Honors College Scholarship

Rev. (7/06)

PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY

HONORS COLLEGE

Information & Application Tips  For International  Students (Transfers )

Q: WHAT IS THE HONORS COLLEGE?

A: The Honors College information brochure gives a basic description of the program (available upon request). The following answers to posed questions may also prove beneficial.

Q: WHEN WAS THE HISTORIC START OF THE PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE?

A: The concept of an Honors College at Pittsburg State formulated in 1986, by Dr. Donald W. Wilson; President, Dr. Robert K. Ratzlaff; Vice President for Academic Affairs, and a committee of faculty members. 

The goal of recruitment, program enhancement, provision for scholarships, and student retention of superior students were viewed as key ideas in the creation of the Honors College. The University chose to expand the necessary resources to create the program, partly from the Margin of Excellence initiative of the Kansas Board of Regents. An initial class of twenty freshmen students was selected during the spring of 1987 and enrolled for the 1988 fall semester. The Transfer Scholars Program was added in 1991. The Honors College has admitted numerous high-achieving students from 1988 to the present.

Q: WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE STUDENT BODY OF THE HONORS COLLEGE?

A: In any given academic year, the Honors College typically has between 120-130 student members. All of the Honors College students have renewable scholarships.

Q: WHAT RENEWABLE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS?

A: Two-year transfer Honors College students receive a tuition/fees scholarship equivalent to in-state tuition and fees. Up to six transfer scholarships are typically available each year. Applicants for these scholarships must first apply for admission to Pittsburg State University, then submit their Honors College application packet no later than the February 1 deadline date prior to the anticipated fall enrollment at Pittsburg State University.

Q:  WHO IS ON THE SELECTION COMMITTEE?

A: The Director of the Honors College, five faculty members represented from each college across campus, and two upper-level members of the Honors College.

Q: WHAT IS THE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR HONORS COLLEGE TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS?

A:

• A minimum grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Completion of forty or more semester hours at the time of application
• Submitted subjective criteria (essay, activities, recommendations)
• Merit, not need based
• Supporting evidence of excellence (high school or other). This information is less important than the first three criteria.

Q: IF I AM A TRANSFERRING COLLEGE STUDENT WITH A MINIMUM 3.75 GPA, APPLY TO PITTSBURG STATE, AND MAKE COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR THE PSU HONORS COLLEGE, WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF BEING OFFERED A TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP?

A: The number of scholarships is limited. Over the past several years, 20-25 candidates have completed applications annually. Up to six Honors College Transfer scholarships are awarded each year.

Q: IF I GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, BUT ALSO HAVE 40 HOURS OF COLLEGE CREDIT EARNED FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONCURRENTLY, WOULD I APPLY AS AN INCOMING FRESHMEN OR AS A TRANSFER SCHOLAR?

A: Regardless how many hours are transferred from a community college, high school seniors will be considered as applicants for incoming freshmen and not as community college transfer students.

Q: WHEN WILL I FIND OUT ABOUT MY STATUS CONCERNING ACCEPTANCE INTO THE HONORS COLLEGE?

A: Selection is normally completed by March 1. By early March, you will be informed whether or not you are an Honors College scholarship recipient. Those not being offered an Honors College Scholarship may still be considered for other Pittsburg State University aid and scholarships, by completing the forms necessary for those awards. We sincerely hope that as an outstanding student, you will take advantage of our many well recognized programs and attend PSU.

Q: WHAT IS THE TYPICAL COST OF A YEAR AT PSU?

A: PSU is a Kansas Regents institution; therefore, it is subject to fee changes, as is typical at all institutions of higher education. However, basic costs for the 2005-2006 academic year include tuition and fees of approximately $1,895.00 per semester (Kansas resident) and $5,560.00 per semester (non-resident of the state of Kansas). Air-conditioned, double room and 7-day access meal plan (which is the most common plan) is about $2,372.00 per semester (other plans vary slightly in cost). Books range from $400.00 to $800.00, with an average of about $600.00 per year, health insurance coverage of $900 per year and incidental costs will vary according to individual taste and budget.

Q: HOW DO THESE COSTS COMPARE WITH OTHER UNIVERSITIES?

