stretch

eiuhonors

You know all of those crazy ideas you’ve had? The conversations that made you think, and worry, and look a little closer at life? Welcome to the Honors College at EIU where every class stretches you a little further and gets you one step closer to who you’ve dreamed of being.

eastern illinois universitycharleston, illinois

“My research is focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which C. crescentus degrades plant polysaccharides. These mechanisms can then be mimicked to degrade plant biomass into constituent sugars useful in the production of sustainable biofuels and biomaterials.”

Gerry PresleyURSCA grantee, Biology majorMentored by Dr. Gopal Periyannan

To qualify for University Honors, incoming freshmen must have

earned an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and have either ranked in the top 10% of their

high school class or have earned a final high school GPA of 3.5 or

higher on a 4.0 scale

University HonorsThe University Honors Program offers enriched versions of General Education courses taught by professors who foster the development of advanced critical thinking and communication skills by engaging students in active discussion and debate and providing multiple opportunities for focused research into related topics of interest.

University Honors students complete a minimum of 25 hours of Honors courses, including the Honors Forum and an Honors Senior Seminar.

Departmental HonorsThe Departmental Honors Program offers upperclassmen the opportunity to delve deeply into areas of personal interest within their selected fields. In promoting focus and independent research and analysis, Departmental Honors prepares students for the competitive post-graduation world.

Departmental Honors students earn a minimum of 12 hours of credit through completion of progressive coursework that culminates in a senior thesis written under the supervision of Honors faculty.

Departmental Honors is open to students pursuing majors in twenty-four disciplines. To qualify for Departmental Honors, students must have earned a 3.5 GPA for at least 12 hours of coursework taken at EIU, have fulfilled all requirements specific to their Departmental Honors program of choice, and have received permission from the Dean of the Honors College and the Departmental Honors Coordinator.

“I love being in University Honors because the classes are smaller, I get one-on-one help from professors, and I feel like I’m working toward something. Honors drives me to excel.”

Felisha McCullumCommunication Disorders and Sciences major

“In Departmental Honors, I receive close guidance from my professor. This is invaluable

to me as I learn how to successfully conduct research in my field.”

William Fernandez

Biology major

embraceopportunity

National Student ExchangeThe Honors College is proud to represent the National Student Exchange, a program allowing undergraduate exchange within the United States and Canada. Through exchange activities, students grow their worldview as a result of encountering a diversity of people and perspectives while also becoming more independent as decision-makers.

Undergraduate ResearchThe Honors College offers opportunities for faculty mentoring of student research. Each semester, the Undergraduate Research Council awards grants to students and their faculty mentors in support of student-initiated collaborative research. Students are held to professional standards, co-author publications and presentations, and gain a heightened awareness of the work required in graduate study and the professional world.

Our ScholarshipsIncoming freshmen who qualify for admission to the University Honors Program and have demonstrated superior scholarship through their performance on the ACT, their high school class rank, and their high school GPA may apply for the following Honors College scholarships.

Presidential Scholarship: Presidential Scholars receive tuition and fees waivers covering 15 hours of coursework per fall and spring semester for up to 8 semesters. Applications are due in February for the following fall term.

Honors College Talented Student Awards: Talented Student Awards promote the development of unique academic talents, and waive a portion of tuition for up to 8 semesters.

Honors College Freshman Scholarships:Award amounts vary, and may be applied toward expenses associated with the first year of attendance at EIU.

Students awarded Honors College scholarships that may cover expenses for multiple terms at EIU must maintain a 3.4 GPA and remain in good academic, personal, and financial standing at EIU in order to receive subsequent terms of coverage.

NSE allowed me to take courses, like Avalanche Evaluation and Sea Kayaking, that couldn’t be taken at EIU. I experienced things I wouldn’t haveexperienced anywhere else.

Keren Goldberg BelleRecreation Administration majorNational Student Exchange participant, University of Alaska Southeast

National ScholarshipsThrough its national scholarships program, the Honors College mentors students whose academic performance, service history, leadership experience, and graduate school and career aspirations are found to distinguish them from their peers. Mentorship encourages students to grow their self-awareness, general field awareness, and specialty awareness while gaining advanced practical experience in self-promotion. Among the nine scholarships represented by the Honors College are the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Arts Award, and Marshall Scholarships.

For additional information, please contact:The Honors College, 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, Illinois 61920-3099217-581-2017 or toll free: 888-440-4464 e-mail: honors@eiu.edu

eiu.edu/honors

“Applying for the Goldwater helped me focus on my goals, express my passion for my field, and complete graduate school applications.”

Rebecca Grove Laird2009 EIU Graduate,Ph.D. Student at the University of Iowa

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