Should you be in Honors at Virginia Tech?

If You Already Know You Are a Hokie:
If you already know you are going to be a Hokie for the next couple years, the simple answer is "Yes." There are many great reasons to join University Honors; we offer Honors residential learning communities, Honors-only scholarships, Honors-only classes, improved access to faculty and classes, dedicated staff advisors, Honors-specific planning and advising tools, support for Undergraduate Research, Study Abroad, independent learning, opportunities to earn distinguished Honors diplomas, and support for students applying to major national and international scholarships. .

If you Are Considering Being a Hokie: If you are considering attending Virginia Tech and are Honors eligible, the slightly more complicated answer is also "Yes." (See "great reasons to join University Honors", above.) The opportunities and support you have access to as an Honors student are a difference that makes a difference in your experience at Tech. Year after year, students choose VT over other elite, nationally ranked universities because their participation in University Honors affords them a truly extraordinary education. Please visit us for an information session to hear how and check out our website. Here are just a few of the opportunities that you might looking forward to as an Honors student at Virginia Tech:

Freshman

• Apply to be part of an Honors Residential Community
• Participate in a First Year Excellence Seminar (UH 2984H)
• Complete the Course of Study Planner explore what's possible
• Engage in service learning with the local community (http://www.vtserves.vt.edu/)
• Take a professor out to eat at VT's #1 Dining facilities: http://www.studentprograms.vt.edu/dining/facultydine.php
• Make the most of your summers - consider applying for an internship or research experience for undergraduates. http://www.career.vt.edu/COOP/COOP1.html

• Participate in an Honors Reading Seminar
• Developmental Scholarships challenge you to propose an experience that will change your life: http://www.univhonors.vt.edu/html/scholarships_soph.html
• STEM students eligible to apply for the national Goldwater Scholarship
• Students interested in Native American Tribal policy or Environmental policy can apply for the Udall Scholarship
• Consider a Study Abroad experience: http://www.educationabroad.vt.edu/

• Consider taking an Honors Colloquium
• Juniors looking at careers in public services can apply for the Truman Scholarship
• The application process for a variety of major national scholarships begins in Junior year with conversations with the Honors staff.
• The Honors diplomas in Honors and Honors Baccalaureate require a thesis based on undergraduate research. Many students begin research before junior year, but if one is seeking a thesis-based diploma and hasn't begun research yet, junior year is where you need to begin. http://www.research.vt.edu/resmag/UG_Research/
• Work with Honors freshmen to help them see how they can take control of their education.

• The application process for a variety of major national scholarships for opportunities beyond undergraduate continues into the fall.
• Publish your research in Phililogia
• Take a graduate course and diversity your Honors credit and enhance your education http://www.univhonors.vt.edu/html/credit.html
• Combined Bachelors/Masters degree - begin a masters degree while finishing your bachelors degree
• Complete one of the five Honors diplomas and be recognized at graduation.
• March to Lane Stadium and through the tunnel with your fellow Honors graduates, led by a drum and pipe corps.

Honors Student Highlights

• Honors Program Reinforces Responsibility and Exploration With Freshmen Experiences
• Honors students raise $10,000 for 100 bikes to be sent to African health care workers.
  • Bicycling's European correspondent, James Startt, is in Mozambique with BikeTown Africa
  • Video of the trip
• Undergraduate Works in Mali to Save Lives
• Prestigious Goldwater Scholarships awarded to three Virginia Tech students
  
• 2008 Sophomore Scholarship winners
• Phillip Chong wins Fulbright Award
• University Honors program students honored as 2008 undergraduate man and woman of the year
  
• College of Engineering announces Outstanding Graduating Senior award recipient
  
• Pamplin College of Business announces Outstanding Graduating Senior award recipient
  
• College of Science announces Outstanding Graduating Senior award recipient