FAQs
1. If I take an Honors course, will I have to work harder than in a regular class?
Class assignments are designed by individual instructors, but the amount of work in an Honors course is comparable to regular courses. It is the depth and quality of discussions that make the Honors courses very stimulating and engaging.
- How are the Honors courses different from the regular classes?
You will be in a class of up to twenty motivated and curious students, who come to class prepared. You will be exposed to enrichment activities such as guest speakers, team projects and field trips. You will have a lot more student-to-student and student-to-professor interaction.
3. Will I have a lower grade in an Honors course than in a regular course?
The short answer is no. The long answer is that you will be a better informed and better performing student, so you will more likely have an even higher grade. We don’t grade students on a curve. Theoretically, a whole class can earn As.
4. Who are the Honors students?
Hard-working, unafraid, cool, intelligent and forward thinking individuals. See the Honors Association web site link at www.bergenhonors.ning.com.
5. Do the New Jersey Star students automatically get into the Honors Program?
The NJ Stars are very welcome to the Honors Program if they meet the general SATs criteria.
If your SATs are low, you can work hard during your first semester at Bergen to obtain a GPA of 3.4 or more, and register for the Honors courses the second semester at Bergen.
6. My SATs are low, but I took AP courses in high school. Do I qualify for the Honors Program?
The requirement for the incoming students include a SAT score of 1700 (the new SAT), or 1100 (the old SAT). The solution is for the student to take regular courses the first semester and do well. If your GPA reaches 3.4 after the first semester, you can start taking Honors courses.
7. What is Honors credit-by-contract?
This option is for students who have taken all the courses we offer and are in need of 3-6 credits to graduate with an HOnors degree. You can earn Honors credit-by-contract in a course of your choice, such as Biology 200-level, or Accounting, etc., if your professor is willing to mentor you throughout the semester and assign you an Honors project. The Honors Program Directors will let you have the contract if you ask for it.
8. I took four courses in the Honors Program, but there is nothing else for me to take. Can I still graduate with Honors?
Business programs only require four courses for graduation with Honors. If you need six, you can earn Honors credit-by-contract. See us if you need a contract copy.
9. What is the difference between the Honors Program and its Honors Association, and the PTK?
Any student with a GPA of 3.4 or higher, or the required SATs score, can start taking courses in the Honors Program and automatically becomes a member of the Honors Association.
The Phi Theta Kappa is an Honors Society. Students receive a letter of invitation to join the PTK when they meet the requirements for induction. See http://www.ptk.org/directories/chapters/NJ/65-1.htm
10. How to leave the Honors Program?
You can just stop taking Honors courses and that’s that.
11. What about money?
There is no additional cost of attending the Honors Program courses. Sadly, there are no scholarships available to Honors students uniquely. However, as an Honors student, you are much more likely to receive a scholarship in a four-year college.
12. Does participation in the Honors Program guarantee admission to Columbia University?
No. However, each year the Columbia University School of General Education offers a $12,000 scholarship to a qualifying Bergen student. Students who are in the PTK as well as can apply for an additional $8000. See http://www.gs.columbia.edu/home.asp.
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