What to expect as an incoming MSU Honors College student

The Honors College , a community of high-achieving scholars, adds an extra layer to the MSUexperience for many students. This program comes with many perks and requirements that can be hard for new members to navigate.

To be in MSU's Honor College, students need to establish a GPA of 3.2 during their freshman year and maintain it until graduation. They must also complete three honors experiences by the end of their second spring semester and a total of eight before graduation, and they have to complete departmental course substitutions to replace writing and university Integrative Studies.

Honors experiences can consist of doing honors projects, when a student works to complete an independent project for a course that is counted towards their honors requirements, or taking the honors section of a course, which is typically a smaller class that is more academically challenging.

"We don't really have a prescribed set of honors work that students must do," Honors College director of advising Christine Raisanen said. "They can put their honors work wherever they want. So, if they want to do an honors course in their major, or if they want to do an honors course in a minor course or an elective, they have that freedom."

While the honors experiences may put some extra work on students' plates, many find it manageable, and even worthwhile. Chemical engineering senior Sanjana Shankar thinks students admitted to the Honors College already have what it takes to succeed in the program, and the requirements have given her a deeper understanding of her coursework.

"The honors experiences, although it might be extra work, those really give you more insight into the class that you're taking, especially if it's something in your interest or in your major," Shankar said.

In tandem with academic requirements, the Honors College provides many opportunities and advantages to students in the program. Honors College students can choose to live on honors floors of select residence halls, experience more academic freedom when picking classes and get an extra college advisor , like Raisanen.

"We meet with students and walk them through the Honors College requirements and benefits and discuss their upcoming schedule," Raisanen said. "We work with them mostly on fulfilling the set of requirements called the university requirements, because that's where they have a lot of flexibility. They don't need to follow what non-Honors College students do. They have much more choice in the courses that they take. So, we talk with them about their goals and courses that complement their degree program."

Honors college students are not only allowed to take graduate level classes as a honors option and exempt from certain prerequisites like "seniors only" or "major only," they can also enroll in classes on the first day of each enrollment period, ensuring they get first pick in filling up their schedule.

"It's also really nice because we get to pick classes first, which has been pretty helpful in being able to get the classes I would like for my schedule," Entomology junior JJ Bird said. "Also being able to take graduate classes has been really nice, because for entomology, there's some really cool classes that are graduate- level."

Bird has also enjoyed taking advantage of the events and activities that the Honors College puts on for students throughout the school year. He would advise new members to take part when the Honors College offers fun things at their base in Eustace-Cole Hall, and all around campus.

"Take advantage of all the little perks and stuff you get," Bird said. "For example, they do an Honors College Ball every year that me and my friends have gone to, which is really fun."

Shankar, who has been involved with a research program through the Honors College, emphasized exploring academic opportunities like research, study abroad and scholarships . However, more than anything else, Shankar encourages new honors students to have a good support system and academic-life balance.

"It's important to have a good group of friends, whether it's a study group or just a good community for you to prosper," Shankar said. "I think if you don't have that support system, it is kind of hard to survive or continue your college experience."