 Honors Program
Purpose
The
Honors Program at St. Thomas Aquinas College is
designed for students of superior academic ability
with a decided commitment to humane values. The
Program reflects the declared mission of the College
as an institution committed to both the search
for truth through the enlightenment that comes
from knowledge and to human freedom that is an
outgrowth of seeking the truth.
The
Honors Program
The
objectives of the Honors Program at St. Thomas
Aquinas College, which was implemented in 1987,
are student centered and may be expressed as follows:
to
experience the inter-relatedness of knowledge
from various disciplines;
to
deepen a passion for knowledge that goes beyond
the more formal aspects of education;
to
experience that the search for truth is timeless
and never ending;
to
realize the necessity of discipline in scholarly
pursuits;
to
appreciate more fully the broad array of gifts
of all persons.
Students
who are selected for admission to the Honors Program
will have their academic schedules modified to
include special courses taught by versatile professors
dedicated to the humane objectives of the Program.
Over the several semesters of their attendance
at St. Thomas Aquinas College these students will
be invited to enroll in a series of Honors courses,
beginning with special sections of freshman English
and followed by advanced courses on particular
topics in a variety of disciplines. Some of these
courses will be interdisciplinary in nature and
may be team-taught. The Honors Program encompasses
the four years of undergraduate study during which
students are expected to complete a minimum of
six Honors courses.
Eligibility
Applicants
to the Honors Program are strongly encouraged
to apply early. Completed applications are considered
on a rolling basis, and admission to the Honors
Program is highly competitive.
Application
to the Honors Program is open to new freshmen
entering college as full time students in the
Fall semester who meet the following criteria:
High
school average of 90 or above in major subjects
at the time of application, and
Combined
SAT scores of at least 1200 with no section less
than 550 or ACT composite score of 27.
Evidence
of a rigorous course of study in high school (usually
includes honors and/or AP courses).
Evidence
of substantial involvement in extra-curricular
activities.
The
Application Process
- Students
who are interested in applying to the Honors
Program must submit the following to the Admissions
Office by March 31st during their senior year
of high school:
- A
completed application for admissions with all
supporting documentation (i.e. official high
school transcript, SAT scores, etc.). Please
indicate your desire to be considered for the
Honors Program by checking the Honors Program
box in the Admissions Criteria section.
- Two
letters of recommendation to the Honors Program
by the high school guidance counselor and a
high school faculty member.
-
After acceptance to the college, students who
meet the eligibility requirements (see above),
will be contacted to set up a personal interview
with the Honors Program Director.
- Upon
completion of the personal interview, notification
of decision will be sent to the student within
14 days.
Benefits
Students
accepted into the Honors Program will receive
the following:
- A
Full Tuition Scholarship (less TAP and Pell
Grant) for courses taken at St. Thomas Aquinas
College as full time students during the Fall
and Spring semesters;
- The
opportunity to study as Oxford University, England,
during the summer after the completion of their
junior year (see below);
- Early
registration assistance;
- The
ability to participate in co-curricular activities
sponsored by the Honors Program;
- Transcript
and diploma recognition of Honors work;
- Facilitation
of applications to graduate/professional schools
through faculty recommendations.
- Summer
at Oxford
Students
in the Honors Program have the opportunity to
attend Oxford University in the summer following
their junior year. Honors Program students can
choose one 3-credit course from among several
offered by Oxford University.
St.
Thomas Aquinas College provides a full scholarship
covering tuition, room and board for the summer
program at Oxford University to all students in
the Honors Program upon completion of their third
year at college.
For
information contact:
Dr. Susan Marell
Honors Program Director
Tel: (845) 398-4191
E-mail: smarell@stac.edu
OR
Danielle N. Mac Kay
Director of Admissions
(845) 398-4102
dmackay@stac.edu
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