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Frederik Meijer Honors College
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Phone: 616-331-3219 Frederik Meijer Honors College honors@gvsu.edu Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center 1 Campus Drive Allendale, MI 49401 |
Frequently Asked Questions What is the Frederik Meijer Honors College? The Frederik Meijer Honors College is an alternative general education program for students who desire to push themselves academically. The focus of the college is to bridge the gaps between different disciplines and allow students a chance to see the impact each discipline has on the others. To fulfill this goal, many of our classes are interdisciplinary and team-taught while utilizing smaller class sizes to elicit greater discussion. We understand that sometimes the moments of greatest learning are unplanned. These smaller class sizes, coupled with the fact that many professors hold office hours nearby, foster a deeper personal connection between students and professors. The Frederik Meijer Honors College also includes an integrated living and learning environment promoting intellectual curiosity and an enthusiasm for learning that will live on well beyond our students' undergraduate years. Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center offers students the opportunity to take classes in the same building in which they live. The Honors Office, Honors Director, and many professors' offices are located in the Niemeyer Learning and Living Center, giving students quick and easy access to all resources available. It is a resource to help our students identify opportunities, make informed and reflective decisions about career goals and to prepare our students inside and outside the classroom to be competitive for the best jobs, graduate programs, professional programs and fellowships. Does an Honors education enhance my chances for future success? Yes, for many reasons: One goal of the Frederik Meijer Honors College is to enhance students' writing abilities. Throughout the Meijer Honors College, professors challenge the students to improve and enhance their writing skills, which are becoming increasingly important in today's business world and in many professions. Students will develop their abilities in the classroom allowing them to gain more than just information. When you hone your skills as a critical thinker, creative problem-solver, and polished writer, you can take on any challenge with confidence. Frederik Meijer Honors College faculty will also put their experience and knowledge to work for you. That may mean helping you identify opportunities, such as scholarships, internships, and research; fielding questions about careers in our disciplines; writing substantive letters of reference that can make a difference, or even contacting a colleague at another university on your behalf. Also, graduate program admissions committees and employers look for people who set high standards for themselves and excel; those who prefer the less traveled but more challenging route. How many students are members of the Frederik Meijer Honors College? There are approximately 900 students in the Frederik Meijer Honors College. Who is in the Frederik Meijer Honors College? Some basic statistics are: there are approximately 900 students in the Meijer Honors College. The Honors student body is 33% Male, 67% Female This sounds interesting, how do I get more information? You can request more information by email (honors@gvsu.edu), over the phone (616-331-3219), or by regular mail. Are you planning a visit? If so, let us know. We will arrange for you to talk with students and faculty. You may even want to sit in on a class.
What are the requirements to apply to the Frederik Meijer Honors College? The normal expectation for applicants is that they have a 3.5 high school GPA and a 28 on the ACT. However, we take into account other factors such as demonstrated analytic and writing ability, outstanding academic and leadership activities, as well as academic motivation. For this reason, we require an essay (that addresses specific questions) and a paper sample. For Transfer students, you must have a 3.5 GPA established at a university. Okay, I want to apply to the Frederik Meijer Honors College. How can I? You may either apply online, or email us at honors@gvsu.edu with your name and address, and we will mail an application to you. Is there a separate Honors Orientation? Yes. There are specific Orientation programs designated for Honors students. These programs are designed to not only familiarize you with the Frederik Meijer Honors College, but also to aid you in scheduling for your first year at Grand Valley. Wait a minute; do I take only Honors College courses? No, The Honors College courses comprise the general education component of your undergraduate curriculum. Therefore, you still take courses in your major, minor, and any other courses you choose. Do I have to take an Honors Course every semester? No, you do not have to be enrolled in an Honors course every semester to remain in the Frederik Meijer Honors College. I'm a little strapped for cash, are there any scholarships or internships available? Yes. You can find a listing of scholarships here. What happens if I happen to lose my scholarship, can I get it back? For scholarships with grade requirements attached, your grades are checked at the end of the Winter semester (in April). This means losing scholarships can only happen at the end of a full year. Scholarships can be re-awarded if you bring your grades above the requirement and petition the Financial Aid Office. How can I apply for admission to the Seidman College of Business? Students are pre-business until their junior year unless they qualify for Early Admission. To qualify, students must come in as a Business major, and meet the National Merit Scholarship criteria of a 26 or higher composite score on your ACT and a 3.5 or higher high school GPA. To enroll with Early Admissions, qualifying students must contact the Seidman College of Business before the end of the first semester