Honors Program

About the Honors Program

Find your Voice through the Honors Program

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Honors Program is an intellectually stimulating academic program in an intimate, small-college setting, open to select high-ability students each year. Admission to the Honors Program is a privilege achieved by a select group of students who demonstrate exceptional academic and leadership skills and potential. 

Ready to put your exceptional talents and curiosity to the ultimate test? Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Honors Program will give you the vehicle and the open road to surpass your expectations. Our tradition of innovative teaching and learning begins with the special benefits and resources we provide to high-ability students each year.

Demanding courses, stimulating discussions, international study, and research projects will challenge your intellect and enhance your education. You’ll be able to tailor your academic program to your wants and needs. You can pursue valuable scholarships to support your goals.

Our distinctive experiences for self-expression, leadership, and service will prepare you for graduate school, a professional career, and most importantly, life.

Both in and out of the classroom, our vibrant, supportive learning environment will help you interact and share ideas with other bright, motivated students and mentoring professors. You’ll be part of a close-knit, dynamic community from your first day on campus. By the time you graduate with an honors diploma, you’ll discover that you achieved more than you ever thought you could.

Program Focus

The program focuses on three areas to help you realize your potential in college and beyond:

As an Honors student, you will grow into a young woman who finds her voice and makes a difference.

Your experience in the Honors Program will broaden your cultural awareness, deepen your knowledge, enhance your creativity, and sharpen your research and writing skills. You will be empowered to make significant contributions to today’s global society.As an Honors student, you will study with some of our most engaging faculty members in an academic environment that allows you to interact with many of SMWC’s most academically-gifted students – students just like you!This year’s Honors students are some of SMWC’s brightest first year students. The class came highly recommended by their mentors and teachers and boasted an average grade point average of 3.78, an average SAT (critical reading and math) of 1180, and an average ACT of 27. As a member of SMWC’s Honors Program you will study alongside and interact with this gifted group of students! Scholarships are available for students accepted into the Honors Program.

Honors Program Mission

The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Honors Program attracts and challenges select students to achieve the highest standards of academic, professional, and personal excellence. It offers an enriched curriculum that broadens cultural awareness, deepens knowledge, enhances creativity, sharpens research and writing skills,fosters leadership, and empowers students to make significant contributions to the global society.

Learning Outcomes

Stemming directly from the mission statement, the SMWC Honors Program prepares students to meet five major learning outcomes. All coursework and co-curricular activities will address one or more of these outcomes.By participating in the SMWC Honors Program, you will:

Selection Criteria

To qualify for the Honors Program, incoming and currently enrolled students should meet the following:

Transfer students with a minimum of 15 unit credits and at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA will also be considered for admission to the Honors Program, and the Honors Committee will examine transfer student applications on an individual basis using college/university grades in lieu of SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA.  Transfer students who are admitted to the Honors Program will be required to complete all of the curricular and co-curricular requirements, except ID 100/105 if it has already been waived.

Apply to the Honors Program

You may apply for the Honors Program when you complete the College’s application for admission. Apply online today..

Admission to the Honors Program is based on academic achievement and potential. High school students earning an Indiana Academic Honors Diploma or completing an advanced college preparatory curriculum in another state are encouraged to apply to the Honors Program. Your Honors Program application will be reviewed after you are admitted to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Scholarships: Students admitted to the Honors Program are eligible for several scholarships.

Deadlines: The Honors Program has a competitive, rolling admission review process. Students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. The priority deadline for fullest consideration, including scholarships, is January 20, 2012. The Honors Program class will be announced on May 11, 2012.

Students applying to the Honors Program will be notified of their status within 2-4 weeks after submitting the required application materials.

Plan a Visit to SMWC

Discover how you can find your voice at SMWC! Plan a visit today! You can schedule your visit online. During your visit you can discuss your plans and your interests with Honors Program students and faculty.

Important Dates

The application deadline has been extended.

For More Information

For further details about the Honors Program, please contact Jackie Fischer.

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