Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective Honors Students FAQs
Does it cost anything extra to be a member of the Honors College?
No. There are no additional fees to joining or being a member of the Honors College.
Can I join the International Honors Program
after I've started taking classes at UNCG?
Yes, but you must do so by the end of your second semester at UNCG.
Which program is better for me:
International Honors or Disciplinary Honors?
International Honors is ideally suited for freshmen that have yet to fulfill General Education requirements. Disciplinary Honors is better for students who are already taking classes in their major. If you are unsure which program is better for you, please set up an appointment to speak with the Honors Academic Adviser.
How does Honors in college differ from high school Honors?
For more information on how Honors in college differs from high school, please visit this web site.
Scholarships and Fellowships FAQs
Does LIHC give out UNCG scholarships?
No. For UNCG scholarships, such as the Merit Awards program, go to Financial Aid.
LIHC advises students competing for nationally competitive scholarships.
Do I Have to Take a Language Placement Test When I Come to UNCG?
It is very strongly recommended that you take the language placement test for the language you studied in high school if at all possible and even if you don't believe you will test well. It only takes a little time and helps provide information about the options you will have for completing the language requirement. Taking a language placement test does not mean that you must continue study in that language.
Current Honors Students FAQs
International Experience FAQs
How do I officially notify the Honors College of my International Experience?
You need to follow the directions for an International Experience, which can be found here.
Courses FAQs
What's an Honors Contract Course?
An Honors Contract Course is a way for Honors students to get Honors credit for a non-Honors course by enhancing that non-Honors course. Honors Contract Courses can be used to help fulfill requirements in the Disciplinary Honors Program. They cannot be used to fulfill requirements in the International Honors Program. For detailed instructions, see Contract Courses.
Eligibility FAQs
Do I have to be an Honors student to take Honors courses?
Preference for enrollment in Honors courses is made for students enrolled in the International Honors Program or the Disciplinary Honors Program. If, at the time of registration for classes, however, you possess a UNCG GPA of at least 3.30, you may enroll in an Honors course. You will need to fill out a drop/add form and bring it to the Honors Office. After verifying your eligibility, you will be admitted to the course.
Do I have to take an Honors course every semester
to remain in the Honors College?
No. As long as you maintain a 3.30 cumulative UNCG GPA, you will be an active member of the Honors College. Each semester, you may take as many or as few Honors courses as you wish. Also note that if your cumulative UNCG GPA falls below 3.30, you will be placed on suspension and will not be able to sign up for Honors courses until your GPA once again is at 3.30 or higher.
Graduation with Honors FAQs
What if I don't complete all the requirements for either the International Honors Program or the Disciplinary Honors Program?
Students who complete the requirements for either of our Honors programs are recognized on their transcript, at the Honors Banquet, and at graduation for their achievement. Students who do not complete those requirements are not penalized but are not recognized.
Second Language Requirement FAQs
What Languages Does UNCG offer through the 204 Level?
UNCG currently offers language instruction through the 204 level in Ancient Greek, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. In addition, students may take Sign Language.
Can I Place Out of My Language Requirement?
Yes. By taking the appropriate placement test, you may be able to place out of some or all of the courses necessary to fulfill the language requirement.
When should I start taking language courses at UNCG?
Unless you are already fluent in a language other than English or plan on fulfilling the language requirement while studying abroad, you should plan on taking language courses as soon as possible and preferably beginning in your first semester at UNCG. The sooner you begin studying a language, the sooner you can achieve fluency.
Can I study a language that is not taught at UNCG?
Yes. Studying a language not taught at UNCG may present additional challenges in getting the training to reach a "204" level of language. You can also engage in language study while completing your international experience at one of UNCG's partner institutions. Among the languages you could study are Estonian, Polish, Swedish, and Finnish. To explore the possibility of studying a language not taught at UNCG, you are strongly encouraged to talk to the Honors College office as soon as possible. Please note that you will need to document your proficiency with a letter of certification from a professor at an accredited US college or university.
I am already proficient in a language other than English.
Do I have to take courses to fulfill this requirement?
No. An acceptable level of proficiency is the ability to read a newspaper or magazine without a dictionary and understand approximately 80% of what is read and approximately 60% of the spoken word. If you are already proficient in a language other than English, you can document that ability without having to take courses. If your high school courses were taught in a language other than English, you may document your proficiency with a high school transcript. If you are fluent in a language taught at UNCG, you can document that proficiency through a placement test or an interview with a faculty member. If you are proficiency in a language not taught at UNCG, you can document that proficiency by submitting a letter of certification from a professor at any accredited US college or university documenting proficiency. For help with this process, contact the Honors College office.
If I study a language abroad, do I need to take four semesters?
Not necessarily. Acceptable proficiency requires the ability to read a newspaper or magazine without a dictionary and understand approximately 80% of what is read and approximately 60% of the spoken word. If you believe you have that level of proficiency, you can document it by taking a placement test or participating in an interview with a UNCG faculty member. If you are proficient in a language not taught at UNCG, you can document that fluency by submitting a letter of certification from a professor at any accredited US college or university. For help with this, contact the Honors College office.