FAQs

What is American Honors at Ivy Tech?

American Honors at Ivy Tech is a new, competitive 2-year Honors College. Its curriculum is designed to prepare students for junior- and senior-level coursework at the best colleges and universities in Indiana and the United States. At the conclusion of the 2-year program, students will earn an Associate’s degree with honors and will have the opportunity to apply for transfer to a top 4-year college or university to complete their Bachelor’s degree.

What makes American Honors at Ivy Tech unique?

American Honors at Ivy Tech is singularly focused on creating an intimate, personal, and dynamic undergraduate experience. Students who are admitted will join a community of like-minded peers. They will take small classes taught by top faculty. They will have access to state-of-the-art educational technology and will receive a level of personal advising that goes beyond what they will find anywhere else. And they will save money on their Bachelor’s degree – potentially enough to pay for a Master’s.

Who should apply?

American Honors at Ivy Tech was created to educate the future leaders of Indiana. The program is specifically designed for highly motivated students who aspire to earn a Bachelor’s degree from a top university or college but would like to pay less and stay close to home for the first two years. The student body of American Honors at Ivy Tech is diverse, comprised of artists, writers, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, activists, community leaders, and more. Despite the range of backgrounds and interests, students share some common characteristics: an infectious enthusiasm for learning; a desire to challenge themselves and pursue big dreams; and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.

What are the program’s admission standards?

American Honors at Ivy Tech is a competitive program, with admissions rates comparable to selective 4-year colleges and universities. Strong candidates will have demonstrated a high level of motivation and ability through a combination of academic achievement, extracurricular and/or work involvement, and leadership activity. We look holistically at applications and do not accept or reject candidates based solely on GPA cutoffs; nonetheless, competitive candidates will typically have a very strong academic record. Students do not have to be recent high school graduates to qualify. We look specifically for candidates who have overcome significant obstacles – or achieved accomplishments – through hard work, “grit,” and strength of character. If you believe you have ability to thrive in our honors community, we encourage you to apply.

How many students will be accepted?

American Honors at Ivy Tech expects to accept approximately 400 students for the Fall 2013 class across three Ivy Tech campuses: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Lafayette. Because enrollment will be limited, we strongly encourage prospective students to apply before the March 17 priority application deadline. All students who apply by the deadline are guaranteed consideration for admission. There will be rolling admissions after the deadline, but it is expected to be more competitive.

What if students already have a year of college credits (10 to 30 credits)? Can they still apply?

Yes. Any qualified student with fewer than 30 credits is encouraged to apply. Students with more than 30 credits could possibly still be a fit for the program, but it will depend on which courses have been completed and the courses required for transfer into four-year programs the student is considering.

Will Advanced Placement or dual-credit courses transfer into American Honors at Ivy Tech?

Yes, in most cases. Ivy Tech will review AP test scores and dual-credit classes to transfer as many credits as possible and American Honors will work with you to make sure as many classes as possible transfer to your 4-year university as well.

What degree programs does American Honors at Ivy Tech offer?

American Honors coursework satisfies the general requirements of most Ivy Tech and four-year majors , including Engineering, Pre-Medicine, Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Can students take a part-time course load?

No. With few exceptions, students are required to take a minimum of 12 credits per semester.

What is the difference between an honors course and a non-honors course?

Honors courses are smaller than most freshman year courses and are typically structured as seminars, with an emphasis on dialogue, debate, and in-class participation. The curriculum is designed to promote the development of higher order cognitive skills, such critical thinking, analysis and synthesis of information from multiple sources, strong written and oral communication, hypothesis development and research methods. Courses are also unique in that they’re conducted using a state-of-the-art learning platform.

How does the learning platform work?

The learning platform looks and feels a lot like Facebook. It is simple, intuitive, and integrates all elements of a student’s academic life – syllabi, assignments, course materials, notes, grades, deadlines, e-portfolio, transfer plans, and more. During scheduled class times, the platform becomes a virtual classroom, with every student occupying a live video tile on screen. This format affords students the flexibility to take class from any location with high-speed Internet, while creating a forum that is more intimate and dynamic than most traditional classrooms.

Why is class conducted through the learning platform?

The platform has three primary advantages. First, it can improve the quality of classroom experience. It does this by placing every student in a “front row seat,” and equipping the class with digital tools, like parallel text stream, in-class video and multimedia sharing, polls, and digital whiteboards. Each class session is recorded, so students can re-watch classes while studying for exams or reviewing notes. Professors capture nuanced data on classroom participation that allows them to offer more targeted feedback and guidance. Second, the platform prepares students to participate in an increasingly digital and global workplace. Many businesses and organizations require teams to collaborate using tools – like virtual conference rooms – that resemble what students will experience on the learning platform. Third, by enabling students to attend class remotely, the platform provides students greater flexibility in how they organize their lives.

