Jessica Prainito

#BirdofMouth student blogger Jessica Prainito is a freshman mass media major.

The Honors Program at Illinois State University offers a lot of unique opportunities for those selected to participate. I am currently a freshman in the Honors Program, and it’s already been a very rewarding experience.

Here’s how to get started and some of the perks the Honors Program has to offer:

HOW TO QUALIFY

When you apply to Illinois State, if you have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an ACT score of 27 or higher, the Honors Program will be notified that you qualify and will send you an email inviting you to apply. Honors will require you to answer two prompts describing how you display yourself as an exceptional learner. I’m sure you will have plenty to offer the program. Remember, applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so get to applying!

EARLY REGISTRATION

The Honors Program wants to offer exceptional benefits to its exceptional learners. As a member of the Honors Program, you have the opportunity to register early for your classes each semester. This basically means that you get first pick of classes; it is a beautiful thing. Registering early allows you more flexibility in planning your next semester. I never have to sweat about not getting into a class that I want!

Student leaders from the Illinois State Honors Program

Student leaders from the Illinois State Honors Program.

HONORS CONTRACTS

Honors Program courses aim to promote enriched learning, not speed. So if you are in a class that you want to get more involved in, as an Honors student, you are given the opportunity to select a regular course and turn it into an Honors course. This usually means doing an extra project where you can apply your interests directly, for a more beneficial experience.. You get to work more closely with your professor to customize the course to best benefit you, which in my opinion is the best type of learning.

RESUME BUILDER

The Honors Program makes up about 5 percent of the student body and includes students from all majors. Being in the Honors Program and earning Honors designations looks fantastic on any resume and makes you really stand out above the competition. It shows that you are dedicated to your studies and took the initiative to make the most out of your time at Illinois State.

If you are accepted, congratulations! You’ll have an amazing experience in the Honors Program and go above and beyond in your learning.

For more information about the types of experiences that the Honors Program offers, stay tuned for more #BirdofMouth blogs.

#BirdofMouth student blogger Jessica Prainito is a freshman mass media major. Read more #BirdofMouth posts.