A: Total costs at Pittsburg State are substantially less than most private "liberal arts colleges," equivalent to (or lower than ) most state universities, and a fraction of the expense of the "prestige name" colleges and universities. The basic thrust at Pittsburg State is on undergraduate education. Many of our programs are nationally recognized.

Q: WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENTAL HONORS PROGRAM?

A: The Departmental Honors program is for any undergraduate student who has maintained a 3.50 or higher composite GPA after completion of 110 grade points (whether enrolled in Honors College or not). Departmental faculty set criteria for projects, such as deciding which classes may be taken for departmental honors. Students must apply, complete necessary forms, etc., that the program requires. Records of projects are kept only in the departments. The Registrar's Office records completion of departmental honors courses for graduation and transcript notation. Beginning Fall 2006, all Honors College incoming Freshmen and Transfer Scholars are required to complete departmental honors in their major department.

Q: WHAT GENERAL TIPS SHOULD I FOLLOW WHEN APPLYING?

A: 

• Apply for admission to Pittsburg State University. No Honors College application will be considered unless the applicant has first been admitted to PSU.
• Apply for Honors College on time; however, only in the spring semester after completion of forty or more semester hours with a minimum 3.75 GPA.
• Select your references carefully by making sure each will give you a strong recommendation.  Additionally, be sure to give them enough time to complete their forms and letters of recommendation so these can be included in a timely fashion and mailed all in one packet by the Feb. 1 deadline date.
• Be more cognizant of listing academic rather than other awards or activities. Be sure to include national merit scholarship nominations, regional, state, or national citations, leadership roles, and academic awards. While we may be interested in athletic prowess, cheerleading participation, homecoming royalty, church services, and volunteer work, the selection committee looks primarily at academic achievement. We are impressed by the well-rounded individual.
• Take time to write an interesting and well-constructed essay. Poorly written essays may be a distraction to your selection. When writing your essay, be sure to make it interesting, correct, and presented in an attractive format. Your essay will be an important factor in the selection process.
• Be sure that your transcript is included in your application packet.
• Above all, make your application as neat as possible. This is your first impression to the selection committee and the competition is very close. A typed application makes a more positive impact than one that’s handwritten.

Q: IF I WANT TO TALK TO OFFICIALS OR VISIT PSU ABOUT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNTIES, WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT?

A: A variety of approaches are possible. PSU recruitment officials may be visiting in your area or at your school, watch for notices. The Office of Admission is available to field most questions or plan visitations. Contact them at 103 Horace Mann (620)235-4251. Questions concerning the Honors College can be posed in writing, on the phone, or during visitation to the Honors College's director, Dr. Julie Samuels 215C Hughes Hall (620)235-4183, jepyle-s@pittstate.edu   Arrangements can be made to visit with Dr. Samuels or Honors College students, to sit in on Honors classes, or for other considerations. PSU is very "student-friendly"!

Q: WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES ARE SPONSORED BY THE HONORS COLLEGE?

A: The Honors College Association, which includes all students in the Honors College, elects officers to plan both official and other group projects. Such projects include activities such as attendance at cultural events, picnics, volleyball, bowling, skating, canoe trips, annual awards luncheon, intramural's, fundraiser's, and a variety of community service activities.

Q: WHAT TYPE AND SIZE COMMUNITY IS PITTSBURG, KANSAS?

A: Pittsburg had an early heritage of small industrial city with coal mining, smelting, and engineering. Smelting and most of the mining are vestiges of the past. A diverse ethnic heritage has led the area of Crawford County and the surrounding area to be called the "Little Balkans". The population of Pittsburg has remained at approximately 20,000 for several decades. The population of the county is nearly double that of Pittsburg. The major employers are the University, a variety of small to medium-sized industrial plants, and the functions of a typical retail/wholesale center. A variety of stores, services, and professionals call Pittsburg home.

Hopefully this question and answer format has allowed you to become more aware of the nature of our Honors College. We have maintained high standards, high participant satisfaction, become well integrated into all facets of campus life, become known as campus leaders, and retained over ninety percent of our students. If you have further questions, please write, call, or visit.

As an outstanding student we hope that you will apply for admission to Pittsburg State, and then for potential admission to Pittsburg State University's Honors College.

THE BEST TO YOU IN YOUR QUEST FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS!

THE PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE MAY BE JUST WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!!