a u q i n n a J s n i k w a D Psychology | Miami, Florida Class of 2015 Arizona State University, M.A., 2017
table of
CONTENTS 3
WELCOME LETTER
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SUCCESSES
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ACADEMICS
8
CURRICULUM
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RESEARCH
13
OFFICE OF SCHOLAR DEVELOPMENT
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CHINESE LANGUAGE FLAGSHIP PROGRAM
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INTERNATIONAL REACH
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COMMUNITY
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HOUSING
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HONORS FRESHMAN ORIENTATION RETREAT
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HONORS COLLEGE & INTERNATIONAL CENTER
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ADMISSIONS
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SCHOLARSHIPS
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DUAL CREDIT & CREDIT BY EXAM
© 2015 Western Kentucky University. Printing paid from state funds, KRS 57.375 Western Kentucky University is an equal opportunity institution of higher education and upon request provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. www.wku.edu/eoo
CONTACT US ADDRESS Honors College at WKU 1906 College Heights Blvd. #31082 Bowling Green, KY 42101—1082 PHONE 270-745-2081 FAX 270-745-3568 WEB wku.edu/honors
facebook.com/wkuhonors @WKUHonors @WKUHonors
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WELCOME Dear Scholar: Thank you for your interest in the Honors College at WKU! The scholar-focused approach of the College fosters a sense of community and a spirit of excellence among our Honors scholars, faculty and staff. The academic culture within the Honors College exists for one purpose: to help make your intellectual and career dreams come true. The Honors College is designed to function as a small, highly selective college, while providing you with the resources and opportunities of a large, robust university. The success of our scholars speaks for itself and is being recognized nationally. This year WKU was recognized as a “Top Fulbright Producing Institution” and our excellence was spotlighted in the recent publication “A Review of Fifty Public University Honors Programs.” I personally invite you to do a VIP visit and see what it means to be a part of the Honors College at WKU. We are Honors! Sincerely,
Craig T. Cobane, Ph. D. Executive Director, Honors College Jarve Endowed Professor in Honors Chief International Officer—Global Learning
facebook.com/craig.cobane @DrCTC_WKU
we are
SUCCESS HONORS COLLEGE GRADUATES FROM THE CLASS OF 2015 ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE FOLLOWING:
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS Arizona State University Asbury Theological Seminary Auburn University Bellarmine University Belmont University Boston University Duke University Emory University School of Law Emory University Candler School of Theology George Washington University School of Law Indiana University School of Optometry Indiana University—Bloomington Johns Hopkins University Kansas State University Louisiana State University Marshall University School of Pharmacy Montana State University Purdue University Southern College of Optometry Texas Tech University
University of Alabama—Birmingham University of Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Cambridge, Royal Welsh College of Music University of Cincinnati University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine University of Kentucky College of Dentistry University of Kentucky College of Medicine University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy University of Louisville School of Dentistry University of Louisville School of Medicine University of Louisville School of Law University of Memphis University of Mississippi University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Oklahoma University of Tennessee Knoxville Vanderbilt University Virginia Tech University West Virginia University Western Michigan University
EMPLOYERS Campus Crusade for Christ Chautauquan Daily Cleary’s Construction Disney College Program Entourage Management Financial Solutions, Inc. Flair Magazine Floyd Memorial Hospital Hennessy Industries Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program Kosair Women and Children’s Hospital
Senator Mitch McConnell Lexington Sister Cities Commission Quinn Financial Partners Reformed University Fellowship St. Thomas Hospital Teach for America Vanderbilt University Hospital Warren County Public Schools WaterStep WBKO TV Bowling Green WHAS-TV Louisville
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i m o a N ssnack Drie
Photojournalism | Huntsville, Alabama | Class of 2016
we are
CRITICAL THINKERS
“I chose WKU to study with the top Photojournalism program in the nation and study abroad as much as possible. I studied journalism in Germany for three weeks my freshman year, studied abroad for a semester at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, my sophomore year, and traveled to Havana, Cuba, for two weeks studying Cuban literature my junior year. I have interned as a photo editor for TIME.com, CNN and InStyle.com. I currently serve as co-editor-in-chief of WKU’s award winning yearbook, the Talisman. I have a deep desire to meet and understand people, which I developed and refined because of the opportunities the Honors College has given me to study abroad.
