2008 Woodie Awards
Honors program externally reviewed
Frank Seravalli '10
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
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In an effort to maintain its programs around campus, Saint Joseph's has occasionally ordered external reviews to better analyze the progress and path of a specific program.
One such review took place over the past year with the Honors Program at St. Joe's. The program, rarely talked about or known on campus, is available to students who strive to be "well-educated, articulate, morally responsible students who exemplify the highest standards of academic, professional, and personal excellence and achievement," as its mission statement says.
According to the report, the review was performed to provide a "balanced assessment of the … efficiency and effectiveness … of the system in place." Complementing the review were data from 10 other Jesuit Honors Programs to compare and contrast the programs. This report enabled the leaders of the Honors Program, Director Samuel Smith, Ph.D., and Assistant Director David Sorensen, Ph.D., to propose solutions to better aid the program.
One outcome of the review showed that the Saint Joseph's Honors Program was harder to gain admission to than those of other schools. Incoming freshmen with a 1350 SAT score and a minimum 3.75 cumulative GPA are automatically invited to join the program. Other students who are close to these scores may request a "fall back" admission in which they write a letter to the director and request admission. The study showed that from 2003-2006, 10 students were admitted using the "fall back" method and were exemplary students.
When comparing Honors admission requirements to other schools, Saint Joseph's were clearly more stringent. John Carroll University and Rockhurst University, Kansas City's Jesuit University, both only required 1250 scores with a 3.5 GPA. Any students that complete their freshman year with a 3.5 GPA or higher may also join the program.
Once admitted to the Honors Program, students generally have to take one honors course per semester that counts towards their degree as electives, but normally satisfy GER requirements.
One such review took place over the past year with the Honors Program at St. Joe's. The program, rarely talked about or known on campus, is available to students who strive to be "well-educated, articulate, morally responsible students who exemplify the highest standards of academic, professional, and personal excellence and achievement," as its mission statement says.
According to the report, the review was performed to provide a "balanced assessment of the … efficiency and effectiveness … of the system in place." Complementing the review were data from 10 other Jesuit Honors Programs to compare and contrast the programs. This report enabled the leaders of the Honors Program, Director Samuel Smith, Ph.D., and Assistant Director David Sorensen, Ph.D., to propose solutions to better aid the program.
One outcome of the review showed that the Saint Joseph's Honors Program was harder to gain admission to than those of other schools. Incoming freshmen with a 1350 SAT score and a minimum 3.75 cumulative GPA are automatically invited to join the program. Other students who are close to these scores may request a "fall back" admission in which they write a letter to the director and request admission. The study showed that from 2003-2006, 10 students were admitted using the "fall back" method and were exemplary students.
When comparing Honors admission requirements to other schools, Saint Joseph's were clearly more stringent. John Carroll University and Rockhurst University, Kansas City's Jesuit University, both only required 1250 scores with a 3.5 GPA. Any students that complete their freshman year with a 3.5 GPA or higher may also join the program.
Once admitted to the Honors Program, students generally have to take one honors course per semester that counts towards their degree as electives, but normally satisfy GER requirements.
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