I didn't think much about college while in high school, but, after a year at Ball State, I noticed a small white building on Riverside...
By Kayla D'Alessandro
Coming from a small high school in Michigan, it was hard to envision a bigger scope of my future self. It was required of us to take a career planning class during my Junior year. In this class, we were to preview some different higher education options for once we graduated. I was forced into thinking about my future. After completing the class, I concluded that I would like to attend Ball State due to the telecommunications program’s reputation, but that was all I knew.
I found no further reason to look into opportunities at Ball State because my assignment was done. I figured that I could do that once I arrived on campus. Therefore, I did no research (bad idea) and on top of that I was never presented with the idea to apply to the Honors College. I was under the impression that graduating with honors (i.e. magna cum laude or summa cum laude) was the only kind of honor status there was. Little did I know there was a college awaiting me with many different class topics that I could choose from that I otherwise would not have learned as a telecommunications major.
I have a great interest in the film industry and one day I found a video interviewing famous producers. One of them advised taking classes that you otherwise wouldn’t. I hadn't seen the video until after joining, but this is one of the biggest benefits I see being in the Honors College now. After living in Woodworth at the beginning of my sophomore year, I noticed a house which I never thought was affiliated with Ball State. After getting a closer look, I realized this was the best opportunity for me to venture into bold and unique classes.
It was at that moment I looked it up. I emailed or called the Honors College that very night asking how to apply. That week I was nervous because my interview with Honors College Dean James Ruebel was already scheduled. Looking back, there was no reason to be as nervous as I was.
After Honors College Dean James Ruebel checked my transcript, I was instructed to set up a meeting with an advisor to see how the required classes would match with the rest of my four-year plan. Beyond that, I also wrote a small paper on why I would like to be admitted. It was in that meeting that I was verbally told that I would get to be a student of the Honors College. Walking out of the meeting that day, I was very relieved to be accepted and excited for what was to come.
Honors College Dean James Ruebel said in an email that there are 20-25 currently-enrolled students who apply every fall for the Honors College.
“A high percentage of them go on to receive the Honors Diploma,” Ruebel said. “They need a 3.33 at the end of the term in which they are petitioning and - if they do that and have done the other things we ask of them – we admit them for spring.”
Ruebel said that fewer applicants apply in the spring.
“This number has been pretty constant over the past four-five years,” he said. “They separate into (1) people who did not apply to the Honors College out of high school, but have seen the error of their ways; (2) those who were denied when they first applied, but are now seeking entry; and (3) transfer students.”
I guess you could say I categorize in group one.
Advisors at the Honors College know just how much a student can handle, and the plan my advisor helped me create is still intact to this date with minimal changes. The entrance process was incredibly quick and smooth. The tremendous help from my advisor and the other supporting people in the college made the admission process very enjoyable. From my experience, I would recommend applying to everyone who is interested, even if they’re already students at Ball State. Every student will find a different benefit to being in the Honors College.
I found no further reason to look into opportunities at Ball State because my assignment was done. I figured that I could do that once I arrived on campus. Therefore, I did no research (bad idea) and on top of that I was never presented with the idea to apply to the Honors College. I was under the impression that graduating with honors (i.e. magna cum laude or summa cum laude) was the only kind of honor status there was. Little did I know there was a college awaiting me with many different class topics that I could choose from that I otherwise would not have learned as a telecommunications major.
I have a great interest in the film industry and one day I found a video interviewing famous producers. One of them advised taking classes that you otherwise wouldn’t. I hadn't seen the video until after joining, but this is one of the biggest benefits I see being in the Honors College now. After living in Woodworth at the beginning of my sophomore year, I noticed a house which I never thought was affiliated with Ball State. After getting a closer look, I realized this was the best opportunity for me to venture into bold and unique classes.
It was at that moment I looked it up. I emailed or called the Honors College that very night asking how to apply. That week I was nervous because my interview with Honors College Dean James Ruebel was already scheduled. Looking back, there was no reason to be as nervous as I was.
After Honors College Dean James Ruebel checked my transcript, I was instructed to set up a meeting with an advisor to see how the required classes would match with the rest of my four-year plan. Beyond that, I also wrote a small paper on why I would like to be admitted. It was in that meeting that I was verbally told that I would get to be a student of the Honors College. Walking out of the meeting that day, I was very relieved to be accepted and excited for what was to come.
Honors College Dean James Ruebel said in an email that there are 20-25 currently-enrolled students who apply every fall for the Honors College.
“A high percentage of them go on to receive the Honors Diploma,” Ruebel said. “They need a 3.33 at the end of the term in which they are petitioning and - if they do that and have done the other things we ask of them – we admit them for spring.”
Ruebel said that fewer applicants apply in the spring.
“This number has been pretty constant over the past four-five years,” he said. “They separate into (1) people who did not apply to the Honors College out of high school, but have seen the error of their ways; (2) those who were denied when they first applied, but are now seeking entry; and (3) transfer students.”
I guess you could say I categorize in group one.
Advisors at the Honors College know just how much a student can handle, and the plan my advisor helped me create is still intact to this date with minimal changes. The entrance process was incredibly quick and smooth. The tremendous help from my advisor and the other supporting people in the college made the admission process very enjoyable. From my experience, I would recommend applying to everyone who is interested, even if they’re already students at Ball State. Every student will find a different benefit to being in the Honors College.
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