I chose Photojournalism because I want to connect with people based on basic human truths through sharing compelling visual stories, and Honors has taught me to recognize the beauty and uniqueness of each person. Studying abroad definitely changed my perspective of people, but also Honors classes create an environment of mutual respect where we are challenged to discuss what we believe and why we believe these truths. I have a lot of big dreams and big ideas. The Honors College at WKU has given me the means to accomplish these dreams and pursue these ideas.�
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CURRICULUM and RESEARCH THE HONORS COLLEGE OFFERS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY 33-HOUR PROGRAM TO BE COMPLETED OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR UNDERGRADUATE CAREER.
CREDIT HOUR DISTRIBUTION HONORS 251
GENERAL EDUCATION HONORS ELECTIVES HONORS UPPER-DIVISION ELECTIVES HONORS UPPERDIVISION COURSES IN MAJOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE/ THESIS DEGREE TITLE
# OF HOURS FOR CE/T OPTION
3 9 6 6 3 6 HONORS COLLEGE GRADUATE
# OF HOURS FOR NON CE/T OPTION
3 9 6 6 9
-HONORS PROGRAM GRADUATE
b o c a J s e g d o H
Economics | Tompkinsville, Kentucky Class of 2017
The Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T) option is unique to the Honors College at WKU and is meant to enhance your experience in your discipline. You have the opportunity to combine your personal passions and career goals into a research project or creative endeavor. Honors Development Grants and Faculty-Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grants are among the many resources available to support undergraduate research at WKU. Completing a CE/T project has given Honors College graduates a competitive edge when applying for graduate schools, professional schools, or employment opportunities. EXAMPLES OF PAST CE/T PROJECTS INCLUDE: • • • • • • • • •
A New Kind of Body Project: Blogging and the American Teen Girl Architectural Bridge Consequence Baby Names as a Determinant of Cultural Assimilation in the Non-Continental United States Monitoring the Physiological Effects of a Cross Country Bike Ride on Novice Cyclists Patriotism or Financial Stability – What Drives Young Men and Women to Join to the United States Armed Forces The Wizarding Words of J.K. Rowling: Literary Merits in the Harry Potter Series Using Art to Promote Peace in the Lives of Elementary Aged Students What’s that Hooting Sound? A Survey on Novel Sound Producing Mechanisms in Chameleons Where the Rocks Bleed Ink: Palestinian Images of Self in Political Cartoons
To view these CE/T projects and others, visit digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses
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we are
RESEARCHE
ERS
d i v Da Sams Biology (Pre-Med) | Somerset, Kentucky | Class of 2017 “As a Biology major and Psychology minor in the Honors College, I’ve had many incredible experiences at WKU. The Honors College has helped me cultivate an interest in research and has encouraged me to pursue my own independent research. My Honors Capstone Experience Thesis examines the relationship between caffeine and sleep deprivation by analyzing the inflammatory response of cardiac tissue. I’ve been engaged in biological research since my freshman year at WKU with financial support from the Office of Scholar Development (OSD) and other departments on campus. Furthermore, the OSD staff helped me apply for internships where I gained valuable academic connections and learned many new lab techniques to diversify my academic résumé. Before my time in the Honors College, I had a narrow perspective of academics that largely centered on productivity through isolation. Through Honors courses within my major and Honors 251: Citizen and Self, I’ve discovered not only the academic value of discussion-based learning, but also how transformative group experiences can be. The collaborative and unifying environment of the Honors College has changed how I view the world academically and personally. Pre-professional students are often competing for a limited number of spots in highly selective programs, and at first I worried that the competitive spirit would mean I wouldn’t develop close relationships with my classmates. However, I found that the Honors College helped me connect with people similar in motivation, desire, and work ethic who have become my closest friends.”
