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Honors

Honors FAQs

Eligibility

What GPA is needed to maintain eligibility for the Honors Program?

For the Classes of 2008 and 2009, the required cumulative GPA is 3.4. For the Class of 2010 and after, the required cumulative GPA is 3.6.

What if I don't get the required GPA first semester of my first year at Denison?

Students invited in the Honors Program as incoming first-year students can participate in the program their entire first year, regardless of GPA. However, those with no possibility of attaining a 3.6 by the end of the year will not be eligible to enroll in Honors seminars for the following fall, as a first semester sophomore.

What happens if my GPA drops below the minimum requirement? Am I out of the Honors Program permanently?

When a student’s cumulative GPA drops below the minimum required, the student is technically ineligible to participate in the Honors Program, and will be removed from the email list.

If I register for an Honors seminar for the coming semester, and my GPA at the end of the current semester falls below the minimum, will I be "kicked out" of the Honors seminar?

No, if you are eligible at the time you enrolled in the seminar, you will be allowed to remain if you choose.

If I'm just below the GPA cutoff, is there any way to enroll in an Honors seminar?

Yes. Professors are given the discretion to admit non-Honors students into Honors seminars on a space available basis and if they believe the student has a genuine interest in the course. A non-Honors student may contact the professor teaching the Honors seminar for permission to enroll, which is normally given by the professor’s initials on a drop/add slip for the Registrar

Graduating from the Honors Program

What is the difference between graduating "with Honors" and graduating "in the Honors Program"?

Graduating “with Honors” (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude – commonly known as Latin Honors) is based solely on your cumulative GPA (3.6, 3.75, 3.9, respectively). You can achieve this without ever participating in the Honors Program in any way.

Graduating “in the Honors Program” requires that you take four Honors seminars during your Denison career, maintain a 3.6 cumulative GPA, and complete a senior Honors research project. You must also file paperwork declaring your intention to do this.

What do I need to do to graduate in the Honors Program?

Graduating “in the Honors Program” requires that you take four Honors seminars during your Denison career, maintain a 3.6 cumulative GPA, and complete a senior Honors research project. You must also file paperwork declaring your intention to do this.

By when do I need to make my decision to do this?

You can file your paperwork anytime from your first year here up until the deadline to convert senior research into an Honors Project, which is usually late February of your senior year.

Where can I get the form to declare my intention to graduate in the Honors Program?

The forms are available in Gilpatrick House and are in a manila envelope hanging on the bulletin board next to Cookie’s office door.

When is the declaration form due?

The form is due no later than the same day the senior research conversion forms are due, in late February of your senior year.

If I turn in the declaration form, does that mean I must do everything to graduate in the Program?

No, it is only saying that you hope to do this. Most often when you file the form, you have not taken all four Honors seminar, nor do you know the title of your senior research. The forms are returned to you in spring term of your senior year for completion. If at that time you have not completed all the requirements, you simply notify the Honors Program that you are not eligible to graduate in the Program.

Honors projects

Do I need a separate Honors project to graduate in the Honors Program?

The Honors Project required to graduate in the Honors Program is the same one you are doing for your department. It is not a second project.

Where can I get information on how to complete an Honors project?

There is a link on the Honors Program website to the Provost’s instructions for completing an Honors project. Or you can visit the Provost’s web page directly at: http://www.denison.edu/offices/provost/ and go to the link “For Students”.

Gilpatrick House

Who can apply to live in Gilpatrick House?

All first-year, sophomore and junior Honors students are eligible to apply to live in Gilpatrick House for the following year. We do not house incoming first-year students.

How are residents chosen?

There is an application process in February/March. Residents are chosen based on their willingness to participate in Gilpatrick activities, suggested ways to improve the Honors Program, and a diversity of geographic locations and majors.

How is the Gilpatrick Fellow chosen?

The Gilpatrick Fellow (head resident of Gilpatrick and student liaison for the Honors Program) is chosen by an application process in early December. We look for someone with lots of energy who will be a good representative of the Program to the Denison community.

What are the duties of the Gilpatrick Fellow?

The Gilpatrick Fellow serves as the head resident of Gilpatrick (which houses 10 students), is the student liaison for the entire Honors population at Denison (500-600 students), head up the Honors Social Committee which plans extracurricular events for all Honors students, and is a member of the Faculty Honors Committee.

Extracurricular events

How can I join the Honors Social Committee?

Just come to a meeting when it’s announced. Everyone is welcome!

Can I still come to Honors extracurricular events even if I’m not in the Honors Program?

Yes, we don’t check your transcript when you sign up!

Can I bring a friend who is not in the Honors Program to a cultural event, like the Broadway Series productions, operas, and ballets?

Yes, for most events. Occasionally, there is an event with limited tickets that is open only to Honors students.

How can I qualify for a free ticket to the cultural events?

Get your defensive driving certification and offer to drive one of the 12-passenger vans!

How many Chowder Hours can I attend each semester?

Since we offer only three per term, we ask that you come to only one. The exception to this is if one doesn’t fill, then we open it up to those who have previously attended.

How can I be removed from the Honors mailing list?

Just send an email to sunkle@denison.edu and you will be removed. However, this will keep you from getting notice of any extracurricular events, scholarship information, and reminders on how to graduate in the Honors Program. So don't complain if you miss out on something good!