Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College Florida Atlantic University
“I get to interact with terrific, dedicated students in seminar settings and advise honors theses on compelling topics such as DNA profiling or capital punishment.”
I’m delighted that you are interested in finding out more about the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. As soon as you set foot on campus, you will realize that you have arrived at a college like no other. With its rich curriculum based in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as its impressive student/faculty ratio, the Wilkes Honors College offers students the experience they might find at a highly selective private college. Nevertheless, as a proud member of the Florida Atlantic University family, the Honors College also ensures that students have access to the intellectual capital and diversity of a major public research university. Honors College students benefit from sharing the same campus as Scripps Florida, Max Planck Florida Institute and FAU’s expanding programs in life sciences. As a student in the Wilkes Honors College, you will be working with the finest faculty I have ever known anywhere. Our instructors are dedicated because of their strong commitment in teaching and their ability to challenge and engage students who are looking for something more than a typical college education.
— Dr. Mark Tunick, Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean
I hope I will meet you soon, and be able to share with you more about the experience that students have her in Jupiter. In the meantime, feel free to explore our website www.honorscollege.edu and imagine yourself in college like no other.
ACADEMICS The four-year curriculum leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences. The curriculum includes required core classes that emphasize critical thinking and writing skills. All students also complete an honors thesis or senior research project as part of the graduation requirement. THE WORLD AS YOUR CLASSROOM Involvement in the world beyond the campus provides students with invaluable experiences that complement their programs of study. The experiential learning requirement may be fulfilled through an internship experience or participating in a study abroad program. Majors/Concentrations
American Studies Anthropology Art (Transdisciplinary Visual Arts) Biological Chemistry Biology Business Chemistry Economics English Literature Environmental Studies
RESEARCH The college’s annual Research Symposium showcases students and their projects in a one-day event that is open to all students and includes a series of concurrent talks, a poster session and a visual arts presentation. Below are some of the most recent Research Symposium presentations:
History (Interdisciplinary) Interdisciplinary Critical Theory International Studies Latin American Studies Law and Society Marine Biology Mathematics Mathematical Sciences (Interdisciplinary) Philosophy
Physics Political Science Pre-med Psychology Spanish Women’s Studies
“What Are Words Worth? Thomas Malthus and Political Economy in William Wordsworth’s Poetry and Prose” —Christina Kirchner, Economics and English “You Keep Me Hangin’ On: Dynactin’s p24 is Essential for Microtubule Anchoring” —Ariel Le, Biology
“Chávez and the Media: a Framework for Analyzing the 2012 Presidential Election Media Coverage in Venezuela”-—Adrian Viller, Political Science “Olympic Legacy: A Comparison of Barcelona 1992 and Athens 2004” —Emma Nunan, International Studies “Dinner Conversation: Eating Sustainably Without Dietary Elitism” —Alyssa Wood, Environmental Studies “Chlorosulfite as a Leaving Group in Organic Synthesis” —William Kissner, Chemistry “Measuring a Social Network: Asymmetries in Dyads and Distances Between Individuals” —Kimberly Macdonald, Psychology
GRADUATE PLACEMENT Approximately 65% of our alumni enter graduate school. Honors College students have gone on to graduate work at places such as the University of Chicago, Yale, Cal Tech, Georgetown and MIT. In addition, about 20% of our alumni enter a graduate program at FAU, in some cases taking advantage of accelerated degree programs. Other Honors College graduates are working in business, education, the health industry and government. To see a list of graduate programs to which Honors College alumni have been admitted, go to www.fau.edu/divdept/honcol/about_gradschools
Wilkes Medical Scholars Program The Wilkes Medical Scholars Program is an early admission program into the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine for qualified high school seniors and is housed within the Honors College. Students will be able to receive their bachelor’s degree and the M.D. degree in seven to eight years. For more information, visit www.fau.edu/divdept/honcol/admissions_med
STUDENT LIFE AND ACTIVITIES Honors College students are part of a vibrant livinglearning community, where they can become active leaders and build lasting friendships. “The Burrow” is the student center of campus; it is where you will go to find out about what is happening on campus. It is home to the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, Student Government and many student organizations including Program Board, Students Advocating Volunteer Involvement (SAVI) and Rec. Membership to a private gym in close proximity to campus is available to all full-time students.