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Music and History | Russellville, Kentucky Class of 2015 US-UK Fulbright Summer Institute Award, 2011 Fulbright Postgraduate Award, 2015 University of Birmingham, M.A., 2018
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NATIONALL COMPETITI
LY IVE
Sarah Fox “My Honors College experience means people and opportunities. It means talking with Cubans about Cuba’s relationship with the US under a blue Havana sky. As a part of an Honors course on Cuban culture, I grappled with political questions and realized just how connected and accessible our world is. It means a classroom of fourth graders excitedly cradling world globes in their hands as they discuss people in the world whom they could help. The Honors CE/T experience allowed me to teach a Super Saturdays class on leadership and social change. It means the hope of the future after working on international scholarship and graduate school applications with Office of Scholar Development (OSD) advisors. Through the application process for the US-UK Fulbright Summer Institute, I learned how to articulate and externalize my dreams. I received the award and during my time in Newcastle I began to explore the potential music holds to help those in poverty. Back at WKU, I was awarded a Lifetime Experience Grant through OSD to begin an after-school choir program for low-income students. This experience became one of the foundations of all of my international scholarship and graduate school applications. My OSD advisors and I scrutinized each word in these applications and many Honors professors sat on mock interview committees. They dared me, always with compassion, to continually improve. Completing applications and interviews prepared me to fly to New York to interview with the choral director of the London Symphony and for my Fulbright Postgraduate Award interview. My OSD experience has been truly transformative. I used to read the news and become frustrated. I felt there was little I could do to be a part of the solution to the problems about which I was reading. Now when I read the news, I have courage to try to make a difference in the world because my Honors College experiences have taught me that positive changes result from collaborative efforts. From interviewing for highly competitive conducting programs in the United Kingdom to participating in intense discussions on human rights in honors classes, the Honors College has allowed me to learn from and be empowered by the ideas and support of my professors and peers.”
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OFFICE OF SCHOLAR DEVELOPMENT THE OFFICE OF SCHOLAR DEVELOPMENT (OSD) OSD is committed to helping students on all WKU campuses and in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience, and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. We help students all the way through the application process – finding opportunities, writing and revising essays, and preparing for interviews. Between Fall 2013 and Spring 2015, OSD helped WKU students earn over $1.6 million in external scholarship funding. Beyond the dollars and cents, these scholarship successes have allowed WKU students to study abroad, conduct research, complete undergraduate and graduate degrees, and change lives. WHY APPLY FOR A NATIONALLY COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIP? Applying for a nationally competitive scholarship opens up the opportunity to set your academic and career goals higher and provides you with the means to reach them. These competitions are sponsored for a variety of reasons: to support study abroad and language acquisition, to encourage cultural exchange, and to facilitate graduate education and research in numerous fields. Beyond the money and national validation, applying is a helpful process that promotes self-reflection and creates an opportunity to learn about yourself and develop important grant-writing skills. WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY? National scholarship competitions are not about having the perfect GPA. Instead, award committees are looking for talent, passion, curiosity, determination, and a record of service and commitment to an ideal or cause. OSD will work with you to discover resources to support your dreams. To learn more about the application process, visit wku.edu/osd
FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS WKU has been named among the Top Fulbright Producing Institutions by the Chronicle of Higher Education. With six grants for 2014-15, WKU is tied for third in the nation of Master’s institutions and the only college or university in Kentucky to be recognized as a Top Producer.
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4 23 22 5 7 20 53 1 RHODES SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST
NATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATION PROGRAM BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE NATIONAL SECURITY LANGUAGE INITIATIVE FOR YOUTH (NSLI-Y) AWARDS
BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIPS & HONORABLE MENTIONS
FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT AWARDS
MORRIS K. UDALL SCHOLARSHIPS & HONORABLE MENTIONS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND RESEARCH FOR TRANSFORMATION (SMART) SCHOLARSHIPS
HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS
FULBRIGHT UK SUMMER INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS
DEPARTMENT OF STATE CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIPS
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OXFORD—CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARS PROGRAM RECIPIENT
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Chinese FLAGSHIP
The Chinese Language Flagship Program at WKU is an undergraduate immersion program designed for learners of Chinese to reach a superior level of professional language proficiency and cultural competency while pursuing degrees in their academic major of choice. OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES: •
Intensive Chinese language instruction offered at all proficiency levels; no prior knowledge of Chinese necessary
•
Weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions with native Chinese speakers
•
Assistance with applications to nationally competitive scholarships for further language study in the United States and abroad
•
Winter, summer, semester and year-long opportunities to study in China and Taiwan
•
Professional development via international internships in any discipline Application deadline: January 15th All applicants must apply and be admitted to the Honors College. Visit wku.edu/chineseflagship for more information.
