During his State of the Union address, President George Bush stated that his goal was for the United States to replace 35 billion gallons of gasoline with renewable and alternative fuels by 2017.

The Honors Program sophomore problem-solving course focused on that statement this semester, and through research and debate analyzed its feasibility and whether or not the implementation of biofuels into society should be supported.The sophomore class focused on three up-and-coming alternative fuels: ethanol, butanol, biodiesel.

Clarkson University » Honors Program

How do I apply for the Honors Program?
How many people apply for the Honors Program?
How are Honors students selected?
Does the Honors Program involve extra classes?
How are the Honors Program classes selected?
Do Honors classes involve more work?
Does the Honors Program work well with demanding extracurricular activities like varsity athletics, campus newspaper, and so on?
Can Honors students participate in co-ops, internships, and study abroad and still complete the program on time?
Do Honors students live together?
What kinds of activities are associated with the Honors Program?
How is the retention for Honors students?
What types of research opportunities are available to Honors Program students?
Is there a scholarship for Honors Program students?
How well have Honors Program graduates done?
What are the benefits of the Honors Program?


How do I apply for the Honors Program?
Applicants to the Clarkson Honors Program must submit an Honors application in addition to the general Clarkson admission packet. The Honors application includes:

• Application/Datasheet;
• An essay addressing the student’s qualifications for the Honors Program;
• A letter of recommendation specific to the Honors Program; and
• An interview, which may be scheduled in person or by phone and typically occurs when the student’s Honors application is complete.
  

Honors applications are available from:

• The Honors Office, Marcy Wilcox at 315-268-2290 or mwilcox@clarkson.edu
• Your admission representative at the Admission Office at 800-527-6577
• Or online, by clicking here.

How many people apply for the Honors Program?
Approximately 150 - 180 students apply for a class of 30 students.

How are Honors students selected?
The Honors Program has its own admission committee consisting of five professors from a variety of departments. While the admission committee looks at such factors as class rank, advance placement courses taken, grades on regents exams, Board scores, and extracurricular activities, it is especially concerned with the qualities that enable students to thrive in the Honors Program. They are:

• Love of learning
• Intellectual curiosity
• Initiative
• Motivation
• Ability to handle risk and uncertainty
• Strong work ethic
• Or other outstanding qualities that qualify them for the program

Does the Honors Program involve extra classes?
No, typically Honors classes replace classes in the Common Experience Curriculum (courses that all students take regardless of major). These courses focus on current and emerging problems in science, technology, and society.

How are the Honors Program classes selected?
Professors from all areas of study on campus are invited to submit proposals. The proposals themselves are evaluated by the Honors Council, the group of faculty and students who serve as the board of directors for the program. Students, who will take the prospective class, are also polled for their reactions and comments on the submitted proposals.

Do Honors classes involve more work?
It depends on the class. Honors professors are advised to plan a workload that is equivalent to an upper-level class in one's major.

Does the Honors Program work well with demanding extracurricular activities like varsity athletics, campus newspaper, and so on?
Yes, many Honors students are varsity athletes or carry similar time demanding out-of-class activities. They have been national championship athletes, campus newspaper editors, leading ladies and leading men in campus theater productions, and SPEED team captains among other things.

Can Honors students participate in co-ops, internships, and study abroad and still complete the program on time?
Honors students participate in co-ops, internships, and study abroad programs more frequently than their Clarkson counterparts. These practical, real-world activities contribute significantly to personal and professional development. In fact, some of the most interesting Honors theses have resulted from these experiences.

Do Honors students live together?
No, the Honors students voted to have the same housing as all other students, though many will choose roommates from the Honors Program.

What kinds of activities are associated with the Honors Program?
In addition to hosting many special academic and community service events, the Honors Program coordinates fun social activities like Ben & Jerry's nights as well as trips to such places as Ottawa and Montreal.

How is the retention for Honors students?
Ninety-four percent of Honors students graduate from Clarkson within four years. The majority graduates with an Honors degree. Typically, 70 percent of Honors students complete their thesis, a rate that is approximately double the national average.

What types of research opportunities are available to Honors Program students?
Real-world, problem-based research is the cornerstone of the Clarkson Honors Program. A research thesis project is required for completion of the program and Honors courses prepare students to develop and refine their research and analytic skills. Unique to the program is the Honors Summer Research sessions, during which students have the opportunity to work on an engaging independent or collaborative research project on campus as early as the summer before their freshman year, as well as each subsequent summer up until the summer immediately following graduation. Honors students receive funding for room, board, and research supplies for summer research and each session culminates with Clarkson's SURE (Student Undergraduate Research Experience) conference, in which participants present the results of their work.

Is there a scholarship for Honors Program students?
Yes, every Honors student receives an Honors Scholarship of $2,000 per academic year. In addition, we work closely with the Financial Aid office and the families on an individual basis to help students obtain other merit scholarships and need-based assistance.

How well have Honors Program graduates done?
Clarkson Honors students have done exceedingly well after graduation. Many have been accepted to prestigious graduate schools like MIT and Cal Tech and many have been offered graduate fellowships and other awards to pursue advanced study. Similarly, they receive multiple job offers from top companies like GE, IBM and Procter & Gamble.

What are the benefits of the Honors Program?
While there are many benefits to the Honors Program, perhaps the four principal ones are:

• Problem-based curriculum that enables students to gain knowledge and skills by exploring challenging contemporary issues;
• Opportunities to participate in summer research at the Honors Program's expense;
• Collaborative relationships with students and faculty as members of a stimulating, intensely personal community; and
• A network of alumni, industry, and graduate school contacts that students can take advantage of while they are in the program and after.

For more information about these and other benefits, see our website: http://www.clarkson.edu/honors For more information about the Honors Program, please contact:

Dr. David Craig
Director Honors Program
Box 5755
Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY 13699-5755
Phone: (315) 268-2320 or 268-2290
Fax: (315) 268-2344
dcraig@clarkson.edu