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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Honors Program

Honors Program Frequently Asked Questions

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This varies with each student. The purpose of the honors program is to make Penn State Altoona a more exciting school for motivated students. The honors sections and honors options should be qualitatively deeper rather than quantitatively more. This might involve more reading and writing than a "normal" class. However, this should not take a significantly more significant amount of time. Students who already feel overworked before they enter the honors program may find the additional honors requirements to be a chore. However, students who are well prepared and motivated will not notice much difference, except that their classes are more interesting!

Your application must be in by the second week of the semester in which you intend to start your honors work.

Most honors programs adopt such a policy. It does not make good sense to admit students into the honors program if they are performing right at the retention cut-off. This puts them in danger of being dismissed from the program during an ensuing semester. Because many students tend to get somewhat higher grades early in their college careers (when classes often are a bit easier), this policy provides a cushion.

Yes! The honors coordinator will sign in non-honors students (bring a filled-out Drop/Add from the Registrar's Office) as long as they understand that an honors section is intended for motivated and engaged students. Honors sections are not available to students who simply are looking for a convenient way to complete their schedule. As the first question above notes, the workload for an honors section is not greater in quantity. However, if a student is not motivated, then the higher quality of the class will no doubt translate to greater difficulty.

No. The honors option is available only to students in the Altoona honors program or the Schreyer Honors College.

No. The Penn State Altoona Honors Program is distinct from the Schreyer Honors College (SHC). However, the Altoona program maintains academic standards that are consistent with SHC. To apply to SHC at the same time that you are applying for admission to Penn State as a first-year student, visit the Application Process page of the Schreyer Honors College site. For all other current students, Schreyer has a Gateway Admission process. For the application, visit the Apply as a Current Student page of the Schreyer Honors College site.

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See Also

  • Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Fair
  • Common Read
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Find Your Admissions Counselor
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Student Success Center
    • The Help Tool
    • Tutoring
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    • Safety at Penn State Altoona
    • Career Services
    • Eiche Library
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
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