Seneff Honors College

 

What are the Honors options available to me?
Click here to learn more.

How do I apply for Honors?
Click here to learn more.

How long will it take to receive my Honors admission decision?
Completed applications are reviewed for admission in the order they are received. Students are typically notified of their admission decision within 4 weeks of completing their application.

Will I automatically get a scholarship if I am in Honors?
No - the Seneff Honors College is an academic program with limited scholarship opportunities. Students who are specifically seeking scholarships are encouraged to apply through the Valencia Foundation.

What is different about honors classes?
Honors courses at Valencia are interdisciplinary, prepare students to become 21st century learners, and integrate research-driven engaged practices. Faculty work with the Honors College to identify one or more of the practices below to integrate into their curriculum: Undergraduate Research, Service Learning, Internationalizing the Curriculum, and Authentic Inquiry-based Learning. Additionally, each course includes two honors-designated learning outcomes:

• Students will apply problem-solving skills creatively to address societal needs and challenges.
• Students will integrate interdisciplinary perspectives to enhance course content.

Are honors course grades weighted?
No. Unlike high school, college honors courses are not weighted.

Can dual-enrolled students take honors classes?
Dual enrollment (DE) students are always welcome to apply to and participate in the Seneff Honors College, and we have dual enrolled students on several campuses that take advantage of the opportunity. However, it is not the best fit for everyone – especially depending on the other time commitments you may have in your schedule for fall and spring terms (and that’s ok!). Regardless of whether or not you decide to incorporate honors into your dual enrollment plans, you should consider the number of college courses you take each semester, and the specific subjects you choose to enroll in. This is because you will establish your college transcripts with your dual enrollment courses and the grades will follow you on to university (for better or worse).

Also, please be aware that dual enrollment students are unable to participate in college opportunities like honors (or standard) study abroad, paid summer undergraduate research opportunities, paid pre-medical prep programs, professional conferences, national transfer scholarship applications, and some local volunteer opportunities. Since prospective honors students tend to be the types of students who seek out these unique opportunities, we strongly encourage you to stagger your high school and Valencia graduations (especially if you are pre-med). You can still start Valencia (and honors) while in high school if it is a good fit for you, but by not completing your AA degree at the same time as your high school diploma, you provide yourself with the space to take advantage of these opportunities after you graduate from high school and continue on at Valencia.

 

If I’m in Honors, do I have to register for all honors classes?
No, most students take approximately one-quarter to one-half of their classes in honors for their degree.

Do Honors classes cost more?
No, tuition is the same for honors classes.

Is there an application fee to apply for the Seneff Honors College?
No, there is no application fee for honors.

Is Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) part of the Seneff Honors College?
Although there is a close working relationship between the Seneff Honors College and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, PTK operates independently with chapters on the East, West, and Osceola campuses. The Seneff Honors College is an academic program and PTK is an honors society (student club) similar to National Honor Society (NHS) in high school. For more information, visit the Student Development page or drop by the Student Development office on your campus

What is an Honors Resource Center?
The Honors Resource Centers provide a constructive place for honors students to study and collaborate with fellow honors students. They’re like VIP study lounges.

What the Honors Resource Centers are:

• A safe space for all honors students
• A learning space
• A place to study
• A place to share information about events or activities that may be of interest to others
• A space in which you respect others; Be considerate of your volume and your language

What the Honors Resource Centers are not:

• An exclusionary space for honors students; All active honors students are welcome
• A place for your non-Honors friends to hang out
• Quiet zones with no talking – please use the normal library quiet rooms for quiet study
• A place for loud noises, profanity and disrespectful behavior
• Your personal storage space

Will honors help my degree or career aspirations?
Participation in a collegiate honors program is one way to demonstrate your willingness to go beyond the minimum expectations during your college experience. It’s also an easy way to demonstrate academic rigor on your college transcript. (Academic rigor is expected at selective colleges and universities as well as in graduate and professional school.) We are proud to say that our honors graduates regularly transfer into both selective in-state and out-of-state Bachelor’s degree programs, continue on to competitive graduate and professional schools, and eventually establish meaningful careers in their chosen professions. Our honors alumni speak positively about their experiences in the program and how it has served as a launchpad to other opportunities for them.

What is the minimum GPA to apply for the Seneff Honors College?
To be considered for admission to the Seneff Honors College, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and submit all required application materials.