Megan Laffoon Biology and Agriculture | Louisville, Kentucky | Class of 2016 “Joining the Flagship Program has been one of the best decisions I made coming to college. I’ve gained more than Chinese fluency—I’ve found friends and mentors who share my passion for the language and yet come from all different backgrounds. It has widened my perspective of the world and has opened so many doors for further learning. I’ve been able to travel to China twice and spend a whole summer studying in Taiwan. I came into WKU not even knowing how to say hello, but in the spring of my junior year, I presented my own research in Chinese. Since coming to WKU, I have encountered so many opportunities for both academic and personal growth that I never imagined in high school. Because of my involvement in undergraduate research, I traveled to China to attend the International Training Course on Karst Hydrology under the auspices of the UN. I received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship for scientific research and have been funded through WKU’s FUSE grant and Lifetime Experience grant. To me, the Honors College has been a place of community and support. The faculty wants you to find and pursue your dream. The support system of friends and mentors gave me the freedom to explore new ideas across academic disciplines. After graduating, I plan to attend graduate school and, eventually, pursue my PhD. I want to combine my passion for feeding people, research, and Chinese by studying sustainable food systems and global food security.”
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we are
INTERNATIO
Stella Treumann International Affairs and Chinese | Munich, Germany | Class of 2017 “I was born in Munich, Germany, but have lived in Basel, Switzerland, for most of my life until I moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to attend the Honors College at WKU. I have been able to accomplish things at WKU that I could never have done at a different university. I am very thankful for my time in the Honors College at WKU. It has not only provided me with an excellent academic environment, but the social aspect interwoven with the academics has made me a wellrounded person. Having moved almost 5,000 miles from Switzerland to attend the Honors College, I was naturally very nervous. However, at the Honors College I felt understood, supported, and at home right away. I saw that the Honors College faculty and staff genuinely cared about me, and they did not hesitate to spend more time than required to ensure that I was achieving my full potential. During my time at WKU, I have been able to study Chinese, and have had the opportunity to study abroad in China for one month. I spent four weeks in Beijing and several days in Shanghai studying Chinese language and culture. In addition, I traveled from China to Taiwan for a two-week self-designed study abroad program in Taipei. The Honors College has taught me the importance of excelling in all areas of life. It is a community in which students learn together, know and support each other. As a high school senior in Switzerland, I had many options of where I could attend college. I knew that the Honors College at WKU would be the best fit for me, allowing me to continue to enhance my academic, language, and cross-cultural skill-sets. In retrospect, I wouldn’t change anything!�
ONAL
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study
ABROAD THE WORLD IS ALL WITHIN YOUR REACH At WKU, we are committed to helping students develop the skills and global perspectives necessary to succeed in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. Honors College students have countless opportunities to engage in global learning—whether through faculty-led study abroad programs, overseas internships and service learning courses, or research abroad. Honors scholars are also particularly well-qualified to participate in exchange programs with our overseas partner universities, which offer direct access to a broad range of curricular offerings. We make it easy for you to reach for the world! Programs are available for virtually every major, and our expert advisors will work with you to find options that suit your educational and personal needs. Our goal is to ensure that you graduate as a knowledgeable, open-minded citizen of the world, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultures—skills that will set you apart whether you choose to continue your education in graduate school, or whether you intend to enter directly into the global job market. Having a life-changing international experience is within your reach at the Honors College at WKU. Explore opportunities today at wku.edu/studyabroad
DID YOU KNOW? • Study abroad participation at WKU has increased almost 50% in just the last five years, and over 600 Hilltoppers—including 198 Honors College students studied abroad in 2014 alone • Over 60% of Honors scholars study abroad during their time at WKU • We are committed to making study abroad accessible to all students. Financial aid is transferable, and WKU invests more than $300,000 annually in scholarships to help fund overseas experiences • Students who study abroad are more likely to graduate from college on time and with a higher GPA • College graduates with study abroad experience typically find employment more quickly and earn significantly higher starting salaries than their peers without international experience
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English, Professional Writing and Journalism Edmonton, Kentucky | Class of 2017
semester at SEA
McKenzie Perdew
“In fall of 2014, I spent a semester abroad at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, and it was the most incredible experience of my life. While I was abroad, I was able to travel to six different countries: England, Ireland, Scotland, The Netherlands, France, and Italy. During my four months in Europe, it was so amazing to see what the world has to offer. I was able to mark several things off my bucket list, including visiting Ireland, visiting Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam, and sitting on the famous bench from The Fault in Our Stars movie. My advice is to take advantage of the opportunities that both the Honors College and WKU have to offer and get yourself to another country at least once in your undergraduate career. While abroad, I found layers of myself that I did not know existed. I found a deep sense of strength and independence within myself while in England. Traveling teaches you so much more than a textbook ever could. I credit the Honors College with molding me into the person I am today. It has taught me how to look outside my window of the world—I learned how to contemplate the world around me and what I can contribute to make it a better place for all—how to become a better citizen.”
