FAQ and Student Testimonials
Advising
Who do I contact with advising questions?
For Honors advising questions, please contact Dr. Gerardina Martin. For major specific questions, you should meet with your assigned department advisor. For scheduling information on an upcoming semester, Michelle Wills will email out the Honors full offerings before course registration begins.
In what order should I complete the Honors core classes?
Follow the sequence laid out in the document labeled: “Honor Core Course Sequence”
How do I know what classes are required for my major as an Honors student?
Find your major-specific course planning sheet.
FAQ
My child put a lot of time into AP classes and while it was a good experience, it was also somewhat draining. If college classes are of equal challenge, what is the value of taking even more high powered classes?
How do AP credits work? Aren't those often "general education"?
These are really two questions. First, WCU does accept AP scores in all test areas. Each department has different regulations in terms of what AP score must be earned to give credit for a specific class. A full listing of test credits (including AP/IB/CLEP) can be found on the Registrar web page. Second, in terms of general education, traditional students at WCU must complete 48 credit hours of identified "general education" work. For Honors students, the nine core Honors courses, plus an additional class in either math or science, fulfills all general education requirements. For many majors, these hours become available as "directed elective classes" where students, with advisement from their academic majors and/or Honors, can consider exploring adding a minor (or two!) or even a double major and still be able to graduate in four years. Other options for the "elective classes" include the potential of a semester of international study or a full semester internship (similar to student teaching) where the students apply the theory of the classroom in the larger community. An important exception needs mention. If a major requires specific "cognate" courses that also count as "traditional" general education classes, then students still need to take those classes. For example, Chemistry majors must take CHE 103. That class is also a "general elective" option for other majors on campus, say, History. While the History major would not need to take CHE 103, the Chemistry Major still would.
I have taken more than 8 AP classes, isn't my general education already completed? Why would I do Honors?
If accepted, is it a requirement that Honors students live in Honors housing?
All Accepted students are required to live on the 7th floor of Allegheny Hall for their first year. The 7th floor contains a large central lounge, computer lab, free laundry facilities, and a music room. Watch a virtual tour of Allegheny Hall!
If accepted, how soon is a decision required?
Does Honors offer any scholarships?
How are roommates chosen?
Would being part of the Honors College interfere with playing a sport?
Student Testimonials
What was appealing to you about the Honors College/influenced your decision?
"The Honors College was appealing to me because of its interdisciplinary approach to
learning which exposed me to many perspectives and classes that I may have never considered
taking such as the Honors Sustainability course or Honors in the Arts course. These
courses challenged me to learn about topics outside of my nursing major."
— Gabrielle Mahoney, class of 2022
"I was most excited to join the Honors College because of its emphasis on service and
leadership. Serving the community around me has always been a passion of mine and
is how I best lead. I was able to prepare professionally and personally the coursework
and experiences only offered through the Honors College! "
— Juah Toe, class of 2020
How has Honors impacted you thus far in your college career?
"Honors has played a HUGE role in my development as a leader by giving me various leadership
roles ranging from the Honors College Senator, Community Service Coordinator and finally
ending as a Peer Leader Mentor. Depending on your season, Honors continually has ways
for you to stay connected and grow as a person."
— Gabrielle Mahoney, class of 2022
"I joined the Honors College through the Bridge Program, and it opened the doors to
meeting so many new peers and professors. I am able to take classes outside my major
with a cohort of students and professors that have inspired me to be a leader and
lifelong learner. "
— Jessie Hazell, class of 2022
"The Honors College offers real opportunities for professional and personal growth.
From my time in Honors, I've gotten the chance to explore my career, work with professors
on projects, and set myself apart in my resume."
— James Lingman, class of 2023
What has been your favorite honors-related event overall?
"My favorite Honors-related event is definitely the Nobel Peace Leadership Series.
This multi-part event occurs in the Fall and allows first-year Honors students to
attend and participate in the workshops created and executed by upperclassmen in the
program. The workshops focus on Nobel Peace Prize laureates, their leadership traits,
and how the lessons learned from their efforts can be applied to today's communities.
The event and the connection the Honors College has created with the Nobel Institute
is something truly unique to West Chester University and is something I am proud to
be a part of!"
— Ollie DeSarno, class of 2020
What was appealing to you about WCU (Other than the Honors College)?
"I appreciate the structure of the University; I find it to be very organized. There's
a great amount of resources offered to the student body to help us succeed. My favorite
resource is the peer mentor I received my freshman year through the Dowdy Multicultural
Center."
— Briaira Parker, class of 2023
"West Chester was just the perfect sized college for me with small, personable classes,
but also enough people that you can always meet someone new. West Chester is also
in a great location. It isn't too far away from Philadelphia and a plethora of other
fun things to do, and everyone in the surrounding area is nice and welcoming."
— Timothy Fetterman, class of 2023
"When I first stepped on campus at WCU I knew right away it was the school I wanted
to attend. The reason I decided on WCU is still the reason I love it today. There
is an unrivaled sense of college community, though there is a town and residential
area around it, WCU is a place for 18-22 year old people to learn, grow and find themselves
completely surrounded by their peers. When I thought about going to college, West
Chester without knowing it, is what I imagined, and forever it will hold the perfect
definition of “college life” for me. "
— John R. McSweeney, class of 2022
"The College of Science and Mathematics, and more specifically the Department of Mathematics
at WCU, really stood out to me during my college search. I didn't have a clear career
path I wanted to pursue, and I knew this program would allow me the flexibility to
explore several concentrations: pure math, actuarial science, applied statistics.
The department offered a vast array of topics, and I'm more well-rounded in my career
because of that exposure!"
— Julia Edwards, class of 2021