Who teaches honors courses?

Honors courses are taught by some of Ivy Tech’s most talented faculty. Faculty are specifically selected for their passion, experience, and teaching skill. All instructors are committed to honors education and to your success in the program.

When are courses offered?

Courses are offered during a mix of morning, afternoon, and evening times.

What are Honors Team Advisors, and how do they work with students?

An Honors Advisor can be thought of as an advisor, coach, and advocate, rolled into one. The personal attention each student receives from his or her Honors Advisor – who becomes a single point-of-contact for support and guidance over the 2-year program – is one of the most unique and powerful benefits of the Honors College. From Day 1, Honors Advisors work with students to define academic goals, explore transfer and career options, and plan an academic pathway that maps directly to those goals. Over the course of each semester, students meet 1-on-1 with their advisors to discuss academic progress, upcoming deadlines, personal goals, and life within and outside of the Honors College.

How does American Honors at Ivy Tech prepare students to transfer?

Honors Advisors work with students on all aspects of transfer planning: exploring best-fit options, defining a list of target schools, and selecting the right courses based on transfer requirements. When it comes time to apply to transfer, Honors Advisors help students craft their applications, apply for scholarships and financial aid, keep track of deadlines, and navigate what can oftentimes be a complicated and opaque process. Students from the first American Honors cohort are applying this year to 50+ schools around the country, including Stanford, Yale, University of Chicago, New York University, Cornell University, Vanderbilt University, Boston College, Notre Dame, University of Southern California, Boston University, Pomona College, University of Washington, University of Colorado, Purdue, IU-Bloomington, and many more.

How much does American Honors at Ivy Tech cost?

American Honors at Ivy Tech costs more per year than a traditional degree at Ivy Tech but less per year than public or private 4-year universities. The average annual tuition & fees at public universities in Indiana is $8,704,* with room and board costing an additional $7,000 – $9,000. This amounts to a total cost of $15,000-$18,000 per year. American Honors at Ivy Tech will not exceed $3,000 per semester.
*Source: College Board Survey 2012

Will students who enroll in American Honors at Ivy Tech have access to financial aid?

Yes. Students have full access to federal, state, and local financial aid. Students should complete their FAFSAs immediately if they have not already done so to determine if they qualify for aid and to ensure that they meet deadlines for receiving aid.

What is the nature of the relationships American Honors is forming with 4-year institutions?

American Honors is working to develop transfer pathways with many of the top 4-year colleges and universities in the country. A number of articulation agreements are already in process, and one – with the University of Colorado-Denver – has been signed. As it is formed, the national network of transfer pathways will augment the in-state pathways that already exist. American Honors will work hard to make sure students are given every opportunity for consideration at the 4-year school of their choice.

What is American Honors?

American Honors is a selective honors program that provides qualified, high-ability students seeking a bachelor’s degree an opportunity to complete their first two years of college at a reduced tuition cost versus a traditional four-year college or university. Students in the American Honors program are prepared to be successful in the transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree, which will equip them for the career of their choice or graduate school.

American Honors classes are designed by talented faculty to facilitate honors-level discussions and activities. The professors are hand selected based on experience and their commitment to honors education. Students take a mix of American Honors courses and traditional Ivy Tech classes.

Why is Ivy Tech offering this?

American Honors at Ivy Tech is designed specifically for students who know they want to continue their education at a four-year school. We believe this program offers high-ability students advanced, honors-level coursework, better preparedness for transfer, and potential cost savings compared to traditional four-year college expenses.

Are honors classes in addition to the classes students are required to take?

No. Our classes replace the classes that students are required to take. The exception is if/when we don’t offer courses needed for a student’s associate’s degree. In this case, an Honors Adviser will work with the student and his/her faculty adviser to find the best courses at Ivy Tech to match their degree and transfer goals.

What benefits do students have being a part of the program?

American Honors at Ivy Tech provides a rewarding honors-level learning experience at an excellent value. Unmatched benefits include—

• A high-quality education with advanced coursework
• Small classes taught by select Ivy Tech professors
• New opportunities to transfer to top universities across the country
• A supportive community committed to student success
• An associate’s degree with honors distinction
• Honors coursework noted on your transcript

Who should I call if I have specific questions about the program?

We would love to speak with you and answer any questions you might have. For admissions-related questions, please call our Admissions Department at (317) 644-3440 or email us at ivytech-admissions@americanhonors.com

For other questions, you can contact HONORS Program Director, M. Beth Borst, at (317) 916-7820 or mborst@ivytech.edu

Visit our website for the latest news and information: http://ivytech.americanhonors.com

What kind of students do you look for in your program, and what are the requirements for admission?