HA
A
Bryson Keltner
“Semester at Sea is one of the most unique study abroad programs. I lived with students from around the globe as I took classes on a ship that was traveling the world. Coupled with what my classes taught me, I adopted a new worldview, found a global perspective, and gained an appreciation for my home country. These things cannot be taught in a classroom. I also made friendships that stretch across continents and experienced places that many can’t even dream of. I stood on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, camel trekked though the Sahara Desert, rummaged through the ruins of Pompeii, gazed over Cuban beaches, walked down Russian streets, marveled at the Eiffel Tower, and paddle-boarded off the coast of Brazil. I spent 108 days living on a ship and I visited 18 countries, but pure words cannot encompass my SAS experience because it was simply indescribable. The Honors College has helped me find myself. I have re-evaluated what I want to do with my life, fulfilled my dream of traveling the world, and I will continue to succeed after graduation. This all could not have been made possible without the support—whether monetary, informational, or moral—of the Honors College. I can’t imagine life without the Honors College and I firmly believe that becoming part of it was the best decision of my life.”
Psychology and Communication Shepherdsville, Kentucky | Class of 2016
ARLAXTON
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COMMUNIT WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF LIVING AND LEARNING TOGETHER The community experience in the Honors College at WKU begins with the Honors Freshmen Orientation Retreat (H4) and continues in our three residence halls where scholars form lifelong networks and unforgettable bonds. The school year kicks off with a picnic with WKU President, Gary Ransdell, dinner in the comfort of a professor’s home, and an ice cream social sponsored by the Honors Club to further welcome you to your Honors College family. From joining one of over 300 university clubs and organizations, to our annual themed spring formal, our spirit is fostered through engaging social and academic opportunities.
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Gina Hatchett
Business Economics and Marketing | Nashville, Tennessee | Class of 2017 “I love, love, love the Honors College. It is one of the main reasons I decided to attend school at WKU. Prior to college, I opted for a gap year and spent six months abroad in Eastern Europe carrying out missions work. I flew back to the States a week before classes started, so I came to school not knowing a soul. It was difficult, but I knew the best was yet to come. By residing in Honors housing freshmen and sophomore years, I put myself out there, made great friends with the girls on my floor, and sought out ways to get integrated on campus. Now, I have a diverse group of friends, am dedicated to a variety of groups, and have grown to love WKU. For the past three semesters, I have been an Honors Teaching Assistant for the Honors 251 course. I attend the class for three hours a week and assist with teaching, aiding students, and editing their papers. The Honors College truly puts its students first. The faculty and staff take time to hear about our desires and ambitions and from there, they help craft ways to see that our goals are accomplished. My Honors College experience, thus far, has been exceptional. It has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that are available beyond graduation and is preparing me for that next big step.�
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honors
HOUSING MAKE WKU YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Honors College partners with the Department of Housing and Residence Life to provide you with three Honors residence hall options and an atmosphere in which you can thrive. Whether you are living in Minton, Bates-Runner, or McLean Hall, you will be connected with a community of Honors scholars who are engaged on campus both socially and academically. We encourage you to apply for housing by the priority deadline of March 31. For additional information, please visit wku.edu/housing.
• standard • room features
residential hall features
• A low, loftable, bunkable, twin bed
• Study lounge
• Desk with chair
• Vending machines
• Two-shelf bookcase
• Laundry room
• Dresser
• Kitchen on every floor
• Closet
• Ice machine
• Trash can and recycling can
• TV lounge
• Cable TV
• Front desk open 24/7
• Internet (wireless and ethernet)
• In-hall social and educational opportunities
• Movable furniture (one set per resident)
• Local telephone service access
• Air conditioned
MINTON HALL Minton Hall is a ten-story, co-ed residence hall that was built in 1963 and underwent significant renovation in 2004. Minton houses primarily underclassmen who are in the Honors College. It is located in the middle of campus across from Downing Student Union.
