UB Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2007

You Are Here: Home | Academic Policies & Procedures | Admission | Freshman Admission | University Honors Program

Scholarships

Each year, the University at Buffalo invites 250 exceptional incoming freshman students to participate in the University Honors Program. Students admitted into the program benefit from unique academic opportunities and receive scholarship support ranging from $3,000 to $4,500 per year to the full cost of a four-year undergraduate education at UB. Award amounts are based upon the student's high school academic qualifications. Out-of-state students receive a supplement to help offset the additional cost of nonresident tuition. Students who meet the requirements of a minimum score of 1300 on the math & critical reading sections of the SAT or 29 on the ACT and a minimum unweighted high school average of 93 are automatically considered for admission to the Honors Program.

Distinguished Honors Scholarship Program

The Distinguished Honors Scholarship Program offers full scholarships for four years of undergraduate study at UB for a select group of the top entering freshmen students. These scholarships cover the entire cost of an undergraduate education at UB, including tuition, room and board, books, fees, and other school-related expenses. The value of the Distinguished Honors Scholarship increases as educational costs rise. Students awarded the Distinguished Honors Scholarship automatically receive admission to the University Honors Program, enjoying all of the special privileges accorded to Honors Scholars. Distinguished Honors Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, with consideration given to financial need.

Students meeting the requirements of a minimum score of 1470 on the math & critical reading sections of the SAT I or 33 on the ACT and a minimum unweighted high school average of 95 must submit the Distinguished Honors Scholarship application, which is available from the Honors Program office. In addition, students must file the SUNY application for admission to UB. Both applications must be submitted by early January of the application year.

Performing and Creative Arts Scholarship Program

For those students committed to a career in the performing and creative arts, an exciting opportunity exists within the University Honors Program. Known as Performing and Creative Arts Scholarships, a limited number of freshmen will receive annual scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study in the fields of music, art, music theatre, theatre, dance, and media study. This program offers students who are talented, both academically and artistically, an opportunity to study and to develop their talents within a university setting. They participate fully as members of the University Honors Program, enjoying all of the opportunities made available to Honors Scholars at UB.

Students meeting the requirements of a minimum score of 1230 on the math & critical reading sections of the SAT I or 28 on the ACT and a minimum unweighted high school average of 90 must initiate a Performing and Creative Arts Scholarship application, available from the Honors Program office, in addition to the SUNY and department applications. Auditions and portfolios are required, along with personal interviews.

Honors Program

The University Honors Program provides two comprehensive, university-wide options for academically talented students: the University Honors Program for incoming freshman students, and the Advanced Honors Program for upper-division current UB and transfer students. Merit-based scholarships are provided for students accepted as freshmen into the University Honors Program. Students accepted to each program receive special benefits, allowing them to create educational experiences unique to their individual interests.

With globalization and the shifting economic, technological, and cultural landscape it is likely students will change jobs several times over the course of their career. As a result, they must be creative and nimble to succeed in the international marketplace of ideas. They must be scholars of the first order, be able to work effectively with people of virtually every background, all the while being sensitive to the needs of their community. The UB Honors Program helps prepare students for the 21st century by:

• Emphasizing experiential learning, providing transforming life experiences both inside and outside the traditional classroom by encouraging study abroad, internships, and community service.
• Fostering in-depth scholarship by encouraging multiple degrees in diverse subjects, undergraduate research, graduate work, capstone courses, and an Honors thesis.
• Requiring a detailed annual review of career plans with our professional advisement staff, recognizing that the majority of students change their majors during their university years, often with unexpected opportunities.
• Conferring a strong Honors experience throughout all four years at UB, enhancing the interaction of students and faculty mentors, and producing a strong network of scholars for the future.

The responsibilities of an Honors Scholar include successfully completing the Honors Colloquium in the Fall semester freshman year and completing two Honors seminars, one each semester of the freshman year.

In the following three years, scholars will select and complete six Honors Experiences from the following list:

• Undergraduate research or creative activity
• Independent study
• Internship or practicum
• Study abroad
• Undergraduate supervised teaching
• Graduate coursework
• Departmental Honors coursework
• Departmental Honors thesis or project
• Senior Capstone coursework
• Double degree, a double major, or a major and a minor
• Contract Honors coursework

To help guide students in developing a unique Honors academic program, academic advisement is provided during the freshman, sophomore, and junior years to ensure that they are making the most of their undergraduate education at UB. For special guidance and support, each Honors Scholar is matched with a faculty mentor whose research and teaching interests correspond to the student's academic goals. Priority registration, preferred convenient housing, library privileges, special lecture series, research and creative projects funding, and study abroad scholarships are among the many special privileges afforded to Honors Scholars.

Advanced Honors Program

Each semester, highly qualified current university students are invited to apply for admission to the Advanced Honors Program. Students are eligible to apply once they have completed 60 credit hours and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 (including all transfer credit). The program provides an individualized honors opportunity for academically talented students, including those who may not have been eligible for the University Honors Program upon admission to the university. In addition to completing an application for admission to the program, students must also write a personal statement addressing their educational goals and aspirations, and must provide two faculty letters of recommendation. Application deadlines are October 1 for the fall semester and March 1 for the spring semester.

The Advanced Honors Program requires the completion of a senior thesis under the direction of two faculty advisors, the completion of three honors courses, and a breadth requirement (e.g., a second major, minor, overseas study, internship/co-op program, or community service). In return, Advanced Honors Scholars receive early registration privileges, information on research and study abroad opportunities, special advisement, commencement and transcript recognition of their excellence, along with the Honors newsletter describing scholarships, internships, and upcoming events.

Information concerning the University Honors Program, and applications for Distinguished Honors Scholarships, Performing and Creative Arts Scholarships, and the Advanced Honors Program, are available from the University Honors Program, University at Buffalo, 214 Talbert Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-1700, (716) 645-3020. Additional information can be found on the Honors Program web site.