The spring quarter came faster than we expected, and it is yet again time to enroll in classes. This time around, the Honors College Program is offering a series of classes for interested students to take.
For those confused with regards to what the program offers, in short it is a cohort-based model that provides access to in-depth and collaborative honors courses, research and leadership opportunities, and additional academic support for students planning to transfer to a four-year university. Said program has been available at Shoreline Community College for quite some time. According to the SCC Honors College website, “Of the 34 Community and Technical Colleges in Washington State, Shoreline has the most robust Honors College.”
As of fall quarter 2023 the Honors College fee has been reduced to $295 per quarter. Previously, domestic students paid $495, while the price for international students climbed to $695. Many students complained, and the school lowered the price to encourage more applications. Financial aid may help cover the cost of this fee depending on an individual’s situation, but interested students should contact the Financial Aid Office for certainty.
A typical stereotype that students have towards the program is that it may be significantly harder than the regular curriculum. Many lose interest before finding out that multiple benefits are truly worth the effort.
“I talk to a lot of students who think like, ‘ah I don’t think I’m a good enough student,’ and really some of our students that absolutely thrive are students who have not necessarily been a stellar student in the past. But having smaller classes, having more interactions, having a community could really shape them,” said K Michael Overa, the Interim Director of the Honors College.
An Honors College Program alumni, Jasper Rei Balinas, reassured future students about the matter as well. “Personally, I didn’t have difficulties with the rigor of the program. I think a lot of people have this preconceived notion that the HC program is ‘too hard’,” said Balinas. “I think it’s easy to assume this if you haven’t tried. I found that, rather than an increase in content difficulty in comparison to regular courses, there was an increase in the depth of the content in the honors courses.”
It is with no doubt that there will be more tasks and academic work to be done, but the program spikes the diligence and competitiveness in students who strive to excel academically. Alumni have transferred to competitive four-year institutions, including the University of Washington, University of California Irvine, UCLA, USC, Reed College and Western Washington University, among others.
Other than getting a more in-depth learning of certain subjects, Honor students also get rare and unique opportunities.
“If we took English 102 and we just kept pushing it further that’s kind of what it is. So in the fall students choose a topic, they do research and then in winter they work with a mentor, and then in the spring they have the opportunity to present at the University of Washington undergraduate research symposium,” said Overa.
Every quarter the program offers different classes. For spring quarter, The Honors College is offering:
- Gender & Women Studies 284: Gender, Race, and Class
- Anthropology 270: Primate Fossils and Anatomy
- Chemistry 173: General Inorganic Chemistry III
This year, they also reintroduced the Honors 101 Leadership Seminar and Honors 201 Transfer Seminar. It is also important to note that not only do students benefit from the rigorous learning system of the program, but students also get access to the honors lounge, a more intimate classroom environment, as well as the opportunity to create closer friendships.
“The Honors College program at Shoreline Community College gave me a better environment to connect with peers who were similarly driven and hungry for knowledge. The program enhanced my enjoyment of my studies during my time at Shoreline. I made many connections through the program, and I keep in contact with a handful who have become close friends even after transferring to UW,” said Balinas.
According to the Honors College website, additional benefits include:
- The opportunity to transfer directly into Washington State University’s Honors Program
- Dedicated Academic Advising
- A Second Year Transfer Seminar
- A First-Year Support Seminar
- Paid membership in the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (for qualified students)
- Leadership opportunities through the Honors Student Council
- Special Events and Volunteer Opportunities
“I absolutely encourage students to take the program. I think it is an excellent way to create an academic network, learn from others, and start building critical skills that will help you shine at university and beyond (especially if you take research track) — it makes your transfer applications stand out, and opens doors to many opportunities. I think the Honors College is a large reason why I was able to get into a highly competitive major at UW, as well as get a position as an undergraduate researcher during my first summer after my transfer. This could be you too!” said Balinas, reaching out to prospective students.
For more information about the program, visit https://www.shoreline.edu/honors/, take a trip to FOSS (5000) Building, Room 5336 or email at [email protected]. The Interim Director of the Honors College can be contacted directly by email at [email protected].
“I will not pretend that this is not more work: going deeper does require attention, time, and engagement,” former honors college student Balinas said. “It’s easy to assume that being in the program will be substantially more difficult than taking regular courses. And to that, I say: that’s a big assumption that you are choosing to limit yourself, your learning, and your opportunities with!”
