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Honors FAQ
What is the Moraine Valley Honors
Program?
It's a specially-designed academic path exclusively for high-achieving
students. Honors-only sections of key courses emphasize critical thinking and
interpretation skills with creative problem solving. Your love for learning is
nurtured throughout the program, giving you a rewarding experience that prepares
you for the future.My goal is to transfer to another school
with a high GPA. Why would I want to take honors classes?
Because you'll be graded according to the same standards as in a
traditional course. You'll just have different experiences in and out of the
classroom―experiences that will demonstrate to the institution you transfer to
that you've got what it takes to succeed there as a junior. |
“I’ve had my best educational
experience here at Moraine Valley. I enjoy the Honors
Program because the classes allow for lots of discussion. I
would definitely recommend the program to other students.”
Dorota Mos
- Honors Program participant
- Plans to transfer to Saint Xavier University to pursue a
bachelor’s degree in nursing.
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What are some other advantages?
You'll also be given assistance in building a portfolio to help you transfer to
a four-year school after graduation. In addition, there are social events with
other honors students and faculty members.
 How
else will honors courses be different from traditional ones?
Honors courses don't simply "pile on" additional work. The work itself
is different because the population of learners, of which you will be a part,
has different needs. For example, in a class that might typically involve a good
deal of lecture, you might find much more interaction between yourself, other
students and the instructor. If a traditional class typically evaluates students
by way of a multiple-choice exam, you'll find that the honors section will adopt
a different approach to assessing what you've learned, such as through a
portfolio of your work. Another difference is that you'll be more responsible
for your learning (no quizzes to test you've read the chapter), and with that
responsibility comes a number of perks: you'll get to teach others, for example,
or provide input into the design of the course itself. As you can see, the
difference between honors and non-honors is qualitative rather than
quantitative.
How else will honors courses be different
from traditional ones?
Honors courses will have smaller enrollments.
Do I have to take all the honors classes
that are offered?
Students can choose to complete an entire program—22-24 hours of honors
work—or, they may chose to take individual courses as they like, provided that
they meet the enrollment requirements outlined below.
If you are just entering Moraine Valley, you'll
need to meet two of the following prerequisites to enroll in the Honors Program:
- a 3.2 GPA from your high school
- an ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1050
(composite)
- completion of at least one AP course with an A or B (AP score 4)
- graduation in the top 10 percent of your
high school class
If you are a current student, you need
to meet the following prerequisites to enroll in the Honors Program:
- Nine hours of coursework completed at the
college level with a 3.2 GPA
- Or, a letter of recommendation from your
instructor.
Does Moraine Valley provide any
recognition to Honors Program students?
Yes! You'll receive special recognition on your college transcript. This
will certainly benefit you as you prepare to transfer to a four-year college or
university. In addition, Honors Program graduates are acknowledged for their
efforts during the college's annual commencement ceremony.
How do I apply?
You'll need to fill out the college
admission form first. Then fill out the separate application
to the Honors Program. As part of our application process, you'll need to
present us with verification that you meet the enrollment requirements. Once you
do that, you'll be eligible to register for honors courses.
What are the deadlines for submitting an
application?
Because the college has open enrollment, you can submit your application
to the Honors Program as soon as you apply to the college itself. Enrollment in
honors courses is limited, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you'll be able to
register.
Are there any special fees attached to
these classes?
No, the regular tuition rates apply for the Honors courses.
Who can I contact for more information?
E-mail
honors@morainevalley.edu or call (708) 974-5710.
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