Honors Program at any time should they choose
to pursue other priorities. While we will be sad to see anyone go, no one goes far,
since Wilkes cultivates a close campus community.
What will my first year in Honors look like?
Even before your first year, all incoming Honors students are matched with a Peer Mentor, a current Wilkes Honors student who can share insights about Wilkes Honors from
a personal perspective. All incoming residential Honors students live together in
Honors housing for their first year on campus. This helps to create connections among
students with varying majors, activities, interests, backgrounds, aspirations, etc.
Additionally, all incoming Honors students—whether residential or commuter—take an
Honors section of the First-Year Foundations course together. FYF 101 is a course
that all Wilkes undergraduates take in their first semester on campus, introducing
them to the fundamental principles and values of college work in general and life
at Wilkes in particular. The Honors sections focus on a special creative-writing based
class that develops collaborative community while cultivating skills in writing, speaking,
problem-solving, and critical thinking as well as a comfort with encountering the
ambiguous, uncertain, and/or unfamiliar.
Can I visit Honors classes and meet Honors students?
Yes! Please contact honors@wilkes.edu to learn more.
Can I study abroad as an Honors student?
Yes! You can learn more study abroad page and the honors program opportunities page.
Is there a space dedicated for Honors students to study?
Yes! Stark Learning Center rooms 120-122 include a study space.
Whom can I contact with questions?
Please feel free to reach out to our staff, Honors Program Advisory Council, Honors
Program Student Committee, and our peer mentors at honors@wilkes.edu.
Current Students
What are my requirements as an Honors Student?
We’ve posted information about requirements and expectations for current students
on our program page. Although some do so in fewer terms, Honors students have a maximum of eight semesters
in which to complete these requirements.
How do I earn Honors credit?
We’ve posted information about Honors credits.
What’s the difference between an Honors course and an &H course?
An &H section is added to an existing course in which both Honors and non-Honors students
are enrolled to signal that the Honors students have the opportunity to earn Honors
course credit. To earn this credit, Honors students must be enrolled specifically
in the &H section and they must satisfactorily complete work complementary to the
existing syllabus. An Honors student is allowed only one grade of 2.5 in an Honors
course to receive Honors credit. All other Honors course grades must be a minimum
of 3.0.
An H section signals that all students enrolled in the course complete work that would yield Honors credit for that course. Non-Honors students could enroll in such a course with instructor permission, but while they would need to complete all of the same work as the Honors students, they would receive only non-Honors credit. An Honors student is allowed only one grade of 2.5 in an Honors course to receive Honors credit. All other Honors course grades must be a minimum of 3.0.
How do I find Honors/&H courses?
We’ve posted the Honors Program Course Guides. &H and H sections can also be found through the registrar’s course listings.
I’m not taking an Honors course this semester. Is that a problem?
Not at all! As long as a student makes progress toward completing all requirements,
there is no need to take an Honors course every semester.
How do I use my Honors Enhancement Grant?
We’ve posted more information on Student Resources and Opportunities.
What happens if I sign up for a field trip, but now I can’t go?
It is completely understandable if exigent circumstances emerge at the last minute
and prevent a student from attending an activity. Life events such as illness or family
emergency cannot be predicted, so timely notification of the inability to participate
in a commitment for these kinds of reasons will be accommodated. However, if a student
claims a spot on a funded activity with limited seats—meaning that participation has
been paid for, and also that someone else is not able to participate—and without reason
or notification fails to appear, then that funding amount will be subtracted from
the student’s available enhancement grant. For both funded and free activities, unexplained
absence will result in the subtraction of a participation point.
What happens if my grade-point average is too low?
Should any student fall below the minimum required, the director will reach out with
a reminder that any academic work completed over the summer, the fall term, and the
winter intersession will contribute to the cumulative GPA. Following this probationary
period, should that cumulative GPA by January reach the required minimum, the student
will remain within the Honors Program. However, should the cumulative GPA by January
remain below the required minimum, the student will become ineligible to continue
in the program and will be withdrawn.
If I am removed from the program can I reapply to join again?
No. After the probationary period—which lasts from the beginning of summer through
the following January—if a student remains below the minimum cumulative GPA requirement,
the withdrawal from the program is final. This ensures that students redirect their
energy toward the future, rather than focus on remediating past concerns, since the
GPA requirement becomes higher each year, posing the potential risk of students feeling
continually in the process of making up for a shortcoming rather than making progress
toward new accomplishments.
Whom can I contact with questions?
Please feel free to reach out to our staff, our Honors Program Advisory Council, our
Honors Program Student Committee, and our peer mentors at honors@wilkes.edu.
Faculty/Campus Colleagues
What’s the difference between an Honors course and an &H course?
An &H section is added to an existing course in which both Honors and non-Honors students
are enrolled to signal that the Honors students have the opportunity to earn Honors
course credit. To earn this credit, Honors students must be enrolled specifically
in the &H section and they must satisfactorily complete work complementary to the
existing syllabus. An Honors student is allowed only one grade of 2.5 in an Honors
course to receive Honors credit. All other Honors course grades must be a minimum
of 3.0. An H section signals that all students enrolled in the course complete work
that would yield Honors credit for that course. Non-Honors students could enroll in
such a course with instructor permission, but while they would need to complete all
of the same work as the Honors students, they would receive only non-Honors credit.
An Honors student is allowed only one grade of 2.5 in an Honors course to receive
Honors credit. All other Honors course grades must be a minimum of 3.0.
What should I do if I am interested in teaching an Honors/&H course?
We value this possibility for our Honors students! We’ve posted the course proposal form (.pdf) and more information about the course proposal process.
Can I participate in or contribute to the program beyond teaching courses?
We value your interest in participating in our community! Formally, faculty can serve
on the Honors Program Advisory Council following election to that body. Informally,
we welcome everything from casual appearances at our social events to speaking at
one of our Pizza Plus gatherings. One way to keep in touch is by following us on social
media and joining our Honors Buzz weekly newsletter emailing list. I think a current
Wilkes student could be a good fit for the Honors Program.
Can that student apply to the program?
Current Wilkes students who meet the minimum criteria of a 3.5 cumulative collegiate
grade-point average and who still have at least six remaining undergraduate semesters
at Wilkes (to ensure they have enough time to complete all Honors Program requirements)
can become eligible for the program. More information about the application process.
Whom can I contact with questions?
Please feel free to reach out to our staff, our Honors Program Advisory Council, our
Honors Program Student Committee, and our peer mentors at honors@wilkes.edu.
Alumni
Can I still be a part of the program?
Yes! Formally, alums can serve on the Honors Program Alum Group (HPAG). Informally,
we welcome everything from casual appearances at our social events to speaking at
one of our Pizza Plus gatherings. You can keep in touch by following us on social
media and joining our Honors Buzz weekly newsletter emailing list.
Whom can I contact with questions?
Please feel free to reach out to our staff, our Honors Program Advisory Council, our
Honors Program Student Committee, and our peer mentors at honors@wilkes.edu.