BATES-RUNNER HALL Bates-Runner is a three-story, co-ed residence hall that was built in 1958 and underwent significant renovation in 2002. Bates-Runner houses upperclassmen who are in the Honors College. Rooms in this residence hall include a private bathroom to be shared with a roommate. It is located in the heart of campus adjacent to Downing Student Union and Centennial Mall.
McLEAN HALL McLean Hall is a three-story, co-ed residence hall that underwent extensive renovation in 2000. Rooms in this residence hall include a private bathroom to be shared with a roommate. McLean houses upperclassmen who are in the Honors College and is located in the center of campus near BatesRunner Hall and Grise Hall.
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H4
The Honors Freshman Orientation Retreat (H4) is an exciting experience for Honors College scholars held at Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson Station, Tennessee. H4 provides you with the opportunity to move into your residence hall early and connect with over 200 of your fellow incoming Honors freshmen before fall classes begin.
THE HONORS FRESHMAN ORIENTATION RETREAT (H4) You will be placed with a student counselor and a small group where you will receive helpful advice about adjusting to college and life on the Hill. Outside of small groups, you can take advantage of all of the activities that the retreat center has to offer including a low ropes course, rock wall, swimming and waterfront activities, wiffle ball, sand volleyball and many others. Over the course of the four-day retreat you will also interact with Honors College faculty and staff and representatives from across campus who will help you get involved at WKU. Spaces for H4 are limited, and applications will be available online on May 1. For more information, please visit wku.edu/honors/h4.
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we are HOME Home to the Honors College, Office of Scholar Development and the Chinese Language Flagship Program, the Honors College/International Center (HCIC) is a state-of-the-art facility that provides you with the resources necessary to enhance your academic experience. The building serves as the “Gateway to the World� at WKU. Many of our internationally-focused partners, including the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning, the Office of International Programs, and the Kentucky Institute for International Studies are located in the HCIC.
E The facility provides all the amenities you could wish for as an Honors scholar: the Schroeder Commons, Passport Bistro—an internationally-themed cafÊ, seminar rooms, sixteen tutorial/study rooms, a large multipurpose room, and a backyard for leisure. The Honors College/International Center provides an inviting atmosphere for you to meet friends, study, or have lunch with faculty, staff and classmates. In short, the Honors College/International Center is designed to support your educational dreams.
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ADMISSIONS requirements Minimum application requirements for incoming freshmen include any one of the following: • 27 ACT composite or combined verbal and math SAT 1210 • 3.8 unweighted GPA • Top 15% of high school class
• application
The priority application deadline is December 1 to be considered for competitive admission into the incoming Honors College class. Applications completed after December 1 will be considered on a space-permitting basis. To apply, visit wku.edu/honors/apply.
visit To get a feel for the Honors College experience, prospective scholars are encouraged to attend an Honors VIP Visit. Schedule one online at wku.edu/honors/visit.
membership fee The Honors College membership fee is used to support a range of academic priorities focused upon meeting the needs of our scholars. These include: additional Honors course sections, scholarships/grants, and intellectual and social programming. All of the resources are used to assist the Honors College to support scholars pursuing their academic and intellectual dreams. $160/semester - First Year $140/semester - Second Year
$120/semester - Third Year $100/semester - Fourth Year
what we need from you
what to expect from us
NOVEMBER 1ST WKU Application for Admission Official High School Transcript ACT or SAT Scores Application Fee
FEBRUARY Honors College Admission Notifications
DECEMBER 1ST Honors College Application for Admission MARCH 31ST Register for Topper Orientation Program (TOP) Priority Housing Application MAY 1ST Honors College Enrollment Scholarship Action
MARCH Scholarship Award Notifications MAY H4 Applications Available JULY Housing Assignment Notifications H4 Notifications AUGUST H4 Retreat M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan
JUNE H4 Applications Due
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beginning freshmen
SCHOLARSHIPS
The following scholarships are offered to beginning freshmen entering in the fall semester. Your completed application for admission to WKU by January 15 serves as your application for all merit-based awards except for the Cherry Presidential. A completed application for admission includes: an official high school transcript, ACT and/or SAT scores, and an application fee or fee waiver on file with the Office of Admissions. For a comprehensive list of all university scholarships for beginning freshmen, please visit wku.edu/scholarship.
