Sophomore Entry

Students may apply to the Honors Scholar Program as rising sophomores. Applications consist of two essay responses and the names and email address for two HPU faculty who can serve as references. For more information, contact Dr. Nathan Hedman by February 1.

Students who join the honors program as sophomores will be required to reside in Finch Hall for the next academic year (with the exception of RAs and those with some ADA accommodations) and must enroll in at least one HNR course in their first fall semester. Joining the program as a sophomore does not affect a student’s financial aid package.

Invited students will be able to bundle certain general education courses into substitutes for up to two honors foundations courses, reducing their HSP credit requirement to 31. Working with program advisors, students will identify interdisciplinary groups of courses and compose inquiry-based, reflective essays that connect their learning in those courses to the appropriate HSP course and program outcomes. These essays will become part of the students’ ePortfolios. The possible bundle options are shown below.

The bundles approximate the multidisciplinary work that occurs in the HNR courses. Entering students will have until the end of their third semester to complete the course bundles and the accompanying essays. A subcommittee of the Honors Committee will assess the essays and make decisions on the awarding of HNR credit.