SCHOLARSHIP/COST All admitted students are awarded a merit-based scholarship to attend the Honors College. The strongest applicants who have applied by the priority deadline of December 15 will be invited to attend
Student organizations span a wide variety of interests. Follow your passion or try something new! • • • • • RESIDENTIAL LIVING • Enjoy suite-style residence halls • Four private furnished bedrooms, shared common area, two half-baths • Bedrooms include internet, cable and air conditioning • Required for freshman and sophomore year
Cliché Literary and Arts Journal – bi-annual published student journal Enviro Club – environmentally oriented social and volunteer organization PrOWLers – FAU’s school spirit organization on the Jupiter campus The Players Club – meet other musicians on campus Citizens of the World – promote social justice for oppressed groups locally and internationally
Scholars’ Day. Students who qualify will receive an invitation in the mail by mid-January. For more information, visit www.fau.edu/divdept/honcol/scholars_day
SCHOLARSHIP
REQUIREMENTS
AWARD
Henry Morrison Flagler Scholarship*
Incoming freshman, Florida Bright Futures recipient, outstanding record
Tuition, room and board, and four summer enrichment programs
The Goizueta Foundation Scholarship*
Hispanic student, outstanding record, documented financial need-FAFSA on file
Tuition, room and board
Dean’s Scholarship
National Merit Finalist, National Hispanic Scholar, or National Achievement Finalist
$7,500 per year
IB/AICE Scholarship*
Completion of the I.B./AICE Diploma, outstanding record
$5,000 per year
Leadership Scholarship*
Outstanding leadership experience
$5,000 per year
Out-of-State Academic Scholarship
Non-Florida Resident, minimum 3.5 weighted GPA
Up to $13,000 per year
Honors Scholarship
Admission to the Honors College
Up to $5,000 per year
* Awarded at Scholars Day
TUITION
STUDENT PROFILE
Cost Estimates for the 2012–13 Academic Year:
Mumbi Ngugi, Class of 2015 Irvine, CA International Studies and Women’s Studies
FL Residents Non-FL Residents * Tuition** $5,986 $21,543 Room/Board $11,833 $11,833 $17,819 $33,376
“The Honors College is set up perfectly for students to succeed. It’s encouraged and so easy for students to get involved and make their presence known.”
*For outstanding applicants who are non-Florida residents, the Honors College awards a limited number of Out-of-State Academic Scholarships to reduce out-of-state fees. **The tuition figure is based upon 30 credit hours (fall/spring semesters) and does not include books or personal expenses.
“I like the intimacy of the school and the Liberal Arts curriculum. This has turned out to be the best decision I have ever made. “
APPLICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS
FINANCIAL AID The Office of Financial Aid will create a financial package from a full range of federal, state and institutional grants, scholarships, loans and workstudy assistance programs. The Jupiter campus/Honors
College Federal School code is E00830. Use this code to have your FAFSA information sent to the Office of Financial Aid.
STUDENT PROFILE Adam Rhodes, Class of 2015 Boca Raton, FL Journalism “The Honors College is like this close-knit family. Here, teachers make the effort to know me as a person and as a student. “ “I chose the Honors College because of the open social environment that I experienced during Preview Day. Seeing how students interact, not only with each other, but also the professors solidified the idea that this was where I needed to be. “
Students who have not received an invitation to join the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College are encouraged to apply for admission. Successful applicants are those who have prepared themselves for college by taking rigorous courses and who have participated in extracurricular activities and community service. Apply early in your senior year for maximum admission and scholarship consideration. Priority application date is December 15. Submit your application and resume to the Wilkes Honors College after your admission to Florida Atlantic University. You may submit your Honors College application at www.honorscollege.edu
Profile of the Fall 2012 Freshman Class: • 94% Florida Residents, 29% Self-Identified Ethnic Minorities • Mid-Range GPA: 3.92-4.38 • Mid-Range Test Scores: ACT Composite: 27-31 SAT Total (3 sections): 1810-2010
STUDENT PROFILE Hannah Norcini, Class of 2013 Tallahassee, FL Psychology and Criminology “I chose the Honors College because I wanted to attend a campus with a small student population. I liked that I would receive personal attention from my professors. “ “The Honors College is unique because it has given me the opportunity to follow my passions, both academically and with my extracurricular activities. I like that students, faculty and staff support my goals in life.“
LOCATION
The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College is located on the John D. MacArthur Campus of Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter. Our notable neighbors are
Scripps Florida, the Max Planck Florida Institute, the Hibel Museum of Art and, just 3 miles east, the Atlantic Ocean.
CAMPUS VISITS One of the best ways to see what the Honors College has to offer is to experience it firsthand by attending an Honors Visit Day! The Honors Visit Day program provides prospective students with indepth information about academic concentrations, admissions, housing and financial aid. Our upcoming dates are November 3 and April 13. To RSVP, go to www.fau.edu/divdept/honcol/admissions_rsvp
If you cannot join us for an Honors Visit Day, please plan to come for an individual tour. Tours are scheduled for: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m. plus Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. During your visit, you may request to sit in on a class or an appointment to meet with a professor.
To arrange your visit, please contact the Honors College Admissions Office at hcadmissions@fau.edu or 561-799-8646.
If special accommodations are required during your visit, please contact the Admissions office five working days in advance.