We look for talented, motivated students—but realize those attributes aren’t always reflected in a GPA. We seek out individuals with leadership abilities, extracurricular involvement, academic achievements, strong standardized test scores, and a commitment to our program’s ideals.

We encourage you to visit admissions page for more information on applying.

How many students get in?

American Honors admissions is selective, and we expect to fill approximately 400 seats for our Fall 2013 program across three Ivy Tech campuses:  Indianapolis (200), Fort Wayne (100), and Lafayette (100). Because enrollment will be limited, we encourage prospective students to apply early. Also, admission is on a rolling basis.

Do students also have to apply to Ivy Tech?

Yes, students also need to apply to Ivy Tech, but there is no fee to apply. You can find information about the application process at: http://www.ivytech.edu/apply-now/. The American Honors program at Ivy Tech requires a separate application, but there is no additional fee.

What’s going to make these classes unique?

Aside from being a hybrid learning environment, which offers flexibility and an interactive experience, the American Honors program offers experiential learning and real world experiences via nationally and internationally recognized academic and business speakers, workshops, and other personal development activities.

What makes honors classes different?

Our classes are smaller than most freshman year courses. With some of Ivy Tech’s best faculty, our classes are also designed to facilitate honors-level discussions and activities. Our learning platform is unlike anything that students have seen before. Classes meet at regularly scheduled times on a live, streaming video platform where the professor and students can present material and interact with one another—similar to the experience of using Skype or Google Hangout. There are also many in-person components of the program, including a student success course, and team and student-driven activities.

Will students be able to take classes that are not in the American Honors curriculum?

Yes, students will take a mix of American Honors courses and traditional Ivy Tech courses. An Honors Adviser will help you with your course selections.

How many majors will be offered?

Many of the Ivy Tech majors are available.  Please contact us for more information about an intended major.

What courses will be offered?

A general summary of our course offerings can be viewed on our website. Please e-mail us if you have specific questions: ivtytech-admissions@americanhonors.com

What if a student already has a year of college credits (10 to 30)? Can they still be involved in the program?

We’re excited about applicants who have already completed some college courses. Any qualified student with less than 30 credits is encouraged to apply. Students with more than 30 credits could possibly still be a fit for the program, but it will depend on which courses have been completed and the courses required for transfer into four-year programs the student is considering.

Is there a difference in price between American Honors at Ivy Tech and Ivy Tech?

For the Spring 2013 program, there will be no tuition difference versus the current cost of Ivy Tech tuition. For the Fall 2013 program, there will be an additional cost to current tuition, but it will be the most affordable honors program offered within the state of Indiana. We recommend you contact us via e-mail or phone for specific questions regarding the cost of the Fall 2013 program.

Will American Honors help students find financial aid and scholarships?

Yes. In fact, we have specific team members who will help students identify potential financial aid and scholarships, both at Ivy Tech and for the student’s time/study at a future university.

Will students’ transfer credits be accepted?

Yes, we will review Advanced Placement classes and test scores to transfer as many credits as possible for our students. This is a major benefit of our program.

If a student wants to be an engineer, is this the right program for them?

Our program is designed for students looking for a four-year degree in many majors, including engineering. If a student is looking to transfer to a four-year university for engineering, this program may be right for them.

What if a student is already enrolled in classes?  Do they need to wait to enroll?

No, many of our potential students are already enrolled. If a student is accepted into our program, we will work together to create a new schedule.

When do students need to decide?

There’s limited space available in the program, so we encourage our prospective students to act quickly. We recommend all individuals apply as soon as possible to ensure our admissions staff can follow up with any questions. Please note that existing Ivy Tech HONORS students will receive priority consideration.

What kind of support will students have access to?

Providing extensive, proactive support for each student is a major priority for American Honors at Ivy Tech. Students are put into contact weekly with a personal adviser who will stay with them throughout their time at American Honors, and beyond. Their adviser will help them track their progress, identify networking opportunities and extracurricular activities, choose a major, and seamlessly transfer to a four-year university.

What will American Honors do to enhance a student’s social experience at college?

American Honors at Ivy Tech will give students a chance to build friendships with a group of highly motivated peers. In addition to a special honors orientation program, American Honors supports multiple social experiences each month. Peer cohorts focused on interests and extracurriculars will also provide opportunities to join intimate and unique communities at Ivy Tech, including the Student Success Course.

Are you going to publish student results?  How do you manage my information?

No. We respect student privacy and will keep student data private according to College policy.