at GVSU, 616-331-7500, go2gvbiz@gvsu.edu. Do I need to live in Honors housing to be a member of the Frederik Meijer Honors College? No, Honors housing is optional. How do I apply for Honors Housing? You must submit the Grand Valley general housing application, the $150 housing deposit, and designate the University Honors housing as your first choice. So, what are the advantages to living in Honors Housing? The Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center is designed with an apartment feel. Students can choose between the 4-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or studio apartment options. The Niemeyer Center has a total of 449 beds. Rooms are furnished with a bed, wardrobe, dresser, and desk for each student. Each apartment has a full bathroom, a full kitchen, refrigerator, dishwasher and cabinet space. Internet options include Ethernet network connections as well as access to Grand Valley’s wireless internet network. Every floor is equipped with its own laundry facilities, and the building holds a total of five great rooms, or lounges for student relaxation. The Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center is LEED certified and meets ADA standards of accessibility. While Niemeyer houses hundreds of students throughout the school year, it serves as the home for the Honors College as well as six Housing Department offices. Many Honors courses are offered in the five classrooms that are located in Niemeyer. These classrooms consist of a two case rooms (one seats 70 and the other 48), 2 Learn Lab classrooms, one science classroom, and a computer lab/classroom, and recycling areas. The building also offers a student library/reading room, a student listening/AV room, and a multipurpose room for studying and meeting. For the further convenience of the student, the Director's office and various faculty and staff offices are located in the building as well. How do I fulfill my MTH 110 requirement? MTH 110 can be waived by taking the Math Placement test, or through an individual's ACT math score and high school math courses as follows:
How do I fulfill my WRT 150 requirement? WRT 150 can be fulfilled by earning a 4 or better on the AP test OR by completing an Honors Arts and Humanities sequence with a B or better average. How do I fulfill my WRT 305 requirement? WRT 305 can be fulfilled by maintaining a 3.2 or higher GPA, reaching junior standing, and completing an Honors Arts and Humanities sequence with a B or better average, or passing a junior level writing proficiency test administered through the Academic Resource Center. How do I fulfill my SWS requirements? Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) are fulfilled through the completion of an Honors Arts and Humanities sequence with a B or better average How do I fulfill my Theme Requirements? Honors is your theme! If you at any point decide to drop out, or have been dismissed from the Honors College, you will be required to take a new Theme. Do I have to take an Honors Course every semester? No, you do not have to be enrolled in an Honors course every semester to remain in the Frederik Meijer Honors College. What do I do if I want to drop the Frederik Meijer Honors College? Students must inform the Meijer Honors College of their wish to drop in writing. Students wishing to withdraw from Honors are strongly urged to meet with the Frederik Meijer Honors College Director. Students should also make an appointment with an academic advisor to review the requirements for the general education curriculum. Am I required to maintain a certain GPA? Honors students are required to maintain a 3.2 GPA in order to remain in good standing in the Frederik Meijer Honors College. What if my GPA drops below that? When a student's cumulative GPA drops below 3.2, but is higher than 2.8, the student is placed on probation within the Meijer Honors College. A student on probation has 12 months to regain the required 3.2 GPA to remain in Honors. If the GPA is below 3.2 after 12 months, the student is dismissed from Honors and needs to meet with an academic advisor to review the general education requirements. If I have been dismissed from the Frederik Meiejr Honors College due to grades, can I re-apply? Yes. A student can apply for re-admission after completing two consecutive semesters in which the cumulative GPA has been 3.2 or higher.
What is HNR 499? HNR 499 is your Honors Senior Project. It provides for the opportunity to study an area of interest in a sustained and in-depth exploration; learn more about your chosen field; make stronger connections to professionals in the field; hone research, writing, and critical thinking skills; create a tangible, substantive accomplishment you can feel proud about and can discuss in job interviews, letters of application, and graduate school applications; or do work which will make you more competitive for grants, fellowships, graduate schools, or employment. How do I register for HNR 499? After finding a Faculty Advisor, discussing your project, and deciding how many credits it will be (1-4), you will need to fill out an application. After your project has been approved, you will need to pick up your Registration Permit in the Honors Office and take it to the Windows at Student Services. Feel free to contact the Honors Director if you have further questions. How do I register to graduate? When you plan to graduate, you must fill out a graduation request card at the Registrar's windows in Student Services so that your transcripts can be audited. In order to have the Frederik Meijer Honors College designation on your diploma and transcripts, you must also e-mail the Honors Office (honors@gvsu.edu) and inform the office the semester before of your plans to graduate. You can either stop by the Honors Office in the Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center or e-mail the office (honors@gvsu.edu) and request an update on your completion of the requirements. |
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| Last Modified Date: May 4, 2009 | |||||||||||||
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