CHERRY PRESIDENTIAL COMPETITIVELY AWARDED
ANNUAL ACADEMIC MERIT AWARDS AUTOMATICALLY AWARDED
3.8+ Unweighted GPA, 31+ ACT $16,000 for selected recipients $12,000 for finalists Application deadline: December 1st The Honors College application serves as your Cherry Presidential application Renewable over 4 years with 3.4 GPA
$1,500-$8,000 Application deadline: January 15th Renewable over 4 years with 3.0 GPA (See graph below)
ANNUAL ACADEMIC MERIT AWARDS
27 - 25
UNWEIGHTED GPA
ACT 36 - 28 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3
$8,000
$4,000
$4,000
$2,500
$1,500 TARGETED AWARDS
Can be received in addition to above scholarships up to Cost of Attendance KY Governor’s Scholars, KY Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs, KY Governor’s School for the Arts, National Merit & Achievement Semifinalists & Rogers Scholars
ACT
GPA
$1,500
20+
3.0+
$2,500
Cornelius A. Martin Scholarship (for eligible minority students)
25+
3.0+
$2,500
Tuition Incentive Program Scholarship (for non-resident students in TIP counties)
25+
3.0+
$10,000 Non-Resident (excluding TIP counties)/International Scholarship
25+
3.0+
$10,000 Gatton & Craft Academy Graduates (addtl. research funds available)
25+
3.0+
ALL RENEWABLE OVER 4 YEARS WITH A 3.0+ GPA
For additional scholarship opportunities visit wku.edu/topdollar
CREDIT BY EXAM and DUAL CREDIT You can earn credit prior to attending WKU in a variety of ways including the Advanced Placement Program (AP), ACT and SAT, dual credit, and the International Baccalaureate Program (IB). Please refer to the sections below for a brief description of these options. For detailed information, please visit wku.edu/honors/priorcredit.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM (AP)
WKU awards college credit through the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board upon attaining a minimum score of a 3 on the corresponding AP examination. You are eligible to receive credit from the AP examinations listed below. Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Chinese Language & Culture Computer Science A English Language & Composition English Literature & Composition Environmental Science European History French Language & Culture
German Language & Culture Government & Politics—Comparative Government & Politics—U.S. Human Geography Italian Language & Culture Japanese Language & Culture Latin Macroeconomics Microeconomics Music Theory Physics C Electricity & Magnetism Physics C Mechanics
Physics I Physics II Psychology Spanish Language & Culture Spanish Literature & Culture Statistics Studio Art—2D Studio Art—3D Studio Art—Drawing U.S. History World History
ACT/SAT
If you score a 29 or above on the English section of the ACT or a 650 or above on the verbal section of the SAT you may be awarded 3 credit hours for English 100. WKU does not require the written component on either exam. If you score a 26 or above on the Math section of the ACT or a 595 or above on the Math section of the SAT, you may be awarded 3 credit hours for Math 116. If you earn credit for English 100 or Math 116 on the ACT or SAT you may not receive additional credit for those courses.
DUAL CREDIT
You may earn college credit through dual credit courses taken during high school. You must request official transcripts to be sent to WKU from the college or university where the dual credit course was taken in order to receive credit.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
WKU recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) program completed in high school. Credit will be awarded by earning the required score in a specific subject. To receive credit, you must furnish an official IB transcript to the Office of Admissions issued directly from the New York office of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
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324 30/1340 FIRST-TIME FIRST YEAR FRESHMEN
AVERAGE ACT/SAT SCORE
3.9
AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL GPA
APPLY TODAY
Minimum application requirements for incoming freshmen include any one of the following: • • •
27 ACT composite or combined verbal and math SAT 1210 3.8 unweighted GPA Top 15% of high school class
VISIT THE HONORS COLLEGE AT WKU, VIP STYLE All prospective scholars are welcome to visit WKU for an official campus tour. If you meet the application requirements for the Honors College and would like to schedule a VIP visit, go to wku.edu/honors/visit
CONTACT US ADDRESS Honors College at WKU 1906 College Heights Blvd. #31082 Bowling Green, KY 42101—1082 PHONE 270-745-2081 FAX 270-745-3568 E-MAIL honors.admissions@wku.edu WEB wku.edu/honors facebook.com/wkuhonors @WKUHonors @WKUHonors